MUHAMMAD:

Seventh to Eighth Year of Hijrah

Muhammad (pbuh)

60-61 years old

LETTERS TO THE RULERS OF THE WORLD

      Islam did not come for the pagans alone, neither was it for the Arabs only.  Islam was and still is for the whole world, no matter what nationality or what language the people follow.  On the one hand, Arabia of the time was a weak scorned society, an insignificant country, with no head of state of any sort.  On the other hand, the super­powers of that time were the Byzantines (Romans) and the Persians, and they gave little attention, if any, to Arabia or all that was going on.  Arabia was the neglected corner of the known world, so to speak.

      That, of course, did not matter to the Prophet.  Allah and His religion was what mattered, His words were to be everywhere.  That was the Mission, and Prophet Muham­mad (pbuh) had that responsibility, the heavy responsibility of seeing to it that Islam, the Message, spreads.

      With that in mind, Prophet Muhammad sent letters in the hands of emissaries or messengers.  The letters urged the emperors and rulers of the world to the religion of truth, to Islam.  Some of the messengers were treated kindly and well, but others were treated in a rough manner, but none were killed.

      Little did the emperors know that in a mere twenty years their countries would come under the umbrella of Islam!  It is way beyond the capacity of the mind to think that such a thing could ever happen, yet it did.

How could two awesome superpowers come to be dominated within a short time by an inferior country like Arabia!  The answer is what Islam can do to the hearts of men, and what men can accomplish when Islam feeds their hearts.  It is the works of Faith, the faith of Islam.

HERACLEUS, THE BYZANTINE EMPEROR 

      Heracleus was the Emperor of the Byzantine (Romans) at the time.  He was visiting in Palestine when he received the Prophet's letter.  Heracleus was celebrating his victory over the Persians.

      Heracleus sent for some Arabs to interpret the letter, and to inform him about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  Oddly enough, Abu Sufyan, was one of the Arabs.  He happened to be there on a business trip.  Abu Sufyan was a disbeliever at the time, the leader of Quraish, and the biggest enemy of Muhammad (pbuh).  He, his wife Hind, and son Mu'awiya shared the same feeling toward Islam then.

"Which of you is related to this man who claims to be a Prophet?" Heracleus addressed the people in the court.

"I am," answered Abu Sufyan.

"What kind of family does he belong to?" Heracleus was curious.

"Noble," was Abu Sufyan's short answer.

"Has there been a king in this family?"

"No," replied Abu Sufyan.

"Are the people who have accepted this religion poor or rich?"

"They are poor," answered Abu Sufyan again.

"Are his followers on the increase or decrease?" was the next question of Heracleus.

"Increasing," was the short answer of Abu Sufyan.

"Have you ever known him to tell lies?"

"No," admitted Abu Sufyan.

"Does he ever go against his covenants?" Heracleus continued his questions.

"Not so far, but we have to see if he carries out the new agreement made between us and him," Abu Sufyan answered.

"Have you ever fought him in a war?" Heracleus was getting excitedly curious.

"Yes," Abu Sufyan answered in brief again.

"What has been the result?"

"Sometimes we have won, sometimes he."

"What does he teach?"  Heracleus was getting ever interested.

"Worship one God, join no partners with Him, carry out your prayers, be chaste, speak the truth, and keep union with your relatives." So answered Abu Sufyan, even surprised at his own answers, since it sounded to him as if he himself was preaching Islam.

      Once the questions were answered, Heracleus gave a speech.  He said, "If all that you said is true, I am sure his kingdom will reach where I am standing.  I was certain that a Prophet was coming, but I didn't think he would be born in Arabia.  If I were to go there, I would even wash his feet with my own hands."

LETTERS AND EMISSARIES TO OTHER NATIONS TOO 

      Besides others, the Prophet (pbuh) sent a letter with emissaries to the Persian Emperor.  Upon receiving that letter, the Persian Emperor became very angry.  He wrongly understood that the letter had slighted him, had insulted his eminence!   With arrogance and an air of superiority, he tore the letter, then sent orders to his subordinates in Yemen to kill the new Prophet of Islam.  The ruler of Yemen instead became Muslim, and he was kept by Muhammad (pbuh) as a ruler of Yemen, but to represent Islam.  What a change!

