Microsoft Word When the Moon Split Final

Khalid is sent to Banu Judhayma 
Realising the need to instil Islam in the hearts of as many 
people as possible, the Prophet sent Khalid bin Waleed to 
Banu Judhayma in the month of Shawwal to preach Islam. He 
was accompanied by three hundred men of the Muhajireen, Ansar 
and Banu Sulaym. When Banu Judhayma were invited to accept 
Islam they cried, “Sabana! Sabana! We have left our religion! We 
have left our religion!” Their answer reeked of deceit to Khalid, 
who rounded them up and killed some of them. Later, he ordered 
every Muslim soldier to kill his captive, but Ibn Umar and his 
comrades refused to carry out such an unjust order. 

---

245 
On their return the dissenters placed the matter before the 
Prophet . The Prophet, horrified at what Khalid had done, 
prayed with his hands raised, “O Allah, do not hold me to 
account for Khalid’s act.” Then he sent Ali to Banu Judhayma pay 
blood money to the relatives of those slain and to compensate 
those whose property had been destroyed. The money that was 
left over after payment of compensation was also left with the 
tribe. Khalid’s actions during the expedition earned him criticism 
from several of the Prophet’s Companions, and there were angry 
exchanges between him and Abdul Rahman bin Auf . When 
this altercation was reported to the Prophet , he said, “Khalid, 
refrain from saying anything harsh to my Companions. By Allah, 
if Mount Uhud turned into gold and you were to spend it all in 
the way of Allah, even then you would not equal the morning or 
evening prayer of any of my Companions.” 
Battle of Hunayn 
The conquest of Makkah had silenced its citizens, but 
neighbouring tribes clamoured for a confrontation. Qays Milan 
assembled for consultation with Banu Thaqif and Banu Hawazen 
in the forefront. They said among themselves, “As Muhammad 
has already won the war against his people, none remains to 
prevent him from fighting against us. Why should we not take the 
initiative?” 
Accordingly, they decided to fight and mustered a large army 
under Malik bin Auf Nasari. They came down to Autas, their 
women and children and livestock with them. An old veteran, 
Durayd bin Simma, who was highly reputed in the art of warfare, 
accompanied the Hawazen army. When Durayd heard the 
groaning camels, the braying asses, the bleeting sheep and goats 
and the crying children, he asked Malik to explain their presence 
in the army. Malik replied that each number of the army was to be 
followed by his family and material possessions so that each man 
would fight fiercely to defend them.

---

246 
Durayd said, “By God, you are a shepherd! Who can block 
the way of the deserter? Behold! If you win the battle, it is you 
alone who will be the winners with your swords and spears; if you 
are defeated, you will be disgraced in front of your families.” 
Then he advised Malik to send the non-combatants back home, 
but the latter refused. He assembled the women, children and 
livestock in Autas while he himself proceeded to the neighbouring 
valley of Hunayn with the troops, and lay in ambush. 
When informed of the developments, the Prophet
marched on at the head of twelve thousand soldiers from Makkah 
on Saturday, Shawwal 6, 8 A.H. He took one thousand coats of 
mail and other weaponry from Safwan bin Umayya on credit, and 
the administration of Makkah was entrusted to Uqab bin Usayd. 
On the way, the troops came across a big tree named Dhat 
Al-Anwat. It was a shrine to the pagan city deity of war. From its 
branches, the pagan Arabs suspended their weapons, offered 
sacrifices beneath it and performed some rites of propitiation. 
Some people who had not quite grasped the essence of Islam 
beseeched the Prophet “Make us a Dhat Al-Anwat similar to 
theirs.” At this the Prophet replied, “Allah is the Most Great! 
You have said what the people of Musa said to him: “Fashion for 
us a god similar to their gods.’ Musa replied, ‘You are an ignorant 
people!” (7: 138) 
The Prophet then added, “Verily, you will follow every 
custom of the people before you.”
The Muslims exuded overconfidence because of their great 
strength. Some even exulted that they could not be defeated now 
for want of numbers, and the Prophet grew displeased at their 
arrogance. When evening set in, a cavalier brought the news that 
Banu Hawazen had come out along with their women, children, 
camels and goats. The Prophet smiled and remarked, “Inshaa 
Allah, all these will become the spoils of war for the Muslims.” 

---

247 
On the tenth of Shawwal, the Prophet reached Hunayn. 
Before descending the valley at dawn, the Prophet arrayed the 
troops. He gave the standard of the Muhajireen to Ali bin Abi 
Talib, the standard of Aus to Usayd bin Hudayr, and that of the 
Khazraj to Hubab bin Mundhir. Each clan had its standard 
bearer. The Prophet himself wore a double coat of arms and a 
helmet covering his head and face. The vanguard then began to 
descend the valley, unaware of the enemy troops lying in wait. 
The Muslim soldiers were still in the process of descending 
when the enemy troops sprang on them like a swarm of locusts. 
The onslaught forced the Muslim flanks to fall back and they fled 
in terror, each up-heeding of the other. Those in the rear followed 
suit, and a complete rout of the Muslims was in sight. This turn of 
events gladdened the hearts of the polytheists and the token 
converts to Islam. Abu Sufyan remarked, “Their [the Muslims] 
fight will not stop until they reach the sea.” Kildah, Safwan’s 
brothers, rejoice, “The spell of their sorcery has ended today!” 
Another brother said, “Receive the glad tidings of the defeat 
of Muhammad and his followers! He will never be able to unite 
them.” Safwan, although a polytheist, chided those who mocked 
the Muslims and said, “By God, I would rather be defeated by a 
man from the Quraysh than a man from Hawazen.” 
While his troops scattered in confusion, the Prophet
remained steadfast on the battlefield. He pressed ahead, spurring 
his mule and declared: “Verily, I am the True Prophet. I am the 
son of Abdul Muttalib.” 
Abu Sufyan bin Harith was holding the bridle of his mule, 
while Abbas was holding the stirrup, trying to keep the Prophet 
from advancing toward the enemy too swiftly. The Prophet
then dismounted and prayed to Allah, seeking His help. Then he 
instructed Abbas, who had a booming voice, to call his 
Companions. 

---

248 
Abbas called out, “O comrades of the tree! [i.e. those who 
took the pledge of Ridwan] Where are you!” All those who heard 
the cry were compelled to turn, and they called back, “Here we 
are!” Numbering about one hundred, they rushed purposefully 
toward the resounding voice. Reinforced thus, the Prophet
bore down upon the enemy, and a new battle between the two