GHAZWA
The term “ghazwa” describes wars that took place in the early years of Islam. The person who fights is called “ghazi,” and its plural forms are “ghuzat” and “ghuzza.” The word “ghazwa” refers to any battle of the early years of Islam in which the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself was present.
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Ghazwa in Islam
The concept of Gazwah in Islamic history is specific to the time and circumstances of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions. Muslims carried out Ghazwa for various reasons, including self-defense, protecting the Muslim community, and spreading the message of Islam. Here are a couple of verses from the Quran that address fighting in self-defense:
The Prophet (SAW) said, “A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah’s Cause in the forenoon or the afternoon is better than the world and whatever is in it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2792)
Gazwah History
The history of Ghazwa during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is a critical part of early Islamic history. It provides insights into the challenges faced by the early Muslim community.
Here is a brief overview of the history of Gazwah during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him):
| Title | Muslim forces | Forces of the enemy | Location | Date |
| Battle of Abwa’ (Waddan) | 200 cavalries and infantries | unknown | Abwa’ | Safar, 2/August, 623 |
| Battle of Buwat | 200 cavalries | 100 people | Buwat | Rabi’ I or Rabi’ II, 2/September or October, 623 |
| Battle of Dhu l-‘Ushayra | 200 cavalries | An alliance of Quraysh, Banu Madlaj, and Banu Damra | al-‘Ushayra (a place between Mecca and Medina) | Jumada I, 2/November, 623 |
| Battle of Badr | 313 people with 2 horses and 70 camels | 950 cavalries and infantries | Badr | Ramadan 17, 2/ March 13, 624 |
| Battle of Banu Sulay | 200 cavalries | Banu Sulaym and Ghatafan | Between Mecca and Medina | Shawwal, 2/April, 624 |
| Battle of Banu Qaynuqa’ | Muslims of Medina | Jews of Medina | Medina | Early Shawwl, 2/Early April 624 |
| Battle of Sawiq | Few people | 200 people | Qarqarat al-Kudr | Dhu l-Hijja, 2/June, 624 |
| Battle of Dhi Amarr | 450 people | Banu Muharib | Dhu Amarr in Najd | Muharram, 3/July, 624 |
| Battle of Buhran | 300 cavalries | Banu Sulaym | Buhran, a mine in Hijaz or an area in Zabi’ | Rabi’ II, 3/September 624 |
| Battle of Uhud | 700 cavalries and infantries around Medina | 2900 to 3000 people | hillsides of Mount Uhud | Shawwal, 3/March-April, 625 |
| Battle of Hamra’ al-Asad | 630 cavalries and infantries | 9279 people from Quraysh | Hamra’ al-Asad, between Mecca and Medina | Shawwal, 3/March-April, 625 |
| Battle of Banu Nadir | All Muslims in Medina | the Jews of Banu Nadir | Suburbs of Medina | Rabi’ I, 4/August-September 625 |
| Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’ | 400 cavalries and infantries | Banu Muharib | Dhat al-Riqa’ in Najd | Jumada I, 4/October-November, 625 |
| Battle of Badr al-Wa’d | 1000 people | 2000 people | Badr | Sha’ban, 4/January-February 626 |
| Battle of Dumat al-Jandal | 1000 cavalries and infantries | Dumat al-Jandal tribes | Dumat al-Jandal | Rabi’ I, 5/August 626 |
| Battle of Khandaq | 3000 people | 10,000 people from polytheist tribes | Medina | Shawwal, 5/March 627 |
| Battle of Banu Qurayza | 3000 people | 600 to 700 people | Suburbs of Medina | Dhu l-Qa’da- Dhu l-Hijja, 5/April-May 627 |
| Battle of Banu Lihyan | Around 3000 people | Banu Lihyan | Gharran | Jumada I, 6/September-October 627 |
| Battle of Dhi Qarad | 500 to 700 people | Ghatafan tribe | Dhu Qarad | Rabi I and Rabi’ II 6/August- September 627 |
| Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq | 1000 cavalries and infantries | Banu l-Mustaliq | al-Muraysi’ | Sha’ban, 6/December 627-January 628 |
| Battle of Hudaybiyya | 1600 people | Quraysh | Hudaybiyya | Dhu l-Qa’da, 6/March-April 628 |
| Battle of Khaybar | 1600 people | Jews of Khaybar | Khaybar | Muharram-Safar, 7/May-June 628 |
| Battle of ‘Umrat al-Qada’ | 1400 | Quraysh | Mecca | Dhu l-Hijja or Dhu l-Qa’da, 7 /March or April 629 |
| Conquest of Mecca | 10,000 people | Quraysh and Banu Bakr | Mecca | Ramadan, 8/January 630 |
| Battle of Hunayn | 12000 people | Hawazin and Thaqif tribes | Near al-Ta’if | Shawwal, 8/February 630 |
| Battle of al-Ta’if | 12000 people | Thaqif and Hawazin tribes | al-Ta’if | Shawwal, 8/February 630 |
| Battle of Tabuk | 30,000 people | Rome and its allies | Tabuk | Rajab and Sha’ban 9/October and November 630 |
Shaheed in Islam
Shaheed originates from the Quranic Arabic word meaning “martyr.” Muslims use the term Shaheed to describe a martyr who is slain for the cause of Allah Almighty or the religion, usually in the field of battle by unbelievers.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “Nobody who dies and finds good from Allah (in the Hereafter) would wish to come back to this world even if he were given the whole world and whatever is in it, except the martyr who, on seeing the superiority of martyrdom, would like to come back to the world and get killed again (in Allah’s Cause).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2795)
This Hadith emphasizes the unique status and reward of a martyr. This verse speaks about the concept of martyrdom and the rewards for those who are slain in the way of Allah.
Conclusion
The Gazwah in Islam played a crucial role in the spread and protection of the faith. In Islamic history, Muslims fought numerous Ghazwas, each with its significance and outcome. From the early battles fought by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), such as Badr and Uhud, to the later expansions and conquests under the Rashidun Caliphs, the Ghazwas played a pivotal role in shaping the history and trajectory of Islam.
