Military Expeditions Against Muslims Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions were forced to leave their hometown and settled in Medina but the Quraysh did not let them live in peace even there. They organized three aggressive military expeditions against them in the first five years of the Hijrah in order to destroy them and their faith for ever. But Muhammad’s (PBUH) courage, determination and military and political skill totally frustrated their plans and then completely destroyed their morale.
Quraysh’s Threat to Citizen of Medina and Role of Abdullah bin Obay When the idolaters heard about the spread of Islam and the peaceful and progressive life of Muslims at Medina, they sent a message to the enemies of Islam and hypocrites at Medina. ”You have given shelter to a man from our tribe. It is now your duty to fight with him or turn him out of your city. If you don’t, we have sworn to attack you suddenly, to kill your men and to capture your women.”
This threat of the Quraysh of Makkah proved effective. Nonbelievers and hypocrites of Medina held an open meeting in which Abdullah bin Ubay, their leader, urged his followers to fight with the Holy Prophet and his companions. The Holy Prophet who was wellin-formed about enemy’s activity reached their meeting place with a few companions.
According to Muhammad Safdar, ”Though the people of Medina accepted the mission of Muhammad (PBUH), yet doubt and jealousy possesseJNhe hearts of many. They could not tolerate the supremacy of Muhammad (PBUH), and were working under-ground for the expulsion of the Holy Prophet from their own land. They now joined with the Quraysh under the leadership of Abdullah bin Ubay whose hope of becoming master of the land was frustrated with the coming of the Holy Prophet. The co-operation of the disaffected Muslims of Medina began to enhance the strength of the enemy.” Conspiration of the Jews The Jews were the staunch enemy of the Muslims. Their sympathies were always with the Quraysh. The Jews also began to conspire with the Quraysh secretly in order to check the growing power of the Holy Prophet.
