The War of °unayn

After the conquest of Mecca that took place in Rama¤¡n,[1] the Holy Prophet stayed in this city for two weeks[2] arranging its affairs. He ordered people to break their idols that they kept at their houses.[3] He dispatched some agents to destroy the idol-houses around Mecca.[4] During this time, he was informed that Haw¡zin, supported by the tribes of Thaq¢f, Na¥r, Jusham, and Sa`d ibn Bakr together with a group of Ban£-Hil¡l under the command of M¡lik ibn `Awf al-Na¥r¢ were planning to attack Mecca.[5] They gathered at a place called Aw§¡s. Having made sure of this information, the Holy Prophet sent a spy to study the situation. It was clear that the army of Haw¡zin was on its way to Mecca.[6]

At this time, the Holy Prophet decided to use his usual military tactics in taking the initiatives and depriving the enemy of any chance to attack. For this purpose, he appointed `Att¡b ibn Usayd as the governor of Mecca[7] and he left to face the enemy with twelve thousand soldiers, ten thousand of whom were previously with him and two thousand of the newly converted Muslims.[8] He put Ban£-Sulaym in front of the army.[9] On the way, some Muslim troops, due to their great number, became haughty, declaring that they would never be defeated.[10] However, the result was the reverse and, as God has mentioned in the Holy Qur'¡n (9:25), the great number did not produce any result.

Under the darkness of dawn, the Muslim army headed for °unayn[11] but the warriors of Haw¡zin who had hidden behind cliffs and in the valleys of °unayn suddenly charged at the Muslims.[12] This sudden attack bewildered the Muslims. First, Ban£-Sulaym retreated and fled the scene.[13] Following them, others escaped. Only Imam `Al¢ and a few others remained beside the Prophet and fought bravely.[14]

According to Shaykh al-Muf¢d, only nine individuals of Ban£-H¡shim, one of whom was Imam `Al¢, stood next to the Holy Prophet. `Abb¡s ibn `Abd al-Mu§§alib stood to the Holy Prophet’s right, al-Fa¤l ibn `Abb¡s to the left and Imam `Al¢ in front of the Holy Prophet unsheathing his sword and fighting bravely.[15]

Having noticed the flight of Muslims, the Holy Prophet, who had always been a symbol of patience, endurance, perseverance and bravery, did not show any sign of weakness; he stood steadfastly in the battlefield. Addressing the escapees, he said, “O people! Where are you fleeing? Come back; I am the Prophet of God; I am Mu¦ammad ibn `Abdull¡h.” He then asked `Abb¡s to call at people and remind them of their pledges. With a loud tone, `Abb¡s cried out, “O people of the Tree Pledge; O people of S£rah al-Baqarah; to where are you escaping? Remember your allegiance with the Holy Prophet.”[16]

Due to the Holy Prophet’s perseverance and calling at the escapees to return, Muslims gradually returned, gathered around the Holy Prophet and resisted the enemy. In a short time, the banner-bearer of the enemy was killed by `Al¢ and through Divine assistance, the army of Haw¡zin was severely damaged. Four thousand captives, twelve thousand camels and a lot of booties were soon in the hands of Muslims. After the war, the Holy Prophet freed the captives on the request of the chiefs of the defeated tribes who embraced. This war caused the Muslims four martyrs.

Referring to the initial failure of Muslims and their victory in the light of Divine assistance, the Holy Qur'¡n says,

Certainly Allah helped you in many battle fields and on the day of °unayn, when your great numbers made you vain, but they availed you nothing and the earth became strait to you not withstanding its spaciousness, then you turned back retreating. Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Apostle and upon the believers, and sent down hosts which you did not see, and chastised those who disbelieved, and that is the reward of the believers. (9:25-26)