Episode 22: A Spotlight on Miscellaneous Expeditions

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Amongst the expeditions the prophet dispatched was that of Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf was the most resentful Jew at Islam and the Muslims, the keenest on inflicting harm on the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the most zealous advocate of waging war against him.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He was a wealthy man known for his handsomeness and freshness.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He was one of the best poets in Arab Peninsula. He lived in his fort south east of Medina at the rear of Banu Nadeer’s habitations.

On hearing the news of Badr that Muslims were granted victory over the notable men of Mecca, he got terribly exasperated. With heart full of hatred towards the prophet and his companions, he said "If indeed Muhammad killed those men, I shall prefer death than life then."

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He wrote poems satirizing Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, eulogizing Quraish's killed men and enticing them against the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, trying his outmost efforts to trigger the fire of war.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He himself was eager to rage war against the prophet and to take part in it.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: When he reached Mecca, Abu Sufyan asked him which religion he was more inclined to, their religion or that of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He said "Surely yours, for yours are better guided"! Regarding this false speech Allah revealed

{أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هَؤُلَاءِ أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا} [ النساء: 51]

Interpretation of the meaning: "Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the Book was given? They believe in baseless superstitions and (false deities), and say about the unbelievers that they are better guided than those who believe" [Al-Nisaa: 51]

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: After his return to Medina, he started a fresh campaign of slanderous propaganda that took the form of obscene sonnets with intentions of defaming the Muslim women and hatred poems towards the prophet and his companions.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Abusing them with his foul mouth, and vilifying the prophet and his comanions, just then the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said “Who will kill Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf? He had maligned Allah, and His Messenger.”

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Muhammad bin Maslamah then volunteered.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: And 'Abbad bin beshr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Abu Naela, Ka'b's foster brother.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: and Al-Harith bin Aws, Abu 'Abs bin Jabr, all under the leadership of Muhammad bin Maslamah.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Soon Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) started implementing that plan the prophet ordered them along with his companions to kill Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Muhammad bin Masalamh went to that malicious apostle Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf and pretended to speak evil of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He said "We've followed that prophet even though we didn't know if he was honest or not and he has made up his mind to collect charity (from us) and this has put us to a great hardship. Now see if you could lend us two Wasq (measurement unit of food) of food so that we may pay Muhammad"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "What will you mortgage in return?" K'ab inquired, ibn Maslamah responded "What do you want" then Ka'b said "Pawn your women!"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Muhammad said: “Should we pledge our women whereas you are the most handsome of the Arabs!"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "Then; pawn your children" K'ab said

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: "How could we pledge you our children so that the son of one of us may be abused by saying that he was pledged for two wasq(measurement unit of weight) of food?" Muhammad bin Masalamah again said

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "But we can pledge you our weapons"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Ka'b agreed and Muhammad bin Maslamah promised him to return with the mortgaged weapons.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Then Abu Naela came to Ka'b and offered him exactly what Ibn Maslamah offered.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Abu Na'ela went to complete the plan Muhammad bin Maslamah started. He talked to Ka'b Al-Ashraf about the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He said "This man's emigration had brought upon us nothing but enmity. Indeed his arrival was a source of torment and misery and the Arabs all fought us

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "And we've become needy and very poor. Our children were starved as well ourselves!" and so the conversation went much like how it went with Muhammad bin Maslamah till Ka'b was convinced that those people indeed was bored out and wish the worst for the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: When Ka'b Al-Ashraf felt reassured of Abu Na'ela causes for he was his foster brother, Abu Na'ela sensing this said "I'd like to bring you some of my companions having the same opinions and wish for a loan as well if you could lend them and be hospitable"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: On Rabi‘Al-Awwal 14th, at night, the year 3 A.H. on a full moon night, the expedition were all gathered.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet escorted them to Al-Baqee'; advised and then prayed for them "Go forth in the name of Allah;O Lord aid them; O Lord grant them victory; O Lord aid them"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went back home; praying for them and supplicating Allah to render them success.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The men reached Ka'b's place and Abu Na'ela who was his foster brother as we previously said called upon him. He responded and came down although his wife whom he had just recently married warned him

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: She wondered "At this time of night? I hear a voice which sounds like the voice of murder" and it was as if she could sense something wrong going to happen to him.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He said: “It is only Muhammad bin Maslamah and my foster brother Abu Na’ilah. When a gentleman is called even if he be pierced with a spear, he should respond to the call.”

