The Generalship of MuhaMMad University Press of florida Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers Florida International University, Miami Florida State University, Tallahassee New College of Florida, Sarasota University of Central Florida, Orlando University of Florida, Gainesville University of North Florida, Jacksonville University of South Florida, Tampa University of West Florida, Pensacola This page intentionally left blank The Generalship of MuhaMMad Battles and Campaigns of the Prophet of Allah rUss rodgers  University Press of Florida Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota Copyright 2012 by Russ Rodgers All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America on recycled, acid-free paper 17 16 15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1 All maps by Russ Rodgers library of Congress Cataloging-in-PUbliCation data Rodgers, Russ The generalship of Muhammad : battles and campaigns of the Prophet of Allah / Russ Rodgers. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8130-3766-0 (alk. paper) 1. Muhammad, Prophet, d. 632—Military leadership. I. Title. BP77.7.R64 2012 297.6'3—dc23 2011037547 The University Press of Florida is the scholarly publishing agency for the State University System of Florida, comprising Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, and University of West Florida. University Press of Florida 15 Northwest 15th Street Gainesville, FL 32611-2079 http://www.upf.com To my wife and daughter, who continue to teach me joy and gratitude. This page intentionally left blank  Contents Introduction 1 1. Revolution 22 2. The Insurgency Grows 51 3. The Road to Badr 78 4. From Elation to Despair 104 5. From the Mountain to the Trench 133 6. The Surge 168 7. Triumph 193 8. The Generalship of Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah 231 Glossary of Terms 251 Notes 255 Bibliography 299 Index 309 This page intentionally left blank  Introduction It is necessary to provide you, the reader, with an idea about the scope and nature of this military analysis of the campaigns of Muhammad, along with a few of the important specialized terms and the types of sources used. In the modern world of military historical literature there are a number of terms used to describe how weaker movements engage and defeat stronger opponents. Today such terms as insurgency, asym- metric warfare, and irregular warfare are commonly used to explain such movements, and yet these terms were unknown to military think- ers until most recent times. When one speaks of insurgency today, they typically refer to a weaker group that uses methods of warfare often cited as irregular, unconventional, or asymmetric, and that strives to overcome what is considered an established government or organiza- tion. But even such a definition raises the question of what irregular, unconventional, or asymmetric warfare is. Such terminology can actu- ally engender confusion among readers and military practitioners alike. For the purposes of this work, “irregular” or “unconventional” war- fare refer to organizational methods that eschew clear and deliberate organization and operations, especially one that clearly defines the differences between combatants and civilians. But more importantly, terms such as “insurgency” or “asymmetric warfare” highlight a differ- ence in actual tactics and operational techniques used by a particular movement. Therefore, irregular warfare should not be confused with insurgency, or unconventional warfare confused with asymmetric 1