The Tabuk Expedition

THE TABUK EXPEDITION:
The Arabs had never thought of fighting or attacking the Romans. They
probably considered themselves tobe not strong enough forthat task.
The Romans, however, remembered the Mu'tah expedition and were still a
threat. The Messenger (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah decided
to lead a Muslim army into Roman territory before the Roman armies
crossed the Arab borders and threatened the heart of Islam.
The Tabuk expedition took place in Rajab, 9 A.H.The
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah led the expedition in
intense heat, when thedates were ripe and the shade of the trees was
pleasant. It was a long journey through arid deserts towards a vast
enemy army. He had made the position clear to the Muslims in advanceso
that they could make preparations for the journey. It was a difficult
time because the Muslimswere experiencing a severe drought.
The hypocrites made various excuses not to accompany the
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. They said they
feared the enemy or the intense heat. They were reluctant to perform
jihad and had doubts about the truth. Allah Almighty said of them:
'Those who were left behind rejoiced in tarrying behind the
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and were averse to
struggling with their possessions and their selves in the way of
Allah.They said, "Go not Forth in the heat." Say. "The Fire of
Jahannam is hotter did they but understand!" '(9: 81)
THE COMPANIONS' RESPONSE TO JIHAD:
In preparing for the expedition, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) of Allah had encouraged thewealthy to spend in the way of
Allah. Some provided mounts for those who had neither provision nor
mount, expecting a reward from Allah.
Uthman ibn Affan spent one thousand dinars on the 'Army of Distress'
and the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah prayed for
him.
THE ARMY TRAVELS TO TABUK:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah set out for Tabuk
with 30,000 men from Madinah . It was the largest Muslim army ever to
set forth on an expedition.
When they reached al-Hijr, the land of Thamud, he told the Companions
that it was a country of those who were being punished for their sins.
'If you enter the houses of those who did wrong, enter tearfully,
fearing that what befell them might also befall you.' He added that
they must notdrink any of al-Hijr's water nor use it for ablutions.
Because the soldiers had no water they complained to the
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. He prayed to Allah
and a dark cloud broughtrain so that everyone could quench their
thirst and store sufficient water for their needs.
THE MESSENGER(SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) OF ALLAH RETURNS TO MADINAH:
When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah reached
Tabuk, the Arab amirs on the herders called on him and made treaties
of peace. They also paid to him the jizyah tax. The
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah guaranteed their
borders, the security of their territories and theircaravans and ships
travelling by land and sea. Letters to this effect were delivered to
all parties.
Then came the news that the Romans had withdrawn from the border
towns. They had decided not to encroach on Muslim land. The Prophet
could see no reason to pursue them into their own territory as his
goal had already been achieved.
He stayed at Tabuk for about two weeks and then travelled back to Madinah.
THE TRIAL OF KA'B IBN MALIK:
Among those who had stayed behind at the timeof this expedition were
Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn ar-Rabi' and Hilal ibn Umayyah. They were
among the first Muslims and had been thoroughlytested in Islam.
Murarah ibn ar-Rabi' and Hilal ibn Umayyah had been present at Badr
and it was not their nature to not take part in the battle. The
situation was only part of the Divine wisdom, so they would really
examine themselves and be a lesson for all Muslims in the future. Such
failings are usually because of procrastination, weak will and
over-reliance on means.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah forbade anyone to
speak to them. All the Muslims obeyed him and people avoided them.
They had to endure that trial for fifty days. Ka'b ibn Malik would
attend prayers with the Muslims and visit the markets but everyone
ignored him. But his suffering only increased his faith in Islam.
The wives of these three were also affected by themeasures and no one
was allowed to go near them either.
A further test came when the influential King of Ghassan heard what
was happening in Madinah. He invited Ka'b ibn Malik to his court in
order to honour him and lure him from Islam. But when the King's
messenger delivered the invitation to Ka'b he threw it into the fire.
Allah's examination was over and none of the three had failed the
test. A revelation came from Allah to illustrate how their example
would hold for all time. They had not deserted their faith but had
found refuge and safety with Allah. The Qur'an says:
Allah has turned towards the Prophet and the Muhajirun and the Ansar
who followed him in the hour of difficulty, after the hearts of a
party of them almost swerved aside; then He turned towards them;
surely He is Gentle to them, and he turned to the three who remained
behind, until, when the earth became straitened for them, for all its
breadth, and their souls became straitened for them, and they thought
that there was no shelter from Allah except in Him, then He turned
towards them, that they might also turn;surely Allah turns, and is
Compassionate. (9: 117-18)
TABUK: THE LAST EXPEDITION
The expedition to Tabuk, in Rajab 9 A.H., was the last in the
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah's campaign. In all,
the Muslims had fought in twenty-seven battles and taken part in sixty
forays and expeditions. No conqueror had ever achieved such success
with so little loss of life. Throughout the campaign a total of only
one thousand and eighteen from both sides had been killed. Only Allah
knows the number of those whose lives were spared in gaining security
for the Arabian peninsula. Eventually it was so safe that a woman
pilgrim could travel all the way from Hirah to Makkah without fearing
anyone except Allah.
THE FIRST HAJJ:
The hajj was made obligatory in 9 A.H. The Messenger(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent Abu Bakr as amir for the hajj in that
year. Three hundred menfrom Madinah went to Makkah with him. The
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent for Ali ibn Abi
Talib and said to him, 'Go out and announce to the people on the Day
of Sacrifice that "no kafir will enter Paradise and after this year no
idol-worshipper will perform hail nor do tawaf if he is in a state
ofnudity.'
Source: Al Islaah Publications