The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 167
V An Analysis of Islām’s Strength in Peace and War The Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah is among the most significant events in the history of Islām and the life of the Holy Prophet sa , with which, a new era in the life of the Holy Prophet sa began. The commencement of this new era began with the Ghazwah of the Aḥzāb, when the Holy Prophet sa said: ن َ نَغْزُوْھُم ْ وَلَا یَغْزُوْنَنَا ٓ ا اَلْ i. e. , “Henceforth, we shall fight the Quraish of Makkah, but they shall not have the strength to attack Madīnah. ” 1 This new era was completed with the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah, when the chain of fighting between the infidels of Makkah and the Holy Prophet sa was ended by a formal treaty. After nineteen years of prolonged tension, which originally was of the character of ruthless persecution and torture, later taking on the form of systematic war, a peaceful environment was created for the Holy Prophet sa and his companions, as far as the people of Makkah were concerned at least. Therefore, at this occasion it seems appropriate that we cast a glance upon the nineteen-year bloodstained life of Islām and see the manner in which Islām grew during these nineteen years. Then, afterwards in a time of peace (peace meaning relative peace, because although a treaty had been agreed to 1 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 64, Ghazwatul-Khandaqi Wa Hiyal-Aḥzāb, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)