- Cause
- Preparation
- Muslims in Tabuk
- Muslims return to Madina
- Masjid Lirar
- Absent Muslims
- Haj of Abu Bakr t
- Delegations (Wufood)
Cause:
Byzantine or Roma was the superpower of the sixth century. Muslims fought with them in Mu’tah battle and showed their power. Having their superiority questioned by Muslims, they planned to attack Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ was informed about their preparation in the year 9 H. Roman army included some Arab tribes as well.
World superpower’s plan to attack was one of the biggest threats to Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ gave a detailed description of the war before the journey. All Muslims prepared to answer the call of the Prophet ﷺ. The Hypocrites made silly excuses. Some Muslims had genuine excuses for not participating in the battle and their excuses were accepted. Instead of helping them, the hypocrites engaged in hatching plot against Muslims.
Preparation:
It was a hot season and the Muslims have to proceed hundreds of miles to reach the Roman army. Still the Prophet ﷺ managed to gather around 30000 fighters against Roma. Muslims were suffering from the lack of animals, wealth and food, so the generous companions spent so much money to support the war. Uthman t gave two hundred ounces of gold, nine hundred camels and one hundred horses. The Prophet ﷺ told:
مَا ضَرَّ عُثْمَانَ مَا عَمِلَ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ ِ[1]
Whatever ‘Uthman does after today will not harm him,’
Abu Bakr left nothing but Allah and his messenger. Umar t came with half of his wealth. Every one donated whatever he has so much so that some Muslims brought only a “mud[2]” full of food.
The Prophet ﷺ was aware of the cheating of hypocrites. He appointed Muhammad bin Maslamah as the custodian of Madina. Further, Ali t was assigned to take in-charge of the affairs of the family of the Prophet ﷺ. Later, Ali t also wanted to take part in the battle so he followed Muslims and joined them on the way. But the Prophet ﷺ sent back him saying:
أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي[3]
Would it not suffice you to be my successor in the way that Haroun was to Moses’?” Then he further said, “But no Prophet ﷺ succeeds me.”
Despite the plenty of charities accumulated for the battle, there was a lack of equipment in the army. A camelback was used as a vehicle for eighteen Muslims. They suffered from lack of water so much so that they slaughtered their dearest camel to get water of its stomach. They even ate the leaves of trees during this hard time.
The Prophet ﷺ used to pray all four prayers in Jam’[4] during the journey.
Muslims in Tabuk:
After the long journey of weeks, Muslims arrived in Tabuk[5] and camped there. He gave an eloquent speech, which motivated the companions who are tired out of the long journey. But Romans and their allies were frightened to confront the Muslims and they dispersed here and there.
[1] Turmudi, 3663
[2] Mud(مدّ) is approximately 620 grams.
[3] Sahih Muslim 4426
[4] Jam (جمع) is to pray two obligatory prayers in one time.
[5] Tabuk (تبوك) is 650 KM away from Madeenah.
This is excerpts from the book A Student’s Book to Study the Biography of The Prophet Muhammad by Abdu Shaheed Azhary. To download the full chapter click the below link. Buy the digital copy of the book from Amazon or the printed edition from Here