The Ultimate Jihad: The Battle of Tabuk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Ultimate Jihad: The Battle of Tabuk

Many battles have been fought in the name of Islam. The battle of Tabuk, also known as the expedition of Usra, in October of 630 CE was to be the last battle headed by the Prophet Muhammadﷺ. Approximately 30,000 Muslim men participated in the march to the north of Tabuk then; presently located in northwest of Saudi Arabia.

External Provocations

The Byzantine empire, one of the powerful states then, with the push of Christian Arabs, prepared a large army with the objective to put an end to Islam by attacking Medina.

Strong Leadership Rallying Actions

During that period, with widespread famine that caused scarcities of resources from food to war preparations, encompassing purchase of weapons, in addition to the large number of the enemy’s army, Prophet Muhammadﷺ did warn the Muslim soldiers of all the risks involved. Messengers were sent to Muslim tribes for a call to action.

Following that, rich Muslims were asked to contribute to the collective effort which garnered encouraging responses. Albeit money was channelled to the war preparations, each Muslim contributed in whatever way he or she could afford, ranging from dates to camels. Women did their part, too. They gave up their jewellery for the war effort which helped in paying for the required resources, such as equipment for the expedition.

Sifting Munafiqs from the Ummah

An opportunity to unite Muslims also surfaced the opportunity to identify hypocrites lurking in the community. This particular group gave many excuses, including casting doubts on Muslims to triumph over the Byzantine army, so that they could extract themselves from being part of the battle. Among a few Quranic verses which addressed this specific issue:

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئْذَن لِّى وَلَا تَفْتِنِّىٓ ۚ أَلَا فِى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا۟ ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

And among them there is one who says, “Allow me (to stay behind) and do not expose me to an ordeal.” Look! They have already fallen into an ordeal, and certainly Jahannam (the Hell) has the disbelievers encircled.

[Surah At-Tawbah 9:49]

March to Tabuk

With many impossibilities and hurdles conquered, under the leadership of the Prophet, 30,000 Muslim soldiers set off from Medina in the month of Rajab. The scorching heat of the sun did not deter these men from carrying out jihad in the name of Allah.

Many Challenges Experienced

During one of the many stops, the Muslim army was desperate for water. They even had to slaughter a camel to drink water. Again, the Munafiqs seized the opportunity to slander the Prophet ﷺ for not asking Allah for rain. Miraculously, with Allah’s blessings, the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer was answered, thus allowing the Muslim soldiers to fill their drinking containers.

Bloodless Battle Won

Upon arrival in Tabuk, the Byzantine army was nowhere to be found. The enemy had withdrawn at the last minute.

In Tabuk, the Prophet delivered a sermon; part of it emphasised piety to Allah in believers’ hearts whereby the highest wisdom is derived from the fear of one and only true God. And, doubt is a sign of infidelity of faith.

While in Tabuk, the Prophet was informed about a plague in Damascus, Syria. Narrated by Saud:

يُحَدِّثُ سَعْدًا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِالطَّاعُونِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلاَ تَدْخُلُوهَا، وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا فَلاَ تَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا ‏”

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5728]

During his stay in Tabuk lasting 20 days, smaller battles were won in the form of treaties. For instance with smaller pockets of the Jewish communities through jizyah — taxation in exchange for security, which upheld harmony despite religious differences.

  1. Isha says:

    alhamdulillah this helped me very much with my islamic studies research so jazakallah 🙂

    • Nurul Mimsy says:

      Jazakallah khair for reading our humble blog. Do let us know if there are any article requests for our writers to consider in the future 🙂

  2. Syed Najeeb says:

    No doubt Islam has emerged to the world and is enlighting us with all its beauty and character that it holds. The prophetic life is full of lessons that we should act as our Allah has ordained us through his revelations and the sunnah of the holy prophet. As muslim women and men participated as per their capapcities to fight the enemy of Allah, We should also as and when required. Today we can help our muslim bothers and sisters and not leaving them in lue=rch rather support them in any manner possible and can strengthen the message of Tabook in particulay & Islam in general
    jazakallah kher

  3. Okolo Talib says:

    I love the stories

  4. Sokhna says:

    MachaaAllah!!! Diazakakahu Khayran for this reminder. I enjoy it????????

  5. Abu Bakarr Baturay says:

    Very interesting narrative,my salutation to prophet mohammed (Peace and blessings be upon him) and the 30,000 Muslims soldiers..

  6. Umarr Sillah says:

    Very encouraging to believe and fight for a cause you believe in. The quotation that don’t go to a place where there is an outbreak of plaque and don’t leave a place where there is an outbreak is verily true in our present Covid-19 saga. We live to learn everyday

  7. Harvey Witt says:

    Remarkable History of the resolve of prophet Muhammad (Pbuh ). The believers and the love of Allah (SWT) for the believers. So inspiring ????

  8. shahzad shahid says:

    Jazak Allah khair,
    Keep up the good work!

  9. Isatou says:

    Allahamduillah very informative Mashalll may Allah bless the prophet Mohammed and his house hold

  10. Dilawer Ahmed Parkar says:

    Alhamdulillah this information is very good and accurate.

  11. Mohammed Merchant says:

    This story teaches have a complete faith in Allah SWT you will overcome all difficulties & successful

  12. Fazlo says:

    God is great

  13. Mariam says:

    This make me cry because of the betrayal of the munafigs. May Allah bless him Blessings to the creators of this wonderful app. Jazakyl Allah khair

  14. Yasmin Schirtzer says:

    I really enjoyed reading about our Muslim history, please post about
    the other wars.
    JazakAllah

  15. Mariam says:

    This make me cry because of the betrayal of the munafigs. May Allah bless him and all the faithfuls Ameen ya Raab. Blessings to the creators of this wonderful app. Jazakyl Allah khair

  16. Oley says:

    What a beautiful story of the prophet SAW and his companion May Allah be please with all of them
    Mas sah Allah well narrated

  17. Nizhonni Montti says:

    This is a beautiful inspiration to our beloved Prophet Muhammad I think I will get the book and read up on my beloved Prophet and all his achievements aided by God beautiful your new features very nice SubhanAllah!

  18. Amidu says:

    Enjoyed it.

  19. Munira says:

    So interesting narratives.

  20. Siraj says:

    MaShaa’Allah a good narrative

  21. Amina says:

    Very Informative Alhumdllilah

  22. عبدالله says:

    BarakaLlahufikum, it is a great reminder, i wish it could have been quite profound,

  23. Adan Gulleid says:

    Masha Allah that was interesting I love ❤ the stories

  24. Farhana says:

    SubhanAllahi

  25. Farhana says:

    Alhamdulilah

  26. Mojeed Yusuf says:

    Wonderful

  27. Ruslan says:

    Truly an additional knowledge that forelong the memories..tq for sharing

  28. Kishwar khan says:

    Yes enjoyed reading this article. Thankyou

  29. Alkali Waziri Abali says:

    May Allah strengthen the believers in faith,status and wisdom in the application of this beautiful story in their lives. May Allah also open the door of understanding for others as well.

    • Mohammed says:

      Amen 🙏☪️

    • Nuzhat T Qureshi says:

      Aameen.! JAKK for du’aa.

  30. Jelilu Frank says:

    Yes I enjoyed it

  31. Abdul Hakeem Kilanko says:

    I am more informed Jzk!I

    • Azhar Jameel says:

      سبحان اللہ

  32. Ridwanulahi Jimoh says:

    I love it and I don’t mind receiving this everyday about our Muslim tribe

    • Asmaa says:

      Very informative and easy to read summary of an important event in islam

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