Muhammad Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ====Beginning of armed conflict==== {{Main|Battle of Badr}} {{See also|Military career of Muhammad|List of expeditions of Muhammad}} {{Campaignbox Campaigns of Muhammad}} In the early stages of his time in [[Medina]], Muhammad was optimistic that the Jewish people would acknowledge him as a Prophet and strove to obtain converts from their community.{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=367}} However, his efforts were unsuccessful and even faced ridicule, as the Jews perceived inconsistencies between the [[Quran]] and [[Hebrew Bible|their own scriptures]]. Consequently, the Quran accused the Jews of [[Tahrif|hiding and modifying]] parts of their holy texts. The Jewish criticism and refusal presented a danger to his prophetic claims, and, as a result, the views of Muhammad and the Quran towards them worsened.{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=367–8, 374}}{{Sfn|Lindemann|Levy|2010|p=212–3}}{{Sfn|Hodgson|2009|p=177}} This then led to the reorientation of the Muslim prayer direction, the ''[[qibla]]'', from [[Jerusalem]] to the [[Kaaba]] in [[Mecca]].{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=368}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=69}} Muhammad's designation of Mecca as the center of Islam, coupled with his need to settle scores with the Meccans after his threats of divine punishment against them never materialized,{{sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} as well as the economic hardships he and the [[Muhajirun]] faced in Medina,{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=161–2}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=71–3}} culminated in a new divine directive—to fight the polytheists.{{sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} Muhammad thus dispatched his followers to perform raids on the [[Quraysh]]'s [[Caravan (travellers)|trading caravans]].{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}}{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=162}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=73}} Certain Meccan followers of his were reluctant to participate, as it would mean attacking their own tribespeople. This vexed Muhammad, resulting in the revelation of Quran verse 2:216, among others, which asserts that fighting is good and has been made obligatory for them.{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} After several months of failures, Muhammad managed to achieve his first successful raid, [[Raid on Nakhla|at Nakhla]], during a month that the pagans forbade themselves from shedding blood.{{sfn|Bogle|1998|p=12}}{{sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=76–83}} When the bountiful plunder was being brought back to him in Medina,{{Sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} Muhammad was met with censure from the locals. He contended that his followers had misconstrued his command, and he postponed taking his one-fifth portion of the spoil until a verse was ultimately revealed, legitimizing the attack.{{efn|See: *{{harvnb|Rodgers|2012|pp=85–86}} *{{harvnb|Gabriel|2014|p=83}} *{{harvnb|Rodinson|2021|p=163}} *{{harvnb|Peterson|2007|p=101}}}} {{Quote box|quoted=true|bgcolor=#ffeeaa|align=right|width=25%|salign=right|quote=''Permission has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory. Those who have been evicted from their homes without right—only because they say, "Our Lord is Allah." And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished [[monastery|monasteries]], churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.''|source=— Quran (22:39–40)}} Two months hence, a grand Quraysh trade caravan, representing the investments of all Meccans, traveled home from [[Gaza City|Gaza]].{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=164}} Muhammad had tried to ambush it on its departure from Mecca but had failed.{{sfn|Glubb|2001|p=179}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=88}} When [[Abu Sufyan ibn Harb|Abu Sufyan]], the leader of the caravan, learned in [[Zarqa]] that Muhammad was preparing to raid the caravan again, he sent a messenger to Mecca for aid,{{sfn|Glubb|2001|p=179}} and about 950 Meccans set out in response.{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=164}} As the caravan approached the watering place of [[Badr, Saudi Arabia|Badr]], Abu Sufyan reconnoitred the town himself and confirmed his suspicion that Muhammad would launch his attack there. He thus diverted the caravan to the more difficult coastal road to the west, even though it meant depriving them of fresh water.{{sfn|Glubb|2001|p=181–2}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=90}} Upon the caravan's safe escape, part of the relief column withdrew, leaving behind 600–700 men.{{sfn|Gabriel|2007|p=92}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=91}} Muhammad, upon discovering the presence of the remaining Meccans through their water carriers, ordered his troops to cover all the wells with sand and stones, on the advice of [[Habab ibn Mundhir|Hubab ibn al-Mundhir]],{{sfn|Gabriel|2007|p=95}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2012|p=93}} reserving one for themselves. And thus forcing the Meccans to fight for water.{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=166}}{{sfn|Watt|1998|p=868}} [[Battle of Badr|The battle]] commenced with individual duels between warriors from both sides, which then escalated into a chaotic melee.{{Sfn|Glubb|2001|p=185}} Although not participating in the combat, Muhammad inspired his followers with the promise of paradise if they died fighting. Many of the Quraysh were reluctant to kill their own kin, and just prior to midday, they succumbed to panic and ran away.{{Sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=167}} Muhammad ordered the search for [[Amr ibn Hisham|Abu Jahl]]. A Muslim found him, beheaded him, and threw the head to Muhammad's feet who jubilantly exclaimed: "The head of the enemy of God. Praise God, for there is no other but He!"{{efn|see: *{{harvnb|Glubb|2001|p=186}} *{{harvnb|Forward|1997|p=23}} *{{harvnb|Rodgers|2012|p=98}} *{{harvnb|Gabriel|2014|p=101}}}} The battle concluded with the Quraysh suffering 49 to 70 losses, while the Muslims had 14 casualties.{{Sfn|Glubb|2001|p=186}} The Muslims obtained considerable war spoils and a number of prisoners. [[Umar]] desired that all of them be slain, yet Muhammad resolved that ransom must be requested first, and afterwards, they could execute any for whom no one was willing to pay.{{Sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=167}} Upon his return to Medina, Muhammad immediately worked to solidify his authority. He instructed the removal of [[Asma bint Marwan]], who had criticized him in poetry.{{Sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=104}} One of his followers executed her while she slept with her children, the youngest still nursing in her arms. Upon learning of the deed, Muhammad lauded the act as a service to God and his Messenger.{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=171}}{{Sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=104}}{{Sfn|Phipps|2016|p=114–5}} Shortly after, he called upon his followers to end the life of the centenarian poet [[Abu 'Afak|Abu Afak]].{{Sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=104}} Simultaneously, Muhammad employed poets like [[Hassan ibn Thabit]] to circulate his propaganda among the tribes.{{Sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=104}}{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=175}} When inquired if he could shield Muhammad from his foes, Ibn Thabit is reported to have extended his tongue and claimed there was no defense against his verbal prowess.{{Sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=104}}{{sfn|Glubb|2001|p=196}} Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. 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