PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) AS A MILITARY STRATEGIST

INTRODUCTION The Prophet Muhammad was a great general and

strategist. He (PBUH) set superlative examples of spiritual and
practical intelligence . The military career of Muhammad (PBUH)
lasted for the final ten years of his life, from 622 to 632. Which, while
considering, we must be analyze the qualities that he possessed as a
military commander, his objectives of war and the strategies
implemented by him as a military commander.
QUALITIES AS A MILITARY COMMANDER
1.CONSTANT AND FIRM FAITH The Prophet (PBUH) regarded victory
with modesty and humility as a blessing and gift of Allah Almighty.
This attitude was solely due to trust, faith and a right sense of values.
When the Prophet (PBUH) entered Makkah triumphantly after
conquering it, his head was bowed low down on the hump of his
horse in gratitude to Allah Almighty, His Creator.
2.COURAGE Hazarat Ali (RA) has said that, during battle, whenever
the circumstances took an unprecedented turn, the mujahid used to
look towards the bold and confident attitude of the Prophet and gain
courage. Moreover, At the peak of battle, he would display
extraordinary daring and nerve and move as close as possible to the
enemy to overwhelm him. All his Mujahideen would then gain
courage and aspire to follow his example.
3.CONFIDENCE AND STEADFASTNESS During the battle of Hunnain
when the army was falling apart due to the pressure being exerted by
the enemy the Prophet stood firm in the battlefield and with great
fervor said: "I am the True Prophet, it is no lie, and I am the son of'
Abdul Mutallib!" Seeing the resolute stand taken by him, the army
which was scattering in fear rallied round him. Thus, their
commander Prophet (PBUH) displayed confidence and steadfastness.
4.OUTSTANDING ACHIVEMENTS The Prophet (PBUH) unified the
fragmented society of the conflict ridden Arab tribes and molded
them into a homogenous community, and Mujahideen. And, through
his sagacious and prudent leadership, The Muslims were able to
conquer over two million square kilometer of land in over a decade,
without suffering a significant loss.
OBJECTIVES OF WAR
1.AGAINST AGGRESSION ON ISLAMIC LANDS From the time he
entered Madina, the Prophet (S) started raising an army in order to
counter the threats of the enemy. He organized numerous secret
fact-finding military missions, sending them to different parts of the
Arabian Peninsula. With which, the Holy Prophet (S) was able to fight
both the internal and external enemies.
2.ASSIST OPPRESSED IN NON-ISLAMIC LANDS He would be merciful
to the young and would show respect to the elderly. He would take
away some of their burdens and hardships and forbade their killing in
wars. He would please the orphans and grant them refuge. He would
show kindness to the poor and needy and instructed the people to
be good to their servants.
3.ERADICATE MISCHEIF AND FITNAH The wars of the Muslims would
take place in a manner which was unlike the wars based on
vengeance and barbarism. Rather, they were fought for the
eradication of mischeif and fitnah that was practiced by the Arabs in
the age of Jāhiliyya.
4.REMOVE HINDERANCE IN THE WAY OF ISLAM The Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) never considered any non-believers to be an
enemies of Islam if their purpose was to live in peace with the
muslims. Whereas, if their purpose was to create problems for
Muslims or the Muslim states then they would be sought after and
punished severely.
THE STRATEGIES OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
1.BEFORE WAR
a.PREPARATION OF WAR In every battle, he would organize soilders
according to the needs, natural resources, enmity, friendship and
terrain. His soldiers were arranged and divided into the front-line, the
rear, the right flank, the left flank and the heart of the army. The
Prophet gave a lot of importance to military intelligence and
information about the enemy.
b.ADVISORY COUNCIL Generally at every important juncture and
especially before the war, the Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) used to
hold a grand meeting (Shoora) where his companions gave their
views and proposed new strategies.
c.ECONOMIC BLOCKADE It was used as a serious threat to Makkah.
But, it was ended when the Quraysh had sought refuge with him,
highlighting his humanitarian traits in war
d.ESPIONAGE AND SURVEILLANCE OF ENEMY the most important
instrument that he (S) used was the sending out of spies in order to
gather information about the enemy before war. Through this he was
able to secretly gain knowledge about the numbers of the enemy and
their accoutrements.