.

.

The Holy Prophet continued to address:

“ O’ People of Quraish! Do you know how I am going to

deal with you.”

They replied: ‘ You are a kind person (Kareem), and the

the son of a kind person (Kareem).’

The Holy Prophet gave them amnesty by stating:

“ There is no blame on you to-day. (12:92). You may go,

and you are free (to move with liberty without any fear).”

[Ibn Hashsham, Ibn Khaldun, Encyclopedia on Seerah, Bukhari]

G) The Battle of Hunain (Shawal, 8th Al-Hijra)

1. The tribes of Hawazan and Banu Saqaif could not tolerate the conquest of Mecca by the Holy Prophet, and, therefore, they gathered for fighting him in Hunain with their well trained warriors and expert archers. To their foolishness, they also pushed their families including 6000 women laden with silver, a huge cattle (about 60,000 camels, goats etc.) and an abundant amount of other material.

2. On hearing about their preparations, the Holy Prophet decided to take an offensive action against them. He borrowed from Safwan (a non-Muslim) some weapons and armors for equipping his additional two thousand men, who joined him from Mecca, after its conquest. Thus, his total fighting force comprised 10,000 Companions, who conquered Mecca, plus the new two thousand entrants.

3. The Muslims became proud of their numerical strength (as stated in Al-Quran under 9:25), as compared to their position in the previous battles.

4. When the Muslims, 12000 in number and heavily equipped, were moving down towards the Valley of Hunain for fighting, the enemy suddenly attacked them at dawn with their expert archers from every hidden pass and corner.

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