Events of The Tabuk Expedition

/ Ninth Year of Hijra / By Skills Creator

Give a brief description of the main events of the Tabuk Expedition?

Causes of the Expedition of Tabuk

The Christians had a hostile relation with Muslims since the time of the
Battle of Mautah. The Byzantines were afraid of the growth of Arabia and
the spread of Islam. Caesar, Heraclius, could not ignore the progressive
danger threatening his borders. So, he concluded to demolish the power of
Muslims before they became powerful enough to conquer. To meet the
requirements, Caesar gathered a massive army of the Byzantines to launch a
decisive battle.

Expedition of Tabuk

The news of the Byzantine’s preparation had spread fear amongst the
Muslims of Madinah. That was a difficult time for Madinah to wage a war
because there was a famine in Hijaz. Date crop was ready to pick the
weather was intensively hot. Additionally, a rugged distance had to be
covered in case Muslims decided to encounter the expected danger.
Besides, the hypocrites of Madinah made it more difficult by casting seeds
of fear in Madinah.

Few tribesmen brought the news of Heraclius’ preparation and equipment of

an enormous army numbering over 40,000. The Prophet (S.A.W) thought if
he delayed the situation, it would leave an awful impression on Islam and the
credibility of the Muslim army.

Preparation For the War

Despite the hardships that Muslims were

suffering from, He (S.A.W) was determined to
spoil Roman’s attempt to approach the land of
Islam. The Prophet (S.A.W) ordered his
companions to get ready for war and sent
messages to Makkans and other tribes for
their assistance. Almost all Muslims
responded positively except hypocrites who
made excuses to stay behind, only three
people with true faith did not participate in this
expedition.

Muslims did not have enough supplies and arms, so Prophet (S.A.W) asked
Muslims to contribute to the expedition. The companions sacrificed hugely
at this time. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) donated all of his wealth, leaving himself
with nothing but Allah and His Messenger as a fortune for his family. Hazrat
Umar (R.A) gave half of his wealth, Hazrat Usman (R.A) donated 300
camels, 50 horses, and 10,000 Dinars. The Prophet (S.A.W)
remarked: “Whatever Uthman does from this day onward, he will suffer
no harm.” Hazrat Abdur Rehman bin Auf (R.A) paid 8000 Dirhams worth of
silver. Muslim women also contributed by donating their ornaments.
Administration Affiars

Prophet (S.A.W) appointed Mohammad bin Maslamah (R.A) as in charge of

Madinah, and Hazrat Ali (R.A) was left to look after the women and children.
Hazrat Ali (R.A) chased Mohammad (S.A.W), but the Prophet (S.A.W) turned
him back to Madinah by saying: “Are you not content, Ali, that you are to
me as Haroon was to Musa, except that there will be no Prophet after
me?”

Ali ibn Talib (R.A)

Hazrat Ali was Known as Asadullah – The Lion of Allah, due to his courage
and bravery, he was elected as the fourth Muslim Caliph.

Bilal ibn Rabah (R.A)

Bilal ibn Rabah R.A, the first Muazzin of Islam, was one of the most trusted
and loyal companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Departing For the War

In 630 A.D. / 9 A.H, 30,000 men marched towards Tabuk under the
leadership of the Prophet (S.A.W) to face the Byzantines. Despite donations,
the army was not well equipped. There was a shortage of mounts, to the
extent that eighteen men mounted one camel in turns. Due to the lack of
provisions, the army had to eat leaves, and few others had to slaughter their
camels. It was a challenging journey that took seven days.

After arriving at Tabuk and camping there, the Muslim army was ready to
face the enemy. However, the Roman army was surprised that Muslims did
not show up for combat. The Prophet (S.A.W) sent small expeditions to
various neighboring tribes. Consequently, the alliance of Christian tribes
(Tabuk, Dumat, Ailah and Taima) agreed to come under the protection of
Muslims and were ready to give Jizya. Prophet (S.A.W) gave them a
guarantee letter.

Soon the Romans had withdrawn from the border towns and decided not to
encroach on Muslims’ land. When the Prophet (S.A.W) saw no reason to
pursue them in their territory, He returned to Madinah after 20 days. While
returning, the hypocrites tried to kill the Prophet (S.A.W) but Hazrat Huzaifa
(R.A) well-defended Prophet (S.A.W). About this event, the Quran
states: “And they resolved that (plot to murder Prophet Mohammad
(S.A.W) which they were unable to carry out.” (9:74 Al-Tauba)

Decision Regarding Hypocrites

Upon Prophet (S.A.W)’s arrival in Madinah, the Hypocrites who had stayed
behind came to him to repeat their excuses. Prophet (S.A.W) did not criticize
them. He (S.A.W) was confident that Allah would deal with them. As for the
three sincere believers, Kab bin Malik (R.A), Murra bin Rabi (R.A) and Hilal
bin Umayya (R.A), who favored speaking the truth, Allah’s Messenger
(S.A.W) directed his companions not to talk to them. After 50 days’
shunning, Allah turned to them. Allah revealed the verses of Surah Tauba and
accepted their repentance.

And ˹Allah has also turned in mercy to˺ the three who had
remained behind, ˹whose guilt distressed them˺ until the
earth, despite its vastness, seemed to close in on them, and
their souls were torn in anguish. They knew there was no
refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them in
mercy so that they might repent. Surely Allah ˹alone˺ is the
Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
(Surah Taua - 118)
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Explain significance/effects of Tabuk Expedition? / Explain the

importance of Tabuk Expedition?
The failure of Romans in their attempt to invade Arabian lands brought
prestige and strength to Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula. It confirmed the
Muslims’ domination all over Arabia, and it was clear to everybody that the
power of Islam and its followers would live among the Arabs. Moreover,
unbelievers and the hypocrite who continuously relied on Byzantines for
support to work against Islam had lost their hopes. Realizing that there was
no way out and that they had failed, they gave up their attempts. Though,
after the death of Abdullah bin Ubai, Allah ordered Muslims to treat them
severely.

Masjid-e-Diraar

Allah revealed the truth about the Masjid Al-Diraar. They never worshipped
there, but they utilized it as a secret place to plot and conspire against Islam.
After receiving a revelation, Prophet (S.A.W) sent his companions to
demolish the mosque.

Islam spread all over Arabia. The Expedition of Tabuk was the last campaign
of the Prophet (S.A.W). The vast number of delegations visited successively
to meet Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) to accept faith or join hands with him.
These delegations were frequent and more numerous than those which
came after the conquest of Makkah.

Consolidation of Islam

At the end of the 9th Hijra, Arabia had been unified under the banner of
Islam. Pilgrimage became obligatory for Muslims in this year with the
following revelation “Pilgrimage thereto is duty men owe to Allah those
who can afford the journey.” (Al – Imran 3:97)

Abu Bakr (R.A) was appointed the Ameer-ul-Haj. Henceforward, the non-
Muslims were not allowed to visit the Kaaba or perform the pilgrimage.