Expedition of Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib
Expedition of Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib (Arabic: سرية حمزة بن عبد المطلب), also known as Sīf Al-Baḥr platoon (Arabic: سرية سِيفُ البَحْرِ), was the first expedition sent out by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was sent in A.H. 1 of the Islamic calendar in the month of Ramadan (March, 623 CE).
| Expedition of Hamzah ibn 'Abdul Muttalib | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Muhajirun (Muslim exiles to Medina) | Quraish of Mecca | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Hamza | Abu Jahl | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 30-40 | 300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | None | ||||||
The raid, which was to intercept a caravan that belonged to Quraish, was undertaken by the Muhajirun (Muslim exiles in Medina) alone (none of the Ansar, Helpers of Madinah, participated in it).[1]
Description
The raid was ordered by Muhammad seven to nine months after the Hijrah. It was led by Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle) and comprising 30 to 40 men with a definite task of intercepting a caravan that belonged to Quraish. ‘Amr ibn Hishām (Abu Jahl), the leader of the caravan was camping at al-‘Is with 300 Meccan riders.[1][2][3][4]
The two parties encountered each other, aligned and stood face to face in preparation for battle but Majdi ibn ‘Amr al-Juhani, a Quraysh who was friendly to both the parties intervened between them; so both parties separated without fighting. Hamza returned to Medina and Abu Jahl proceeded towards Mecca.
On that occasion, Muhammad accredited the first flag of Islam. Kinaz ibn Husain Al-Ghanawi was given the task of carrying it, and it was white in color.[1][2][3][4][5]
Location
The event took place on the seashore in the neighborhood of aI-‘Īṣ (العيص), in the territory of Banū Juhayna, between Mecca and Medina.
References
- Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar (Free Version), p. 127.
- Mubarakpuri, When the Moon Split, p. 147.
- Haykal, Husayn (1976), The Life of Muhammad, Islamic Book Trust, pp. 217–218, ISBN 978-983-9154-17-7
- Hawarey, Dr. Mosab (2010). The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (in Arabic). Islamic Book Trust. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. The book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic. English version here
- Muḥammad Ibn ʻAbd al-Wahhāb, Mukhtaṣar zād al-maʻād, p. 345.
- Books and journals
- Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri (1996). The Sealed Nectar. Riyadh. p. 202.
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