Along with the Ghazwah of Banū Quraiẓah, the first era of the life of the Holy Prophet(sa) in Madīnah and the second volume of our book comes to a close. What were the circumstances in which this era came to pass? What tribulations was the Holy Prophet(sa) forced to confront in order to defend Islām? What vulnerable times were the Muslims subjected to? What horrific forms did internal and external threats take on? The answers to these questions have been dealt with in somewhat of a detailed manner above. It would not be out of place to state that the first era of the life of the Holy Prophet(sa) in Madīnah was like an earthquake which continued to dangerously shake the land of Madīnah for a long period of five years but this felt even longer due to constant hardship. Certain jolts of this earthquake were so destructive in nature that if the special succor of God had not been present, these shocks definitely would have overturned the plains of Madīnah and put the Muslims to rest in the dust forever. As we have already seen one branch of the source of this fiery quake was reaching the base of the four walls of Madīnah through the fortresses of the Jews. The greatest shock of this earthquake took place at the Ghazwah of the Ditch, when the land of Madīnah literally began to tremble as it were, with the martial slogans of the bloodthirsty confederates and thunderous roar of the hooves of their Arabian horses; and when the hearts of the Muslims began to reach their throats. This quake was given an even more dangerous form due to the treachery of the deceitful Jews. However, as already mentioned above, this onslaught proved to be the final point in the animosity of the disbelievers of Makkah, after which, although their heart-felt enmity and seditious behaviour continued as usual, they could not find an opportunity to wage an onslaught against Madīnah again. Furthermore, the following prophecy of the Holy Prophet(sa) was fulfilled word by word:
“Due to the sedition and enmity of these people, though we would receive opportunities to march against them, they would not be able to lead an invasion against us.”
In this manner, a clear distinction between the first and second era at Madīnah was established. In addition to this, after the Jewish population came to an end along with the exile of the Banū Quraiẓah, no group of people except for the hypocrites who called themselves Muslims, and those who were dependents of the Muslims remained in Madīnah who could stand up to oppose the Muslims, or openly muster the courage to contest the Holy Prophet(sa). Hence, from that time onwards the foundations of a purely Islāmic government were placed in Madīnah. Therefore, this new era, which began after the Ghazwah of Banū Quraiẓah, possessed two main distinctions. Firstly, the onslaughts which were launched by the disbelievers against Madīnah were brought to an end forever. In this manner, the battle front was subsequently carried from the close proximity of Madīnah to far off regions. Secondly, in terms of politics and government, the city of Madīnah took on the form of a purely Islāmic State, which was free from the involvement of foreign rule, nation and religion. Ultimately, it was this central government which slowly and gradually expanded and finally began to rule a large part of the world.
How did this astounding transformation come about within a short period of five years? The true answer to this question has no relation with the material knowledge of this world and can only be fully fathomed by such a person who is cognizant of spiritual power. In terms of apparent means, the following points may be considered to have played a significant role in the unprecedented success of the Muslims: unity among the Muslims, their organization, unparalleled steadfastness for their own cause, a spirit of sacrifice, firm faith that they were fighting for the truth, a deep feeling that they were so greatly without means that until they became prepared to exert their utmost effort, they would have no chance of survival, and then, the unimaginable magnetic force of the Holy Prophet(sa) himself, and his remarkable strategies of war, etc. These elements infused such strength into this handful of Muslims, that it could not be defeated by even the most barbaric force of the countless Arab armies. As a result of this five year war, the disbelievers of Arabia knew for a fact that now the surmise of attacking Madīnah, expunging Islām and eliminating the Muslims was a futile notion, which could never be fulfilled. They realised that now alternate strategies were required in order to defeat the Muslims. This very change in the mindset of the disbelievers was the sign of a new era in Islām.