Battle of Honey Springs

The Expedition of Dhu Qarad also known as the Expedition of Ghaba[2] took place in September, 627AD, 6AH of the Islamic calendar, some scholars say that it took place just before the Battle of Khaybar, in the 12th month of 6AH.[3][4]

A few days after Muhammad returned Medina from the raid on the Banu Lihyan, a band of armed men of Ghatafan led by Abdur Rahman Uyanah bin Hisn Al-Fazari raided the outskirts of the city; and seized 20 milch camels. They also killed the shepherd and took his wife as a captive.[5]

Expedition

Background and reason for attack

According to William Montgomery Watt, Uyaynah b. Hisn al-Fazari was annoyed because Muhammad had broken off negotiations with him over the withdrawal of Ghatafan.[6]

Abdur Rahman Uyanah bin Hisn Al-Fazari made a raid, looted the camels, and killed the man who looked after them and kidnapped his wife. Salamah ibn al-Akwa was the first to find this out, and he chased after him. Muhammad later found out and joined the chase.[5]

The place by which it was fought is known as Dhu Qarad, a reservoir of water at a day's journey from Madinah. According to the majority of scholars, this incident took place three days before the battle of Khaibar.[1]

Muslim response

A hunt took place, and the camel and the kidnapped women were brought back. Muhammad on his way back to Medina stopped at a place called Dhu Qarad and sacrificed a camel.[5]

Muhammad collected 500-700 fighters, but followed up by sending 8 horsemen. Only 40 enemy horsemen were involved, and the booty Muslims captured was 20 milking camels. Half the camels were recovered, and while doing so, the Muslims killed 4 of the raiders while suffering the same loss of their own men.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Watt, W. Montgomery (1956). Muhammad at Medina. Oxford University Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-19-577307-1. Then there was the raid on Muhammad's private herd of camels by 'Uyaynah b. Hisn al-Fazari, who was doubtless annoyed because Muhammad had broken off negotiations with him over the withdrawal of Ghatafan. The raid was a small affair. Only 40 enemy horsemen were involved, and the booty was only 20 milking camels; 8 Muslims pursued on horseback, recovered half the camels, and killed 4 of the raiders for the loss of i of their own number. (free online)
  2. ^ a b Mubarakpuri, Saifur Rahman Al (2002), When the Moon Split, DarusSalam, p. 228, ISBN 978-9960-897-28-8
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ Tabari, Al (25 Sep 1990), The last years of the Prophet, translated by Isma’il Qurban Husayn, State University of New York Press
  5. ^ a b c Mufti, M. Mukarram Ahmed (Dec 2007), Encyclopaedia of Islam, Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd., p. 228, ISBN 978-81-261-2339-1
  6. ^ Watt, W. Montgomery (1956). Muhammad at Medina. Oxford University Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-19-577307-1. Then there was the raid on Muhammad's private herd of camels by 'Uyaynah b. Hisn al-Fazari, who was doubtless annoyed because Muhammad had broken off negotiations with him over the withdrawal of Ghatafan. The raid was a small affair. Only 40 enemy horsemen were involved, and the booty was only 20 milking camels; 8 Muslims pursued on horseback, recovered half the camels, and killed 4 of the raiders for the loss of i of their own number. (free online)
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_of_Dhu_Qarad