Author : Learn Quran Tajwid

The Prophet Muhammad’s Life As A Military Leader

The Holy Prophet of God (PBUH) is the best man that has ever set foot on this Earth. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) set real-life examples for the Muslim Ummah that can neither be ignored nor neglected. By following his teachings and real-life examples, one can gain success in both this and in the afterlife. 

But apart from his great spiritual and real-life teachings that bless the Muslim Ummah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a notable Military leader. A leader who despite being outnumbered and ill-equipped, gained victories for the Muslims in numerous battles. 

Hassan ibn Thabit (Arabic: حسان ابن ثابت, romanized: Ḥassān ibn Thābit; c. 563–674) was an Arabian Islamic poet, a prominent companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and was known for his poems in defense of the latter. He was also Islam’s first religious poet, using many phrases from the Qur’an in his verses during the battle with kuffar. Wikipedia

Thus, today we take the story to the other side. You all already know the great teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). But today we will discuss the important battles the prophet of Allah (PBUH) fought and led in his lifetime. So, here we go. 

  1. Battle Of Badr

The battle of Badr(Arabic: غَزْوَةُ بَدِرْ) is the first battle of Islam, and is a symbol of strength and courage for many Muslims, as Muslims despite being vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped, decisively defeated a much larger host of the Quraish. 

The battle took place on March 13, 624 AD, on the plains of Badr. The Muslims number only 313 (some sources say 314, but credibility can be judged), while the Quraish number more than 1000 warriors. 

The Quraish were vastly well equipped as well, with each soldier carrying lances, swords, and armor. The Muslims on the other hand only had 6 swords in total, and the rest of the warriors were equipped with just spears. 

Although the odds were against them in every aspect, the Military genius of the Prophet won the day. Before the battle, the Muslims blocked the major wells of Badr, making sure that thirst would become the first priority of the enemy forces. 

The Prophet led the forces from the front, with his close companions fighting alongside him on the front lines, he inspired the warriors that Allah’s help was with them. Seeing their leader fighting in the first ranks, their morale boosted, and the Muslims swiftly killed warrior after warrior. The battle ended as the Quraish withdrew after suffering 70 losses including important leaders like Ummaya and Abu Jahal. 

Original Source: Wikipedia

  1. Battle Of The Trench

The Battle of the trench(Arabic: غزوة الخندق, romanized: Ghazwat al-Khandaq) was a decisive battle that Muslims fought. Quraish alongside many other pagan tribes besieged Madinah for several months. Due to the lack of city walls, the Muslims dug a trench around the city, making sure that the enemies could not enter. 

The city was besieged for a total of 27 days. Due to the lack of any notable progress, the Quraish along with other coalition tribes retreated. This strategy by the Prophet and his companions most notably (Hazrat Salman Farsi) proved extremely useful. 

Original Source: Wikipedia

  1. Battle Of Hunain(Arabic: غَزْوَة حُنَيْن, romanized: Ghazwat Hunayn)

After the conquest of Makkah, the Muslims had now become a regional power. With massive conversions in Makkah and neighboring areas, the strength and manpower of Muslims had increased. But still, there were those who wished to oppose the Muslim advance. The most notable of these tribes were the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif. 

The Muslims advanced with a 12000 strong army, 10,000 of those who participated in the Conquest of Makkah and 2000 newly converts, these included Abu Sufyan (Father of the first Ummayad Caliph Ameer Muawiyah) as well.  

The enemy had a 20,000-strong army as well. They were stationed in the valley of Hunain. The moment Muslims entered the valley, they rained down valleys of Arrows on the Muslims. Due to the sheer pressure and loss of life, the Muslim army dispersed and the Prophet (PBUH) was only left with his close companions. 

But instead of retreating the Prophet (PBUH) along with his close companions rallied the Muslim forces and the Muslims retaliated. The enemy could not hold the Muslim retaliation and once their flanks were broken, they retreated. 

