Events Between Badr and Uhud

A Foiled Assassination Attempt

Following the Quraysh's loss at Badr, Safwan ibn Umayyah and his cousin Umayr ibn Wahb discussed revenge. Umayr, motivated by the imprisonment of his son in Madinah, expressed his desire to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ. Safwan promised to clear Umayr’s debts and support his family if he carried out the plan.

Armed with a poisoned sword, Umayr traveled to Madinah under the guise of negotiating his son’s release. His arrival raised suspicion, especially with Umar ibn al-Khattab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who immediately brought him to the Prophet ﷺ.

When questioned, Umayr claimed he came only for his son’s ransom. The Prophet ﷺ, through divine revelation, exposed Umayr’s secret conversation with Safwan, leaving Umayr stunned. Recognizing the Prophet's truthfulness, Umayr embraced Islam on the spot. As a gesture of goodwill, the Prophet ﷺ freed Umayr’s son and instructed the companions to teach him about Islam.

Expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa

The Banu Qaynuqa, a Jewish tribe in Madinah, violated their treaty with the Muslims after humiliating a Muslim woman in their marketplace. The incident escalated into violence, resulting in the death of both a Muslim and a Jewish man. The Prophet ﷺ declared their treaty null and initiated a siege on their fortress.

The siege lasted for 15 days, cutting off the Banu Qaynuqa’s supplies. Eventually, they surrendered, and the Prophet ﷺ ordered their men to be bound for judgment. Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, intervened to spare their lives, leading to their expulsion from Madinah.

Expedition of Qarqarat al-Kudr and the Battle of Sawiq

The Expedition of Qarqarat al-Kudr took place just a week after the Battle of Badr, when around 200 men from the tribes of Banu Salim and Ghatafan planned to attack Madinah in revenge. Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ led a counterattack. Despite their larger numbers, the enemy fled, abandoning their tents, belongings, and animals. The Muslims captured all of it, and each participant received two camels as part of the spoils.

Driven by a vow to avenge the Quraysh’s defeat at Badr, Abu Sufyan launched a small raid on Madinah. However, the Muslims quickly thwarted his efforts, forcing him to retreat. During their escape, the Quraysh abandoned sacks of sawiq (dried porridge), earning the battle its name. This minor skirmish highlighted the Muslims' vigilance and their ability to respond swiftly to threats.

Assassination of Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf

Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf, a poet and leader of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir, became a vocal antagonist of Islam. He incited the Quraysh against the Muslims and composed offensive poetry mocking Muslim women, further inflaming tensions. His actions posed a significant threat to the Muslim community’s unity and safety.

Recognizing the danger Ka’b posed, the Prophet ﷺ authorized his assassination. Muhammad ibn Maslamah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ , along with a group of companions, devised a plan to lure Ka’b out of his fortress under false pretenses. The mission succeeded, effectively neutralizing a key instigator and restoring security to Madinah