In his younger years, Muhammad had a few profound experiences that helped

shape his worldview during his Prophethood

1.
2.

Some narrations say he was 15 & other narrations say he was 20 at the time
Reconciliation between these two narrations is that in the beginning of this
experience, Muhammad was 14/15 and it continued until he was 20 years old
This experience in question was the Harb ul-Fijar, The Sacrilegious War,
which took place in Hijaaz

Fijar means something that is inappropriate, or is in violation of ethics or

religion
There was a man of Quraysh named Barrad from Banu Kenana who got into a
conflict with a man named Urwat ul-Rahal, who was from the tribe of Hawaazen
(from the city of Taif)

The two major cities of Muhammads time was Makkah and Taif
Quraysh was the major tribe of Makkah
Taqeef & Hawaazen were 2 major tribes of Taif
1 These two tribes were known for their excellent archery &
war strategies, where theyd create files & sequence
2 Quraysh known for bravery & swordfighting
The Prophets first outside-of-Makkah preaching was in Taif

The conflict between Barrad & Urwat ul-Rahal

Barrad (from the Quraysh tribe) had some clients for business
Urwaa (from the Hawaazen tribe) approached those same clients, trying to offer
them a better deal & create some competition
Barrad became offended & upset that Urwaa stole his customers
While traveling somewhere, Barrad coincedentially ends up meeting Urwaa. They
exchange some words & went on their own way.
They see each other again when they camp out at the same rest stop
Barrad sees that Urwaa is off his guard & not paying attention. Barrad is still
fuming this entire time because he lost his business to Urwaa
Seizing his opportunity, Barrad goes to attack Urwaa. They end up in a physical
confrontation, and Barrad kills Urwaa
This murder took place during one of the 4 sacred months Dhu al Qidah
This was problematic for 2 reasons:
Barrad killed a man unjustly
He kills him during a sacred month, which is why its called the Sacrilegious War
When people of Hawaazen get the news that a member of Quraysh killed one of
their own, they are infuriariated, so they gather an army & march to Makkah,
demanding retribution
Barrad goes back to Quraysh in Makkah. Some Makkans are upset because
Barrad created a problem where there was none, but whats done is done. Now,

this is all about defending their honor

Instead of paying blood money or holding trial for Barrad, the Quraysh tribe
members say to themselves, Who do the Hawaazen think they are? Dont they
know who we are? Were Quraysh, keepers of Al Haram, etc.
Now Quraysh form their own army & march to fight Hawaazen.
The tribes of Quraysh from Makkah & Hawaazen from Taif have a bit of
stalemate. Some negotiation takes place. Neither tribe wants to engage in fullscale war since theres so much at stake

Taif is the vacation spot, with nice weather & scenery. The Hawaazen werent
interested in having their city trashed
Makkah is the business center & the city of pilgrimage. The Quraysh didnt want
to get their city trashed
For 5 years, there was a standoff (like the Cold War) no actual battle or
warfre taking place between Quraysh & Hawazen
There were only 5 days of battle in those 5 years
Yom Shamta & Yom Alabla took place in Ukaad where festivities used to take
place just outside of Makkah
Yom Usharb fiercest day of battle
It was throughout the late teen years of Muhammad
During those 5 years, there was a lot of nationalistic pride between tribes
Tribes would engage in festivities (drinking/partying/rowdiness) that would
badmouth other tribe
Muhammad would avoid those types of social events he noticed the negatives of
such behavior
During one of those 5 days of battle, Muhammads uncles were going to battle
Muhammad was old enough to fight in battles, but he had no interest in it.
From the age of 13 or 14, boys were considered old enough & expected to take
part in warfare, as a sign of manhood & loyalty to your tribe
His uncles said, What are you saying? Come fight with us! What will people say?
People will not like that the grandson of our leader Abdul Mutallib is refusing to
go to battle in honor of Quraysh. What an 3yeb. What a disgrace to our family.
They basically forced Muhammad to come to come to battle
Muhammad was able to avoid the first 2 days of fighting, but had to participate
on Yom Usharb (3rd day of fighting)
Out in the battlefield, Muhammad pleaded with his uncles
1 He saw that from early on, this war was unjust & that it is Quraysh
who was in the wrongdoing. One of his tribe members was in the
wrongdoing, and instead of handing him over to pay blood money,
theyre fighting a ridiculous war
Muhammad had never unjustly raised a sword or arms against anyone
Muhammad instead engaged in Atanabbul from the word nabal

(arrowheads)

Responsibility of atanabbul was that as the arrows would fall in the field (since
Hawaazen were just launching arrows from all sides), some people from Quraysh
would gather up all the arrows & stack them up for the Quraysh
Muhammad was forced to be in the battlefield, so as a last resort he took to
picking up the fallen arrows until the day ended. He had no interest in bloodshed
On the night before the battles later in his life, Muhammad would make dua
for forgiveness & guidance. Even during battle he would be doing dhikr, asking
for protection
During those 5 years, the leader of the Quraysh was a man named Harbin
Umayya, who was killed during one of the 5 days of fighting

Eventually the Quraysh & Hawaazen sat down & discussed their status. Why are
we fighting? Do we even remember why? Lets settle this matter with a treaty.
Weve killed some of your people, and youve killed ours. We dont want any
blood money or retribution. Well leave this behind.
The Quryash also offered blood money for death of first person (Urwaa of
Hawaazen)
Hawaazen & Quraysh end up forgiving each other