The Prophet marries Safiyah

Once Khaybar and Wadi Al-Qura were conquered and the inhabitants of Fadak and Taima had surrendered, the Prophet began the journey back to Madinah. It was during this journey, passing through the valley of Sahba, that he consummated his marriage to Safiyah bint Huayy bin Akhtab. When she was taken prisoner after her husband’s death, the Prophet gave her to Dihya bin Khalifa Kalbi, but the other Companions suggested that as a widow of a chieftain Safiyah was more suitable for the Prophet , She accepted Islam at the Prophet’s invitation and thus won her freedom. Soon after she became the Prophet’s wife.

The expedition of Dhat Al-Riqa’

The Prophet had barely subdued one set of enemies when the news came that another conglomeration was massing arms against him. The Bedouins of Banu Anmar, Tha’laba and Maharib were preparing to strike and had to be quelled.

Uthman bin Affan was given the responsibility of Madinah, and seven hundred men set out with the Prophet . Their destination was Nakhlah, a two day journey from Madinah. There they encountered warriors from Banu Ghatfan. Both groups tried to scare off each other without actual physical combat. When the time came to pray, the Muslims prayed a special prayer termed “Salaah Al-Khauf.” The Prophet led first one group of his Companions in two Rak’ah of prayer and then a second group followed him for the remaining two Rak’ah. In this way, the two groups of soldiers prayed two Rak’ah each while the Prophet as Imam (leader of the prayer) prayed four Rak’ah in all.

The face-off with Banu Ghatfan ended abruptly when the enemy suddenly took fright and scattered. The Prophet then returned to Madinah after this expedition ended satisfactorily without loss of life. It came to be known as Dhat Al-Riqa’ in reference to the rags (Riqa’, in Arabic) the Muslims tied around their sore and bloody feet in the course of the long march. However, another source states that the march got its name from the terrain, which had the appearance of a patchwork of rags.