      Upon hearing what happened to the letter, and how the Persian Emperor tore it to pieces, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "May Allah tear his kingdom."  Sure enough, no more than twenty years later, that very kingdom was torn, and it came to be under the rule of Islam.

      Similar letters were sent to the Egyptian Copt who received the emissary well and sent gifts to the Prophet.

THEY RETURN FROM ABYSSINIA 

      It was an occasion of double joy.  The Muslims had returned from Abyssinia after such a long and tiresome trip, and after such a long absence (of several years).  Their hearts were in ecstasy, jumping with joy, now that they could be by the beloved Prophet again.

      They arrived in Medina almost at the same time Muhammad (pbuh) had come back from Khaybar.  The meeting of the hearts was such that the Prophet said with a smile, "I don't know which is the greater happiness, the victory of Khaybar or the meeting of Ja'far."  By Ja'far, he meant Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the brother of Ali.  Ja'far was heading the Muslim group which came back from Abyssinia.

      It was almost twelve years since those Muslims were forced to leave Mecca.  They left because of the dreadful mistreatment by the disbelievers of Mecca at the time.  They left Mecca to take refuge in Christian Abyssinia, where they could live in religious freedom.  During the long twelve years the Muslims were homesick, they wanted to be back home.  They watched the events in Mecca and Medina closely.  Above all, they wanted to be by the Prophet (pbuh), to learn more about Islam, to be active in working for Islam, and to be part of the Muslim community.  They knew the Muslims were working like a bee hive for Islam.  Finally, and after such a long time, they left Abyssinia to be where the real action was, in Medina.

      They were most surprised to see the tremen­dous difference between now and then.  Oh, how delightful it was to see Islam so successful, and to have it spread so much.  What a differ­ence between the atmosphere now and then, and how marvelous to see Muslims everywhere.  What a new and dynamic force this Islam was, and how greatly it had molded the hearts of people into brotherhood, decency, and chastity.

      The months came to pass and once and for all there were no troubles or threats for the Muslims.  With security and freedom at hand, the message of Islam attracted a huge number of people.

      But the Muslims were anxiously waiting.  They were waiting for the year to pass, because they had the Hudaibiya treaty with the disbelievers of Mecca.  The Muslims were looking forward for the three glorious days ahead, at which time they are allowed to fulfill the pilgrimage in Mecca.  The people of Medina had heard a great deal about the birth place of Muhammad (pbuh), about Hiraa cave where he got his first Revelation from Angel Gabriel, his house in which he lived with his beloved Khadija, and other numerous interesting points.

      The Muslims who had to leave Mecca at the occasion of Hijrah, had been away from it for almost eight long years.  They were getting homesick, and anxious to see the old place, their friends, and relatives.  They wanted to see the familiar mountains and valleys, once again.

      Above all however, everyone was anxious to perform Haj (Omrah) with the Prophet.  Haj was the sacred duty that Allah had already ordered a few years back, but no Muslim had been able to perform until now.

      By now, however, and accor­ding to the treaty between the Muslims and the dis­believers of Mecca, it was safe to perform it.  As the date got nearer and nearer, the Muslims got ever more excited, preparations coming under way.  About 2,000 Muslims were ready to go.  Sixty camels were to be sacrificed.  There was a cheerful feeling in the air, a very satisfied one.  Medina is about three hundred miles north of Mecca.  To go from this place to Mecca, it would take 2 to 3 weeks to say the least, but during this trip, these weeks were most exciting to the Muslims.  They were singing in unison, singing the praise of the Almighty, glorifying Him, and responding to His call.

      As they came closer to Mecca, their excitement grew and grew.  Oh how anxious they were to go to the house of Allah, to see Mecca again, and to revive old memories for one more time.  Just to be sure, however, they sent a scouting mission ahead, to see for itself.

      The scouting mission consisted of one hundred Muslims on horses, brave, confidant.  They charged ahead on galloping horses, to make sure that Meccan Quraish was not preparing to give trouble to the Muslims.  Precautions were always necessary.  Quraish was not to be trusted.  Fortunately, they found out that things were in good shape, and it was safe for the Muslims to go forward.

