TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

against those who objected to his teachings or oppressed him and his followers during the entire thirteen years of his life as a prophet in Makkah. While he was in Makkah, his teachings were always those of patience, tolerance and avoidance. The Prophet and his followers had to face the hardships of a three year social boycott by the opposing Makkan tribes, and they faced this patiently enduring harshest difficulties. His opponents plotted to kill him, so he quietly left Makkah with a few of his Companions to Madinah. He gave the same advice to his followers. Even in Madinah, his opponents did not leave the Prophet and his followers in peace. They did everything possible to make life miserable for them. At such a time the following verse was revealed: Will you not fight against those who have broken their oaths and conspired to banish the Messenger? They were the first to attack you. Do you fear them? Surely God is more deserving of your fear, if you are true believers. (9: 13) These hostilities resulted into the two battles of Badr and Uhud. After these battles when the Prophet got to know that his opponents were marching towards Madinah with an army of 10,000, he employed a strategy of avoidance by creating a trench outside Madinah because of which an armed conflict was averted. The Prophet was on a divine mission to present God’s message to humankind. Any mission of communication can only be successful when the circumstances are harmonious and peaceful. For an atmosphere of peace, though, a price has to be paid, and that was in the form of perseverance in the face of all obstacles; in ignoring the problems whilst availing of the opportunities. The Prophet’s opponents were constantly provoking him and his followers to engage with them in battle over petty issues, but the Prophet and his Companions always chose the divine teachings of patience and forbearance to circumvent every conflict. The Quran says: “Whenever they kindle the fire of war, God puts it out.” (5: 64) If we compare the Prophet's battles with other battles in history, we will find that the mission of the Prophet was a nonviolent mission; and the battles that happened were defensive in nature and under exceptional circumstances.