THE PROPHET ON THE BATTLEFIELD
The Quraishites, mortified at the escape of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) along with his devoted  companions, and jealous of his growing power in Madinah, kept a stringent watch over the Muslims  left  behind and persecuted them in every possible way. They also initiated clandestine contacts with
‘Abdullah bin Uabi bin Salul, chief of Madinese polytheists, and president designate of the tribes ‘Aws  and Khazraj before the Prophet’s emigration. They senthim a strongly-worded ultimatum ordering him  to fight or expel the Prophet, otherwise they would launch a widespread military campaign that would  exterminate his people and proscribe his women.
His pride wounded and kingship no longer his, ‘Abdullah bin Uabi bin Salul, a priori responded  positively  to his Quraishite co-polytheists. He mobilized his supporters to counteract the Muslims. The Prophet
(Peace be upon him) on hearing about this unholy alliance, summoned ‘Abdullah and admonished him  to be more sensible and thoughtful and cautioned his men against being snared in malicious tricks.
The  men, on grounds of cowardice, or reason, gave up the idea. Their chief, however, seemingly complied,  but at heart, he remained a wicked unpredictable accomplice with Quraish and the envious Jews.
Skirmishes and provocations started to pave the way for a major confrontation between the Muslims  and polytheists. Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh, an outstanding Helper, announced his intention to observe ‘Umrah
(lesser pilgrimage) and headed for Makkah. There Omaiya bin Khalaf provided tutelage for him to  observe the ritual circumambulation. Abu Jahl, an archenemy of Islam saw him in the Sacred
Sanctuary  and threatened he would have killed him if he had not been in the company of Omaiya. Sa‘d,  fearlessly  and defiantly, challenged him to committing any folly at the risk of cutting their caravans off.
Provocative actions continued and Quraish sent the Muslims a note threatening to put them to death  in  their own homeland. Those were not mere words, for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) received  information from reliable sources attesting to real intrigues and plots being hatched by the enemies of
Islam. Precautionary measures were taken and a state of alertness was called for, including the  positioning of security guards around the house of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and strategic  junctures. ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon  him)  lay down on bed during one night on his arrival in Madinah and said: Were there a pious person from  amongst my Companions who should keep a watch for me during the night? She ‘Aishah (May Allah  be  pleased with her) said: We were in this state when we heard the clanging noise of arms. He the
Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Who is it? He said: This is Sa‘d bin Abi Waqqas. Allâh’s Messenger
(Peace be upon him) said to him: What brings you here? Thereupon he said: I harboured fear (lest  any  harm should come to) Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon him), so I came to serve as your sentinel.
Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) invoked blessings upon him and then he slept.
This state of close vigilance continued ceaselessly until the Words of Allâh were revealed saying:
“Allâh will protect you from mankind.”5:67
Here, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) peeped from the dome of his house asking his people to go  away, and making it clear that Allâh would take the charge of protecting him.
The Prophet’s life was not the only target of the wicked schemes, but rather the lives and the whole  entity of the Muslims. When the Madinese provided the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his
Companions with safe refuge, the desert bedouins began to look at them all in the same perspective,  and outlawed all the Muslims.
At this precarious juncture with Quraish, intent on pursuing their aggressive and devilish plans, Allâh,  the All-High, gave the Muslims the permission to take arms against the disbelievers:
“Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. believers against those disbelievers), who are fighting  them, (and) because they (believers) have been wronged, and surely Allâh is Able to give them
(believers) victory.” 22:39
This verse was revealed in a larger context of Divine instructions to eradicate all aspects of falsehood,  and hold in honour the symbols and rites of Allâh:
“Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salât:
i.e. to perform Salât (prayer) — the five compulsory, congregational prayers (the males in