The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 51
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 51 the Battle of Badr and the Battle of the Ditch, the Muslims did not attain the objective of their Jihād in these wars, because the disbelievers were still in conflict just as before and war continued. However, at Ḥudaibiyyah, although there was no massacre and carnage and apparently the Muslims were made to give in to this treaty, but the purpose of their Jihād was ultimately attained. In other words, war was ceased, and peace was established in the land. Hence, the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah was the true victory, and it is for this reason that Allāh has referred to it as a ‘Manifest Victory’. This is a remarkably outstanding proof that the wars of the Muslims were either defensive or for the establishment of peace, and not for the purpose of spreading Islām by force. Muslims Achieved Exceptional Progress During a Time of Peace This question may be analysed from another perspective as well and that is to determine whether Islām achieved more progress during a time of peace or in a time of war. If it is proven that in comparison to war time, Islām progressed at an extraordinary speed during a time of peace, this would furnish practical evidence to substantiate that the wars of Islām were not for the purpose of forceful propagation. History identifies that war practically began in the second year of migration, and the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah took place in the sixth year of migration. In other words, prior to the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah, the Muslims underwent a five-year period of war. The number of Muslims in the span of these five years can be estimated by the number of warriors who participated in these wars on behalf of the Muslim army. War was announced in Ṣafar 2 A. H. , and the first battle of the Muslims against the Quraish took place in Ramaḍān 2 A. H. , at the occasion of Badr, where the Muslims numbered just over 300. The second battle took place in Shawwāl 1 3 A. H. , at the occasion of Uḥud, where the Muslims were 700 in number. The third battle was in Shawwāl 5 A. H. , which is known as the Ghazwah 2 of the Confederates or the Ghazwah of the Ditch. In this war the Muslims were 3,000 in number. However, it should be remembered that since this battle took place in Madīnah, a larger number of Muslims were able to participate. For if this had been a distant journey, perhaps so many Muslims would not have been able to participate, because the weak, old and destitute would have been left behind 1 The tenth month of the Islāmic Calendar [Publishers] 2 A military expedition in which the Holy Prophet sa participated himself [Publishers]