Expedition of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith
In April 623, the Islamic Prophet Muhammad sent Ubaydah ibn al-Harith with a party of sixty armed Muhajirun (Muslim exiles in Medina) to the valley of Rabigh, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. They expected to intercept a Quraysh caravan that was returning from Syria under the protection of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and 200 armed riders.[1][2][3][4][5] The Muslim party travelled as far as the wells at Thanyat al-Murra,[1][4] where Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas shot an arrow at the Quraysh. This is known as the first arrow of Islam.[6][7] Despite this surprise attack, "they did not unsheathe a sword or approach one another," and the Muslims returned empty-handed;[2][3][4] however, two Meccans traders left their caravan, became Muslim, and went with the expedition back to Medina.[8]
Expedition of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
Belligerents | |||||
Muhajirun (Muslim exiles to Medina) | Quraish of Mecca | ||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||
Ubaydah ibn al-Harith | Abu Sufyan | ||||
Strength | |||||
60-80 | 200 | ||||
Casualties and losses | |||||
Unknown (Arrows fired) | Unknown (1 arrow fired) |
Timing
Some say that Ubaydah ibn al-Harith was the first to whom Muhammad gave a banner on a military expedition; others say Hamza was the first.[2]
Some scholars assert that Muhammad sent out the expedition while he was in Al-Abwa' or upon his return to the Medina from the raid of Al-Abwa'.[9]
See also
References
- Ibn Ishaq/Guillaume, p. 281.
- Ibn Saad/Bewley, p. 37.
- Haykal, M. H. (1935). Translated by al-Faruqi, I. R. A. (1976). The Life of Muhammad, p. 256. Chicago: North American Trust Publications.
- Mubarakpuri, S. R. (1979). Ar-Raheeq Al-Maktum (The Sealed Nectar), p. 92. Riyadh: Darussalem Publishers.
- Hawarey, Dr. Mosab (2010). The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (Arabic). Islamic Book Trust. ISBN 9789957051648.Note: Book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here
- Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. p. 128.
- Muir, Sir William (1877). The Life of Mohammed. London.
- Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. p. 128.
- Al-ʻUmarī, Burayk Muḥammad Burayk (1996). Al-Sarāyā wa-al-buʻūth al-Nabawīyah ḥawla al-Madīnah wa-Makkah : dirāsah naqdīyah taḥlīlīyah السرايا والبعوث النبوية حول المدينة ومكة : دراسة نقدية تحليلية (in Arabic). Dār Ibn al-Jawzī. p. 81.
Preceded by Expedition of Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib |
Expeditions of Muhammad | Succeeded by Expedition of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas |