THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 069 TABUK by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem Tabuk Tabuk, Rajab 9H It is a common misconception that all Romans referred to in Islamic literature were actually Romans, some who were classified as Romans were Arabs, others Byzantine and so on. They were in fact a protectorate of the Rome Empire in which they came under the wing of Rome but left to govern themselves, although subject to Roman taxation. It was now the ninth year and it was in the months that followed the victory of Hunain, that Heraclius, Emperor of Rome captured the City of Jerusalem from the pagan Persians who were then forced to retreat from both Syria and Egypt. From time to time traders from Syria would visit Medina to trade and this time they brought the misinformation that Heraclius had set his sight upon conquering Medina and had gone so far as to advance a year's pay to his soldiers because he expected it to be a lengthy campaign. In addition to the rumors, disturbing reports reached Medina that Heraclius' army had already marched as far south as Balka and succeeded to secure the support of the Arab tribes of Ghassan, Judham, Lakm and Amilah. The fact of the matter was the Arab governor of Tabuk was allied to the Romans, and it was he who proclaimed his intent to fight against the Muslims and had called upon Heraclius to help him achieve his aim. However, the Arab governor’s request was denied and Heraclius did not come to his assistance, but this remained unknown to the Muslims. The Largest Army yet in Islam Precaution was important so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) mustered the largest, best-equipped army ever before in the history of Islam. Until that time it had always been the strategy of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never to disclose the true objective of a mission until the very last moment so that his plans would not fall into the wrong hands. In fact, he would often set out in the opposite direction to foil his enemies. However, this time was the exception, it was imperative that adequate preparations be made for the long journey to Tabuk which would take place during the summer, a season of intense heat, across the scorching desert sands with its blinding brightness. It wasn't until later that registers were drawn up in which the names of the participants of a campaign were recorded, so for those reluctant to march with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), there was always a place of refuge in the shadows of the lush groves of Medina and the knowledge that unless Allah made it known to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) their absence would remain undetected. To the hypocrites the thought of engaging the Roman army was daunting, especially as the enemy would have the advantage of being well rested, whereas they would be weary from their arduous march and so the hypocrites would congregate in the house of a Jew by the name of Suwailam and encourage others to join them. There were, however, some others who were not hypocrites who were slow to march with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), their names were Ka'b, Malik's son; Abu Khuzaymah; Murarah Rabia Aamiri's son, and Hilal Umayyah Wakifi's son. Medina bustled with preparations and each day Ka'b would leave his home intending to prepare but never did. Wealthier Muslims were generous in spending in the cause of Allah and provided money to buy provisions, weapons and whatever was necessary. Othman, alone, contributed enough money to provide mounts and equipment for ten thousand men. However, despite the generosity of the wealthy there remained seven very poor, anxious Muslims remaining without mounts; five of them were from the Ansar and two were Bedouins, one from the Muzaynah and the other from the Ghatfan. In desperation they came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and begged him to provide them with mounts, but there were none left and so with heaviness of heart, sensitive to their great sorrow, he broke the news that they were to remain behind as the journey would be impossible without a mount. The Companions were grief stricken and broke down, weeping. Their sincerity is recorded in the Koran: "... And when you said, 'I can find no mounts for you,' they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears, grieving that they could not find the means to spend." Koran 9:92 The Arrival of the Bedouin Allies Now that their Bedouin allies had arrived the army was thirty thousand strong with a cavalry of ten thousand. It was expedient for a camp outside the City to be established to accommodate them as there was no room in Medina, and so the faithful, long time companion of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), Abu Bakr, was placed in charge of the arrangements. When the time came to set off the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) led his army out of Medina, leaving behind the women, children, hypocrites, the sick, the disabled, the seven who could not find mounts, those whose faith was weak, and Ka'b, Abu Khuzaymah, Murarah and Hilal. In addition to those that stayed behind, was Ali who the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had instructed to remain with his family. Soon, the tongues of the hypocrites began to wag with false rumors that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) found him a burden and did not wish for his company during the campaign. The words were so very hurtful that Ali could no longer bear them, for he loved the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) more than his own life, so he put on his armor and rode out to catch up with him. When Ali caught up with the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, he sought his permission to join him. Ali told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), of the rumors whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) denounced them saying, "They lie. I asked you to remain for the sake of those I had left behind. So return, and represent me in my family and yours." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) continued, "O Ali, are you not content that you should be to me as Aaron was to Moses, except that after me there is no prophet?" And so Ali returned with a contented heart to Medina. The March Northwards At dawn one morning thereafter, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was delayed and the time of prayer was about to expire. Everyone had assembled ready to pray behind him but when he did not appear, Abdur Rahman, Awf's son was elected to lead the prayer. At the beginning of the second unit of prayer the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) joined them and Abdur Rahman was about to step aside for him to lead the prayer, but the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) motioned that he should continued and prayed behind him. After the congregation concluded the prayer, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) rose and offered the missed unit. