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MILITARY PLATOONS AND MISSIONS BETWEEN THE BATTEL 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 ’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 (Peace be upon
him) 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 (Peace be u pon him) 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 Talhahand Salamah, sons of
Khuwailid have mustered some volunteers to fight the Messenger of Allâh (Peace b upon him). The
Prophet (Peace be upon him) 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 'ABDALLAH 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 (Peace be upon him) 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 (Peace be upon him), 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 (Peace be upon him) 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,
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