A Critique of Professor Arnold G. Toynbee’s Understanding — Page 52
52 battles fought? A lot of historians and researchers have carefully studied the life of the Holy Prophet and the circumstances of the wars that he took part in. They have arrived at one conclusion unanimously. The circumstances under which he had to step in to the field of war, and the needs under which he did so, were essential and unavoidable. The testimonies and facts presented below shall prove that the Holy Prophet did not undertake any battle for any worldly gain whatsoever. He did so purely for self de fense, and for the sake of the establishment of peace and freedom of conscience. The very first verse of die Holy Quran in which permission was granted to take up arms is found in Sura Hajj (The chapter on Pilgrimage). Here the need and purpose for underta king these wars is fully explained: “Permission to take up arms is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged and Allah, indeed, has power to help them. — Those who have been driven from their homes unjustly, only because they said, `Our Lord is Allah. ’ And if Allah had not repelled some people by means of others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is often remembere d, would surely have been destroyed. And Allah will, surely, help him who helps Him. Allah is, indeed, Powerful, Mighty. ” ( Holy Quran 22:40 - 41 ) The words of the above verse fully explain to the Holy Prophet the need and purpose for undertaking these wars: 1. No worldly need or purpose is mentioned.