THEY WERE NEAR 

      With hearts violently beating, nerves tense with excitement, eyes anxious to see much in only three days, the Muslims entered Mecca.

      They looked around, having passed Noor Mountain with its Hiraa cave, and way over there was the huge silhou­ette of the Ka'ba.  The familiar places were standing still, but the town was deserted.  Where was everybody?  Why the silence?  What was going on?  They soon found out.

THE MECCANS ON THE HILLS 

      The disbelievers of Mecca couldn't face it, it was too much of an agony to do so.  "Here you go," they thought, "only a few years back Muhammad was almost killed by us, but now, and with our own agreement, he is performing the Haj, and with so many Muslims.  This Haj is a daring maneuver, and it will certainly influence many of us, especially our young ones."  It was too much for them to take.

      Their hate and spite were still alive and boiling inside of them, and their sense of ack­nowledged defeat made it even more intolerable for them to be reasonable.  This was especially so with Abu Sufyan, his wife Hind, and son Mu'awiya.  Hate, hate accentuated by defeat, was their feeling.  They talked a lot, friends talked to friends, and neighbors to neighbors, and the final decision was that every Meccan was to leave the town, for the total of those three days.  Being the leader of the disbelievers, Abu Sufyan and his family were the first to oblige.  Yet, they took it as an insult, a defeat, and a crushing of their pride, to stay in Mecca for the three days, while the Muslims enjoyed the Ka'ba performing the Haj.  After all, the Ka'ba was the heart of their very hearts, it was the heart of Quraish.

      They had another important reason to make them heart broken; they had lost a good many of their own people to Islam.  By now, the disbelievers of Mecca had a very deep fear that their own youth and children might follow the Prophet by the hundreds, if not by the thousands, as others did before.  "After all, so much and so often had been said about Muhammad (pbuh)" they thought, "that such a fearful possibility was very real, too real to be dismissed.  Why not, then, be in the hills around Mecca, in tents, and pretend to ignore the Muslims?"

      That was their decision, and they thought it was clever.  "None would see him or hear him, and none would be attracted to him," they smiled contentedly.

FROM THE TOP OF THE HILLS 

      At a distance, from the top of the hills, the disbelievers of Mecca could not help but stand in admiration and awe at the breathtaking sight.  It was outstanding, magnificent.

      The magnificent call of the Muslims, "Labai'ka, Allahumma Labai'k."  "I am here at Thy service, I am here, O lord!  I am here."  It was repeatedly uttered, from 2000 throats no less, with enthusiasm rare to match.  They uttered it in unison, loud, very loud, clearly, and it vibrated the hills and the valleys.  What a melody!  How grand!  How striking!

      Though defeated, the disbelievers of Mecca were standing silently, enviously, and admiringly.  They were seeing the Islamic faith in action.  It was free, free for all to take.  They were struck with the magnificent scene, their hair stood on end, and their very foundation shaking.

      Oh, so much they wished they were over there, in that very crowd of Muslims.  But to do so, it would be to show their injured pride and self esteem.  It was hard to admit defeat, or to acknowledge failure.

      The solid mass of Muslims, following the Prophet (pbuh), looked like a sea of humanity.  They were gloriously united in devotion, and with one great aim.  The aim was the service of Allah, the Almighty.  The Muslims looked alike, for all dressed exactly the same, showing equality.  They marched with hearts ever so full of happy feelings, glorifying Allah, the Almighty.  Allah has the priority, He always has the priority.

      While this was going on, the disbelievers thought that their stone idols were helplessly standing still, not even moving a finger!  Since the idols were so useless, the disbelievers thought, was it worth it to fight Muhammad (pbuh) or even prevent him from delivering his Message?  Were not they, the Meccans themselves, cruel, unfair, rude, and nasty to Muhammad?  Wasn't it absurd of them to fight Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims for that long and in such a brutal manner?  What did Muhammad want from them after all?  Wasn't what they were seeing so beautiful and so grand?  Yes, many, many similar thoughts crossed their minds.

