Military Platoons and Missions between the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of the Confederates


Uhud’s misfortune left a bad impact on both the credibility and military reputation of the Muslims. Their dignity and power in people’s eyes were impaired. Troubles and dangers spread everywhere in and out of Madinah. The Jews, hypocrites and bedouins declared publicly their enmity to the Muslims and each party was keen on degrading and, in the final place, exterminating their whole existence.

Two months had almost passed after this battle, when Banu Asad made preparations to raid Madinah, ‘Udal and Qarah tribes conspired against

the Muslims in the month of Safar, 4 A.H. and killed ten of the Prophet PBUH’s Companions. Similarly Banu ‘Amir plotted against them too, and seventy Companions were killed in the battle of Ma‘una Well.

 During that period, Banu Nadeer kept on announcing their enmity and were involved in a plot to kill the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in Rabi‘ Al-Awwal in 4 A.H. Banu Ghatfan were about to attack Madinah in Jumada Al-Ula in 4 A.H.

Thus we see that the Muslims turned into an attractive target of several potential dangers after they had lost their military credibility in the battle of Uhud. Muhammad PBUH most wisely managed to hold all those hostile currents at bay, and even redeem the lost dignity of the Muslims and gain them anew fresh glory and noble standing.

 The first initiative he took in this process was Hamra’ Al-Asad pursuit operation, whereby he could retain the Muslim military reputation. He succeeded in recovering his followers’ dignity and awe-inspiring position in such a manner that astonished or even astounded both the Jews and hypocrites, alike, then he proceeded to crown his successful attempts by despatching military errands and missions:

Abi Salamah Mission:


The first people to take up arms against the Muslims in the aftermath of Uhud reverse were Banu Asad bin Khuzaimah.

"The Intelligence Corps" of Madinah reported that Talhah and Salamah, sons of Khuwailid have mustered some volunteers to fight the Messenger of Allâh PBUH.

The Prophet PBUH immediately despatched a 150-man-platoon of Helpers and Emigrants headed by Abu Salamah.

The Muslim leader took Bani Asad bin Khuzaimah by surprise in their own homeland, neutralized their attempts, dispersed them and captured their cattle.

On his return, Abu Salamah had an inflammation of a previous wound he sustained in Uhud, and caused him to die soon after.

This expedition took place on Muharram 1st, 4 A.H.[]

An Errand led by ‘Abdullah bin Unais:


On the fifth day of the same month Muharram, 4 A.H., it was reported that Khalid bin Sufyan Al-Hudhali was gathering some mob to raid the Muslim positions.

‘Abdullah bin Unais, at the behest of the Prophet PBUH set out to destroy the enemies.

The Muslim military leader stayed away for eighteen days during which he successfully fulfilled his task, killed the head of the rebels and brought his head back to Madinah on Saturday, seven days before the end of Muharram.

The Prophet PBUH, as a reward, gave him a stick saying "This will function as a sign of recognition for you and me on the Day of Resurrection.

" On his death bed, ‘Abdullah requested that the log be with him in his shroud.[]

The Event of Ar-Raji‘:


In Safar of the fourth year A.H., a delegation from the tribes of ‘Udal and Qarah came to Madinah and asked the Prophet PBUH to send a group of Companions to instruct them in religion, claiming the existence of some Muslims among them.

He sent six of his Companions, in another version, ten headed by Murthid bin Abi Murthid Al-Ghanawi, or, according to Al-Bukhari, ‘Asim bin Thabit, the grandfather of ‘Asim bin ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab. When they reached a spot called Ar-Raji‘ between Rabigh and Jeddah, a hundred archers of Banu Lihyan clan surrounded the place and attacked them.

The delegation of Muslims took shelter on some high ground, Fudfud, and the bedouins offered them a pledge that they would not be killed. ‘Asim refused to come down, instead he fought them until he and six of his companions were killed. Three men were left, Khubaib, Zaid bin Ad-Dathna and another one.

 Once again, the bedouins offered them a guarantee of safety and they accepted.

 When they descended, the bedouins treacherously bound them. The third man rebuked them for their insincerity and resisted them so they killed him.

The other two men who had killed some notables of Quraish at Badr were taken and sold in Makkah. The first was Khubaib who was detained for some time and then it was unanimously decided to crucify him.

He was taken from the Holy Sanctuary to At-Tan‘im for crucifixion. He requested a respite to offer a two-Rak‘a prayer. After the final greeting, he turned to his executioners, and said: "Had I not been afraid that you would think that I was afraid of death, I would have prayed for a long time." It was then that Khubaib first set the tradition of praying two Rak‘a before being executed. He then said:

• "O Lord! Count them one by one, exterminate them to the last one."

He then recited some verses of poetry which speak eloquently of the atrocities borne by him, and testify to his Faith in Allâh at this hour of suffering:

The confederates have gathered their tribes around me,

And summoned all of them who could come.

They have gathered their women and children,

I am bound fastly to a lofty trunk.

To Allâh alone I complain of my helplessness and sufferings,

And of the death, the confederates have prepared for me.

Lord of the Throne! Give me endurance against their design,

They have cut my flesh bit by bit, and I have been deprived of sustenance.

They let me choose infidelity but death is preferable,

Tears roll out of my eyes, though not of fear.

By Allâh! I fear not if I die a Muslim,

On what side I fall for the sake of Allâh.

I will not show subservience to the enemy,

If Lord so desires, He will bless my torn limbs and broken joints.

Abu Sufyan then addressed him saying: "I adjure you by Allâh, don’t you wish that Muhammad PBUH were here in your place so that we might cut off his head, and that you were with your family?" Khubaib answered, "By Allâh, I do not wish that Muhammad PBUH now were in the place I occupy or that a thorn could hurt him, and that I were sitting with my family.

" Quraish ordered ‘Uqbah bin Al-Harith, whose father had been killed by Khubaib himself, to crucify him. They also appointed someone to guard his corpse. ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari played a cunning trick and carried the corpse stealthily at night to bury it somewhere. It was later reported that shortly before his crucifixion, he was seen eating a bunch of grapes although there was not even one date available in Makkah at that time. [In fact, it was nothing but sustenance bestowed upon him by Allâh.]

Safwan bin Omaiyah purchased the second man, Zaid bin Ad-Dathna, and killed him as an act of vengeance for his father’s murder.

Quraish, whom ‘Asim had killed one of their notables, sent someone to fetch a portion of his body, but to their disappointment, his corpse was inaccessible because a large swarm of hornets had been shielding him against any malicious tampering. ‘Asim had already given his Lord a pledge to remain immune against any polytheist tampering with respect to his body, and also stay detached from any contact with the enemies of Allâh. ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab, when hearing this piece of news exclaimed, "Allâh verily protects His believing slave after death just as He does during his lifespan."[]