Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

13
THE BATTLE OF HUNAIN
(630 A.D/9 A.H)
Although a large number of Makkhans and neighbouring tribes had embraced Is’am, some people still clung to idolatry. They had accepted Muhammad (PBUH) as the ruler of Arabia, but did not believe in him as thw Messenger of God. The Holy Prophet, on the other hand, was concerned to make the people submit to the Almighty God. That was the only objective to which all his energies were directed. He was the only objective to go out preach to the people when unexpected news halted him. The Holy Prophet was informed th?f *’ ” tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif had formed a powerfc1 opposition and were mobilizing against the Holy Prophet and his followers. Muhammad (PBUH) was not an impractical idealist. He believed in practical idealism. No sooner did he receive this news than he decided to put a stout resistance to the invading army before it made any headway. Swiftly he set out at the head of
twelve thousand troops ten thousands that accompanied him from
Medina and two thousands recruited locally. Hawazin and Thaqif
The victory of Makkah was indeed a door fur Arabs to enter the Islam but by no means ended all opposition to islam. The ruling tribv of Ta’if, Banu Thaqif, and the war like tribe of Hawazin, inhabiting between Makkah and Ta’if, were still enemies of Islam. Tbe tribe of Hawazin was very powerful and being situated in hilly districts, had never been subject to Makkhans. H; d the Holy Prophet VPBUH) not been taken Makkhans by surprise, the Hawazin and Thaqif might have joined the Quraysh against him.
The Battle ofHunain
161
They were disturbed by the fall of Makkah in the hands of the Muslims and thus noticed a great danger to their religion and other un-Islamic ways of life. To meet this danger they gathered a huge army, while the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was preaching Islam at Makkah. The tribes of Nasr and Jushm also joined them. They marched to the hills of Awtas to the south-east of Makkah, about a da\ or day and a halfs journey from Makkah. The Hawazin and Thaqif encamped in the valley ofHunain and posted their archers covei ing the pass in the valley which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his iorv.es must cross before they could reach the other side.