The Battle of Hunain (Arabic: غزوة حنين), fought in Shawwal, 8 AH (630 CE), was a significant conflict between the early Islamic forces led by Prophet Muhammad and the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif. Following the Conquest of Mecca, tensions arose as the tribes sought to challenge the growing influence of Islam. The Hunain Valley is located about 18 to 20 kilometers along the route from Makkah to Ta’if. The battle ended with a clear win for the Muslims and is one of the few battles specifically mentioned in the Qur’an, found in Surat at-Tawbah.
The Battle of Hunayn in Quran
Ghazwa e Hunain, is one of the few battles explicitly referenced in the Quran. Regarding this battle, the Quran states:
لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّٰهُ فِیْ مَوَاطِنَ كَثِیْرَةٍۙ-وَّ یَوْمَ حُنَیْنٍۙ-اِذْ اَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنْكُمْ شَیْــٴًـا وَّ ضَاقَتْ عَلَیْكُمُ الْاَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ ثُمَّ وَلَّیْتُمْ مُّدْبِرِیْنَ(25)
“Indeed, Allah has helped you in many places, and remember the day of Hunain when your great numbers made you complacent. Yet, that multitude was of no benefit to you, and the earth, despite its vastness, became constricted for you. Then you turned back and fled.”
ثُمَّ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ سَكِیْنَتَهٗ عَلٰى رَسُوْلِهٖ وَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَ اَنْزَلَ جُنُوْدًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَ عَذَّبَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْاؕ-وَ ذٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ الْكٰفِرِیْنَ(26)
“Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and the believers, and He unleashed forces that you could not see. He punished the disbelievers, and that is the fate of the disbelievers.”
ثُمَّ یَتُوْبُ اللّٰهُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ عَلٰى مَنْ یَّشَآءُؕ-وَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ(27)
“Then after that, Allah will grant repentance to whomever He wills, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Background
The Hawazin tribe had been enemies of the people of Makkah for a long time. When they heard about the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Conquest of Makkah, they teamed up with the Thaqif tribe from Ta’if. Their plan was to fight the Muslims and stop the spread of Islam in Arabia. Other tribes, including Nasr, Jusham, and Bani Hilal, also joined forces with the Hawazin and Thaqif tribes to oppose the Muslims.
Malik Ibn Awuf, the leader of the Hawazin tribe, devised a plan. He instructed his warriors to bring their families and possessions, believing this would motivate them to fight with greater intensity. Durayd, an elderly blind man, criticized Malik for this decision, stating, “A coward who flees from battle will abandon his family too. The presence of women and children will only burden us, and if we lose, our wealth will end up in the hands of the enemy.”
However, Malik disregarded this counsel and remained committed to his initial strategy.
When the Prophet (S.A.W.) learned of the enemy tribes’ intentions to assault the Muslims, he felt compelled to engage in battle and commanded his army to march toward Ta’if.
Battle of Hunayn Events
The Messenger of Allah’s Troops and Leadership
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) commanded an army of twelve thousand armed soldiers. Among them, ten thousand were companions who had joined him from Madinah and participated in the conquest of Makkah, while the remaining two thousand were recent converts from the Quraish tribe. The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) appointed Attab Ibn Asid Ibn Abu Al-Aas Ibn Umayyah Ibn Abd Shams to oversee Makkah and manage those who had remained. He then proceeded to meet the Hawazin tribe and their allies.
The Start of Ghazwa Hunain
On the night of the 10th of Shawwal, the Muslim army reached the valley of Hunain. Spies informed Malik bin Awf about the army’s arrival. He commanded his army of four thousand to conceal themselves within the valley, positioning them along the roads, entrances, and in narrow hideouts to ambush the Muslims. He instructed his men to throw stones at the Muslims whenever they spotted them and then to launch individual attacks.
Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Call to the Muslims Who Fled the Battle
As the Muslims set up camp, they were met with a relentless barrage of arrows. The enemy’s forces launched a fierce assault, forcing the Muslims to retreat in chaos and disarray.
Ibn Ishaq recounts the words of Jabir Ibn Abdullah (R.A.), who witnessed the Battle of Hunain:
“As we approached the valley of Hunain, we descended into a broad, sloping valley during the early morning light. The enemy had arrived before us, concealing themselves in narrow paths and hidden spots. They were fully prepared, and we felt a wave of terror as their forces attacked us as one. Panic spread, and people fled in every direction. Only a few remained with the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.), including several Muhajreen—those who migrated with the Prophet (S.A.W.) from Makkah to Madinah—and the Ansar (local Muslims of Madinah). Among those who stood firm were Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.), Umar Ibn Khattab (R.A.), Ali Ibn Talib (R.A.), Al-Abbas bin Abdullah (R.A.), Abu Fadl Al-Abbas (R.A.), Usamah Ibn Zaid (R.A.), and Abu Sufyan.”
