attacking caravans

[simpleguy]

How do you guys reconcile Islam being a religion of peace with some of Muhammad's own controversial actions.  For example after the hijrah him and his companions started attacking meccan trade caravans and in some instances killed people.  these caravans were simply conducting trade so you can't say that these attacks were for self defense purposes. 

[mclinkin94]

We don't entirely know if they did that. But I will answer your question as if they actually did that. I'm not very well versed on the story.

The way you said it--you made it look like the meccans were peaceful people who were innocent. They aren't. They wanted Muhammad and all his followers dead. They were a threat to Muhammad. So by attacking the caravans--they stop the meccans from getting stronger (this even happens in modern times, Israel blocks 'caravans' or trade from Hamas).

Remember God is an objective thinker. He doesn't put in emotions into his decisions.

A threat to Muhammad and the spread of Islam needs to be dealt with.  Period. No emotions or pity involved.


Here is a good article you should read about it:

http://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/rebuttaltoalisina7.htm

[ThatMuslimGuy]

AsalamuAlaikum,

From my understanding, and Allah knows best, the caravans were carrying goods which the meccans had stolen from the Muslims.

Regardless the Meccans were people who tortured the Muslims for years. Sent armies to there doors. Killed friends and family of the muslims.

Counter question. How do you deal with the overwhelming level of scientific miracles of the Quran?

[Black Muslim]

If you bothered read the biography of the prophet peace upon him - And you clearly didn't - then you'd know that these caravans attacked by Muslims were of the pagans who have stolen their belongings before . So how come taking back what's yours is called "Thievery" ?
I could swear that you read some Islamophpbic sites and thought you became a genius who knows everything about Islam . So here's my advice : Read about Islam from its own sources and judge yourself . Just don't read while you have the thoughts "Violence , terrorism , errors ... etc" in your mind .

[Tanveer]

Its something called guerre de course, or commerce raiding. It was mostly used in naval warfare but it can also be used on land. It is used by the weaker faction against the stronger faction to weaken the stronger faction. Lets not forget that he only attacked Quraysh caravans who lets not forget also forced the Muslims out of their own city.

Danios of LoonWatch goes into more detail with his trademark behemoth articles.
http://www.loonwatch.com/2012/04/historys-first-jihad-was-it-justified/

[Sama]

salam alaikum

It was indeed the pagans who began the hostilities by persecuting and beating the Muslims, on top of this the pagans even boycotted the Muslims which almost led to starvation! The Muslims as a result were forced to leave Makkah because of the Pagan violence and hatred, leaving all their property and business behind in the hands of the violent Pagans who would not compensate or anything. Hence the prophet Muhammad had every right to raid their caravans and take their property and income as the pagans had first done this to the Muslims.

N.B:
There is nothing called "Muhammad's own controversial actions". His actions are the best that came out of humans.
This may help too:
http://www.lamppostproductions.com/why-did-the-prophet-saws-raid-the-meccan-caravans/