Tag Archives: Mecca

The Last Hajj of Muhammad

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Ruth

Muhammad’s health appeared to be good for his age. We’re uncertain of all numbers, but he was somewhere in his early 60s, which in the 7th century could be very old and aged. In his case, the stories say that … Continue reading →

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Destroying the Idols of Arabia

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Ruth

Muhammad had a first priority when he felt secure in Mecca. This first task was to destroy the idols that crowded the space around and inside the Ka’abah. Since Mecca’s business model was to hold an all-Arabia pilgrimage, the city … Continue reading →

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Mecca’s Downfall, 630

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Ruth

In a truce, the parties agreeing to the terms are held responsible for making sure everyone on their side complies. As long as the central power is strong enough, it can keep people intimidated from disobeying. But when that power … Continue reading →

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Peace Treaty with Mecca

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Ruth

In 628, a year after the Battle of the Trench, Muhammad dreamed that he entered the Ka’abah with a pilgrim’s shaved head. Based on this dream, he and a group of companions decided to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, although … Continue reading →

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Mecca Attacks: Battle of the Trench

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Ruth

In 627, the eighteenth year since Muhammad’s move to Medina, the Quraysh of Mecca gathered allies to make a full assault on the city of Medina. The first ally to volunteer was the banished Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir. They … Continue reading →

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When blood flows…

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Ruth

I want to write briefly about some of the very minor incidents that happened in the Medina Muslims vs. Mecca war. They’re important because they set up a context for understanding decisions that were made. In a war, emotions don’t … Continue reading →

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The Battle of Uhud at Medina

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Ruth

After the Battle of Badr, the Muslims at Medina continued to attack Meccan shipping. When a caravan took a northeastern route to Iraq, Muhammad’s adopted son Zayd led 100 men to stop it and bring its trade goods back to … Continue reading →

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Medina’s Foreign Policy (Battle of Badr)

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Ruth

Most of the Emigrants from Mecca had left their wealth (or their poverty) behind. Their clans would have re-absorbed the houses they were occupying, passing them to families that stayed. Some of their possessions were seized by others. I wasn’t … Continue reading →

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The Move to Medina

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Ruth

Ten years had passed since the Prophet’s first revelations, and it was increasingly clear that Mecca was not going to have a change of heart regarding the new beliefs. Toward the end of this time, six men from the oasis … Continue reading →

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Coping with Persecution

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Ruth

Two major events define the next, more intense, stage of persecution. They were happening simultaneously, and they represented two different ways of handling what was happening: to leave, or to stay. Persecution ramped up to include some beatings, torture, and … Continue reading →

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