ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Glimpses of the Prophet's Life The Messenger in Medina The migratory journey of the Prophet to Medina in the year 622 A.D. marks the begin- ning of a new era. "Hijrah" as this migration is referred to is regarded as a turning point in the Muslim history. After the warm welcome accorded to him by the people of Medina the Prophet set to work to establish a city state in Medina.

He called for consultation all the inhabitants of the place, Meccan immigrants, Medinite con- verts, Jews and the Arabs who had not yet embraced Islam and promulgated a state con- stitution. This is the first written constitution of any state in the history of the world. It contains details of the rights and duties of both the ruler and the ruled ...........

(10) "In the second year of Hijrah the Prophet initiated mobile defense." (11) As it can be seen from these two examples "organising the community" was one of the first activities of the Prophet in Medina. Muslims thus began to live a disciplined life and were kept on the alert. The Battle Of Badr It must be borned in mind that the migra- tion of Muslims to Medina was a forced flight, hence a state of belligerency existed from the very outset between the Muslims and the Meccan disbelievers.

That the two com- munities had to clash sooner or later was anybody's guess - But when? A very rich Meccan caravan carrying goods worth 50,000 dinars - under Abu Sufyan was on its way from Syria and heading towards Mecca. And once they strengthened their economic situ- ation Quraysh were most likely to launch a massive attack on Medina, where, with the help of jews rebelling against the Prophet they could exterminate the Muslims totally.

There had already been a number of incidents that had added to the ever-existing tension. Under the circumstances the condition of the Muslims was rather precarious. Noticing the seriousness of the situation the Prophet sent out Talhah ibn `Ubaydallah and Said ibn Zayd to al-Hawra' for reconnaissance. The two em- issaries hurried to Medina when Abu Sufyan's caravan drew near.

Abu Sufyan a cunning man leaving the caravan behind went to Badr in person where he soon found out that the place had been visited by men from Medina and was quick at dispatching a man to Mecca for help. It must have seemed natural and easy for the Muslims to intercept the caravan in question, which if allowed to reach its destination, would strengthen the armed forces of Quraysh considerably.