The Reestablishment of Islam (610 AD – Death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

VII. The Battles and Struggles (624–630 AD)

Between 624 and 630 AD, the Muslim community in Medina, led by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, underwent a series of pivotal military and diplomatic engagements. These events were not merely political or defensive in nature—they were deeply intertwined with the religious mission of Islam. Each confrontation tested the faith, resilience, and obedience of the believers, while progressively weakening the Quraysh's opposition to Islam. The Qur’an frames many of these events as direct manifestations of divine will and support, marking them as key moments in the establishment of Islam in Arabia.

1. The Battle of Badr (2 AH / 624 AD): Divine Victory Against All Odds

The Battle of Badr was the first large-scale military engagement between the Muslims and the Quraysh and is described in the Qur’an as a “Day of Criterion” (يوم الفرقان) (Surah Al-Anfal 8:41). After years of persecution in Mecca and emigration to Medina, the Muslims, now numbering about 313, sought to intercept a Quraysh trade caravan returning from Syria, led by Abu Sufyan. The caravan escaped, but the Quraysh army, roughly 1,000 strong, mobilized to confront the Muslims near the wells of Badr.

Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Muslims won a decisive victory. Key Qurayshi leaders, including Abu Jahl (a staunch enemy of Islam), were killed. The Qur’an attributes the victory not to Muslim strength but to divine intervention:

"And Allah had already given you victory at Badr when you were few in number—so fear Allah that you may be grateful."
(Surah Al-Imran 3:123)

"When you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, 'Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.'"
(Surah Al-Anfal 8:9)

This victory galvanized the believers, established the Muslims as a significant political force, and signaled that Islam was not merely a theological movement but a rising power.

2. The Battle of Uhud (3 AH / 625 AD): A Painful Yet Necessary Lesson

Stung by their defeat at Badr, the Quraysh sought revenge. They assembled a force of 3,000 and marched toward Medina. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consulted his companions and decided to meet the enemy outside the city, at the slopes of Mount Uhud. Initially, the Muslims had the upper hand. However, a group of archers disobeyed the Prophet’s ﷺ explicit command to maintain their position on a strategic hill, leaving the Muslim flank vulnerable.

This tactical error allowed a Qurayshi counterattack, turning victory into near-defeat. Around 70 Muslims were martyred, including Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle. The Prophet ﷺ himself was injured, his tooth broken, and his helmet smashed into his face.

"So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers."
(Surah Al-Imran 3:139)

"Allah did indeed fulfill His promise to you when you were killing them by His permission... then you disobeyed after He showed you that which you love."
(Surah Al-Imran 3:152)

The Battle of Uhud was a sobering reminder that divine aid requires discipline and obedience. It became a formative moment in shaping Muslim military ethics and understanding of divine justice.

3. The Battle of the Trench (5 AH / 627 AD): Strategic Defense and Divine Intervention

Known in Arabic as Ghazwat al-Khandaq and in the Qur’an as Ghazwat al-Ahzab, this battle was initiated by the Quraysh and allied tribes—an alliance of 10,000 men—who sought to annihilate the Muslims in Medina once and for all. In a rare instance of defensive warfare in Arabia, the Muslims—on the advice of Salman al-Farsi—dug a trench around the northern access to Medina, a tactic unknown in the region.

The siege lasted about a month. The Quraysh and their allies failed to penetrate the trench. Internal discord and a sudden, divinely-sent storm (رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا) forced them to retreat.

"O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you... and We sent upon them a wind and armies you did not see."
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:9)

This failed siege effectively marked the end of the Quraysh’s offensive campaigns. The Prophet ﷺ reportedly said after the trench, "Now we shall attack them, and they shall not attack us" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4106).

4. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH / 628 AD): Peace as a Strategic Triumph

In a bold move, the Prophet ﷺ led 1,400 companions to Mecca intending to perform Umrah. The Quraysh, unwilling to allow the Muslims into the city, stopped them at Hudaybiyyah. Negotiations led to a ten-year truce, with terms that appeared unfavorable to the Muslims—such as the return of any Qurayshi who defected to Medina without permission.

Many companions were disheartened, but the Qur’an declared the treaty a clear victory:

"Indeed, We have given you, [O Muhammad], a clear conquest."
(Surah Al-Fath 48:1)

The treaty allowed for a period of peace during which Islam spread rapidly. Several prominent tribes accepted Islam, and the strength of the Muslim community grew significantly. The strategic wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ in accepting temporary disadvantages for long-term gain was affirmed.

5. The Conquest of Mecca (8 AH / 630 AD): The Return and the Cleansing of the Ka'bah

Two years later, the Quraysh violated the treaty by attacking the Khuza'ah, allies of the Muslims. This breach allowed the Prophet ﷺ to assemble a massive army—around 10,000 strong—and march peacefully toward Mecca. The Quraysh, recognizing their untenable position, largely surrendered without resistance.

The Prophet ﷺ entered Mecca with humility. He famously declared:

"Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe... whoever remains in their home is safe."
(Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah)

Upon entering the Kaʿbah, the Prophet ﷺ recited the verse:

"And say: ‘Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Surely falsehood is ever bound to perish.’"
(Surah Al-Isra 17:81)

He destroyed the idols and re-dedicated the Kaʿbah to the worship of Allah alone. Forgiveness was granted to many former enemies, including Abu Sufyan and Hind, exemplifying the Qur’anic ethic of mercy in victory.

This event marked the decisive establishment of Islam in the heart of Arabia. Mecca, once the center of idolatry, had now become the epicenter of tawḥīd (monotheism).

Conclusion: Islam Triumphant, Unity Established

These defining events—from Badr to the Conquest of Mecca—formed the backbone of Islam’s reestablishment. Through divine guidance, strategic foresight, and personal sacrifice, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ transformed a persecuted minority into a unified religious, political, and military force. By 630 AD, the message of Islam had triumphed over the entrenched forces of idolatry, laying the groundwork for its expansion across Arabia and beyond.

📌 Note to Readers:

If you believe that any part of this narrative does not accurately represent Islamic teachings or historical accounts, we invite you to provide corrections using specific Islamic sources (Qur’an, authentic Hadith, or recognized classical scholarship). This blog seeks not to misrepresent but to critically engage with Islam through its own texts. Your input is essential to fostering honest, informed dialogue.

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