﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 79*
*MILITARY EXPEDITIONS AND COMPANIES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF BADR*
To implement these two plans the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) began military movements after getting the permission of fight. These movements were in the form of reconnoitring patrols that aimed to achieve certain goals:
➖ Exploring and recognising the routes surrounding Madīnah as well as the roads leading to Mecca.
➖ Concluding agreements with tribes whose dwellings were nearby these roads.
➖ To make the polytheists and Jews of Yathrib and nomadic Bedouins who settled around it perceive that Muslims ridded their previous powerlessness.
➖ To warn Quraish against the consequences of their recklessness and oppression. This would then realise the aggravating dangers posed to their economy and means of existence. So they, in turn, might tend to peace and give up fighting Muslims in their new home, preventing the progress of the calling of Islam and torturing the weak Muslims who remained in Mecca. All that would enable Muslims to convey the message of Allāh across Arabia.
Now let us discuss the military companies in brief.
1. THE COMPANY OF SAIFUL-BAHR
In Ramadān, the first year of Hijra (March, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) appointed Hamza Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib as a commander of this company and dispatched him along with thirty men of the Immigrants to block the route of a caravan of Quraish that coming back from Ash-Shām. This caravan included Abu Jahl and three hundred men. As Muslims reached Saiful-Bahr in the direction of Al-'Is, the two parties lined up to fight. But Magdy Ibn 'Amr Al-Juhany (who was an ally to the two parties) intervened and prevented them from fighting. The flag of Hamza's company was the first one to be endorsed by the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). It was white and Abu Marthad Kannaz Ibn Hasin Al-Ghanawy held it.
2. THE COMPANY OF RĀBIGH
In Shawwal, the first year of Hijra, April, 623 A.D, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sent a company of sixty men of the Immigrants under the command of 'Ubaida Ibnul-Hārith Ibnul-Mutallib. They met Abu Sufyān in the company of two hundred fighters at the valley of Rābigh. The two parties shot arrows at each other but there were no engagement or injuries. In this company two men of Mecca's fighters joined the ranks of Muslims: Al-Miqdād Ibn 'Amr Al-Bahrāny and 'Utba Ibn Ghazwān Al-Mazny. They were Muslim's, so they decided to proceed out with the polytheists to join Muslims. The flag of 'Ubaidah's company was white and it was carried by Mistah Ibn Uthātha Ibnul-Mutallib Ibn 'Abd Manāf.
3. THE COMPANY OF AL-KHARRĀR
In Dhul Qaadah, the first year of Hijra (May, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sent out a company of twenty men under the command of Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās to intercept caravan of Quraish. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ordered him not to exceed the area of Al-Kharrār. They walked on foot waiting in ambush by day and carried on proceeding by night till they reached Al-Kharrār on Thursday morning. But they found out that the caravan passed by the day before. The flag of Sa'ad's company was white and its bearer was Al-Miqdād Ibn'Amr.
4. THE MILITARY EXPEDITION OF AL-ABWAA OR WADDĀN
In Safar, the second year of Hijra (August, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) himself if proceeded out along with seventy men of the Immigrants to obstruct the route of a caravan of Quraish. They reached Waddān but found no trace of the caravan. In this expedition, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) put Sa'ad Ibn Ubaidah in charge of Madīnah. During it the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) formed an alliance with 'Amr Ibn Makhsheyy Ad-Dhamry, the chieftain of Dhamrah. The treaty reads: "This is the treaty that Muhammad, Allāh's Messenger made with Banu Dhamrah, and which confirms that they are safe as to their property and lives. If one fights them, they will be helped as long as they do not combat the religion of Allāh. If the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) demands their assistance at wartime, they should respond to him."
This was the first expedition in which the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) himself took part. He stayed away from Madīnah for fifteen days. The flag was white and it was carried by Hamza Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib.
5. THE EXPEDITION OF BUWAT
In Rabī'ul-Awwal, the second year of Hijra (September, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on a military expedition of two hundred Muslims to block the way of a caravan of Quraish that was under the guard of Umayya Ibn Khalaff Al-Jumahy and one hundred men of Quraish. It included two thousand and two hundred camels. The Muslims arrived at Buwāt towards Radwa but they faced no enemy.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) entrusted Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh with the charge of Madīnah. The flag was white and Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās carried it.
6. THE EXPEDITION OF SAFAWĀN
In Rabī'ul-Awwal, the second year of Hijra (September, 623 A. D.), Kurz Ibn Jābir Al-Fihry assaulted the pastures of Madīnah with a few troops and plundered some cattle. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on a military expedition of seventy men to attack him. They reached a valley called Safawān in the direction of Badr, but they found no trace of Kurz or his troops. So they returned without fight. In this expedition the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) assigned Zaid Ibn Hārithah to take charge of Madīnah. The flag was white and it was carried by 'Ali Ibn Abu Tālib.
