The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 82
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 82 had prohibited the killing of women and therefore he refrained from doing this. 1 At this point, we need not enter a discussion on the justification of killing Abū Rāfi‘. The bloodthirsty undertakings of Abū Rāfi‘ are an open page of history. Furthermore, an elaborate exposition has been written on a similar instance with relevance to Ka‘b bin Ashraf in Volume 2 of this book, 2 the repetition of which is not needed here. Fundamentally, the following points should be remembered: During that era, the Muslims were in a very weak state, surrounded by adversity from all directions and the fire of enmity was ablaze all throughout the land. It was as if the entire land was uniting to annihilate the Muslims. In these delicate times, Abū Rāfi‘ was fuelling the fire which had been inflamed against the Muslims. Furthermore, through his power, influence and wealth, he was inciting the various tribes of Arabia against Islām. Also, in the likeness of the Ghazwah of Aḥzāb, he was preparing to unite the barbaric tribes of Arabia to again launch an assault against Madīnah. During that era, there was no government in Arabia whereby justice could be administered. Instead, every tribe was free and independent. Therefore, there was no other option other than to employ a strategy for self- protection. The Jewish people were already at war with Islām and at that time there existed a state of war between the Muslims and Jews. At that time, the state of affairs was such that if forces were openly mobilised against the Jews, there would have been a substantial loss of lives and wealth. It was possible that the fire of war would take on the form of mass destruction throughout the land. In these circumstances, whatever the companions did was absolutely correct and prudent. Moreover, in a state of war, when a nation is passing through life or death, strategies of this kind are completely permissible. Furthermore, as required, every nation and every community has employed such tactics in all eras. However, it is unfortunate that in this era of moral deterioration, emotions of sympathy towards criminals has increased to such an unlawful extent that even a tyrant becomes a hero. The punishment which he receives, results in attracting the sympathies of the common people and his 1 Al-Muwaṭṭā, By Imām Mālik bin Anas, Kitābul-Jihād, An-Nahyu ‘An Qatlin-Nisā’i Wal-Wildāni Fil- Ghazwi. . . , Ḥadīth No. 980 2 Please refer to Sīrat Khātamun-Nabiyyīn sa , Volume 2