Expedition of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith

Expedition of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith
Part of the Muslim–Quraysh War
DateApril, 623 AD (1 AH)
Location
Result Bloodless battle
Belligerents
Muhajirun (Muslim migrants 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)

In April 623, the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent Ubaydah ibn al-Harith with a party of sixty armed Muhajirun (Muslim migrants to 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]

  1. ^ a b Ibn Ishaq/Guillaume, p. 281.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference SB37 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Haykal, M. H. (1935). Translated by al-Faruqi, I. R. A. (1976). The Life of Muhammad, p. 256. Chicago: North American Trust Publications.
  4. ^ a b c Mubarakpuri, S. R. (1979). Ar-Raheeq Al-Maktum (The Sealed Nectar), p. 92. Riyadh: Darussalem Publishers.
  5. ^ Hawarey, 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
  6. ^ Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. p. 128.
  7. ^ Muir, Sir William (1877). The Life of Mohammed. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. p. 128.