The Lesson Of Pride At The Valley Of Hunayn
Islam flourished in Mecca and the Muslims became
stronger and stronger. But south of Mecca lived a tribe of
warriors called Hawazin, who had not become Muslim. They
made an agreement with another tribe from Ta'if, called Thaqif
to fight the Muslims and destroy them before they could
spread their religion throughout Arabia. The Thaqif, who were
known for their courage, soon won the support of other tribes
living around the Ta'if area, especially when such tribes were
told: ‘Look what has happened! If Quraysh, the largest tribe of
all, have fallen to Muhammad, it is only a matter of time
before the same will happen to the rest of us. We should strike
now before the Muslims are established in Mecca and have the
support of Quraysh.' The Chief of one of these tribes, a
fearless warrior called Malik Ibn ‘Awf, was chosen as the
leader. He put forward a plan: 'You should all go out to battle
accompanied by your families, your tents, your sheep and
goats, for with all your belongings at stake, none of you will
dare give up the fight.'
Everyone agreed with Malik except an old, blind man called
Dorayd. He had been a great warrior in his day and because of
his experience and valuable advice still accompanied the men
into battle. 'I don't like Malik's plan', he insisted. 'If a man is
so cowardly as to leave a battle, then he will leave his family
as well. The women and children will be a great worry to us
and if we are defeated all our wealth will fall into enemy
hands.' But Malik ignored this advice and stuck to his original
plan. When the Prophet (pbuh) heard what the enemy tribes
were planning, he found himself forced to fight and ordered his
army towards Ta’if. He had twelve thousand men and the
enemy only four thousand. The Muslims were proud of their
strength and as they looked around at their number, said to
themselves, 'We will never be defeated!' On hearing this the
Prophet (pbuh) knew that the Muslims had become too proud
and because of this would not succeed.
Islam flourished in Mecca and the Muslims became
stronger and stronger. But south of Mecca lived a tribe of
warriors called Hawazin, who had not become Muslim. They
made an agreement with another tribe from Ta'if, called Thaqif
to fight the Muslims and destroy them before they could
spread their religion throughout Arabia. The Thaqif, who were
known for their courage, soon won the support of other tribes
living around the Ta'if area, especially when such tribes were
told: ‘Look what has happened! If Quraysh, the largest tribe of
all, have fallen to Muhammad, it is only a matter of time
before the same will happen to the rest of us. We should strike
now before the Muslims are established in Mecca and have the
support of Quraysh.' The Chief of one of these tribes, a
fearless warrior called Malik Ibn ‘Awf, was chosen as the
leader. He put forward a plan: 'You should all go out to battle
accompanied by your families, your tents, your sheep and
goats, for with all your belongings at stake, none of you will
dare give up the fight.'
Everyone agreed with Malik except an old, blind man called
Dorayd. He had been a great warrior in his day and because of
his experience and valuable advice still accompanied the men
into battle. 'I don't like Malik's plan', he insisted. 'If a man is
so cowardly as to leave a battle, then he will leave his family
as well. The women and children will be a great worry to us
and if we are defeated all our wealth will fall into enemy
hands.' But Malik ignored this advice and stuck to his original
plan. When the Prophet (pbuh) heard what the enemy tribes
were planning, he found himself forced to fight and ordered his
army towards Ta’if. He had twelve thousand men and the
enemy only four thousand. The Muslims were proud of their
strength and as they looked around at their number, said to
themselves, 'We will never be defeated!' On hearing this the
Prophet (pbuh) knew that the Muslims had become too proud
and because of this would not succeed.