Recognizing Patterns of Psychological Warfare in the Battles of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Reports on the Jihadi movements, intended to protect dissemination of Islam, were among significant issues in the history of Islam during the Prophet's stay in Medina and his contacts with the tribal groups in the Arabian Peninsula. Many wars and conflicts between Muslims and various groups of polytheists occurred in nearly thirteen years of his residence in Medina, during which the Prophet attempted to spread Islam. The nascence of Islam, on the one hand, the small number of Muslims and the tough situations of wars and conflicts, on the other hand, were of great importance in the meantime. The ways the Prophet and Muslims confronted such situations and what psychological methods and strategies they employed to overcome these problems and to handle these conflicts are the pivotal points of this paper. Based on the general outlook of these wars and victory of Muslims in most of these conflicts, it can be realized that the Prophet, as an experienced commander, employed various techniques of psychological warfare in addition to combat patterns. Through rehabilitating the emotional and psychological states of his forces, the Prophet had a considerable control over the mindset of the enemies, and made them believe his capability and authority in conquering them.