Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 211

Chapter Nine 211 The Siege of Ṭā’if In the Battle of Ḥunain, most of the chieftains and stalwarts of the enemy were killed; nevertheless, a part of the remaining army ran away to Auṭās. Muḥammad sa sent a small army there and defeated them. 1 The remaining army took refuge in Ṭā’if. Ṭā’if was considered quite secure because of its fenced walls, and the people were also well versed in the art of war. They gathered food and provisions for an entire year inside the city and set up artillery around the city. Muḥammad sa besieged the city for twenty consecutive days. During this time, most of the neighbouring tribes approached Muḥammad sa and accepted Islam. When Muḥammad sa saw that the siege had gone on for a long time, he took counsel with his companions and asked them for their opinion on what should be done. An experienced elderly man said: O Prophet sa of Allah! The fox is hunted down in his den. We need not follow them into it, for eventually they will be compelled to emerge. If we just leave it as is, no harm will come from it, but the ultimate decision is yours. Muḥammad’s objective was to defend the Muslims from the attacks of the disbelievers, which he had accomplished. He lifted the siege and directed the army to march back. 2 Distribution of the Spoils of War When Muḥammad sa reached Al-Ji‘ranah, the captives and the spoils of the battle were distributed. According to the rules, one fifth was kept for the treasury and the rest was distributed among the army. While at Al-Ji‘ranah, a delegation of the Hawāzin tribe appeared before Muḥammad sa and reminding Muḥammad sa of his wet nurse Ḥalīmah, pled for a pardon. Muḥammad sa said, “The prisoners who were awarded to me and to Banū ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib are all free—you 1 Musnad Aḥmad. 2 Ibni Sa‘d.