As the men began to flee, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) moved to the right and called out:
“Where are you going, men? Come to me! I am Allah’s Messenger. I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah.”
Restoration of strength in Muslim soldiers
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) turned to his uncle Abbas (R.A.), who was holding the reins of Duldul (the Prophet’s horse), and instructed, “O Abbas! Call out this: ‘O Ansar! O Companions who pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah beneath the Samura tree! Where are you?’” Abbas then called out with a powerful voice. (Narrated by Ibn Hisham)he Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) turned to his uncle Abbas (R.A.), who was holding the reins of Duldul (the Prophet’s horse), and instructed, “O Abbas! Shout this: ‘O Ansar! O Companions who pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah beneath the Samura tree! Where are you?’” Abbas then called out with a powerful voice. (Narrated by Ibn Hisham) Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) turned to his uncle Abbas (R.A.), who was holding the reins of Duldul (the Prophet’s horse), and instructed, “O Abbas! Shout this: ‘O Ansar! O Companions who pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah beneath the Samura tree! Where are you?’” Abbas then called out with a powerful voice. (Narrated by Ibn Hisham)
Upon hearing Abbas’s (R.A.) powerful call, the Muslim warriors who were fleeing stopped. As the morning light started to shine, they shook off their fear and asked each other, “Where are we going? Who are we leaving the Messenger of Allah behind?” They stopped and remembered their promise to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.). Slowly, they regained their courage and ran back to him. This was similar to what happened during the Battle of Uhud.
The Courage of Hazrat Ali (R.A.) and Hazrat Abu Dujana (R.A.)
Then, the Prophet (S.A.W.) gathered a hundred men, and they moved forward to fight. The companions around him shouted “Allah-u-Akbar,” drew their swords, and began to attack the enemies. The enemy soldiers suddenly became scared. Companions like Uthman Ibn Affan (R.A.), Ali Ibn Talib (R.A.), and Abu Dujana (R.A.) bravely fought in front of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.), using their bodies to protect him.
At the toughest moment of the battle, Ali (R.A.) and Abu Dujana (R.A.) killed one of the enemy’s flag-bearers. When the Hawazins saw this, they began to feel frightened.
The Prophet’s Prayer and the Triumph of the Muslims
When the Muslim army began to fight fiercely and the enemy grew frightened, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) got off his mule and prayed to Allah for help. Then, he picked up some sand (or pebbles, according to some sources) and threw it at the enemy, saying, “May their faces be distorted” (Ref. Sahih Muslim: 1777).
Before long, Hawazin, Thaqif, and their allies understood that their attempts were pointless and that defeat was imminent. They panicked and began to flee, abandoning their women, children, and all their belongings (like camels, goats, and silver). The Muslims captured around 6,000 of them as the defeated enemy army left the battlefield.
Martyrs and Casualties of the Battle
When the fighting ended, it was discovered that four Muslims had died, while seventy enemy soldiers had been killed.
The Foster Sister Shaima’s Encounter with the Prophet (S.A.W.)
Among the prisoners from the battle was Sheema, the daughter of Halima Saadia (R.A.). Muslim warriors brought her to the Prophet (S.A.W.) to check if she was telling the truth. The Prophet (S.A.W.) recognized her, spread his garment on the ground, and invited her to sit. He then said to her,
If you’d like, you can stay here with me, and I will treat you with honor. Or I can give you some gifts and send you back to your tribe.”
Sheema replied, “Please give me some gifts and send me back to my tribe.”
In the meantime,Sheema converted to Islam. The Prophet (S.A.W.) gave her many gifts. This included two slaves. Then, she returned to her tribe.
Distribution of the Spoils of Battle
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) sent the Maal Ghanimat and captives taken in the Battle of Hunain to a place called Jiranah, which is about 24 kilometers from Makkah. The treasures were then shared among the Muslims.
Consequences of Battle of Hunain
Decisive Victory: In the Battle of Hunain Muslims showcased remarkable courage, breaking the enemy’s ranks.
Divided Forces: The enemy split into two groups; one fled, leading to the Battle of Autas.
Siege of Taif: The larger group retreated to Taif, approximately 85 kilometers from Makkah, where the Prophet (S.A.W.) laid siege.
Growth of Islam: The victory in the Battle of Hunain set the stage for many Arab tribes to join the Islamic movement, significantly expanding its influence.
Distribution of Spoils: The treasures and captives from the battle were shared among Muslims, reinforcing unity and morale.