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He came out and approached them. His aromatic perfume is enveloping the night. iI was one of the best sweet smelling essences in Medina then.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: In the meantime, while they were waiting for Ka'b, Abu Na’elah said to his companions: “As he comes down, I will extend my hand towards his head to smell and when I hold him fast, you should kill him on the spot" then Ka'b came out

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They talked for some time while walking together then Abu Na’elah remarked: “I smell the nicest perfume from you.Allow me to smell (the scent on your head)”. He said: “Yes, you may smell.” Abu Na'ela neared him, he smelled his head and let his companions smell it as well.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He asked to smell it for the second time, praising the scent even more and repeated this till Ka'b was well pleased with his foster brother. So when he repeated this for the third time.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He caught his head in his hands and held it fast

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He addressed his companions "Kill the enemy of Allah" their piercing swords all went through his body at once. He screamed very loudly that all homes around were terrified of it. No one in the Jews' fort was asleep anymore.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: But Allah have killed Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf and the Muslims got rid of his evils.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The expedition came back to the prophet. As they reached Al-Gharqad, they shouted "Allah is the Greatest"

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم heard their shouts of "Allah is the greatest" he said: “Cheerful faces are yours; Oh cheerful faces of yours; O cheerful faces of yours” In reply, they said: “And yours O Messenger of Allah.”

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: A delegation from the two tribes of ‘Adhl and Al-Qarah came to the prophet and claimed that they have some Muslims among them.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They asked the prophet to send a group of Companions with them to instruct their people in religion, and how to recite the Quran. The prophet believed them.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم responded to their request and sent out with them ten of his Companions, under the command of Marthad bin Abi Marthad Al-Ghanawi.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He صلى الله عليه وسلم sent them to teach the people of 'Adl and Qarah the Islamic teachings. When they reached a spot called Ar-Raji‘; a watering place of Huthail between Rabigh and Jeddah.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They cried for a clan of Huthail called Banu Lihyan. They followed them till they reached their place and surrounded the prophet's companions.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The companions tried to take shelter on some high ground or a near mountain till those treacherous said

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: They wanted to get them down off that high ground "If you come down, we shall not kill any of you"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: As for 'Asim (may Allah be pleased with him) he refused to surrender and fought them, shooting arrows at them along seven of his fellows till he was killed.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They killed all of them till two men were left, Khubaib bin 'Adiyy and Zaid bin Ad-Defenna. They repeated the pledge upon them again and as both came down, they were captured and sold in Mecca.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Safwan bin Omaiyah purchased Zaid bin Ad-Defenna, and killed him, avenging his father.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: But Khubaib was imprisoned for a time; (may Allah be pleased with him) and miracles happened as a notion of honoring Khubaib. He was once seen eating from a bunch of grapes in his hand while he was fettered with iron chains, and [at that time] there was no fruit in Mecca at all.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Then they resolved to kill him. They took him outside the boundaries of the sacred precincts to At-Tan'eam.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They crucified him. When they approached to kill, he asked them to let him offer two rak'a prayer before his Lord سبحانه وتعالى

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He desired his last moment to be while he is worshipping his Lord. Observe how the believer when senses Allah's love he could not find patience and support except through praying.

{وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ} [البقرة: 45]

Interpretation of the meaining: "Seek help with the praying and fortitude: no doubt, prayer is a hard task but not for those obedient servants." [Al-Baqara: 45]

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: After the final greeting, he turned to his executioners, and said: “Had I not been afraid that you would think that I was afraid of death, I would have prayed for a long time.” Then he raised his hands, supplicating his Lord

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: "O Lord! Count them one by one, exterminate them to the last one. The confederates have gathered their tribes around me, And summoned all of them who could come."

 Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He directed himself towards his Lord, supplicating Allah, addressing his sorrow only to him سبحانه وتعالى

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Khubaib went on "They have gathered their women and children, and I am bound fast to a lofty trunk."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: To Allah alone I complain of my helplessness and sufferings,

And of the death, the confederates have prepared for me.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Lord of the Throne! Give me endurance against their design,

They have cut my flesh bit by bit, and I have been deprived of sustenance.

They let me choose infidelity but death is preferable,

Tears roll out of my eyes, though not of fear.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: By Allah! I fear not if I die a Muslim,

On what side I fall for the sake of Allah.