AND THEY SAW THEM WORSHIP TOO 

      Noontime came, and once more the watching disbelievers were thunderstruck.  Never did they ever hear such a thing before!  It was Bilal, over there by the Ka'ba.  He was calling the Athan in such a melody, in such an inviting way, that the whole valley echoed with it, and not once but over and over again.  It was Bilal whom everyone saw tormented, and repeatedly so, almost to death.  It was he himself who would then say, "Ahad, Ahad," confirming the oneness of Allah.  Oh yes, the Meccans remembered him, and they remembered the cruelty dealt to him in Mecca—it was not that many years back.

The Ka'ba was surrounded and contained 360 idols in thos days

      Now the pagans became quiet, trying to see what Bilal was calling for.  Thoughts were put aside.

      And look there, the Muslims had gathered in such orderly lines, one after another, all facing the Ka'ba, bow­ing, kneeling, and prostrating.  The Ka'ba was the center.  The idols didn't do anything, motionless they stayed, and as ugly as they were, they looked even uglier by now.  Oh how senseless those idols were, how absurd it was of the Meccans to worship them.

      The hearts of the Meccan disbelievers beat, and violently so, with that unforgettable scene.  Their minds seemed as if to sing the glory of Allah as Bilal had called for.  Yes, those pagan Meccans looked very enviously and some of their leaders, among whom was Abu Sufyan, wished so very much they had never made the treaty with Muhammad (pbuh).  None could hide away from the charm of Islam or its leader, the Prophet (pbuh) himself.

      Looking on from the hills had simply made it easier to see the Muslims praying together or performing the Haj.  It was something to behold and admire.  Each Meccan was very, very impressed, be he old, young, rich or poor.

WHEN THE THREE DAYS WERE OVER 

      With their own eyes, and from a distance, the disbelievers saw Islam in action, each was an eye witness, and no one could distort what Islam called for.  The impression this occasion made on their minds was stronger than anything a person could ever imagine.  For the Muslims it was the best advertisement ever.  The leaders sent two men to mention to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that the time of departure had come, and for the Muslims to get ready to leave.

      The Muslims, of course, experienced a tremendous spiritual uplift, though it was for only three days.  It worked like a miracle for them, and the memories kept welling up in their hearts.  How wonderful and how marvelous they must have felt!  They were happy, thankful and grateful to the Almighty, that at last they could make it.  It was Omrah that they did, not the real Haj in its due time, but nevertheless it was a blessing and great encouragement for the Muslim community.

KHALID IBNIL WALEED BECOMES MUSLIM 

      Khalid was the hero of the Meccans and the leader of its armies.  He had observed the Muslims carefully, more so during those three days, as did other pagans.  What Khalid saw and felt had the greatest impact on him.  He came to a decision, a vital one.  Nothing would influence Khalid otherwise, he wanted to change, the hero of the disbelievers wanted to become a Muslim right away, and down with anything but Islam.

      Khalid announced his intention to others: "It is clear to every man of reason," he declared, "that Muhammad is neither a poet nor a sorcerer, and that what he says is the sayings of the Lord.  It is the duty of every man of wisdom to follow him."  His announcement was bold and fearless, letting others know what he intended to do.

      Quraish was in fury and further dismay.  Many arguments followed, in which many leaders, including Abu Sufyan, were involved.  They tried desperately to convince Khalid, not to change his mind, to continue to be with them, and not to change to Islam.  They did not want to lose him, he was essential, he was their hero.  But during the arguments, it was said that not only

Khalid but probably everyone in Quraish, felt exactly the same way as Khalid did.  They knew they were in the wrong before, it was crystal clear to them.  The truth will always shine, and people will see it, if not sooner, then later.

      Khalid, the enemy's hero, became Muslim, and he joined Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and other Muslims immediately, and so did Amr Ibnil Aas and other leaders from Quraish.  They all came to join other Muslim brothers in Medina, and to have the honor of being among them.  That made Mecca tremble, feel weak, left out, and it made the Meccan disbelievers ever more tense and edgy.

