Events Between Uhud and Khandaq

Al-Raji - AH 4

After the Battle of Uhud, several Bedouin tribes viewed the Muslims as vulnerable and began plotting attacks. In response to one such threat, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent Abdullah ibn Unays رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ to eliminate Khalid ibn Sufyan al-Hudhali, the chieftain of Hudhayl, who was amassing forces to attack Madinah. Abdullah successfully carried out this mission in Muharram of the 4th year of the Hijrah. However, Khalid's death fueled the tribe of Hudhayl's desire for revenge, leading to the tragic Incident of Al-Raji.

Seeking vengeance, Hudhayl enlisted the help of the tribes of Udal and al-Qara. These tribes deceitfully pretended to embrace Islam and requested the Prophet ﷺ to send teachers to instruct them in the faith. Trusting their intentions, the Prophet ﷺ dispatched a group of ten Sahaba, led by Asim ibn Thabit رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. However, upon reaching a well called Al-Raji, the group was ambushed by a force of 100 warriors.

The Sahaba took refuge on a hill and valiantly defended themselves with bows and arrows. Refusing to surrender, Asim ibn Thabit رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ fought bravely until his martyrdom, knowing that a woman from Hudhayl had sworn to mutilate his body in revenge. Miraculously, after his death, a swarm of wasps protected his body, and later, a sudden river swept it away, ensuring it was not desecrated.

Three Sahaba, including Khubayb ibn Adi رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Zayd ibn al-Dathinah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, were captured and sold as slaves in Makkah. The Quraysh executed both men in retaliation for their roles in previous battles. Before his execution, Khubayb prayed two rak‘at, establishing the practice of salah before martyrdom. His noble character and unwavering faith left a lasting impression, even on his captors.

Bir Ma'una - 4 AH

Around the same time, Abu Bara' Amir ibn Malik, a chief from Najd, requested the Prophet ﷺ to send missionaries to teach his people about Islam. Assuring their safety, the Prophet ﷺ dispatched seventy of the best Quran reciters and preachers. However, Abu Bara's rival, Amir ibn Tufayl, conspired with other tribes to ambush the group at Bir Ma'una.

The Sahaba were surrounded by hundreds of warriors and brutally massacred. Only three survived: Ka'b ibn Zayd رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who was left for dead but later recovered, and Amr ibn Umayya رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Al-Mundhir ibn Muhammad رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who were away on an errand during the ambush. Al-Mundhir later chose to face the attackers and was killed, while Amr was spared and sent back to Madinah to report the tragedy.

The Prophet ﷺ received news of both the Incident of Al-Raji and the massacre at Bir Ma'una on the same night. Overcome with grief, he invoked Allah’s curse upon the treacherous tribes and prayed for the martyrs in every salah for an entire month. These events underscored the sacrifices of the Sahaba and the treachery faced in spreading Islam.

The Battle That Didn't Take Place - 4 AH

Following the Battle of Uhud in 3 AH, Abu Sufyan declared that the Quraysh would face the Muslims again at Badr in a year's time. In Sha'ban of the 4th year after Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, honoring this pledge, led a force of approximately 1,500 sahaba to Badr. Ali ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ was appointed as the flag bearer, and the Muslims camped at Badr for over a week, waiting for the Quraysh army.

Although the Quraysh initially gathered a force of around 2,000 men, they were unmotivated and indecisive. Claiming hardships such as drought and a difficult year, they abandoned their plan and returned to Makkah without engaging in battle.

Wives of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ - Part 1

The death of Khadijah left the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ deeply grieved, unable to smile for months. Recognizing his need for companionship and support, he was advised to remarry. Within a month, he married Sawda bint Zam’a رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا and was betrothed to Aisha bint Abi Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, though his marriage to Aisha was consummated three and a half years later.

Sawda bint Zam’a: A Selfless Companion

Sawda رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the eldest of the Prophet’s ﷺ wives, was previously married to Sakran ibn Amr. Known for her large build and slower pace, she once sought permission to leave Muzdalifah early during the farewell Hajj to avoid crowds. In her later years, fearing the Prophet ﷺ might divorce her, she selflessly offered her nights with him to Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, ensuring she remained among the Prophet’s ﷺ wives in the Hereafter.

Aisha bint Abi Bakr: : The Scholar of Islam

The marriage to Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا  was consummated in the second year after Hijrah. Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا, the daughter of Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and the youngest wife of the Prophet ﷺ, was known for her sharp intellect, eloquence, and deep understanding of religion. Raised in the household of revelation, she memorized countless hadiths and became one of the greatest teachers of the early Muslim community. After the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, scholars and companions would consult her for guidance in matters of faith, law, and ethics. Her knowledge, insight, and devotion made her a cornerstone in preserving the Sunnah and illuminating the path for generations to come.

