CAUSES AND BACKGROUND OF THE BATTLE Quraysh’s Threat to Muslims On the one hand, the Qurayshites had persecuted mercilessly then Makkhans co-citizens for embracing the new religion of Islam and forced them to emigrate, confiscated the property of those who left the city and brought political pressure, though in vain, on the ruler and other influential people of the countries of their refuge; Abyssinia first, Medina later, for extradition or repatriation. On the other hand, the Muslims were retaliating, from Medina after the migration, by bringing economic pressure and banning the passage of the Qurashite caravans, from the territory under their control or influence on pain of plunder. These were sufficient causes to provoke aggressive war on the part of the Quraysh. The Growing Strength of Islam Irritates the Quraysh of Makkah The Qurayshites in Makkah were naturally very much annoyed at his successful escape, and as an immediate reaction confiscated the land and other properties left behind by the Holy Prophet and other emigrants. The persecution of the few poor Muslims still remaining in Makkah was intensified. The irritation of the Qurayshities was daily to increase when the Makkhans Muslims secretly or openly began to migrate from their birthplace, and escape from the clutches of the Qurayshitie persecution. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) thus became, by a sort of social contract, the chief and commander of at least twelve Medinite families. And their own request, ordered a Muslim teacher from Makkah to accompany them and supervise missionary activity in Medina as well as teaching and training converts in the details of the religious practices of their new faith. The missionary not only succeeded in a large measure, but also his tact and devotion to the cause cleared the way for the whole hearted collaboration of the converts amongst each other, even from the factional groups of Aws and Khazraj, under the banner of Islam.
3 Muhammad Ahmad, The Great Battle of Badr, Lahore, 1970, P. 87
4 Dr M. Hamidullah, The Battle Fields of the Prophet, Lahore, 1993, P. 12
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