MUSLIM MISSIONARIES DISPATCHED 

      The year that followed saw a good many Muslim missionaries travel to different tribes with the noble aim of calling for Islam.  Some of these missionaries were well treated, others were either ridiculed, mistreated or killed.  A good example is the fifty Muslim missionaries sent to Benu Saleem.  This tribe deceived and betrayed the group, killing every Muslim missionary except the leader of the group.  He managed to escape, ran to Medina to tell the sad story.

      Another fifteen Muslim missionaries were dispatched toward Syria.  They also were mistreated and tortured, then killed one after another, except for one.  He too managed to escape, and got back to Medina to break the terrible news.

      Those Muslims never minded losing their lives for the sake of Islam.  They went for the mission no matter how dangerous the assignment was.

AS A RESULT, AN EXPEDITION 

      Muslims have to defend their interest. Those who inflict injury have to be dealt with.  Because of what happened to the Muslim missionaries in Syria, an expedition was to be dispatched.

      It was during the month of July, blistering hot, when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gathered 3,000 fighters, to march toward Syria.  The intention was to show that province of the Byzantine (Roman) empire how prompt the Muslims could be to defend their interests and their murdered missionaries.

  The Muslims marched, having had strict orders not to hurt women, children or the old.  They were not to destroy vegetation or devastate the land or homes; and they were to make peaceful attempts toward the true faith of Islam before the fight.  Not a single army in history before had ever marched with such admirable orders!

THE BATTLE OF MU'TA 

      It was a tiny force of only three thousand Muslims to stand face to face against the unexpectedly giant force of veteran Romans, something that exceeded 100,000 soldiers!  Each Muslim was to face about 50 or so Romans!  The meeting place was Mu'ta.

      As the fight broke out, it was most severe, the Muslims were like men of iron, a will that was unbending.  It looked like a suicidal attempt, but to the Muslims it was an attempt for martyrdom.  What is better than being with the Almighty?  It is true that the odds against the Muslims were overwhelming, yet that did not bend their will or even discourage them.

      The three leaders of the Muslims were so out­numbered and so overwhelmed that they were killed one after another.  Ja'far, was one of them, he was the Prophet's cousin and Ali's brother, and who had just returned from Abyssinia.  He became the standard bearer.  When his arm was cut, he fought with the other.  When both arms were cut, he held the flag with the stumps of his arms, until he fell from the numerous wounds he received.

      Finally, Khalid ibnil Waleed, who had become Muslim only recently, took the leadership.  He fought most bravely, and he did wonders.  The fighting was such, that he broke a total of nine swords during that day alone, and it seemed as if he was fighting a sea of enemy soldiers.  You wonder how his muscles ached afterwards, and how he could stand all the pressure!

      When the day was over, the fight came to a halt.  It was almost certain that the Muslims had a sleepless night wor­rying what the next day would be like.  But by the next day, Khalid used special tactics, in which he scared the huge Roman army.  As a result, no fighting took place.  The Roman's kept to their side, hoping they wouldn't be attacked by such a zealous determined people.  Since no fighting broke out that day, the Muslims were able to withdraw cautiously but happily, thus they were saved from certain annihilation.

      The Byzantines (Romans), scared by such a small ferocious force, were happy that the Muslims withdrew.  They did not chase them, but instead they spread the news about how fearless and hard to beat the Muslim fighters are.  The news left its permanent impact on the minds.

IN MEDINA 

      Though the withdrawal of the Muslim force was a brilliant maneuver, and although Khalid was skillful to scare the Byzantines (Romans) and manage save the small Muslim force, the people in Medina were unhappy with the result!  It was quite an unexpected reaction.  You see, the early Muslims never believed in retreat.  They became so upset that they shamed the returning Muslim fighters and their leader Khalid, threw dirt and rocks at them.

      In a moral sense, the whole experience was a good victory for the Muslims, because they scared the Romans a great deal.  It was wise that Khalid withdrew, since the situation was suicidal for sure, but the Muslims in Medina of the time could never swallow retreat.

      The Prophet (pbuh) understood the situation well, and he kept defending Khalid and his troops.  He agreed that the odds were extremely heavy against the Muslims, and retreat was the only wise thing to do.

The Martyrdom of Ja'far at Mu'ta battle made the Prophet feel very sad.  Ja'far and the other leaders killed were very much loved by the Prophet (pbuh) and the Muslims community.

