History Lessons : The aftermath of Muslim Victories compared to Non-Muslim Victories in War

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The aftermath of Muslim victories during the time of the Sahabah (companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) was remarkably different from the way many non-Muslim rulers throughout history conducted themselves after military triumphs.

Here is a comparison focusing on behavior after victory, treatment of civilians, governance, and legacy:

1. Muslim Victories (Time of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and his Companions)

Key Examples:

* Conquest of Makkah (630 CE)
* Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE)
* Conquest of Jerusalem (638 CE) under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab
* Conquest of Persia and Egypt

Aftermath Characteristics:

a. Mercy and Forgiveness

During the Conquest of Makkah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared a general forgiveness: "Go, for you are free."

> Even though the Quraysh had persecuted Muslims for years, he forgave them upon victory.

b. Protection of Civilians and Religious Sites

(i) Umar ibn al-Khattab refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to avoid setting a precedent for Muslims taking over Christian sites.
(ii) Non-Muslims (Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians) were protected under Islamic law and paid jizya in exchange for military protection and exemption from service.

c. Establishing Justice and Administration

(i) The Rashidun Caliphs established just and efficient governance, appointing governors who were accountable and often lived modestly.
(ii) Public funds (Bayt al-Mal) were used for education, welfare, infrastructure, and poor relief.

d. Integration, Not Destruction

(i) People were often not forced to convert. Islam spread through example, governance, and education—not forced imposition.

2. Non-Muslim Rulers’ Victories (General Historical Pattern)

Key Examples:

* Roman Conquests
* Mongol Invasions
* European Crusades
* Colonial Conquests (British, French, Spanish Empires)

Aftermath Characteristics:

a. Widespread Massacres and Enslavement

(i) Roman and Mongol victories often resulted in slaughter of civilians, enslavement, and looting.
(ii) The Sack of Jerusalem (1099) by Crusaders led to the massacre of tens of thousands of Muslims and Jews.

b. Forced Conversions and Suppression

(i) Colonizers and crusaders often enforced forced religious conversion, destruction of indigenous culture, and banning of local languages or beliefs.
(ii) Christianization of Native Americans in the Americas was often carried out through violence and coercion.

c. Exploitation and Resource Plunder

(i) Empires like the British extracted wealth and resources from colonies (e.g., India), often leaving them economically and socially unstable.

d. Rulers Living in Luxury, People in Poverty

(i) Many kings and emperors lived in extravagance while common people suffered under heavy taxes or labor.

Summary Table

muslim-vs-nonmuslim-victories.png (116.25 KiB) Viewed 174 times

Final Thoughts:

The companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ practiced Islam not just on the battlefield but also in governance, compassion, and justice. Their conduct after victories was driven by Qur'anic ethics and Prophetic example:

“Repel evil with that which is better…” — Surah Fussilat (41:34)

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Two powerful historical accounts showing the noble conduct of the Sahabah after Muslim victories:

1. Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Pact with the Christians of Jerusalem (638 CE)

After Jerusalem was peacefully conquered, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) personally made the journey from Madinah to receive its surrender. Patriarch Sophronius, impressed by the Muslims' character, agreed to hand over the city solely to Umar.

The Pact (Amaan) Included:

This is the assurance of safety which the servant of Allah, Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, grants to the people of Jerusalem.

He assures them safety—for themselves, their belongings, their places of worship, their symbols of faith, the vulnerable and the strong, and all adherents of their religion.

Their churches will be safe from occupation or destruction by Muslims. Their crosses and assets will be safeguarded, and their right to practice their religion will be honored. Nor shall any of them be harmed.

The people of Jerusalem must pay the jizya (conventional tax), as citizens under Muslim protection.”

Key Points:

(a) No forced conversion
(b) Protection of religious sites
(c) Christians were allowed to worship freely
(d) Civilians were guaranteed full safety

When invited to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Umar refused and prayed outside, saying:

“If I pray inside, future Muslims might claim this as a mosque.”

That area is still known today as Masjid Umar.

2. Khalid ibn al-Walid and the Conquest of Persian Cities

Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA), known as Sayf Allah (The Sword of Allah), led many successful campaigns in the Persian and Byzantine regions.

Battle of Al-Hirah (Iraq, 633 CE)

After conquering Al-Hirah, a Persian Christian city, Khalid:

(a) Made a treaty with the citizens.
(b) Did not loot or burn the city.
(c) Ordered his army to respect churches and civilians.
(d) Collected jizya and provided full protection in return.

Treaty Excerpt:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This is what Khalid ibn al-Walid grants to the people of Al-Hirah. He guarantees their lives, properties, churches, wealth, and faith. They are under the protection of Allah and His Messenger and the believers, so long as they pay the jizya.”

Even Persian Zoroastrians were given safety under Islamic law.

Justice Over Revenge:

(a) Khalid dealt firmly with any Muslim soldier who harmed civilians or broke treaty terms.
(b) Cities that surrendered peacefully were treated with honor and kept their local leadership.

What These Stories Prove:

The Sahabah never treated victory as a license for oppression. Instead, they:

(a) Used power with humility
(b) Ensured religious tolerance
(c) Established just treaties
(d) Practiced ethical warfare uncommon in ancient times

This is what made Islam spread — not just by sword, but through justice, ethics, and character.