7. THE EXPEDITION OF DHUL-'USHAIRAH
In Jumādā th-Thāni, the second year of Hijra (November and December, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on an expedition of an hundred and fifty or two hundred fighters of the Immigrants. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) didn't compel anyone to go out for fight. They proceeded out on thirty camels and took turns in riding them to intercept a caravan of Quraish that was heading for Ash-Shām. They heard that it was coming from Mecca and contained some property of Quraish. When they reached Dhul-'Ushairah, they found that the caravan left several days before. This was also the caravan that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and Muslims set out to capture when it came back from Ash-Shām and which became the cause of the battle of Badr.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on this expedition on the late days of Jumādā th-Thāni, according to Ibn Is'hāq. During such an expedition the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) made a non-aggression treaty with the clan of Mudlig and their ally, the clan of Dhamrah. He assigned Abu Salamah Ibn abdul-Asad Al-Makhzūmy to take care of Madīnah. The flag was white and it was borne by Hamza Ibn'Abdul-Mutallib.
8. THE COMPANY OF NAKHLAH
In Rajab, the second year of Hijra (January, 624 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) dispatched a company of twenty fighters of the Immigrants under the command of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh, with every two men taking turns riding one camel. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) gave him a message and commanded him to read it after proceeding for two days. After the period elapsed, he opened the message and read it. It said: "Once you read my message, proceed on till you reach Nakhlah between Mecca and At-Tā'if. Observe the caravan of Quraish and inform us of its news." Then he said: "I do obey your command." He told his fellow fighters about that and gave them the choice of fight. They all proceeded on with him. On their way Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās and 'Utba Ibn Ghazwān lost a camel they were riding in turns and lagged behind searching for it.
'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh advanced on and then he reached Nakhlah. Then a caravan of Quraish carrying raisins, condiments and other goods passed by. It was under the protection of 'Amr Ibnul-Hadramy and 'Uthmān and Nawfal, the two sons of 'Abdullāh Ibnul-Mughīrah and Al-Hākam of Kaisān, the freed slave of Al-Mughīra. Muslims consulted with one another and said: "Today is the last day of Rajab, a sacred month. If we should fight them, we will violate it. And if we leave them, they will enter Mecca and escape from us." So they agreed to confront them. One of them shot an arrow at 'Amr Ibnul-Hadramy and killed him. 'Uthmān and Al-Hakam were held captive while Nawfal escaped. Then they brought the camels and the two captives to Madīnah.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) disapproved their act and said: "I didn't order you to fight in the Sacred month (Rajab)." He refrained from handling the camels and the two captives. Polytheists traded on this incident and impeached Muslims for violating what Allāh declared sacred. There was much gossip regarding this incident till heavenly revelation dispelled these impeachments entirely and made clear that what polytheists did was graver and more terrible than what some Muslims committed. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 217:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَكُفْرٌ بِهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ اسْتَطَاعُوا وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
They ask you concerning fighting in the Sacred Months (i.e. 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th months of the Islamic calendar). Say, "Fighting therein is a great (transgression) but a greater (transgression) with Allah is to prevent mankind from following the Way of Allah, to disbelieve in Him, to prevent access to Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah), and to drive out its inhabitants, and Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can. And whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever.
The aforementioned verse shows that the fanfare that polytheists aroused was unjustifiable. All sacred things had been violated through fighting Islam and its adherents. Were not Muslims present in the Holy Country (Mecca) when polytheists decided to rob their property and kill the Prophet? What returned the sacredness of these sanctities suddenly? And what made violating them shameful and hideous? Undoubtedly, the propaganda that polytheists released was blatant and unacceptable.
After that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) released the two captives of Mecca and paid the blood money to the family of the slain person.
We find that Muslims did not plunder property or kill men in any of these expeditions. It was only polytheists who began doing all that when they attacked the pastures of Madīnah under the command of Kurz Ibn Jābir Al-Fihry. In other words, polytheists began aggression and fight let alone their previous brutal crimes they perpetrated against Muslims.
After what happened in the expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh, polytheists ascertained the real danger that they feared. They became sure that Madīnah was on alert and kept track of all their commercial movements and that Muslims could march and cover a distance of three hundred miles so as to kill or capture their men and seize their property and then go back safe and sound. They also realised that their trade with Ash-Shām faced a permanent danger. But instead of quitting their oppression and adopting the policy of reconciliation and Peace, they became more malicious and furious. Their leaders and notables insisted on their previous threats, that is, to annihilate Muslims in their own home. This reckless objective motivated them to move out to fight Muslims at Badr.
