Military career of Muhammad
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Muhammad as a general refers to one of the roles played by the Islamic prophet Muhammad as the leader of the ummah at Medina during the last ten years of his life.
Muhammad (S) as a Military Leader' The Prophet (SAW) historically is noted to be a proficient and sublime figure in military leadership, adored by his Companions and furthermore humane towards the defeated. His intelligence, skill and determination are proven, having held 28 major and minor expeditions himself and fifty expeditions under the command of his Companions, all were victorious in aim. Establishing law and order, completely destroying the strength and fighting ability of his enemies with the sacrifice of just over 1,000 lives, peace was achieved for the first time in history in the entire Peninsula of Arabia in less than a decade. Muhammad (SAW) was physically present on the battlefield in all of these wars risking his life and limb. His presence at the battlefield was essential in keeping the morale of his people high. The near defeats at Uhud and Hunayn would have turned into complete disasters except for his presence. The Prophet (SAW) inspired men with the truth. In a hadith it has been stated, “Never desire fighting but pray to Allah for peace and security. And when you have to fight the enemy, fight with steadfastness” (Riyadhus Saaliheen). He used innovative strategies in the battles, which included the use of the trench as a defense. In addition to setting new standards for the humane treatment of prisoners of wars (POWs), the Prophet also implemented Qur'anic rules for the conduct of war, minimizing collateral damage, including damage to trees! Women, children and non-combatants were not to be harmed. Only in the 20th century would other nations consider agreeing to such principles in the Geneva Convention. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Masood (R.A) relates, “The Prophet (SAW) expressed disapproval upon the killing of womenfolk and children." (Bukhari Shareef).
Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors. (Qur'an 2:190) The Prophet (SAW) was regarded as a courageous warrior showing no signs of timidity or weakness, his approach was admirable upon the battlefield when facing a multitude of dangers and severe tasks. Hadhrat Ali (R.A.) states, "When the battle grew fierce there was none nearest to the enemy lines than the Prophet (SAW)."
Giving realistic and logical explanation he created confidence and will power to such an extent that his Companions were willing to sacrifice all possessions and their lives for its cause.
The Prophet's (SAW) tactics and strategical moves proved effective, showing positive results. His military strategies included urgency, secrecy, speed and mobility. At the time of the Battle of Uhud and Hudaibiyah he organized such tactics that the enemy was completely surprised by the speed of the operation and was caught unprepared. His precautions included patrolling systems, secret signs and codes establishing a strong system of communication, Hadhrat Ka'ab Ibn Malik (R.A) narrates, "Whenever the Prophet (SAW) intended to go into the Battle he used secret codes. (Bukhari Shareef). The Prophet (SAW) in comparison with other military leaders in history is found to be towering above all, both in war strategy, strength and skill, proving greatness and malignantly, changing the course of human history and influencing human culture and activities in every area of life.
Statistics
Casualties
The sum total of all casualties on all sides in all the battles of Muhammad range from 1200 to 1500 dead according to the most authoritative sources [1].
Legacy
His efforts led to the unification of the Arabian peninsula.
Views
Muslim View
Muslims view that the Muslims fought only when attacked, or in the context of a wider war of self-defense. They argue that Muhammad was the first among the major military figures of history to lay down rules for humane warfare, and that he was scrupulous in limiting the loss of life as much as possible.
Javed Ahmed Ghamidi writes in Mizan that there are certain directives of the Qur’an pertaining to war which were specific only to Muhammad against Divinely specified peoples of his times (the polytheists and the Israelites and Nazarites of Arabia and some other Jews, Christians, et al) as a form of Divine punishment -- for they had persistently denied the truth of Muhammad's mission even after it had been made conclusively evident to them by Allah through Muhammad, and asked the polytheists of Arabia for submission to Islam as a condition for exoneration and the others for jizya and submission to the political authority of the Muslims for exemption from death punishment and for military protection as the dhimmis of the Muslims. Therefore, after Muhammad and his companions, there is no concept in Islam obliging Muslims to wage war for propagation or implementation of Islam, hence now, the only valid reason for war is to end oppression when all other measures have failed. (jihad)[2][3]
Non-Muslim view
Michael H. Hart, in his hotly debated and widely copied book, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History" (1978) ranked Muhammad as the most influential, attributing this to the fact that Muhammad was successful in both the religious and political realms and had a significant role in the development of Islamic theology. [4]
Muhammad's critics often hold that the Muslims engaged in wars of aggression, that they caused much bloodshed and suffering, that they imposed Islam at the point of a sword, and that Muhammad's conduct is not an example to be imitated. Conversely, other non-Muslim academics believe that Muhammad was a reluctant warrior, such that he disliked fighting except when he believed it to be absolutely necessary.[5]
See also
Notes
- ^ A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet of Islam page 95
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
javedwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Misplaced Directives, Renaissance, Al-Mawrid Institute, Vol. 12, No. 3, March 2002.[1]
- ^ Hart, Michael H. The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Revised and Updated for the Nineties. New York: Carol Publishing Group/Citadel Press; first published in 1978 reprinted with minor revisions 1992. ISBN 9780806510682
- ^ Forward (1998) Muhammad: A Short Biography. Oxford: OneWorld Publishers. ISBN 1-85168-131-0. p. 27
References
- Donner, Fred, The Early Islamic Conquests, Princeton University Press, 1981
- Guillaume, A., The Life of Muhammad, Oxford University Press, 1955
- Watt, Montgomery, Muhammad at Medina, Oxford University Press, 1957
- al-Mubarakpuri, Saif-ur-Rahman (2002). al-Raheeq al-Makhtoom, "The Sealed Nectar". Islamic University of Medina. Riyadh: Darussalam publishers. ISBN 1-59144-071-8.
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