| Invasion of Banu Mustaliq | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Sa'd bin Ubadah | Haritha b. Abi Dirar | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown (Large amount of Muhammad's fighters) | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed (friendly fire) | 10 killed | ||||||
Invasion of Banu Mustaliq[1] took place in December, 627AD, 8th(Sha'ban) month of 6AH of the Islamic calendar.[3][4]
The operation was successful, and 200 families were taken as captives, 200 camels and 5000 sheep and goats, as well as a huge quantity of household goods, were captured as booty. The household goods were sold in an auction to the highest bidders.[2]
According to the Sealed Nectar, and the Sunni hadith collection Sunan Abu Dawud, only one Muslim was killed by mistake by a Helper. Juwayriya bint al-Harith, daughter of the Banu al-Mustaliq chief was one of the captives, and agreed to marry Muhammad in exchange for releasing 100 prisoners who converted to Islam, as compensation.[1][5][6]
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According to William Muir, Banu al-Mustaliq was a branch of the Khozaa (Jewish) tribe, who were friendly to Muhammad and his cause.However, 2 months after Muhammad returned from the Expedition of Dhu Qarad, Muhammad received some rumours that the Banu Mustaliq were preparing to attack him, so he sent a spy to confirm this.[6]
According to the Sealed Nectar, Buraidah bin Al-Haseeb Al-Aslami was dispatched to verify the reports. The Banu Mustaliq also believed that Muhammad was preparing to attack them. So they sent a spy reconnoiter to explore the positions of the Muslims, but he was captured and killed by the Muslims. Muhammad summoned his men and ordered them to prepare for war. Before leaving, Zaid bin Haritha was put in charge of Madinah.[1]
On hearing the advent of the Muslims, the tribe was terrified, and the Arabs that accompanied them defected and fled for their lives. Abu Bakr was entrusted as the commander of the Muhajir's (Emigrants), and Sa‘d bin ‘Ubada was the commander of the Ansar(Helpers). The two armies were stationed at a well called Muraisi, near the seashore, some short time away from Mecca. Arrow shooting went on for an hour, and then the Muslims advanced so rapidly, they surrounded the Banu Mustaliq and took the entire tribe as prisoners, with their families, herds and flock. The battle ended in full victory for the Muslims.[2][7]
Ali ibn Talib killed a few wounded Banu al-Mustaliq people; among them were Malik and his son.[6]
200 families were taken as captives, 200 camels, 5000 sheep, goats, as well as a huge quantity of household goods which were captured as booty. The household goods were sold in an auction to the highest bidder.[2]
Only one Muslim was killed by mistake by a Helper. Juwayriya bint al-Harith, daughter of the Banu al-Mutaliq chief was one of the captives, and agreed to marry Muhammad in exchange for releasing 100 prisoners who converted to Islam, as compensation (according to the Muslim scholar Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri).[5]
The Army remained at the well of Murasai for several days. An altercation took place between the Muhajir and Ansar. One of the Muhajir, named Jahja attacked an Ansar, and the 2 groups immediately clashed, but the quarrel was broken up by Muhammad.[1]
Abdullah bin ‘Ubai, who was referred to as the head of the Munafiq (hypocrites) by Muslim historians, was furious for the challenge which the Muslims showed towards the hostile plans and vicious intrigues woven behind closed doors, and swore "the most honourable will expel the meanest out of Madinah," and added: "They (the Muslims) have outnumbered and shared us our land. If you fatten your dog, it will eat you." When that talk was reported to the Muhammad, Umar,asked for permission to have Ibn ‘Ubai killed. Muhammad naturally turned down his proposal on the grounds that it did not become of a Prophet to be accused of killing his people.[1]
Abdullah ibn Ubai son "Abdullah ibn Abdullah ibn Ubai" was angry at his father for the disrespect he showed. When the army reached Madinah, he drew his sword against his father and barred his father’s entry into the town until he had confessed and declared that he himself was the meanest of the citizens of Madinah and that Muhammad was the most honourable of them. The son was ready to cut of his fathers head and bring it to Muhammad, if Muhammad wished.[1]
He said, according to the Muslim Historian Tabari:
“Messenger of God, I have been told that you want to kill ‘Abd Allah b. Ubayy because of what has been reported to you concerning him. If you are going to do it, command me to do it and I will bring you his head. By God, al-Khazraj know that there has never been among them a man more dutiful to his father than I. I am afraid that you may order someone else to do it and he may kill him; and then my soul will not allow me to look on the slayer of Abd Allah b. Ubayy walking among the people: I would kill him, killing a believer to avenge an unbeliever, and thereby enter the Fire [of hell].”
[Tabari, Volume 8, Victory of Islam , p. 55][6] [6]
According to the Sealed Nectar, Muhammad did not punish Abdullah ibn Ubai, due to public interest. Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Muhammad why he did not accept Umar's offer to kill him. To which Muhammad replied[1]:
"Don’t you see ‘Umar if I had had him (Abdullah bin Ubai) killed, a large number of dignitaries would have furiously hastened to fight for him. Now, on the contrary, if I ask them to kill him, they will do so out of their own free will." ‘Umar replied "I swear by Allâh that the Prophet’s judgement is much more sound than mine."
[Ibn Hisham 2/293, referenced in The Sealed Nectar]'[1]
The event if mentioned in many Sunni hadith. The Sahih Bukhari hadith collection mentions the event as follows:
I wrote a letter to Nafi and Nafi wrote in reply to my letter that the Prophet had suddenly attacked Bani Mustaliq without warning while they were heedless and their cattle were being watered at the places of water. Their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives; the Prophet got Juwairiya on that day. Nafi said that Ibn 'Umar had told him the above narration and that Ibn 'Umar was in that army.Sahih al-Bukhari, 76:1:422
The Sahih Muslim hadith collection mentions the incident as follows:
Ibn 'Aun reported: I wrote to Nafi' inquiring from him whether it was necessary to extend (to the disbelievers) an invitation to accept (Islam) before fighting them. He wrote (in reply) to me that it was necessary in the early days of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) made a raid upon Banu Mustaliq while they were unaware and their cattle were having a drink at the water. He killed those who fought and imprisoned others. On that very day, he captured Juwairiya bint al-Harith. Nafi' said that this tradition was related to him by Abdullah b. Umar who (himself) was among the raiding troops. Sahih Muslim, 19:4292
Many other hadith (traditions) mention a surprise attack, according to the historian Sir William Muir.[2]
The event is mentioned in Ibn Hisham's biography of Muhammad, the Muslim jurist Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya also mentioned the event in his biography of Muhammad called Zad al-Ma'ad.[1]