The Prophet as a Man — 108: War Preparedness
Despite what the enemies of Islam say, particularly nowadays, and what impression some fringe groups of Muslim hard-liners advocate, Islam is a religion of peace, which prefers to live with all communities in an atmosphere of mutual respect and true understanding. However, Islam does not shrink from fighting a war imposed on it by its enemies. This could be by launching a straightforward attack on Muslim population or Muslim land, such as Israel did when it attacked Gaza and Lebanon in recent months, or by imposing some sort of siege, which prevents Muslims from advocating their faith through free speech. In fact Islam does not require from anyone more than the basic freedom of speech and conviction, which are as essential to human existence as food and drink. Without such freedom, man’s life will not be different from that of animals.
Such a serious approach to life which allows for the possibility of war, should the enemy force it on Muslims, makes it very important to be prepared. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was always prepared and he took the necessary precautions for safety, should war erupts. At the time, fighters had their weapons, such as swords and spears, and they also wore coats of mail and used shields to protect themselves against the enemy. Hence, we have descriptions of what armament the Prophet had. He used these in war.
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Abdullah ibn Khatal used to be a Muslim. The Prophet once sent him to collect zakah from people who lived far away. He traveled with another man and a servant of his who was a Muslim. At one stage on the way they stopped. He gave the servant orders to slaughter a big goat and prepare food for him while he himself went to sleep. When he woke up, he discovered that the servant had not done anything. He killed his servant and, fearing the Prophet’s punishment, reverted to idolatry. He also had two slave girls who used to sing for him and for his companions songs full of abuse of the Prophet. The Prophet’s instructions specified that the two slave girls should also be killed. The man was killed as he was actually holding on to the coverings of the Kaaba. Abu Barzah Al-Aslami and Saeed ibn Hurayth Al-Makhzumi killed him along with one of his slave girls. The other managed to flee until someone sought a special pardon for her from the Prophet, which he granted.
Arab News- Islam a religion of peace, but wasn't it cool how Mohammed killed those two innocent slave girls who were forced to sing songs making fun of him. Uh, yeah...
Despite what the enemies of Islam say, particularly nowadays, and what impression some fringe groups of Muslim hard-liners advocate, Islam is a religion of peace, which prefers to live with all communities in an atmosphere of mutual respect and true understanding. However, Islam does not shrink from fighting a war imposed on it by its enemies. This could be by launching a straightforward attack on Muslim population or Muslim land, such as Israel did when it attacked Gaza and Lebanon in recent months, or by imposing some sort of siege, which prevents Muslims from advocating their faith through free speech. In fact Islam does not require from anyone more than the basic freedom of speech and conviction, which are as essential to human existence as food and drink. Without such freedom, man’s life will not be different from that of animals.
Such a serious approach to life which allows for the possibility of war, should the enemy force it on Muslims, makes it very important to be prepared. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was always prepared and he took the necessary precautions for safety, should war erupts. At the time, fighters had their weapons, such as swords and spears, and they also wore coats of mail and used shields to protect themselves against the enemy. Hence, we have descriptions of what armament the Prophet had. He used these in war.
[...]
Abdullah ibn Khatal used to be a Muslim. The Prophet once sent him to collect zakah from people who lived far away. He traveled with another man and a servant of his who was a Muslim. At one stage on the way they stopped. He gave the servant orders to slaughter a big goat and prepare food for him while he himself went to sleep. When he woke up, he discovered that the servant had not done anything. He killed his servant and, fearing the Prophet’s punishment, reverted to idolatry. He also had two slave girls who used to sing for him and for his companions songs full of abuse of the Prophet. The Prophet’s instructions specified that the two slave girls should also be killed. The man was killed as he was actually holding on to the coverings of the Kaaba. Abu Barzah Al-Aslami and Saeed ibn Hurayth Al-Makhzumi killed him along with one of his slave girls. The other managed to flee until someone sought a special pardon for her from the Prophet, which he granted.
Arab News- Islam a religion of peace, but wasn't it cool how Mohammed killed those two innocent slave girls who were forced to sing songs making fun of him. Uh, yeah...
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