Military expeditions (Saraya and Ghazawat) (2)

Then in Safar, 2 A.H., for the first time, the Prophet himself went out to battle accompanied by seventy Muhajireen. They journeyed to Awba or Wadan, but once again they did not come across any enemies. However, it was during this journey that the Prophet finalised a treaty of peace and cooperation with Amr bin Makshi al Dhamri.

The following month (Rabi’ Al-Awwal, 2 A.H.), the Prophet led a group of men to Buwat on the outskirts of Radwi. During the same month, Kuz bin Jabir Al-Fihri rustled some grazing cattle belonging to the Muslims. The Prophet gathered seventy Muhajireen and chased him to Safwan on the outskirts of Badr, but Kurz escaped. This expedition is known as the First Battle of Badr.

The Prophet also led a squadron of 150 to 200 Muhajireen in either Jamad Al-Awwal or Jamad Al-Thani, 2 A.H. They went to Dhul Ashira to intercept a caravan headed for Syria, but it had passed a few days before they arrived. During this journey the Prophet finalised a non-aggression pact with Banu Madlaj.

To further steel his men in the art of warfare, the Prophet sent Abdullah bin Jash Asadi along with twelve Muhajireen to Nakhlah (an area between Makkah and Ta’if) in Rajab, 2 A.H.

Their objective was to gather intelligence about a caravan financed by the Quraysh. Abdullah’s men attacked the caravan and killed one person. They also took two captives whom they brought back to Madinah.

When the Prophet heard about what had happened, he became very upset. He set the prisoners free and paid blood money to the victim’s family. The Quraysh protested vehemently about this attack because it took place in Rajab, one of the “prohibited months,” the period during which fighting is unlawful.

Allah revealed the following verse in reference to the Muslim attack on the caravan: “They ask you concerning fighting in the prohibited months. Say: Fighting during these months is a grave offense, but preventing people from following the path of Allah, disbelieving in Him, preventing access to the Sacred Mosque and driving out its residents are greater offenses with Allah. Unrest and oppression are worse than killing.” (2: 217).