And that, all for the sake of Allah

And If Lord so desires, shall bless my torn limbs and broken joints.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Abu Sufyan then desired to infuriate him, wondering to what extent that fellow cherishes Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, whom for him he was going to be crucified this moment and killed. Abu Sufyan wanted to hear his defection from Muhammad religion in words.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Abu Sufyan addressed him “I adjure you by Allah, don’t you wish that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم were here in your place so that we might cut off his head, and that you were with your family?”

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He (may Allah be pleased with him) who loves the prophet profoundly said "By Allah, I do not wish that even a thorn could hurt him wherever he was, while I'm sitting with my family.”

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They crucified him, appointed some youngsters to guard his corpse. ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari carried his corpse stealthily at night and buried it somewhere

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It was ‘Uqbah bin Al-Harith, who crucified Khubaib for his father had been killed by Khubaib himself

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Quraish, whom ‘Asim had killed one of their notables in Bader Battle, sent someone to fetch his body

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: But Allah had sent a large swarm of hornets to shield him against any malicious tampering cause by polytheists.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: At night, Allah The Exalted sent heavy rain, and it carried ‘Aasim’s corpse away, thus they did not reach him.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab, when hearing that the hornets shielded 'Asim's corpse exclaimed, “Allah verily protects His believing slave after death just as He does during his lifespan"

(The confederates have gathered their tribes around me,

they summoned all of them who could come.

They have gathered their women and children,

I am bound fast to a lofty trunk.

 To Allah alone I complain of my helplessness and sufferings,

And of the death, the confederates have prepared for me.)

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Ma‘una Well tragedy, which was even more horrible than that of Ar-Raji‘, took place in the same month.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Ma'una Well calamity, this ordeal that the prophet's companions suffered and saddened the prophet greatly.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: ‘Amir bin Malik whose nickname is ‘Spear Player’ came to prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in Medina. The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم called him to embrace Islam but he neither agreed nor departed away.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He said: “O Messenger of Allâh, if you dispatch some of your Companions to the people of Najd to call them unto Islam, I expect them to accept it readily.”

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The prophet said "I am afraid the people of Najd Will kill them.” The prophet said. But 'Amir replied, “I will protect them.”

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The prophet believed him and dispatched seventy of the companions under the leadership of Al-Monthir bin 'Amr from Banu Sa'idah. They were the best and most learned in the Qur’an and jurisprudence.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: they used to gather firewood to buy food for the people of ‘Ahl As-Suffah’ as charity by day and study, meditate on the meanings of the Qur’an by night. They used to pray at night, prostrating before their Lord, praising him and glorifying his mighty.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They arrived at Ma'una's Well which was a property of Hurra of Banu Salim. They sent the Message of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم with Haram bin Milhan to the enemy of Allâh ‘Amir bin At-Tufail.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: ‘Amir never read the Message but rather ordered a man to spear Haram in the back.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: When the spear penetrated Haram’s body, and he started top abundantly bleed, he realized he was going to die for the sake of Allah

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He took some of his blood in his hands and wiped his face with it

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Then he said his famous quote which the history recorded

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: “Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest. By Lord of Al-Ka‘bah Iam victorious!”

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: "By Allah; the Lord of the Ka'bah; I've won"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Then the enemy of Allah, promptly, called out Bani ‘Amir to troop against the rest of the companions. Bani ‘Amir refused because they were under the protection of Abu Al-Bara’.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: But the people of ‘Asiyah, Ra'l and Dhakwan, who were folks of Bani Saleem, responded to his call and encircled the prophet's companions left.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They killed them all at once; except for Ka'b bin Zaid bin An-Najjar (may Allah be pleased with him) who was killed later

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It was a new treacherous act amongst several others of the polytheists towards the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari and Al-Mundhir bin ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir, who were entrusted to graze Muslims’ herd not very far from them, saw the birds circling in the air

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Al-Mundhir rushed to share in the fight till he was killed amongst his companions.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: But 'Amr bin Omaiyya returned back to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to convey the news of the painful disaster

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was informed of the disaster that occurred to his companions by betrayal and treachery

 Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet grieved over his companions. The calamity impacted him greatly صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: It is the sorrow that made his heart ached. He صلى الله عليه وسلم poured it out through invoking Allah's wrath against Ra'L, Dhakwan and 'Asiya. He spent thirty days invoking Allah's wrath against them "Asiyah disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Therefore, Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent down unto His Messenger a Quran verse that they kept on reciting till it was abrogated later on

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "Inform our folks that we have met you (Allah) in a way that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Accordingly, the prophet stopped invoking Allah's wrath against those treacherous clans.

