ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Message Chapter 50: The Battle of Ta’if Ta'if is one of the fertile country towns of the Hijaz. It is situated in the south-east of Makkah at a distance of twelve leagues from there. It is one thousand metres above sea level. On account of its fine weather, gardens, and palm groves, the town of Ta'if was the centre of a group of people who led very comfortable lives.

This town was inhabited by the tribe of Saqif who were one of the powerful and popular tribes of the Arabs. The Arabs of Saqif tribe were amongst those people, who fought against Islam in the Battle of Hunayn. After suffering a signal defeat they took refuge in their own town which possessed strong and elevated forts. In order to complete the victory, the Prophet ordered the fugitives of the Battle of Hunayn to be pursued.

Abu 'Amar Ash'ari and Abu Musa Ash'ari were deputed along with a unit of the soldiers of Islam to pursue some of the fugitives who had taken refuge in Awtas. The first commander lost his life in the encounter, but the second one scored complete victory and dispersed the enemies.[^1] The Prophet himself proceeded to Ta'if along with the remaining army[^2] and, while on his way, destroyed the fort of Malik, (who had sparked off the Battle of Hunayn).

Of course, the demolition of the fort of Malik did not carry an aspect of revenge. What the Prophet desired was that he should not leave a point which could serve as an asylum to the enemies. The groups of the army of Islam moved one after the other and made the various sides of the town their camping places. The Fort of Ta'if was situated at a great height and had very strong walls, and its watch towers fully controlled the outside area.

The army of Islam proceeded to besiege the fort, but it had not yet been completely encircled, when the enemies checked their advance with a shower of arrows and killed some of them on the spot in the very first moment.[^3] The Prophet ordered the army to retreat and to transfer its encampment to a point which was beyond the reach of the arrows of the enemies.[^4] Salman Muhammadi, from whose military plans the Muslims had availed at the time of the Battle of the Ditch, suggested to the Prophet that the fort of the enemy might be stoned by means of catapults.

During the battles of those days a catapult served the same purpose as artillery serves in modern warfare.