Few days ago, in a late night discussion with my friend he said he was opposed to the Prophet SAW’s conquest of Makkah. I’d never heard any such argument before. Basically, he explained, that religion shouldn’t be enforced. People will join it by themselves if it holds any truth in it. Obviously he didn’t understand the whole history of the wars, and islam wasn’t being enforced on them, but I think his gripe wasn’t with the conquest itself but rather it was about Islam not being pacifistic. His real question, maybe, was why does Islam allow for war? Shouldn’t the religion of justice and truth have the power to convince people without using force?
My sleep deprived self wasn’t able to articulate a good enough response at that time, but how would you guys respond to him?
First off, the ‘conquest of Mekkah’ began when one of the members of the Quraysh Confederacy breached the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah by attacking a tribe allied with the Medinans and Muslims. Initially, the Prophet requested blood money to recompensate for the attack, termination of alliance with the tribe that had transgressed and, of course, the nullification of the treaty entirely given that the Confederacy was likely not going to comply with any promise moving forward.
Second off, there is the matter of progressive revelation and you are dismissing the first half of the Prophet’s history where he stayed in Mecca and was harassed day in, day out. He preached Islam for 13 years before God commanded him to make pilgramage to Medina because the disbelievers had opted to surround his house and try to kill him.
Third, Islam is a religion that first and foremost is a reminder to humans and Jinn of their duties to their Creator. God placed us on this Earth as a test, and having a sapience is apart of that test.
Righteousness, justice and truth do not come to fruition on their own, they must be enforced. It should be reminded that God is Self-Sustaining and that anything we do on Earth does not deprive him the least. We seek to do good and cleanse corruption to please him, and apart of that is through action, words and then moving one’s own heart.
As for God Himself taking action, he has already done so by Mercy when he sends Prophets from amongst the people to lead them back into the Path of Good. However, when people still refuse and are set in their stubborn ways, then God removes them so that they do not spread their corruption further.
We do not see such things happening before our eyes anymore because Allah willed it so that Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger for all of the tribes and nations in his time and moving forward. There are no Messengers after Muhammad (PBUH), it has been decided by Him and we have no say on the matter.
And to close this, it is important to read into the rules of warfare set by God. Surah Al-Baqarah, Sentence 190-194, Sentence 216 of Al-Baqarah, along with Surah Al-Ma’idah Sentence 33-34 should prove relevant to you.
Thanks a lot for taking out the time to leave a comment here. I totally agree with you. It all makes sense when seen in its full context.
Since the post wasn’t getting any engagement, I was also planning to write something but wasn’t able to take out time for it. Btw, on a related note, how would you answer someone saying that voilence of any kind is unnecessary, even when you’re wronged?
They’re actions and that of the those around them would speak for them.
Ask yourself, the Epstein Files reveal the extent of corruption that can infiltrate a leadership. Do you feel comfortable knowing such despicable men and women hold power? Do pacifists feel comfortable with such people in power?
The reality is ‘no’ and if such a pacifist is comfortable or committed to non-violence, they should be made aware that other people are not going to play by their rules.
There’s a reason theres the Western saying, that revolution that couldn’t be done peacefully should be done so by force inevitably. Even then, Allah commands us to not be excessive and he iterates time and time again, that no one, not even a Prophet of Allah, has control over the hearts of men except for Him alone.