(The pure honest companions of the prophet have made even the graves vivaciously glad to have them. Don't you see Haram bin Malhan. Indeed he said it "Allah is the greatest. By the Lord of Al-Ka'bah, I've won" What an honored way of death that those heroes accomplished and what shame Ibn At-Tufail had committed.)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The first expedition the prophet dispatched after the invasion of Al-Ahzab and Banu Quraythah was that of Muhammad bin Maslamah consisting of thirty men (may Allah be pleased with them all)

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They headed for the habitation of Bani Bakr in Najd. The Muslims attacked them and dispersed them in all directions. Plenty of spoils fell to the lot of the Muslims

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Amongst those they captured Thumamah bin Uthal Al-Hanafi, chief of Bani Hanifa

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Thumamah is the one who had gone out by order of Musailama, the Liar, to assassinate the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet’s Companions captured him and tied him to a pole of the Prophetic Masjid (Mosque) till the prophet talk to him and direct his orders regarding this man.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet approached Thumamah and asked him, "What do you think shall we do with you Thumamah?"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Thumamah used to say, “If you were to kill me, you'd be killing one of a noble blood who belongs to a powerful tribe, and if you were to be gracious, then you're to a grateful man"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: "and if you were to ask for money, you are asking for it from a generous man.” The prophet would turn away from him and let him be.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet passed by him again and the same question and reply repeated from both parties.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: On the third night, the prophet asked him the same question and received the same answer.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: On the third time,  the prophet ordered, "release Thumamah."

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He soon went nearby, washed and then came back to profess the new faith and embrace Islam

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He told the prophet "No face on earth had been more awful to me than yours"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "but now your face is the loveliest to my heart. No religion had ever been more repugnant to me than yours"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: "Now, it is the dearest in my heart. Now I want to perform the ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).”

 Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave him good tidings and asked him to go and do it.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: When he arrived at Mecca, the polytheists asked him, "Did you apostatize, Thumamah?" He firmly answered, "By Allah, I did not, but I embraced Islam and followed Muhammad."

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Then he swore that they would never get a grain from Yamamah unless the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would allow it and those grains were essential to Mecca's people food.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Afterwards, he returned back home and refused to send food supplies to Mecca till Quraysh starved

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Seveal pleas were made to the prophet, asking him صلى الله عليه وسلم to consider the blood relations "O Muhammad, allow Thumamah to resume sending grains and food supplies from Yamamah." They earnestly plead till the prophet interceded and allowed Thumamah to do so.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The expedition to 'Uraniyyeen, one of the expeditions the prophet sent to punish the treacherous tribes.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The expedition leady by Al-Karz bin Jaber Al-fihri to the 'Uraniyyeen; on the sixth year A.H. specifically on Shawwal.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The cause of it is that some people belonging to tribe of ‘Uraina came to Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and made pretensions to Islam. They stayed in Medina but found its climate uncongenial and were sickened.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They claimed they got sick due to the Medina's weather; so the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم provided them with milking camels and a shepherd and ordered them to leave the Medina to drink camels' milk and urine (as medicine).

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet ordered them to get out of Medina and head to the camels of charity and to drink camels' milk and urine

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They did so and were all right. Then why did they do next?

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They apostatized after embracing Islam and fell on the shepherd the prophet sent to provide them, killing him and frayed his eyes and gouged it out!

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: On hearing their heinous treacherous act, the prophet sent Al-Karz Al-Fihri's expedition to capture them. The expedition included twenty of the prophet's companions

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: And he صلى الله عليه وسلم invoked Allah against them "O Allah guide them not;,let them astray and lose their way and make it narrower than ever for them"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon:  And indeed this happened to them. They lost their way till the expedition caught up to them.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They captured them and handed them over to the prophet who ordered that their hands and feet be cut off, their eyes gouged out in recompense for their behavior towards the shepherd and what they stole were forcibly taken from them.

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: And then they were thrown on the stony ground until they all died.