Riding the High Tide
During the first eight years of its struggle, (622 to 630 AD) the base
of the Islamic community was established in the city of Medina. Earlier
in 622 AD, Muhammad had smuggled himself stealthily out of Mecca. He
escaped an assassination attempt on his life and fled to Yathrib, now
called Medina, a city about 250 miles north of Mecca. His success in
preaching his new religion attracted new converts. His followers
increased in number and rallied around him forming an Islamic base. In
the process, he formed an armed group to protect his community from
enemy attacks. Being wealthy and a successful trader, Muhammad offered
protection to those who would join him and fought hostile tribes that
had earlier stood against him, beginning with the Jewish Qurayzah clan.
Muhammad united the Muslim clans and formed an overwhelming force of
arbitrary power under his direct command. He controlled certain trade
routes by mounting regular raids on them and exacting protection money.
He formed alliance with his supporters and launched counter attacks on
tribes that assaulted his community.
In the case of the Jewish Qurayzah clan that had stood against him
earlier, he destroyed it completely by putting the men to the sword and
enslaving the women and children. He extended his alliance and prevented
others from joining the Meccans. His successful raids and call for
surrender to Allah led more men to become Muslims and join in his
activities. As he grew from strength to strength, he progressively led
larger Muslim forces and improved his military position greatly.
Profiting materially from his military campaigns, Muhammad centralized
the power of his system and became the all-powerful.
Once his military position was left unchallenged, the prophet, at the
head of about ten thousand strong advanced to Mecca in a bid to dictate
his terms of peace to them. The Meccans accepted his terms, and Muhammad
entered Mecca unchallenged. His archenemies, the Chieftains, the
nobility, elite leaders and elders of the city accepted him without any
resistance. As a mark of submission, the Meccans opened the gate without
resistance. They paid homage as the procession entered the city centre.
Muhammad entered Mecca and emerged the victor.
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