Restless Peninsula

After the Muhtha incident, the army under the command of Khalid Ibin Walid returned. The Byssantian army was happy on the death of some prominent Muslim leaders and the their retreat without prolonging the war. They praised their Lord. However, the reason for their return was the performance of Khalid Ibn Walid in the battle field. The Arab tribes around Syria witnessed this event with wonder. Further, Fareh Bin Amru Dudari, who was leading one of the battalions of the Byssantian army declared that he embrace Islam. Fareh Bin Amru Dudari, who was the head and leader of one of the prominent Arab tribes, on the declaration of his conversion was arrested in allegation of treason at the instructions of Hirocleus. He was offered higher positions if he consented to reconvert from Islam. He was not prepared to go an inch against his decision. Thereupon, he was murdered by the Byssantians. The result of the murder of Fareh was that Islam was found rapidly growing. This in turn created tension in the minds of the Byssantians. One of the Governors of Hirocleus, who was entrusted with the work of disseminating salary to the soldiers permitted the army of the tribe of Sham to be released. Many of the allies of Jews who were defeated in the war namely the tribes of Gatwaa, Ahhjaa and Adudyan also came forward and embraced Islam. Among them was Abbas Bin Mordah the tribal head of Sulai. Thus the northern part of Medina came under the sway of Islam.

At the same time the reaction of the Muslims in Medina on the event in Muhtah, was really different. They called Khalid Ibn Walid and his army to accuse that they could not defeat the Byssantian army. Many leaders were ashamed of this accusation and were reluctant to come out of their houses. At the same time, the Meccans considered the Muhtha incident as the end of Muslim power and thought that they need not give any value to the treaty of Ubaidia. They thought that the Muslims were not only in a position for an attack but also they are not even capable of a defense and they could let loose attack against Muslims and their allies. There was a provision in the Ubaidia treaty that tribes who were non-Meccans were free to enter into alliance with the Meccans or Mohammed.  Accordingly, the tribe of Qusava had made an alliance with Mohammed and Benu Beker had entered into an alliance with the Meccans There was feud between these tribes and the treaty of Ubaidia created a situation that both tribes should turn to be part of compromise. However, when Meccans felt that the power of Muslims was shattered with the war at Muthvah, the tribe of Banu Bail thought that it was appropriate opportunity to attack Husaa tribe. Ikrama, the son of Abu Jal and a few companions encouraged Banu Ubay tribe to go ahead with their plan. Some leaders of Mecca supplied arms to them. One day, in the night when some members of Husaa tribe camped near a well, they were attacked.

Justice P K Shamsuddin