The Biography of the sword of Allah “Khalid bin Walid, MAPH” (part 18)
After the victory of the Muslims in the Battle of Hunain, in the month of Shawwal in the eighth year of the lunar calendar, the Holy Prophet of Islam, PBUH, asked them to move to the land of Taif and spread the light of Islamic guidance there as well. Therefore, before entering there, they sent groups and delegations to clear the area and prepare the ground for the arrival of the great army of Islam.
Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, quoting Imam Ibn Saad, may Allah have mercy on him, writes: When the Holy Prophet, PBUH, made the decision to conquer Taif, Hazrat Tufail Ibn Amr was sent to the destroy the idol of (Zulkafin) of Amr Ibn Hammamat -Doosi. This matter ended very badly for the people of that land; therefore, everyone gathered in a large fort and decided not to go out from there and attack the Muslims from there. Therefore, they prepared provisions and luggage for themselves for a year and took them with them.
Allamah Shelbi writes: After the conquest of Hawazen, many warriors of that country fled to the land of “Taif” to build a camp for themselves there. But the Holy Prophet of Islam, PBUH, did not abandon them; Rather, they chased them, if that pursuit took the form of an independent war and battle in the city of Taif.
The beginning of the war between right and wrong
At first, the Holy Prophet, PBUH, placed Hazrat Khalid bin Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, at the front of the army. The Prophet PBUH, with his great companions, may Allah bless them, landed near Taif Castle. The infidels and polytheists of the castle attacked the Muslims with countless arrows. So that many of them were injured and about twelve of them were martyred, in the area where the Taif Grand Mosque is now built, the Holy Prophet, blessings of Allah be upon him, visited and for two people from the Azwaj-Mutahara; Zainab and Umm Salma, who were with them in this war, built domes and in between the two domes, they prayed for the conquest and victory of the Muslims.
Imam Zahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes: The Holy Prophet, PBUH, ordered his companions to destroy all the grape trees and palm groves in order to frighten the people of the castle. When Bani Saqif (who hid themselves in the castle) heard this order; One of them named Sufyan bin Abdullah Saqafi said loudly: Why are you cutting off our property and assets? Either they reach us, or they reach you. After that, the Holy Prophet, PBUH, realized that they had regained their senses a little; Therefore, they forbade the cutting of trees.
Abu al-Aswad says: At the same time, one of them, named Uyaina Ibn Asi, came to the Holy Prophet, PBUH, and said: Allow me to speak with Bani Saqif, perhaps Allah Almighty will guide them, and I can convince them to not fight and surrender. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) allowed him to talk with them. That person set out and managed to enter the castle, and instead of giving them peace-loving words, he said to them: «بأبي أنتم، تمسكوا بمكانكم، والله لنحن أذل من العبيد، وأقسم بالله لئن حدث به حدث ليملكن العرب عزاً ومنعة، فتمسكوا بحصنكم.» It means: O people of Taif! May my father be your sacrifice, take your place firmly and do not let it go, I swear to Allah, surely, we are more humiliated than slaves, I swear to Allah, if any incident happens here; Surely the Arabs will own your honor and respect; So, hold on to your castle and hold it tight.
After that, he came down from the fort, and the Holy Prophet, PBUH, asked him: “What did you say to them?” He said: I called them to Islam and warned them against the fire of hell and fulfilled the promise I made to you. The Holy Prophet, PBUH, said: كذبتَ، بل قلتَ كذا وكذا»» ” you are lying; Rather, you said such and such words to them. After that, that person regretted what he did and said to the Holy Prophet, PBUH, that I am asking for forgiveness from Almighty Allah and I am repenting to Him, and I am also asking for forgiveness from you.
In fact, the Holy Prophet, PBUH, did not want to harm the people of that land; So, he waited for them to surrender. They went to one of the palm groves of “Taif” and built a mosque there and offered prayers.
According to Imam Ibn Ishaq, may Allah have mercy on him, the Holy Prophet, PBUH, besieged that fort for twenty or so nights.
It is stated in the book “Al-Rahiq al-Makhtoum” that according to a narration of Syedna Anas (RA), the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) besieged that fort for forty days. This is one of the long sieges in Islam.
Imam Zahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates from Abu Najih Salmi, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: حاصرنا مع رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم قصر الطائف، فسمعت رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم يقول: «من بلغ بسهم فله درجة في الجنة.» فبلغت يومئذ ستة عشر سهماً. وسمعت رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم يقول: «من رمى بسهم في سبيل الله فهو له عدل محرر. Meaning: We besieged Taif Palace with the Holy Prophet, PBUH.
At the same time, I heard the Holy Prophet, PBUH, said: “Whoever shoots an arrow at the enemy; For him, it is a degree in Paradise.” I shot sixteen at that time. Also, I heard from the Prophet, blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: “Whoever shoots an arrow in the path of Allah Almighty; For him, the reward is equal to freeing a slave.”