Mauao Man

Muhammad: The Man, The Myth, The Messenger

Part 5: Muhammad’s Battles and the Rise of the Islamic State (624–630 AD)

Introduction: A Prophet Becomes a Warlord

When Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 AD, they were a small, persecuted community seeking refuge. But within a decade, Muhammad would become the most powerful man in Arabia — not just a prophet, but a military commander, a judge, and the undisputed leader of an expanding state.

This transformation did not happen by peaceful means. It was achieved through a series of battles, alliances, and political maneuvers. Muhammad’s rise to power was marked by conflict — with the Quraysh of Mecca, with the Jewish tribes of Medina, and with rival Arab tribes across the peninsula.

This post explores Muhammad’s military campaigns and the rise of the early Islamic state, making it clear what is known from Islamic sources and what is based on historical evidence.

1. The Battle of Badr (624 AD): The First Victory

1. The Raid on the Caravan:

In 624 AD, Muhammad and his followers planned a raid on a wealthy Quraysh caravan returning from Syria, led by Abu Sufyan, one of Muhammad's fiercest opponents.
The caravan route passed near Badr, a small oasis northwest of Medina.
Learning of the raid, Abu Sufyan sent a message to Mecca, and the Quraysh sent an army of about 1,000 men to protect the caravan.

2. The Armies Meet at Badr:

Muhammad’s forces numbered around 313 men, poorly equipped but highly motivated.
Despite being outnumbered, the Muslims won a decisive victory:
- 70 Quraysh were killed, including several of Muhammad’s greatest enemies.
- 70 were taken prisoner.
- The Quraysh fled in disarray, their leaders humiliated.

3. The Significance of Badr:

According to Islamic tradition, this victory was seen as a divine miracle, proof that Allah was on Muhammad’s side.
- Quranic verses describe how angels were sent to support the Muslims (Quran 8:9-10).
Muhammad’s prestige in Medina grew rapidly, and many new converts joined the Muslim community.
The prisoners were treated with relative mercy, with many being released for ransom or by teaching Muslims to read.

2. The Battle of Uhud (625 AD): A Costly Defeat

1. The Quraysh Seek Revenge:

Humiliated by their defeat at Badr, the Quraysh assembled a larger army of 3,000 men, led by Abu Sufyan, to avenge their loss.
Muhammad mobilized his forces, numbering around 700 men, and positioned them on the slopes of Mount Uhud, just outside Medina.

2. The Battle Begins:

At first, the Muslims gained the upper hand, pushing the Quraysh back.
Muhammad placed archers on a hillside, instructing them not to abandon their position.
But as the Quraysh began to retreat, the archers disobeyed, leaving their post to seize the spoils of war.
This allowed the Quraysh cavalry, led by Khalid ibn al-Walid, to outflank the Muslims.

3. A Costly Defeat:

The Muslims were routed, suffering heavy casualties:
- 70 Muslims were killed, including Muhammad’s uncle Hamza, who was mutilated by Hind bint Utbah, wife of Abu Sufyan.
- Muhammad himself was wounded, and rumors spread that he had been killed.
Despite their victory, the Quraysh did not press their advantage, instead choosing to return to Mecca.

4. The Aftermath:

Muhammad’s prestige in Medina was shaken, but his faith remained unbroken.
Quranic verses were revealed explaining that the defeat was a test from Allah, a consequence of disobedience (Quran 3:152-155).
The Muslims strengthened their defenses and prepared for future conflict.

3. The Siege of Medina (627 AD): The Battle of the Trench

1. A New Threat: The Quraysh and Their Allies

In 627 AD, the Quraysh formed an alliance with several other tribes, including the Ghatafan, assembling a coalition of 10,000 warriors to attack Medina.
Muhammad, now a skilled strategist, ordered his followers to dig a massive trench around Medina, an idea suggested by Salman the Persian, a Muslim convert.

2. The Siege Begins:

The Quraysh were stunned by the trench, a defensive tactic unknown in Arabia.
Unable to cross it, they laid siege to the city, hoping to force the Muslims into surrender.
For nearly a month, the Quraysh besieged Medina, but they were unable to breach the defenses.
Harsh weather and dwindling supplies demoralized the coalition.

3. Betrayal of the Banu Qurayza:

During the siege, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza, who had an agreement with Muhammad, were accused of secretly negotiating with the Quraysh.
After the Quraysh withdrew, Muhammad laid siege to the Banu Qurayza’s fortress.
The tribe eventually surrendered, and Muhammad appointed Sa’d ibn Mu’adh to judge them.
Sa’d ruled that the men should be executed, the women and children taken as captives, and their property seized.
Around 600–800 men of the Banu Qurayza were executed.

4. The Consequences:

The Quraysh alliance was broken, and Muhammad’s authority in Medina was solidified.
The Jewish presence in Medina was effectively eliminated, leaving Muhammad in full control of the city.

4. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 AD): A Tactical Truce

1. A Pilgrimage to Mecca:

In 628 AD, Muhammad and his followers set out for Mecca, intending to perform a peaceful pilgrimage.
The Quraysh, seeing this as a threat, blocked their way.
After tense negotiations, a treaty was signed at Hudaybiyyah, with terms including:
- A 10-year truce between the Muslims and the Quraysh.
- Muslims could perform the pilgrimage the following year.
- Any Meccan who converted to Islam without their guardian’s permission would be returned to Mecca.

2. Strategic Victory Despite Humiliation:

Many Muslims saw the treaty as a humiliation, but Muhammad saw it as a strategic victory.
The truce allowed Muhammad to focus on spreading Islam without fear of Quraysh attack.
Over the next two years, the Muslim community grew rapidly.

5. The Conquest of Mecca (630 AD)

1. The Quraysh Break the Truce:

In 630 AD, a Quraysh ally attacked a Muslim-allied tribe, breaking the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
Muhammad seized this opportunity, raising an army of 10,000 men and marching on Mecca.

2. A Bloodless Conquest:

The Quraysh, realizing they were outmatched, surrendered without a fight.
Muhammad entered Mecca as a conqueror but declared a general amnesty:
- He destroyed the idols in the Kaaba, declaring it a shrine to Allah alone.
- The Quraysh were pardoned, except for a few who had committed severe crimes.

3. The Transformation of Arabia:

Within months, most of Arabia submitted to Muhammad.
Tribes sent delegations to pledge allegiance to him, accepting Islam.
The Kaaba became the sacred center of the new Islamic faith.

Conclusion: From Prophet to Political Conqueror

In less than a decade, Muhammad transformed from a refugee in Medina to the most powerful leader in Arabia. His rise was marked by a series of battles, treaties, and strategic victories. By the time of his death in 632 AD, he was not just a prophet but a statesman, a judge, and a military commander.

In Part 6, we will explore Muhammad’s final years, his teachings, and his legacy — a legacy that would shape the world for centuries to come.

Part 1: Muhammad’s Early Life — From Birth to Marriage (570–595 AD)
Part 2: Muhammad’s Spiritual Journey and the First Revelation (595–610 AD)
Part 3: Muhammad’s Early Preaching in Mecca (613–622 AD)
Part 4: Muhammad’s Search for Allies and the Hijra to Medina (622 AD)
The Mecca Controversy: Was It Really a Major Trading Hub?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.