ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Prophet’s Expeditions A ghazwah is a war or a battle in which the Prophet (a.s) himself participated. After the Annunciation, the Prophet (a.s) bore the hardships inflicted by the infidels of Makkah for thirteen long years. When he moved from Makkah to al-Madinah, he did not have any thought of wreaking revenge on the infidels and polytheists.

But the Quraysh were working under the shame of defeat and failure and were very upset over the Prophet (a.s) escaping unscathed from Makkah. After rendering the Muslims of Makkah homeless, they were planning strategies to destroy Islam and finish the Movement once for all! They started putting together all their evil powers to achieve their ends.

The Prophet (a.s) who had peacefully tried to propagate his Faith in Makkah and had struck agreements of peace with the Jewish Tribes of al-Madinah, wished that no opportunity arose for wars with the Quraysh that would mean unnecessary shedding of innocent blood. But the Quraysh wanted to destroy the peace and tranquility of the Muslims in al-Madinah by imposing wars over their heads. The Prophet (a.s) was left with no other choice than fighting in self-defense.

Therefore, the Prophet (a.s) made no mention of waging wars and did not give permission to his men to take any precipitate action until the Quraysh and the Jews forced any such eventuality. Allah had given assent for jihad when the activities of the infidels crossed all limits of decency. Therefore, Allah says in the Holy Book: “Those (the Muslims) against whom the Infidels fight, too have permission to battle, because hardships were inflicted on them, and Allah has the power to help them.

The fact is not hidden that the Infidels first forced the Muslims out of their homeland and attacked their homes to annihilate them. In these circumstances if war was not declared against them, their very existence would have been in jeopardy. No doubt, Islam is the custodian of peace and tranquility, but it does not mean that it wants people to stoically face all the tyrannies endlessly. The Muslims had to exercise their right to fight for their own safety and tranquility.

In the circumstances, they were left with no other choice than rising to the occasion and preparing to combat the enemy. If war is an abhorrent activity, the responsibility for the consequences rests on the shoulders of the aggressors.