The First Jihad Against the Jews

When the Noble Prophet ﷺ was informed about this incident, he gathered the Jews and said to them:

“O Jews! Protect yourselves from a destruction from Allah Almighty like the destruction that descended upon Quraysh at Badr.

“So accept Islam.

“You know that I am a Messenger sent by Allah, and you find this fact recorded in your own Book.”

The Jews replied:

“O Muhammad! Perhaps you think that we are like your people.

“Do not be deceived by this idea, because until now you have dealt with people who did not know warfare or its methods. Therefore, you easily overcame them.

“But if you fight us, then, by Allah, you will discover what kind of brave people you are dealing with.”

The actual reason for their saying these words was that these people were very warlike and highly skilled in military arts.

They were also the wealthiest among the Jews and possessed the finest kinds of weapons.

Their fortresses were also extremely strong.

In response to their words, Allah Almighty revealed a verse from Surah Aal ‘Imran.

Translation:

“O Prophet, tell them: You will soon be defeated (at the hands of the Muslims), and in the Hereafter you will be gathered and driven toward Hell, and that Hell is an evil abode.”

After this warning, Banu Qaynuqa‘ fortified themselves inside their fortresses.

The Prophet ﷺ laid siege to the Jewish settlements.

The siege was very severe and continued for fifteen days.

Eventually, Allah Almighty cast fear and awe of the Muslims into the hearts of these Jews.

They became weary of the siege, even though at that time there were approximately seven hundred warriors among them.

They then requested that they were ready to leave, on the condition that they would be given a way to depart.

In that case, they would leave the area forever.

At the same time, they requested that their women and children also be allowed to leave with them.

They said that they would leave their wealth, property, weapons, and other belongings behind.

The Noble Prophet ﷺ accepted their request and allowed them to leave.

In this way, a great amount of spoils fell into the hands of the Muslims.

The Jews were given three days to leave Madinah.

They departed from there and settled in a town in the land of Syria.

According to one narration, not even a year had passed before all of them perished.

This was the effect of the supplication against them made by the Noble Prophet ﷺ.

After the Battle of Qaynuqa‘, several smaller expeditions also took place.

A few days later, the Noble Prophet ﷺ married Hazrat Zaynab bint Khuzaymah رضي الله عنها, and afterward he married Hazrat Zaynab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها.

Hazrat Zaynab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها had previously been married to Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه.

He was the adopted son of the Noble Prophet ﷺ.

Their marriage could not continue successfully, so they divorced.

Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ married her.

Allah Almighty arranged this marriage in the heavens, and revelation was sent to the Prophet ﷺ concerning it.

When the revelation came, the Prophet ﷺ said to Hazrat ‘Aishah al-Siddiqah رضي الله عنها:

“Go and give Zaynab the good news. Allah Almighty has married her to me in the heavens.”

Regarding this matter, Allah Almighty also revealed a verse in Surah al-Ahzab, so that people would have no doubt or suspicion that the Prophet ﷺ had married the divorced wife of his adopted son.

In reality, in the ignorant society of Arabia, an adopted son was considered like a biological son and was treated as a Mahram, and marrying his divorced wife was considered unlawful.

At the same time, an adopted son was also given a share in inheritance.

Islam completely abolished this outdated custom.

The Prophet ﷺ himself began the process of eliminating this practice.

The Prophet ﷺ also invited his Companions رضي الله عنهم to a Walimah feast.

On that very day, the verse regarding Hijab was revealed.

In 3 AH, the Battle of Uhud took place.

Mount Uhud is situated two miles from Madinah.

Regarding this mountain, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:

“This Uhud loves us, and we love it.

“When you pass by it, eat some of the fruit of its trees as a blessing, even if it is only a little.”

Why did the Battle of Uhud take place?

The answer is that the disbelievers had suffered a terrible defeat at the Battle of Badr.

The disbelievers gathered and came to their leader, Hazrat Abu Sufyan رضي الله عنه, and said:

“In the Battle of Badr, countless men of ours were killed.

“We will take revenge for their blood.

“The preparations for war should be made from the profits of the wealth that you bring through trade.”

Hazrat Abu Sufyan رضي الله عنه accepted their proposal, and preparations for war began with great enthusiasm.

It is said that the profit earned from the merchandise was fifty thousand dinars.

At the Battle of Badr, the Noble Prophet ﷺ had released the poet Abu ‘Azzah without taking any ransom from him and had made him promise that he would not compose poetry against the Muslims.

Now, when preparations for war began, the people said to him:

“Use your poetry to inspire and excite the people.”

At first, Abu ‘Azzah refused because he had promised the Prophet ﷺ that he would not do so.

But then he decided to break his promise and began reciting poetry.

Eventually, the Qurayshi army departed from Makkah al-Mukarramah and set out toward Madinah.

There were also women in the Qurayshi army.

The women would mourn those who had been killed at Badr.

In this way, they were stirring courage and enthusiasm among their men and shaming them against being defeated or fleeing from the battlefield.

The Noble Prophet ﷺ also received information about the war preparations of Quraysh from his uncle, Hazrat ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه.

He sent this information in the form of a letter.

The person carrying the letter traveled continuously for three days and three nights and delivered the letter to the Prophet ﷺ.

At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was in Quba.