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"… And you see
the people enter Allah's Religion in crowds, then celebrate the
Praises of your Lord, and pray for forgiveness from Him: for He
is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy)."
[Quran 110:2-3]
In the ninth
year of the Hijra only one major operation was carried out by the
Muslims-the expedition to Tabuk, led by the Holy Prophet in person.
It turned out to be a peaceful operation; but no matter how peacefully
other people went about their tasks, Khalid always managed to find
adventure and violence.
During the long, hot summer of 630, reports
arrived at Madinah that the Romans had concentrated large forces
in Syria, and had pushed their forward elements into Jordan. Heraclius,
the Byzantine Emperor, was himself in Emessa.
In the middle of October 630, the Prophet
ordered the Muslims to prepare for battle with the Romans. The purpose
of the expedition was not just to fight the Romans, for that could
have been done later when the weather had improved. The Prophet
also wanted to put the faith of the Muslims to test by making them
march out in the fierce heat of summer. Under these conditions only
true Believers would respond.
And the true Believers did. The vast majority
of the Muslims answered the call cheerfully and began preparations
for the expedition; but some did take unkindly to the call to arms.
The October of this year was an unusually hot month, and the cool
shade of the date orchards proved too tempting for these Muslims.
Men wanted nothing more than to rest in the shade until the worst
of the heat was over. The Hypocrites, as usual, went about dissuading
the Muslims from joining the expedition and gave trouble enough;
but on this occasion even a few proven Muslims faltered.
In late October 630 (mid-Rajab, 9 Hijri)
the Muslims set out for Tabuk. This was the largest army that had
ever assembled under the standard of the Prophet. It consisted of
men from Madinah, from Makkah and from most of the tribes which
had accepted Islam. One source had placed the strength of this army
at 30,000 warriors, including 10,000 cavalry, but this is probably
an exaggeration.
On arrival at Tabuk the Muslims came to
know that the Roman elements in Jordan had withdrawn to Damascus.
There was no need to go further. But the Prophet decided to subdue
the tribes living in this region and bring them under the political
control of Islam. The important places in the region were Eila (near
the present-day Aqaba), Jarba, Azruh and Maqna-all lying along the
Gulf of Aqaba. (See Maps 1 or 2
at end of book.) Pacts were made with these tribes and they all
agreed to pay the Jizya. 1
One important region which the Prophet wished
to subdue was a little farther away from Tabuk. This was Daumat-ul-Jandal
(the present-day Al Jauf), ruled by Ukaidar bin Abdul Malik, a Christian
prince from the tribe of Kinda who was famous for his love of hunting.
To subdue this region, the Prophet sent Khalid with 400 horsemen
and instructions to capture Ukaidar. "You will probably
find him hunting the wild bull", said the Prophet.
2
Khalid arrived at the walled town of Daumat-ul-Jandal
on a bright, moonlit night in late November, 630 (mid?Shaban, 9
Hijri). Hardly had he deployed his force near the town when the
gates opened and out came Ukaidar with a few friends mounted on
horses and armed with hunting weapons. Perhaps owing to the heat
of the day Ukaidar had decided to hunt in the cool of the night,
and the bright moonlight promised good hunting.
Khalid took a few of his men and rushed at the hunting party. While
Khalid himself pounced on Ukaidar and brought him-down from his
horse, his men assailed the other members of the party. Ukaidar's
brother, Hassaan, resisted capture and was killed; but the rest
galloped back to the fort and, once inside, locked the gate.
Khalid now returned to Tabuk with his distinguished
prisoner. Ukaidar entered into a pact with the Prophet, paid a heavy
ransom for himself and agreed to the Jizya.
1. A tax levied on non-Muslims. In return
they were exempt from military service and their safety was guaranteed
by the Muslim State.
2. Ibn Hisham: Vol. 2, p. 526.
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