The Battle of Uhud

The steep slopes on the battlefield gave the Meccans a tactical advantage, allowing them to outflank and surround the Muslim army.

They abandoned their positions, leaving the flanks open and causing increased casualties among their ranks.

The death of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet Muhammad's uncle, deeply saddened the Muslim community and symbolized the loss of a great leader.

Abu Sufyan failed to destroy Medina's strongholds, which were strategically important and provided shelter for the Muslim population.

The Muslims' desire for spoils of war, the captured riches, led them to abandon their positions and chase the retreating enemy, leaving them vulnerable to a counterattack.

The Siege of Medina was a major military event in which the Meccans, under the leadership of Abu Sufyan, attempted to conquer Medina but failed, despite a significantly larger army.

The Muslim victory at the Battle of Badr created a significant strategic dilemma: should the Meccans respond with another caravan raid or launch a full-scale offensive against Medina?

Abū Sufyān favored launching a full-scale offensive against Medina, aiming to crush the Muslim community and destroy the emerging Islamic movement.

The Meccans and their allied tribesmen set up their camp close to Mount Uhud, to the north of Medina, positioning themselves for a potential attack on the city.

Younger men, eager for battle, were more inclined to engage the enemy in the open rather than remain within the fortified walls of Medina.

The Qur'ān (3:160-62) refers to those who withdrew from the battlefield before the Battle of Uhud began as 'hypocrites' for their lack of commitment and faith.

Abd Allāh ibn Ubayy and his men, a group skeptical of the Prophet Muhammad's leadership, chose to withdraw to the strongholds of Medina before the Battle of Uhud began, showing their lack of support for the Muslim cause.

The Meccans were faced with four choices after breaking the truce: dissolving their alliance with Banī Bakr, paying blood-money, dissolving the truce, or surrendering to Muhammad.

Abu Sufyan likely aimed to secure a peaceful surrender of Mecca, minimizing bloodshed and ensuring the safety of the city's inhabitants.

Muhammad promised a general amnesty and safety for those who claim protection or remain in their houses, ensuring the safety of the Meccan population despite their prior opposition.

The Siege of Medina, a significant military event in which the Meccans attempted to conquer Medina, marked a turning point in the spread of Islam and highlighted the growing power of the Muslim community.

Pillaging, the act of looting and plundering, was forbidden after the conquest of Mecca, signifying the establishment of a new era of justice and stability.

The Farewell Pilgrimage, the final pilgrimage undertaken by the Prophet Muhammad before his death, marked the establishment of the Islamic pattern and form of the pilgrimage rites, providing a clear guide and framework for future pilgrimages.