Murder in the Name of Allah — Page 33
A Rebuttal of Maududian Philosophy. The first period of persecution lasted thirteen years. During that time there was no question of conversion by force. Even the orientalists agree with that. In fact, people accepted Islam in spite of Meccan persecution. . Muslims who accepted Islam in Mecca at that time are known as. Muhajirs (Emigrants) and it is an historical fact that no Emigrant was unwillingly converted. . The Muslims offered armed resistance during the second period of their persecution. A critic might think that during that armed conflict at least some might have been forced into accepting Islam. But the history of the period is fully documented. The majority of Muslims in Medina belonged to two Arab tribes, the Aws and the Khazraj. These were the people who had invited the Holy Prophet to Medina. When they met him at Aqbah, he said: 'I make with you this pact on condition that the allegiance you pledge me shall bind you to protect me even as you protect your women and children. ' The Khazrajite chief, Bara, who rose to reply, took the Prophet's sa hand and said:. By Him who sent thee with the truth, we will protect thee as we protect them. So accept the pledge of our allegiance, O Messenger of God, for we are men of war, possessed of arms that have been handed down from father to son. . These were the people who travelled all the way from Yathrib (Medina) to Mecca to offer their swords to the Prophet and who are now known as Ansar (Helpers). . A few Jews in Medina and a small number of Arabs from outlying towns also became Muslims, but none of them accepted their new faith under duress or as a result of armed conflict. During this period the spread of Islam in Mecca was relentless and, despite greater persecution, the. Meccan Arabs continued to accept Islam. Again, force did not enter into it. . The conversion of prisioners-of-war is the only remotely possible exception. Before we look at it, let us clear up one misunderstanding. The words ghazwah and sariyah do not mean 'war' or even 'armed conflict'. . They only mean 'an expedition'. Scouts, patrols, embassies, rescue parties, the chasing of highwaymen - even a single Companion's journey to preach - are grouped under these titles. Expeditions were known as sariyah; if the Prophets himself led them, as ghazwah. For instance, the first expedition the Prophets led was to Al-Abwa, where his mother was buried. He was accompanied by sixty Muhajirs. The Holy Prophetsa stayed there for a few days and signed a treaty of friendship with the chief 33