The Muslims gained a decisive victory under the command of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). 

Original Source: Wikipedia

Final Words

Thus, when one says that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not a notable military commander, just state these facts. The Prophet was a military genius who made sure that his men would win in any tough situation. Of Course there was the will and help of Allah (SWT). Besides, the Prophet (PBUH) was among the very few military commanders in history who would fight in the first ranks with their companions.

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Convert to Islam | A Complete Guide

Converting to Islam is the first step any beginner Muslim can take to follow the path of righteousness. Therefore, being a new convert, it is important that you know how to convert to Islam, and what benefits you can receive when you convert to Islam. So, here we go. 

How To Convert To Islam? 

To become a Muslim, you just need to follow a few simple and easy steps. All one has to do is to recite a sentence which is called the testimony of Faith (Shahada), which is pronounced as: 

“La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

These are Arabic words that mean: 

“There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”  

When a person says this testimony of Faith (Shahada) with heart and understanding of the meaning, then that person would become a Muslim. 

The first part states, 

“There is no true deity but God”. This means that none has the right to be worshiped but God alone. And God neither has any partner nor a son. The second part states and means that the Holy Prophet PBUH is the true Prophet sent by God to mankind.

In order to become a Muslim, make sure that you believe in these things as well. 

  • Believe that the Holy Quran is the actual word of Allah. 
  • Belief in the Day of Judgment 
  • Belief in all the Prophets sent by God and the books that he revealed upon them
  • Belief in the angels
  • Acceptance of Islam as their Religion
  • Not Worship anything nor anyone except God

Now that we know how to convert to Islam, below are a few benefits that you need to know about when you convert to Islam. 

  1. Liberation From Slavery

Islam helps by eliminating the mind from superstitions and uncertainties. It helps by liberating the should from sin and helps eliminating the corruption and freeing the conscience from oppression as well as fear. 

By submitting to God’s will, one does not give up his/her freedom. Instead, it helps by giving a very high degree of freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and knowledge. 

  1. Experience The Love Of Allah

By converting to Islam, you can now experience the true love of God. All you have to do now is to follow God’s teachings to Life, follow the Quran, and the teachings as well as traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

When Allah (Azza Wa Jall) created the world, he did not abandon it to insecurity and instability. Allah himself sent a firm and steady rope, and if a human being holds to this rope tightly, he/she can achieve greatness in this life and after. Below are a few verses of the Holy Quran that will make this clear to you. 

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 3:31)

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter, he will be one of the losers. (Quran 3:85)

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut[2] and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Quran 2:256)

  1. Paradise After Life

Jannah, as it is described in numerous verses of the Holy Quran, is eternal bliss and is promised to rightful believers. God showers his mercy upon the believers by rewarding them with Paradise. 

Whomsoever denies Allah and worships someone else than him, or believes that God has a son or a daughter, or a partner, he/she will be doomed in the hereafter to the hellfire eternally. By converting to Islam, that person can be saved from hellfire and will enter paradise. 

“And those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers.” (Quran 29: 58)

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Where did the 5 pillars of Islam come from?

Muhammad(PBUH) laid the foundation for the ideal Islamic state during the ten years between his arrival in Medina and his death in AD 632.

A core of devout Muslims was formed, and community life was organized around the new religion’s standards.

The requirements of the religion developed to include several institutions that continue to characterize Islamic religious practices today, in addition to general moral injunctions.

As soon as Islam’s Arab armies conquered new areas, they began creating mosques and palaces, as well as commissioning other works of art, as manifestations of their faith and culture.

Many components of Islamic religious practices arose and were codified as well. Islam, which means “to surrender to God,” is built on doctrines known as the Five Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the Islamic society, Umma, are expected to adhere.

1. Belief in God – The Shahada

The shahada, or Profession of Faith, is the most basic articulation of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad(PBUH) is his Prophet. 