Hafsa bint Umar: The Daughter of a Leader

Hafsa رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the daughter of Umar ibn Khattab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, became a widow when her husband, Khunais ibn Hudhafa رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, died from injuries sustained at Uhud. Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ proposed her marriage to both Uthman رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, but they refrained, knowing the Prophet ﷺ planned to marry her. Hafsa joined the Prophet’s household, symbolizing the bond between the Prophet ﷺ and Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ.

Zainab bint Khuzayma: The Mother of the Poor

Zainab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, known as “Umm al-Masakeen” for her charitable nature, was previously married to Tufayl ibn al-Harith رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and later Ubaydah ibn al-Harith رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who died in battle. She married the Prophet ﷺ in the third year of Hijrah but passed away just months later.

Umm Salama: The Resilient Widow

Umm Salama رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, a widow of Abu Salama رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, endured hardships during her migrations to Abyssinia and Madinah. Before his death, Abu Salama رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ encouraged her to remarry. The Prophet ﷺ honored her resilience and wisdom by marrying her, further strengthening her role in the early Muslim community.

Ghazwa Dhat al-Riqa - 4 AH

The timing of Ghazwa Dhat al-Riqa is a matter of debate. Ibn Ishaq places it in Sha'ban of the 4th year after Hijrah, shortly after the Battle of Uhud. Conversely, Bukhari dates the event after the Battle of Khaybar in 7 AH, with evidence supporting both views.

The Ghatafan tribe, infamous for their looting and lawlessness, posed a significant threat to Madinah. Reports indicated they were preparing a preemptive raid against the Muslims. In response, the Prophet ﷺ led an army of 700 men to confront them.

For one to two weeks, the Muslim forces camped near the Ghatafan tribe. Both sides refrained from initiating combat, with the Ghatafan ultimately retreating. Although no fighting occurred, the expedition demonstrated Muslim strength and deterred future aggression.

During this campaign, Allah revealed the procedure for performing prayer during times of danger, known as Salat al-Khawf. This guidance ensured that Muslims could maintain their connection to Allah even in precarious situations.

The Assassination Attempt by Ghawrath ibn al-Harith

On the return journey, Ghawrath ibn al-Harith, a Bedouin from Ghatafan, sought to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ. Spotting the Prophet ﷺ resting alone under a tree, Ghawrath seized the Prophet’s sword and threatened him.

The Prophet ﷺ remained calm, responding, "I am not scared of you," or in another report, "Allah will protect me." Overcome with fear, Ghawrath dropped the sword. The Prophet ﷺ picked it up and asked, "Who will protect you from me?" Ghawrath pleaded for mercy, promising never to oppose or aid anyone against the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ forgave him, and Ghawrath returned to his tribe, declaring, "I have come back from the best of all mankind."

Expulsion of Banu Nadir - 4 AH

The Banu Nadir, a Jewish tribe in Madinah, were involved in several incidents that made them a threat to the Muslim community. They were implicated in a plot to assassinate the People of the Suffa, though the conspiracy was uncovered, and no harm came from it. Additionally, they had provided logistical support to the Quraysh during the Battle of Uhud, offering geographical guidance against the Muslims. These actions led to growing suspicion of their loyalty.

The expulsion of the Banu Nadir was triggered by an incident involving Amr ibn Umayyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who killed two innocent men after the tragedy at Bir Ma’una. Seeking assistance in paying the blood money for the victims, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ turned to the Banu Nadir, as per the Constitution of Madinah. However, during his visit to them, they plotted to assassinate him. Thanks to divine revelation, the Prophet ﷺ was warned and swiftly left, narrowly avoiding harm.

Siege and Surrender

In response to the assassination attempt, the Prophet ﷺ laid siege to the Banu Nadir’s fortresses. The siege lasted for about a week to ten days. During this time, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, promised the Banu Nadir support, but his help never materialized. Eventually, the tribe surrendered, and the Prophet ﷺ allowed them to leave, taking with them only what they could carry on their camels.

The lands and properties of the expelled Banu Nadir were confiscated and redistributed among the Muhajirun and some Ansar who were landless. This redistribution was in line with Islamic principles of wealth equality, ensuring that wealth did not remain concentrated in the hands of a few elites. The move helped promote economic balance and support within the growing Muslim community. During the siege of Banu Nadir, Allah revealed the final verse banning alcohol. The prohibition had been gradual, starting with a verse acknowledging the harm of alcohol and ending with a complete ban.

Incident of the Ansari Women and Their Children

In pre-Islamic times, some Ansari women, who had experienced frequent miscarriages, made a practice of pledging their sons to Jewish tribes, believing that Jews had superior knowledge and protection, which would ensure the children’s safety and health. However, after the expulsion of the Banu Nadir, these sons, now grown and practicing Judaism, found themselves in a difficult position. Their Muslim mothers wanted them to return to Islam, but the situation was complicated by their Jewish upbringing.

In response to this dilemma, Allah revealed Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256), which states, “There is no compulsion in religion.” This verse emphasized that faith must be embraced willingly, and even if the sons had been raised as Jews, they were not to be forced to convert to Islam. This revelation affirmed the principle of religious freedom in Islam, allowing the individuals to choose their faith.