ISLAM AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD

The superior strategy employed on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah was, quite simply, to achieve one’s end, not by the use of force, but by the demonstration of strength. Indeed, Hijrah is just one of the strategies employed to avoid confrontation, but if it proves the best method, it must be resorted to, even if it entails leaving one’s homeland, property, and relatives. The Hudaibiya Principle When the Prophet of Islam emigrated to Madinah, he did not launch any military campaign from there. His adversaries, the Quraysh, however, made military preparations and launched an onslaught without any provocation from the other side. It was due to this aggression that some defensive battles had to be fought. At this juncture, in order to avoid further bloodshed, the Prophet followed an excellent principle which can be termed the Hudaibiya principle. What the Prophet of Islam did with regard to the Hudaibiya treaty was to accept all the demands of the other party in return for their agreeing to his demand that no battle be fought between them, directly or indirectly, for a period of ten years. The Hudaibiya treaty was, in fact a no-war pact. The Hudaibiya principle can thus be summed up in these words: unilateral acceptance of all the demands of the opposite party in order to obviate any risks of further clash and confrontation. The Demonstration Rather Than the Use of Force In spite of this no-war pact, the Prophet’s opponents reopened hostilities—thus committing a breach of their agreement. This time the Prophet adopted a different strategy, with the result that Makkah was ultimately conquered. Very few lives were lost, however, for, beyond minor skirmishes, no armed struggle between the opposing forces took place. The superior strategy employed on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah was, quite simply, to achieve one’s end, not by the use of force, but by the demonstration of strength. Refraining from Vengeance The initial strategy adopted by the Prophet after the conquest of Makkah was one of remarkable leniency. After the victory, men who had been his deadliest enemies were now brought before him. Today,