While the Quraysh had their various alliances with their neighbouring tribes and communities, the Muslims also had theirs. If one tribe from one alliance attacked another from a different alliance, the alliance of the aggressor is expected to punish the aggressing tribe, and ensure that the victim is adequately compensated. Silence by the alliance of the aggressor was understood to imply consent. If however, the aggressor was supported by the members of their alliance, then, they were all regarded as aggressors. While the Meccans had their alliances, they had also agreed to a peace treaty with the Muslims who had their own alliances. Banu Bakr had alliances with the Meccan Quraysh, while Banu Khuza’a had alliances with the Muslims of Medina.
About 2 years after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a branch of the Banu Bakr known as the clan of Dayl, steered by their leader, Nawfal ibn Mu’awiyah, organized a surprise raid against Banu Khuza’a as their men were gathering at a water spring called al-Watir, and killed quite a number of them. The Muslims had no choice but to come in full force against those who had attacked their allies. This was a moral and legal responsibility that showed Muslim loyalty and allegiance to fulfilling the conditions of the treaties they have within their own alliances. This was the cause of the so-called “conquest” of Mecca.
DD2023
Alameen