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then complemented Abdur Rahman saying, "You did very well, for indeed, a Prophet does not die until he has been led in prayer by a pious man of his people." Abu Khuzaymah Several days later, to escape the sweltering summer heat in Medina, Abu Khuzaymah decided to take a stroll in his garden underneath the cool shade of the trees. However, he received little comfort from it as his conscience troubled him even more than it had previously done so as he had begun to hate himself for not riding out with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). In the garden were two adobe houses belonging to his wives, as he approached them he noticed they had thrown water over them so as to keep them cool and that they had prepared a meal for him with a refreshing, cool drink of water poured from an earthenware jug. As he stood at the entrance of one of the homes he exclaimed, "The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) faces the glare of the sun, and is exposed to hot winds, yet Abu Khuzaymah enjoys the coolness of the shade, with his food prepared by two good women, living at ease in his home!" Without further ado, he told his wives, "By Allah, I will not enter your homes until after I have joined the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), so prepare provisions for me." His wives brought food and water as he saddled his camel then he set off in all haste to join him. The Ruins of Thamood During the march across the desert the army took the route which would pass by the homes that once belonged to the people of Thamood. The fate of the people of Thamood was well known by the Muslims as Allah made mention of their disobedience to Him and their prophet in the Koran. The only visible sign of their existence were their centuries old ruined homes hewn out of the cliffs. Before the army reached Thamood, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gave instructions that none should to stay there, nor yet drink or use its water, Allah says: “(Then) they hamstrung the she-camel and defied the order of their Lord saying to Salih, ‘Bring down that which you have promised us if you truly are one of the Messengers.’ Thereupon the earthquake seized them, at morning in their dwellings they were crouched, dead. He turned to them saying, ‘I conveyed to you my nation the Message of my Lord and gave you counsel, but you have no love for sincere advisers.’” Koran 7:77-79 The Spring of Tabuk At a halt several miles outside Tabuk, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his army, "Allah willing, tomorrow, you will reach the spring of Tabuk. You will not reach it until the sun is hot. Whosoever reaches it must not touch its water until I arrive. However, two of the first men to reach the spring used its water. Later in the day, when the rest of the army reached the spring, the spring had become no more than a trickle and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked why his ordered had been disobeyed and mildly rebuked the two men responsible. Then, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) washed his hands and face with its water and put the water back. With a thunderous sound, water gushed forth and the entire army satisfied all their needs. Mu’az happened to be standing by the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) as the water gushed forth and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) turned to him saying, "O Mu’az, perhaps you will live to see this place become an oasis with many gardens". And so it was that in the years to follow the prophecy was fulfilled on account of his blessing. The Arrival of Abu Khuzaymah As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) rested with his Companions someone happened to mention that they had not seen Ka'b and asked where he was. A tribesman from the Salimah commented he had not accompanied them because of his love of wealth, but Jabal's son jumped to his defense informing him he only knew good things about him and chided the tribesman for speaking in such a manner. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) made no comment. Not long after, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spotted a rider in the distance wearing a white cloak riding towards them and said, “Let it be Abu Khuzaymah" and it was. Unfounded Rumors The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) stayed at Tabuk for twenty days and concluded that the rumors of the impending attack were false and nothing other than misinformation. However, the march was far from wasted as he met with two settlements, one Christian and the other Jewish, whereupon a peace treaty had been drawn up between them, which would, in return for an annual tax guarantee that they would be protected by Muslims. The Stronghold at Dumat Al Jandal Now that the danger was over, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent Khalid together with a cavalry of four hundred and twenty on to Dumat Al Jandal that lay to the north-east of Tabuk, and was just five halts from Damascus. Dumat al Jandal was an important location on the road between Iraq and Medina as well as Syria. During this time, Khalid happened to be out hunting when, quite unexpectedly he came across Ukaydir, an Arab chieftain who owed allegiance to the Roman Empire. Khalid spoke to Ukaydir about Islam and shortly after they journeyed to Medina where he embraced Islam and allied himself to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). The Return from Tabuk Upon the Prophet's return from Tabuk he learned his daughter, Lady Umm Kulthum had passed away. Both the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Othman, her husband who had also been at Tabuk, were deeply saddened by the news and went to her grave where the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) prayed for her. Othman had been a good husband to his daughter and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) consoled him saying that if he had another unmarried daughter he would have given her to him in marriage. In the years to come Othman was to become the third caliph. Tabuk 068 Back Cover Subtitles Tabuk, Rajab 9H The Largest Army yet in Islam The Arrival of the Bedouin Allies The March Northwards Abu Khuzaymah The Ruins of Thamood The Spring of Tabuk The Arrival of Abu Khuzaymah Unfounded Rumors The Stronghold at Dumat Al Jandal The Return from Tabuk