QURAISH TAKES ADVANTAGE 

      It didn't take long before the news of Mu'ta had reached everyone, including pagan Quraish in Mecca and others of course.  They were delighted with what they heard, since they had still wished to see the Muslims disappear.  They thought that the Muslims had the greatest setback, and the Romans would finish them off soon.  Because of such reasoning, Quraish unilaterally broke the treaty with Muhammad (pbuh), the treaty of Hudaibiya.

      They broke it when the Meccans managed to cause killing and looting between a tribe which had sided with them on the one hand, and a tribe that had sided with the Muslims on the other hand.  According to the Hudaibiya treaty (between Muhammad and the disbelievers of Mecca), such things were not to happen.  But since it happened there was an outcry and the tribe which had been wronged asked Prophet Muhammad for help.

SOON AFTER, THEY REGRET 

      Quraish of Mecca had a second thought afterwards, and a regret.  Remembering how strong the Muslims had become, and knowing how much the Prophet (pbuh) disliked someone who broke a promise or a treaty, the disbelievers of Quraish sensed their grave mistake.

      They thought they better have another treaty or at least renew the old one to avoid trouble.  Their leader Abu Sufyan, the sworn enemy of the Prophet at the time, went all the way to Medina.  His was to persuade the Muslims to renew the treaty, or to correct the new situation.

      When he arrived he found out that the Prophet wouldn't even talk to him!  So, Abu Sufyan, though deflated and angry at himself, went to his daughter (who was married to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to ask her for help.  She would not even let him sit where he wanted to, so that he does not desecrate it.  She was very non-responsive to him, that when he left he was feeling dejected, defeated, and red in the face.  Abu Sufyan wouldn't give up, however, since the situation was quite grave.  Next he went to Abu Bakr, then Omar, but they would not help either.

      Extremely desperate, he saw Ali, and after a lengthy talk with him, Ali suggested he talk to the people.  Abu Sufyan thought he had a breakthrough, so he went to the mosque to call for help!  But oh, he found out that not a single Muslim was interested in his call!  What a change!  Ali's suggestion exposed Abu Sufyan, and he could see for himself how little regard the Muslims had for him, though he was the leader of Quraish.

      "What a failure, and how disheartening," he must have told himself.  He, Abu Sufyan, the warlord of Quraish, was treated as a nothing, what an insult!  At the same time he saw the Muslims strong, united, alert, dedicated, and totally rejecting of him.

QUESTIONS  

1. The Revelations of the Holy Quran in Medina dealt more about human relations, ethics, mannerism, and community life.  Why is that?

2. If the Islamic code is followed, will human relations reach the ideal level?

3. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent letters to the rulers of the world.  Why?

4. How fast did Islam spread after the treaty of Hudaibiya with Quraish was secured?

5. The Muslims returned from Abyssinia just at the time Muhammad (pbuh) returned from Khaybar.  What was the feeling of everyone?

6. Through the treaty Muhammad (pbuh) had with Quraish, Muslims could go for Haj.  Did they perform Haj the first year of Hudaibiya?

7. When the Muslims performed their first Haj, what was their feeling?  How did the Meccans feel when the Muslims performed the Haj the first time?

8. Why did Khalid ibnil Waleed convert to Islam after seeing the Muslims performing their Haj?

9. Khalid ibnil Waleed the hero converted to Islam.  How did Quraish feel?

10. Muslim missionaries were sent to different areas, how were they treated?

11. In the north the Muslim missionaries were badly treated.  Did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) send an expedition to the north?

12. How were the Muslims outnumbered in the engagement of Mu'ta?

13. How did Khalid ibnil Waleed rescue the Muslim force during the engagement of Mu'ta?

14. Describe the engagement in Mu'ta.

15. After the battle of Mu'ta, Quraish took advantage of the situation.  How did they break the treaty with the Muslims?

16. After breaking the treaty with Muhammad (pbuh), Quraish felt edgy.  What did they do to prevent confrontation?

17. How was Abu Sufyan received in Medina?

18. What did Abu Sufyan find out in Medina?