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Online Quran Academy - Islamic Mentors

The Ghazwa in Islam: Key Battles in the Early History of the Faith

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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.


Read our other historical blog on Islamic Jihaad.


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:

Fight in the cause of Allah (only) against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors. (Surah Baqarah : 190)
Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers. (Surah Baqarah verse 191)

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):

TitleMuslim forcesForces of the enemyLocationDate
Battle of Abwa’ (Waddan)200 cavalries and infantriesunknownAbwa’Safar, 2/August, 623
Battle of Buwat200 cavalries100 peopleBuwatRabi’ I or Rabi’ II, 2/September or October, 623
Battle of Dhu l-‘Ushayra200 cavalriesAn alliance of Quraysh, Banu Madlaj, and Banu Damraal-‘Ushayra (a place between Mecca and Medina)Jumada I, 2/November, 623
Battle of Badr313 people with 2 horses and 70 camels950 cavalries and infantriesBadrRamadan 17, 2/ March 13, 624
Battle of Banu Sulay200 cavalriesBanu Sulaym and GhatafanBetween Mecca and MedinaShawwal, 2/April, 624
Battle of Banu Qaynuqa’Muslims of MedinaJews of MedinaMedinaEarly Shawwl, 2/Early April 624
Battle of SawiqFew people200 peopleQarqarat al-KudrDhu l-Hijja, 2/June, 624
Battle of Dhi Amarr450 peopleBanu MuharibDhu Amarr in NajdMuharram, 3/July, 624
Battle of Buhran300 cavalriesBanu SulaymBuhran, a mine in Hijaz or an area in Zabi’Rabi’ II, 3/September 624
Battle of Uhud700 cavalries and infantries around Medina2900 to 3000 peoplehillsides of Mount UhudShawwal, 3/March-April, 625
Battle of Hamra’ al-Asad630 cavalries and infantries9279 people from QurayshHamra’ al-Asad, between Mecca and MedinaShawwal, 3/March-April, 625
Battle of Banu NadirAll Muslims in Medinathe Jews of Banu NadirSuburbs of MedinaRabi’ I, 4/August-September 625
Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’400 cavalries and infantriesBanu MuharibDhat al-Riqa’ in NajdJumada I, 4/October-November, 625
Battle of Badr al-Wa’d1000 people2000 peopleBadrSha’ban, 4/January-February 626
Battle of Dumat al-Jandal1000 cavalries and infantriesDumat al-Jandal tribesDumat al-JandalRabi’ I, 5/August 626
Battle of Khandaq3000 people10,000 people from polytheist tribesMedinaShawwal, 5/March 627
Battle of Banu Qurayza3000 people600 to 700 peopleSuburbs of MedinaDhu l-Qa’da- Dhu l-Hijja, 5/April-May 627
Battle of Banu LihyanAround 3000 peopleBanu LihyanGharranJumada I, 6/September-October 627
Battle of Dhi Qarad500 to 700 peopleGhatafan tribeDhu QaradRabi I and Rabi’ II 6/August- September 627 
Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq1000 cavalries and infantriesBanu l-Mustaliqal-Muraysi’Sha’ban, 6/December 627-January 628
Battle of Hudaybiyya1600 peopleQurayshHudaybiyyaDhu l-Qa’da, 6/March-April 628
Battle of Khaybar1600 peopleJews of KhaybarKhaybarMuharram-Safar, 7/May-June 628
Battle of ‘Umrat al-Qada’1400QurayshMeccaDhu l-Hijja or Dhu l-Qa’da, 7 /March or April 629
Conquest of Mecca10,000 peopleQuraysh and Banu BakrMeccaRamadan, 8/January 630
Battle of Hunayn12000 peopleHawazin and Thaqif tribesNear al-Ta’ifShawwal, 8/February 630
Battle of al-Ta’if12000 peopleThaqif and Hawazin tribesal-Ta’ifShawwal, 8/February 630
Battle of Tabuk30,000 peopleRome and its alliesTabukRajab 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 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.

Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it. (Surah Baqarah 2:154)
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure. (Surah Baqarah 2:155)
who say, when struck by a disaster, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will (all) return.” They are the ones who will receive Allah’s blessings and mercy. And it is they who are (rightly) guided. (Surah Baqarah 2:156-157)

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.

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