Sanctions and Economic Warfare

Among the hostile methods employed by the `jahiliyya' against the Noble Messenger, Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his follow-ers, and up to this time the arrogant powers are using it so as to weaken Islam and force the believers to accept and submit to the devilish `jahili' status quo, was economic and social sanctions. The three years Quraish's boycott of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and his comp-anions and uncles who accepted and supported his call, is the most conspicuous evidence of this hostile method. That savage economic confrontation exposed the inability of this method in shaking the principled stand of the Holy Messenger (s.a.w.) and his disciples and the failure of such malicious efforts.

The pagan Quraish employed this deterrent eco-nomic and social boycott in Mecca while the hypcrites of Medina, at another time, resorted to the same system of pressure against the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and his disciples. Their aim was to subject his followers to hunger, thereby, forcing them to disperse from around the Honourable Messenger (s.a.w.).

The Holy Qur'an has recorded this base action so as to be a reminder and a lesson to subsequent generations of believers. It is also an everlasting deterrent for any person intending to follow this Islamic way, for the arrogant powers are ever intent on employing this evil means of pressure and economic sanctions. Allah, the Most High, says:

"They are the ones who say (unto those who help the believer- refugees): `Spend you not aught upon those who are with the Apostle of Allah untill they break up; And Allah's are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites understand (it) not." Holy Qir'an (Munafiqun 63: 7)

In another place, the Holy Qur'an exposes, to the Muslims, the failure of economic war or its withdrawal in the face of the stand of true faith, saying: "Verily those who disbelieve spend of their wealth to obstruct (men)) from the way of Allah, so will they spend it, then (in the end) it shall be against them (a matter of) regret…" Holy Qur'an (Anfal 8: 36)

Allah, the Almighty, has indeed said the truth; surely the will of truth has gained victory while the polytheists and the hypocrites lost the battle. The treasures and resources of the earth have indeed flowed for the Muslims. This was the result of economic sanctions impos-ed on the Messenger (s.a.w.) and his call and, thus, was how the system of economic blockade was vanquished in the face of resistance and resolution of believing man.

Adapted from: "The Methods Of Propagation and Missionary Work" by: "Sayyid Bahashti"