Understanding Islam — Page 97
95 drenched in blood. Ultimately, the tribes of the Quraish made a collective decision to assassinate Prophet Muhammad sa for no crime other than preaching his peaceful message. Then, in order to carry out this plan, some youths were selected from various tribes to attack Prophet Muhammad sa in the middle of the night. However, God protected Prophet Muhammad sa and he departed from his home out of their sight and took refuge in a cave. To every honest researcher and seeker of truth, we ask: Were these cruelties and evil schemes and plans not equivalent to an announcement of war by the Quraish? By such actions, did the Quraish not unilaterally declare war on a small community of peace-loving, innocent Muslims who did nothing other than spread a message of peace? In the backdrop of such incidents, can any sensible individual assert that the Quraish of Makkah were not at war with Islam and the Muslims? Can it possibly be assumed that what the Muslims did in response to 13 years of suffering at the hands of the Quraish was “aggressive” and uncalled for? Would it not have been suicide if the Muslims had done nothing?