Unified Opposition of the Arab Tribes and Delicate State of the Muslims

The Quraish of Makkah were not limited merely to those bloody intentions, which have been mentioned above. Rather, they carried out systematic propaganda against the Muslims throughout the Arab tribes. Since they enjoyed a deep influence upon the whole of Arabia on account of their guardianship of the Ka‘bah, for this reason, due to their instigation, the whole of Arabia was developing severe enmity against the Holy Prophet(sa), and the Muslims. The caravans of the Quraish had made it incumbent upon themselves to incite the Arab tribes against the Muslims, wherever they would go. Hence, the Holy Qur’ān1 has alluded to these instigating travels of the Quraish. The poor Muslims, who until then would feel apprehensive merely at the thought of the Quriash, now began to grow immensely perturbed. As such, the following narration of Ḥākim and Ṭabrānī depicts this anxious state of the Muslims:

“The Holy Prophet(sa) and his Companions migrated to Madīnah. The Anṣār gave protection to them, and in turn all of Arabia collectively stood up against the Muslims. In that era, the Muslims would not even put off their arms at night and during the day they would walk around armed, in case of a sudden attack. They would say to each other, ‘Let us see if we live till such a time when we might be able to sleep at night in peace, without any fear except for the fear of God.’”2

The Holy Qur’ān, which is the most authentic source of Islāmic history, even for the opponents of Islām, depicts this state of Muslims in the following words:

“O ye Muslims! And remember the time when you were few and weak in the land, and were in constant fear lest people should snatch you away (i.e., wage a sudden attack against you and destroy you). But God sheltered you and granted you support with His Succour and opened the doors of pure favours upon you. Therefore, you should now live as thankful servants.”3

So true it is, for if the Succour of Allāh had not supported them, the state of the Muslims in that era was truly so delicate that in light of apparent means, the days of their lives seemed limited. No doubt, there were extremely severe trials for them in Makkah as well, and they were subjected to the merciless cruelties of the Quraish day in and day out. However, in the beginning, their state of affairs became more vulnerable and dangerous than before in many respects. The reason being, that in Makkah their only danger was the Quraish. Moreover, to some extent, the Muslims trusted that irrespective of how severe a turn this persecution took, whilst the Muslims were in Makkah, consideration of inter-tribal relations would deter the Quraish from slaughtering the Muslims without distinction, as one single force. Mutual hostility within the tribes, a sense of family ties, etc., and many other things of this nature, would generally dissuade the Quraish from taking severe action against the Muslims, or at least against such Muslims who were from noble families. As such, the lengthy discussion, reluctance and precautions taken by the Quraish before arriving upon their decision to assassinate the Holy Prophet(sa), may perhaps be remembered. However, now, after the migration, the opposition of the Quraish began to intensify. Furthermore, the thought that the Muslims had escaped their grasp safely, and that they had taken shelter with others, had dangerously ignited the fire of their malice and enmity. As a matter of fact, even the other tribes of Arabia stood up against the Muslims as one. Moreover, there were such hypocrites present in Madīnah who could have served to be a very effective instrument in the hands of their opponents. Further still, the presence of the Jews posed a possibility of further threats and in comparison to these threats, the body of the Anṣār was nothing. In this state of affairs, although the Muslims firmly believed in the promises of God, yet upon witnessing this apparent state, the hearts of many began to sink. Fear and anxiety were so prevalent that these poor souls found it difficult to sleep at night. Readers should particularly remember these facts, because it was these very issues which subsequently became the basis of that Great War, which took place between the Muslims and disbelievers of Arabia, and caused rivers of blood to flow in the vast wasteland of Arabia.