As for Muslims, Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) made fight incumbent upon them in the wake of the expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh in Sha'aban of the second year of Hijra. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verses 190-193:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihad, but it was supplemented by another (V. 9:36)].
وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ وَلَا تُقَاتِلُوهُمْ عِندَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتَّىٰ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ فَإِن قَاتَلُوكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوهُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ إِلَّا عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)
Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) revealed some verses that explained to them the way of fight and some of its rules. Allāh says:
Surah Muhammad, Verses 4-7:
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ وَالَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
So, when you meet (in fight Jihad in Allah's Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost,
سَيَهْدِيهِمْ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَهُمْ
He will guide them and set right their state.
وَيُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ عَرَّفَهَا لَهُمْ
And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they used to know their houses in the world).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.
Allāh dispraised those whose hearts pulsed with fear when they knew that fight was declared obligatory. Allāh says:
Surah Muhammad, Verse 20:
وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِيِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ
Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah (chapter of the Quran) sent down (for us)? But when a decisive Surah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting (Jihad - holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them (hypocrites, to listen to Allah and to obey Him).
Imposing fight and exhorting it were required by circumstances. If there was a perspicacious and farsighted commander, he would order his soldiers to get ready for all emergent conditions. How will it be like when Allāh orders His faithful servants to do so? The expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh delivered a severe blow to the zealotry of polytheists.
In Sha'aban, the second year of Hijra (February, 624 A.D.), Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) ordered Muslims to convert the Qiblah from Jerusalem to the Holy Mosque (the Ka'abah, Mecca). This benefited Muslims in that the Jewish hypocrites who joined the ranks of Muslims to stir up disorder were exposed and went back to their unbelief. So the ranks of Muslims ridded of a lot of traitors.
The conversion of the Qiblah referred indirectly to the beginning of a new stage that ended with Muslims' control over this Qiblah. It was strange that their Qiblah was in the hands of their enemy. So they had to liberate it one day as long as they were right.
Through these commands and indications Muslims yearned for Jihad and meeting the enemy at a decisive battle to raise the word of Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) so high.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 79*
*MILITARY EXPEDITIONS AND COMPANIES BEFORE THE BATTLE OF BADR*
To implement these two plans the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) began military movements after getting the permission of fight. These movements were in the form of reconnoitring patrols that aimed to achieve certain goals:
➖ Exploring and recognising the routes surrounding Madīnah as well as the roads leading to Mecca.
➖ Concluding agreements with tribes whose dwellings were nearby these roads.
➖ To make the polytheists and Jews of Yathrib and nomadic Bedouins who settled around it perceive that Muslims ridded their previous powerlessness.
➖ To warn Quraish against the consequences of their recklessness and oppression. This would then realise the aggravating dangers posed to their economy and means of existence. So they, in turn, might tend to peace and give up fighting Muslims in their new home, preventing the progress of the calling of Islam and torturing the weak Muslims who remained in Mecca. All that would enable Muslims to convey the message of Allāh across Arabia.
Now let us discuss the military companies in brief.
1. THE COMPANY OF SAIFUL-BAHR
In Ramadān, the first year of Hijra (March, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) appointed Hamza Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib as a commander of this company and dispatched him along with thirty men of the Immigrants to block the route of a caravan of Quraish that coming back from Ash-Shām. This caravan included Abu Jahl and three hundred men. As Muslims reached Saiful-Bahr in the direction of Al-'Is, the two parties lined up to fight. But Magdy Ibn 'Amr Al-Juhany (who was an ally to the two parties) intervened and prevented them from fighting. The flag of Hamza's company was the first one to be endorsed by the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). It was white and Abu Marthad Kannaz Ibn Hasin Al-Ghanawy held it.
2. THE COMPANY OF RĀBIGH
In Shawwal, the first year of Hijra, April, 623 A.D, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sent a company of sixty men of the Immigrants under the command of 'Ubaida Ibnul-Hārith Ibnul-Mutallib. They met Abu Sufyān in the company of two hundred fighters at the valley of Rābigh. The two parties shot arrows at each other but there were no engagement or injuries. In this company two men of Mecca's fighters joined the ranks of Muslims: Al-Miqdād Ibn 'Amr Al-Bahrāny and 'Utba Ibn Ghazwān Al-Mazny. They were Muslim's, so they decided to proceed out with the polytheists to join Muslims. The flag of 'Ubaidah's company was white and it was carried by Mistah Ibn Uthātha Ibnul-Mutallib Ibn 'Abd Manāf.
