The tremendous victory of Islam over the Quraish and the huge conversions to Islam at the conquest of Makkah amazed the disbelievers and lead many tribes to Islam. Others like the Hawazin and the Thaqif that was a dominant tribe from the lush fortified city of Taif were not contented, however. These pagan tribes watched in horror that the ending of idolatry was drawing near. The Hawazin were the old enemies of the Quraish. They regarded themselves as their rivals in power and prestige. The submission of the Quraish to the rising power of Islam had made them undisputed champions of paganism. Now they began to harbor hopes of bringing the Muslims to their knees and to build their fame upon the declining prestige of the Quraish. So they schemed with other pagan leaders and decided to battle against muslims under the command of Malik bin `Awf, in the month of Shawwal, 8th A.H. Although muslims suffered a temporary defeat at the beginning of battle of Hunain but eventually it ended in a decisive victory for the Muslims.
The neighboring tribes of Thaqif brought their families and property along, in addition to their army. Safwan Ibn Umayyah though still was a non-muslim, borrowed weapon to Prophetﷺ. The large army of muslims marched to the valley of Hunain. As muslims marched, several people felt proud of their large numbers as an army.
One of the soldiers remarked, “How can we possibly be destroyed when we are 12,000”? (Rahman, “Rally”, p. 264). As the Messenger came to know about this boasting, he warned them of the disliking of Allah over this behavior.
Enjoying a head start, the enemy purposely selected Hunain, a valley between Makkah and At-Ta’if that had a steep incline and several narrow points along the pass. Ibn Awf planned well and instructed archers to climb to elevated points. The battle started when hidden forces of Hawazin descended on the valley on the entrance of unaware muslims. Arrows hailed upon, and the swords struck them. Muslims were not prepared for this sudden attack. It made them retreat in haste, (Quran 9:25).
Prophetﷺ was angry on this flee of muslims; he appealed them to come back. He remained firm with complete composure. There remained only a few companions with him. Then he asked his uncle Al-`Abbas, whose voice was rather loud, to call the fleeing companions to retreat. When a sufficient number of companions had gathered, combat between the two parties started afresh. Prophetﷺ threw some dust at the enemy that miraculously obscured their vision for a time. The enemy was finally defeated. Allah had helped the Prophetﷺ with the hosts of heaven to bring the Hawazin to their knees (Quran 9:25-26). He had given orders to the troops, before the battle started, not to lift their hands against defenseless people. A woman was, however, killed in the battle, on which Prophetﷺ expressed regret, as it was brought to his notice.
Allah forgave the rest of Hawazin when they embraced Islam and went to the Prophetﷺ before he arrived at Makkah in the area of Ji`ranah. This occurred twenty days after the battle of Hunain. He gave them the choice between taking their families who were prisoners, or the war spoils they lost, and they chose the former. The Prophetﷺ released many prisoners but divided the war spoils between the victors, and new muslims. He gave each of them 100 camels, and the same to Malik bin `Awf whom he appointed the chief of his people as he was before. Ibn `Awf praised him ﷺ for his generosity and extraordinary courage.
CONCLUSION
- It is important that one should do homework before starting any new task and gain the correct information, as it’s essential for success.
- Muslims became complacent due to their reliance on numbers that was one of a set back of this battle. Though, it was natural to have that confidence after the conquest of Makkah. But there is a difference between being complacent and not taking right measures to protect one’s gains that established over the years.
- Temporary defeat strengthened the faith of muslims which had the lesson that both victory and defeat come from Allah. Whether one is a new muslim or old, he should not rely on means only, instead, one must put Allah above every other secondary consideration.
- The core lesson of Hunain is, undoubtedly, to never overlook the real most important reason for victory: Allah. A victory does not come from numerical strength. Similarly, victory should not make a man conceited and defeat should not make a man hopeless.
- The resilience and determination of the leader has a deep influence on the followers to lead them to victory. It can change the face of battles by strengthening the hearts of weaker followers. The statement of the Prophetﷺ that he was a true prophet showed his firmness and self-confidence.
- Prophetﷺ condemned the killing of a slave woman and reminded Khalid bin Walid not to kill any defenseless person. This is the mark of difference what Islam teaches and gives the superior code of conduct even in warfare.
- Muslims can acquire weapons from non-muslims to protect their interests. However, leadership should remain in the hands of muslims.
- There are certain patterns of all battles. In many cases, it was the intervention of Allah SWT that took out muslims from the crisis. Because it is Allah’s promise to protect His messenger and believers, though some companions killed during the combats Allah protected many so that message is continued to spread.
- Behind the distribution of booty in favor of the new converts had the wisdom to keep them in the fold of Islam, as many of them were leaders and wealthy people. They were new to the faith and this was the first spoil of war that came into their hands. Their faith was not as strong as the earlier companions of the Prophetﷺ. Prophetﷺ was possibly unable to win them without any material reward. Wealth is many times the single and only factor that can remove the enmity of an enemy. He gave them wealth initially and would later work on their hearts and convert them to people strong in faith. It proved true as these same men became strong muslims and were instrumental in taking Islam to the rest of the world.
- When the Prophetﷺ heard about the rumors related to Ansaars, he immediately dispelled them by addressing the issue. He did not allow enemies to further build on a misconception and sow the seeds of hatred. His sequence of questions and his choice of words provide an incredible model of leadership. He not only convinced them of his honesty and kindness but also further strengthened his relationship with them.
- The response of the Ansaars to the Prophet’s speech was a vivid statement of their confidence and love for him. They knew that it was because of Allah and His Prophetﷺ that saved them from a life of disgrace and difficulty. It brought them honor and they would always give their lives, wealth, and children in the service of Islam. (“The Biography of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam”)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Al-Qur’an al-Kareem – At-Tawbah. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2018, from https://quran.com/9/25-26
Rahman, Adam. (2016). Rally. In The Greatest Man of All Time: A Mercy to The World (pp. 262-275). Awake iRevival.
The Biography of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2018, from http://www.matwork.co.za/Seerah Lesson 26.htm
Volunteer. (n.d.). Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir – The Battle of Hunayn. Retrieved December 18, 2018, from http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2569
Alhuda, The Quran Club 