Battle of Hunayn

The Reason for the Battle of Hunayn

The Battle of Hunayn followed a significant event, the opening of Mecca by the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - and his noble companions. The news of this conquest spread among the tribes until it reached the Hawazin and Thaqif tribes. They were idolaters and worshipped statues. Gathering their material and human resources, they resolved to fight the Muslims and defeat them after their fame had spread in the Arabian Peninsula. 

They united with other tribes like Nasr, Jusham, Sa'd bin Bakr, and some from Bani Hilal. Filled with pride and amazement at the Muslims' victory, they approached Malik bin 'Awf al-Nasri, deciding to go to war against the Muslims.

Number of Muslims and Polytheists in the Battle of Hunayn

• The number of Muslims in the Battle of Hunayn was twelve thousand, including ten thousand from the Muhajirun, Ansar, and nearby tribes, along with two thousand who had embraced Islam after the Conquest of Mecca.
• The number of polytheists was approximately twenty thousand.
• Their leader, Malik bin Awf, brought the women, children, and wealth of his warriors to the battlefield and placed them behind the soldiers to motivate them to fight fiercely.

Events of the Battle of Hunayn

Malik ibn Awf decided to take women, children, and camels to the war to keep the fighters steadfast. They gathered in a valley called Wadi Awtas while the Muslims descended into the valley of Hunayn. Malik bin 'Awf sent three messengers to gather information about the Muslims. Upon their return, filled with fear and awe at the sight of the Muslim army's magnitude, they warned Malik, "We have seen men upon the swift horses like a deluge. By God, we cannot withstand what you see. It's not fighting the people of the earth but the people of the heavens. If you follow us, people will turn away."

Enraged, Malik detained the three messengers, determined to go to war. This battle occurred on the 10th of Shawwal, in the eighth year after the Prophet's migration, shortly after the defeat of the polytheists in Mecca. The number of polytheists at that time ranged between twenty to thirty thousand. When the two armies clashed, the polytheists couldn't withstand the Muslims and were defeated.

However, the Muslims' distraction in dividing the spoils shifted the battle's balance in favor of the polytheists. The newly converted Muslims and those with them from the people of Mecca fled, leaving the Prophet on the battlefield. Rumors spread among the Muslims about the Prophet's death. Amid varying reactions, some despaired, some felt defeated, and others remained steadfast. Abbas ibn Abd El Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle, shouted to clarify that the Prophet Muhammad was still alive. The Muslims regrouped, defeated the polytheists, and gained numerous spoils. The Prophet distributed these spoils among the Muslims, focusing a significant portion on new converts to strengthen their hearts in Islam.

It's worth noting that the Prophet desired the repentance of those who fled with the spoils, but none returned to him. The polytheists, led by Malik bin 'Awf, fled to Ta'if. The Prophet guarded the spoils and later went to Ta'if with his companions, besieging them for a while before returning (Battle Of Ta'if).

Results of the Battle of Hunayn

The Battle of Hunayn's results demonstrated both defeat and victory, aligning closely with the timing of the Meccan conquest. Among its prominent outcomes, it strengthened the Muslims' resolve and shattered idolatry's dominance in the Arabian Peninsula. Allah considered the spoils of Hunayn a token of gratitude for the Muslims after the conquest of Mecca.

Moreover, it showcased Allah's favor by granting victory to the Muslims after experiencing the pain of defeat. This victory increased their joy despite the strength of the polytheists in numbers and equipment. Subsequently, the Arab tribes hesitated to confront the Prophet in battle after this event.

Lessons Learned from the Battle of Hunayn

• Teaching the Companions an important lesson in faith and reliance on Allah while taking necessary measures. Victory is solely in the hands of Allah, not dependent on numbers or strength. The Muslims were initially deceived by their large numbers, which did not benefit them, as stated in the Quran:

  "Indeed, Allah has given you victory in many regions and on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth became narrow for you despite its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing. Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and sent down soldiers you did not see and punished those who disbelieved. And that is the recompense of the disbelievers. Then Allah will accept repentance after that for whom He wills, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful".(Surah At-Tawbah: 25-27)

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his Companions that it is permissible to send spies to gather intelligence on the enemy, as he sent Abdullah bin Abi Hadard to assess the situation of the polytheists. He also demonstrated the permissibility of borrowing weapons from non-Muslims to fight Islam’s enemies, as he borrowed weapons from Safwan bin Umayyah while he was still a polytheist.
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) displayed extraordinary courage and steadfastness in battle, even when the Muslims were scattered and fled.
• The permissibility of women participating in jihad in supportive roles, such as providing water to the thirsty and treating the wounded. Additionally, Islam prohibits the killing of women, children, and slaves in warfare, as jihad’s purpose is not hatred toward polytheists but rather the spread of the faith.
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated Islam’s policy towards those who had newly embraced the faith during the Conquest of Mecca. He granted them more spoils of war than others to win their hearts.
• The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) deep love for the Ansar and his acknowledgment of their virtue.

Factors Behind the Muslim Victory in the Battle of Hunayn

The victory of the Muslims in the Battle of Hunayn was due to several key factors, including:

• The steadfastness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his supplication to Allah for victory.
• The return of the Companions to the battlefield after initially fleeing when they saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) standing firm and heard the call to regroup.
• Divine support from Allah, who sent unseen soldiers to aid the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Muslims.
• The strength of the Muslims’ faith was the real source of victory, rather than their numbers or weaponry.
• The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) exceptional leadership, the remarkable skills of his Companions, and the declining military condition of their enemies.