3. THE COMPANY OF AL-KHARRĀR
In Dhul Qaadah, the first year of Hijra (May, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sent out a company of twenty men under the command of Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās to intercept caravan of Quraish. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ordered him not to exceed the area of Al-Kharrār. They walked on foot waiting in ambush by day and carried on proceeding by night till they reached Al-Kharrār on Thursday morning. But they found out that the caravan passed by the day before. The flag of Sa'ad's company was white and its bearer was Al-Miqdād Ibn'Amr.
4. THE MILITARY EXPEDITION OF AL-ABWAA OR WADDĀN
In Safar, the second year of Hijra (August, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) himself if proceeded out along with seventy men of the Immigrants to obstruct the route of a caravan of Quraish. They reached Waddān but found no trace of the caravan. In this expedition, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) put Sa'ad Ibn Ubaidah in charge of Madīnah. During it the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) formed an alliance with 'Amr Ibn Makhsheyy Ad-Dhamry, the chieftain of Dhamrah. The treaty reads: "This is the treaty that Muhammad, Allāh's Messenger made with Banu Dhamrah, and which confirms that they are safe as to their property and lives. If one fights them, they will be helped as long as they do not combat the religion of Allāh. If the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) demands their assistance at wartime, they should respond to him."
This was the first expedition in which the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) himself took part. He stayed away from Madīnah for fifteen days. The flag was white and it was carried by Hamza Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib.
5. THE EXPEDITION OF BUWAT
In Rabī'ul-Awwal, the second year of Hijra (September, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on a military expedition of two hundred Muslims to block the way of a caravan of Quraish that was under the guard of Umayya Ibn Khalaff Al-Jumahy and one hundred men of Quraish. It included two thousand and two hundred camels. The Muslims arrived at Buwāt towards Radwa but they faced no enemy.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) entrusted Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh with the charge of Madīnah. The flag was white and Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās carried it.
6. THE EXPEDITION OF SAFAWĀN
In Rabī'ul-Awwal, the second year of Hijra (September, 623 A. D.), Kurz Ibn Jābir Al-Fihry assaulted the pastures of Madīnah with a few troops and plundered some cattle. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on a military expedition of seventy men to attack him. They reached a valley called Safawān in the direction of Badr, but they found no trace of Kurz or his troops. So they returned without fight. In this expedition the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) assigned Zaid Ibn Hārithah to take charge of Madīnah. The flag was white and it was carried by 'Ali Ibn Abu Tālib.
7. THE EXPEDITION OF DHUL-'USHAIRAH
In Jumādā th-Thāni, the second year of Hijra (November and December, 623 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on an expedition of an hundred and fifty or two hundred fighters of the Immigrants. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) didn't compel anyone to go out for fight. They proceeded out on thirty camels and took turns in riding them to intercept a caravan of Quraish that was heading for Ash-Shām. They heard that it was coming from Mecca and contained some property of Quraish. When they reached Dhul-'Ushairah, they found that the caravan left several days before. This was also the caravan that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and Muslims set out to capture when it came back from Ash-Shām and which became the cause of the battle of Badr.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went on this expedition on the late days of Jumādā th-Thāni, according to Ibn Is'hāq. During such an expedition the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) made a non-aggression treaty with the clan of Mudlig and their ally, the clan of Dhamrah. He assigned Abu Salamah Ibn abdul-Asad Al-Makhzūmy to take care of Madīnah. The flag was white and it was borne by Hamza Ibn'Abdul-Mutallib.
8. THE COMPANY OF NAKHLAH
In Rajab, the second year of Hijra (January, 624 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) dispatched a company of twenty fighters of the Immigrants under the command of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh, with every two men taking turns riding one camel. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) gave him a message and commanded him to read it after proceeding for two days. After the period elapsed, he opened the message and read it. It said: "Once you read my message, proceed on till you reach Nakhlah between Mecca and At-Tā'if. Observe the caravan of Quraish and inform us of its news." Then he said: "I do obey your command." He told his fellow fighters about that and gave them the choice of fight. They all proceeded on with him. On their way Sa'ad Ibn Abu Waqqās and 'Utba Ibn Ghazwān lost a camel they were riding in turns and lagged behind searching for it.