It emphasizes Islam’s monotheistic nature. It is a very popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy, and it may be seen in many manuscripts and religious structures.

A person must confess and act on their belief in God’s oneness and Muhammad’s(PBUH) prophethood to join the Muslim society.

The vocal statement must convey actual knowledge of its meaning as well as sincere belief to be a true declaration of faith that indicates a relationship between the speaker and God.

Other Muslims can scrutinize a person’s actions, but a person’s declaration of faith is sufficient proof of membership in the Muslim community and cannot be questioned by other Muslims.

2. Salat–Daily Prayers

Five times a day, Muslims are supposed to pray. This does not imply that individuals must worship in a mosque; rather, they should perform the salat, or daily prayer, five times a day.

Muslims can worship anywhere, but they must direct their prayers toward Mecca. As a mark of their reverence and surrender to Allah, the faithful pray by bowing many times while standing, then bending and touching the floor or prayer mat with their foreheads.

Bowings (rak’as) are a series of units that make up a prayer. The worshiper stands, bows, kneels, and bows down at each of these units while chanting Quranic verses and other prayer formulas.

These units are repeated four times at midday, afternoon, and evening prayers, three times at sunset prayer, and just twice at morning, with slight variances among Muslim sects.

 The opening chapter of the Qur’an, al-Fatiha, is repeated in each unit in a prayer sequence. 

The declaration of faith is spoken at the end of each prayer, followed by the greeting. “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.”

On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon, khutba.

3. Zakat – Aims-Giving

The third pillar is the practice of almsgiving. Even though it is not explicitly stated in the Quran, Muslims feel that they are obligated to share their riches with others in their community who are less fortunate.

Muslims are required by Islamic law to donate a set share of the revenue to members of the public in need.

As a religious requirement and to reap the rewards of giving, many kings and wealthy Muslims build mosques, water fountains, hospitals, schools, and other institutions.

4. The Fast in Ramadan – Saum

Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, which falls in the Islamic calendar’s ninth month. Except for the sick, aged, and pregnant, everyone is supposed to avoid eating and drinking during daytime hours.

Fasting is also necessary at any time of year as a kind of restitution for different misdeeds and infractions of the law.

As acts of devotion and spiritual discipline, many Muslims observe voluntary fasts at various periods throughout the year. However, Islamic law does not necessitate any additional fasting.

5. Mecca-Hajj Pilgrimage

At least once throughout their lives, all Muslims who are able must perform the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites.

The Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam, and pilgrims must visit and walk around it seven times. The pilgrimage takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.

The Qur’an gives elaborate accounts of many aspects of the ceremony, and many of these rituals are portrayed as reenactments of Ibrahim and Ismail’s efforts during the construction of the Kaaba.

The hallowed Black Stone is set in one corner of the Kaaba, and according to one Islamic story, it was handed to Ibrahim by the angel Gabriel. According to another Islamic narrative, Adam was the one who first placed this stone in its current location.

Most Muslims visit Medina, where the Prophet’s grave is located, before returning to their homes during the pilgrimage. The ceremony is called umrah if the pilgrimage ceremonies are conducted at any month of the year besides the appointed time for Hajj.

Though Umra is a good act, it does not relieve a person of his or her need to perform hajj. The majority of pilgrims do one or more Umrah before or after the Hajj.

Wrapping Up

All serious believers of the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), male and female are expected to uphold the pillars, however, this does not mean that everyone who calls themselves a Muslim does so regularly.

Circumstances change, as they do in all religions, and some individuals are more devoted than others. Age, stage of life, employment, family responsibilities, health, and wealth all have a role.

Final Words 

The Five Pillars of Islam are the key factors upon which one’s faith is judged. Besides, these pillars of Islam have explicitly mentioned the Holy Quran as well. Thus, if you want to learn about the pillars of Islam, it is better to first learn the Quran so that you can understand what the Book of Allah says about them.

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