Mission against Banu Tai

The Prophet’s work continued. He tried to make as many people accept Islam as he could. Using his words, his generosity, and last of all, his physical strength, he tried to convince them of the truth. His mission was to destroy all false gods born out of ignorance and polytheism and to establish worship of Allah alone.

Accordingly, in Rabi’ Al-Awwal, 9 A.H., the Prophet sent Ali bin Abi Talib at the head of a squadron of one hundred and fifty men riding camels and horses to demolish Fils, the idol of the Banu Tai. The squadron carried a black standard and a small white flag into the town of the legendary Hatim Tai. They rounded up camels and goats and captured the women and children. Safana, the daughter of Hatim Tai, was among the women captured.

The squadron then returned to Madinah with the captives. The Prophet , out of respect for Safana’s status as the great Hatim’s daughter, released her without ransom and even provided her with conveyance. Safana went directly to Syria, where her father, Adi bin Hatim, had taken refuge. There she related the benevolence and virtues of the Prophet , remarking that even their brother could not have acted in a like manner. She then advised Adi to present himself before the Prophet and ask for mercy.

So eloquent was Safana about the Prophet’s magnanimity that Adi took his sister’s advice and appeared before the Prophet without even applying for safe conduct. After listening to the Prophet explain the tenets of Islam, Adi became Muslim. While Adi was still with the Prophet , a man called on the Prophet complaining about lack of food. Then another man came up to complain about highway robbery. After they left, the Prophet turned to Adi and said: “If you live long enough, you will see a woman come from Hirah by camel. She will go round the Ka’bah without fear for her safety. She will not fear anyone except Allah.

In addition, you will conquer the Persian Emperor and take his treasure. Furthermore, if you live long enough, you will see a person come out with a handful of gold and silver searching for a needy person to give it to, but he will find none.” Adi did live long enough to see each of the Prophet’s prophecies fulfilled as Islam took root in the peninsula and beyond, and the Muslims grew in number and wealth.

With the conquest of Makkah, the Muslims’ long struggle with the pagans of Arabia had all but ended. Despite several minor skirmishes, here and there, Islam was destined to spread over the entire peninsula. It was then that a foreign power took notice of the political ascendancy of the Muslims.

The Romans, having grown confident after their success against the Persians, began to look toward Madinah and plan an assault against the Muslims, whom they viewed as a threat to their authority.

The Muslims’ successful face off with the Roman forces at Muta had inspired many of the local tribes to seek independence. Their temerity was borne out of the fact that 3,000 Muslims had chased away a 200,000 strong Roman army. On the other hand, the Romans reasoned that if the Muslims were defeated, the rebellious tribes would be subdued permanently, and Arabia would disintegrate into an insignificant collection of bickering tribes that it had always been.