'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh advanced on and then he reached Nakhlah. Then a caravan of Quraish carrying raisins, condiments and other goods passed by. It was under the protection of 'Amr Ibnul-Hadramy and 'Uthmān and Nawfal, the two sons of 'Abdullāh Ibnul-Mughīrah and Al-Hākam of Kaisān, the freed slave of Al-Mughīra. Muslims consulted with one another and said: "Today is the last day of Rajab, a sacred month. If we should fight them, we will violate it. And if we leave them, they will enter Mecca and escape from us." So they agreed to confront them. One of them shot an arrow at 'Amr Ibnul-Hadramy and killed him. 'Uthmān and Al-Hakam were held captive while Nawfal escaped. Then they brought the camels and the two captives to Madīnah.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) disapproved their act and said: "I didn't order you to fight in the Sacred month (Rajab)." He refrained from handling the camels and the two captives. Polytheists traded on this incident and impeached Muslims for violating what Allāh declared sacred. There was much gossip regarding this incident till heavenly revelation dispelled these impeachments entirely and made clear that what polytheists did was graver and more terrible than what some Muslims committed. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 217:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَكُفْرٌ بِهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ اسْتَطَاعُوا وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
They ask you concerning fighting in the Sacred Months (i.e. 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th months of the Islamic calendar). Say, "Fighting therein is a great (transgression) but a greater (transgression) with Allah is to prevent mankind from following the Way of Allah, to disbelieve in Him, to prevent access to Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah), and to drive out its inhabitants, and Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can. And whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever.
The aforementioned verse shows that the fanfare that polytheists aroused was unjustifiable. All sacred things had been violated through fighting Islam and its adherents. Were not Muslims present in the Holy Country (Mecca) when polytheists decided to rob their property and kill the Prophet? What returned the sacredness of these sanctities suddenly? And what made violating them shameful and hideous? Undoubtedly, the propaganda that polytheists released was blatant and unacceptable.
After that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) released the two captives of Mecca and paid the blood money to the family of the slain person.
We find that Muslims did not plunder property or kill men in any of these expeditions. It was only polytheists who began doing all that when they attacked the pastures of Madīnah under the command of Kurz Ibn Jābir Al-Fihry. In other words, polytheists began aggression and fight let alone their previous brutal crimes they perpetrated against Muslims.
After what happened in the expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh, polytheists ascertained the real danger that they feared. They became sure that Madīnah was on alert and kept track of all their commercial movements and that Muslims could march and cover a distance of three hundred miles so as to kill or capture their men and seize their property and then go back safe and sound. They also realised that their trade with Ash-Shām faced a permanent danger. But instead of quitting their oppression and adopting the policy of reconciliation and Peace, they became more malicious and furious. Their leaders and notables insisted on their previous threats, that is, to annihilate Muslims in their own home. This reckless objective motivated them to move out to fight Muslims at Badr.
As for Muslims, Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) made fight incumbent upon them in the wake of the expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh in Sha'aban of the second year of Hijra. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verses 190-193:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihad, but it was supplemented by another (V. 9:36)].
وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ وَلَا تُقَاتِلُوهُمْ عِندَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتَّىٰ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ فَإِن قَاتَلُوكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوهُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ إِلَّا عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)
Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) revealed some verses that explained to them the way of fight and some of its rules. Allāh says:
Surah Muhammad, Verses 4-7:
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ وَالَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
So, when you meet (in fight Jihad in Allah's Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost,
سَيَهْدِيهِمْ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَهُمْ
He will guide them and set right their state.
وَيُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ عَرَّفَهَا لَهُمْ
And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they used to know their houses in the world).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.
Allāh dispraised those whose hearts pulsed with fear when they knew that fight was declared obligatory. Allāh says:
Surah Muhammad, Verse 20:
وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِيِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ
Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah (chapter of the Quran) sent down (for us)? But when a decisive Surah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting (Jihad - holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them (hypocrites, to listen to Allah and to obey Him).
Imposing fight and exhorting it were required by circumstances. If there was a perspicacious and farsighted commander, he would order his soldiers to get ready for all emergent conditions. How will it be like when Allāh orders His faithful servants to do so? The expedition of 'Abdullāh Ibn Jahsh delivered a severe blow to the zealotry of polytheists.
In Sha'aban, the second year of Hijra (February, 624 A.D.), Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) ordered Muslims to convert the Qiblah from Jerusalem to the Holy Mosque (the Ka'abah, Mecca). This benefited Muslims in that the Jewish hypocrites who joined the ranks of Muslims to stir up disorder were exposed and went back to their unbelief. So the ranks of Muslims ridded of a lot of traitors.
The conversion of the Qiblah referred indirectly to the beginning of a new stage that ended with Muslims' control over this Qiblah. It was strange that their Qiblah was in the hands of their enemy. So they had to liberate it one day as long as they were right.
Through these commands and indications Muslims yearned for Jihad and meeting the enemy at a decisive battle to raise the word of Allāh (Sub-haanahu wata'aala) so high.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
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