The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 90
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 90 political aptitude and military insight of the Holy Prophet sa. These strategies are as follows: FIRSTLY: The Holy Prophet sa began travelling to nearby tribes and establishing peace treaties with them, so that the surrounding region of Madīnah would become free of threat. In this respect, the Holy Prophet sa gave special consideration to those tribes who were situated close to the Syrian trade route of the Quraish. As every individual may gather, it was these tribes in particular, from whom the Quraish of Makkah could have derived most benefit against the Muslims and whose enmity could have resulted in severe threats for the Muslims. SECONDLY: The Holy Prophet sa began to dispatch small companies in order to obtain intelligence in different directions from Madīnah, so that he was able to remain informed of the movements of the Quraish and their allies; and the Quraish also understood that the Muslims were not oblivious, so that in this manner, Madīnah could be safeguarded from the dangers of sudden attacks. THIRDLY: Another wisdom in dispatching these parties was so that the weak and poor Muslims of Makkah and its surrounding areas could find an opportunity by these means, to join the Muslims of Madīnah. Until now, there were many people in the region of Makkah who were Muslims at heart, but were unable to publicly profess their belief in Islām due to the cruelties of the Quraish. Furthermore, due to their poverty and weakness, they were unable to migrate either, because the Quraish would forcefully hold back such people from migrating. As such, Allāh states in the Holy Qur’ān: “O ye believers! There is no reason that you fight not for the protection of religion, and for those men, women and children