The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 77
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 77 there were times when a separate factor resulted in the occurrence of a battle in between, but the original cause always remained to be the ongoing initial conflict. Along with this, it is also worthy of mention that on some occasions in Arab wars (and in actuality this is a practice which is found to exist in wars even today), along with the combatant tribes, other tribes would also step in due to their own national interests. For example, if a war broke out between A and B, in addition to the allies of both A and B joining them respectively, during the course of war, it would also happen that for some reason, a tribe would join forces with A and another tribe would join B. In this manner, the sphere of war would continue to expand. It was more or less this very situation which came about in the Islāmic wars. In words, initially it was the Muslims who received an ultimatum from the Quraish of Makkah, which they were ultimately compelled to accept. However, gradually thereafter many other tribes continued to be enveloped into this war. For example, if the Quraish of Makkah allied with another tribe against the Muslims, consequently the Muslims were put to war against that tribe as well; or if witnessing the example of the Quraish, another tribe instigated an offensive war of their own accord against the Muslims, war was initiated with them as well; or if an allied tribe was treacherous towards the Muslims due to a conspiracy of the Quriash, in this manner, war was instigated with them as well, and so on and so forth. Hence, after the fire of war was first ignited, its sphere continued to expand, until the flames of this fire began to blaze throughout the greater part of the region of Arabia, in a short period of time. Categories of the Islāmic Wars In order to attain a complete insight into the initial Islāmic wars it is also necessary to understand, as has been alluded to in the above-mentioned Qur’ānic verses and other historical accounts, that all the Islāmic wars were not of the same type. Rather, they occurred due to varying factors. For example, some wars were for the purpose of protection and self-defense, i. e. , the intention of the Holy Prophet sa was to save Islām and the Muslims from the persecution of the Quraish and destruction. Others were for the establishment of peace, i. e. , their purpose was to remove persecution in the land and establish peace. Some were for the purpose of establishing religious freedom. Others were retributive in nature, i. e. , their fundamental purpose