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The capture of Zhu Qissa
took place on or about July 30, 632 (the 8th of Jamadi-ul-Awwal,
11 Hijri). Abu Bakr left Numan bin Muqaran with a detachment to
hold Zhu Qissa, and with the rest of his force rode back to Madinah.
On August 2, the Army of Usama returned to Madinah; the capital
of Islam was no longer in danger.
On leaving Madinah, Usama had marched to
Tabuk. Most of the tribes in this region opposed him fiercely; but
Usama, with the zeal and vigour of youth, swept across the land
with fire and sword. He raided far and wide in the region of Northern
Arabia, starting with the Quza'a, who scattered under the blows
of his columns and then made their way to Daumat-ul-Jandal (where
Khalid had captured Ukaidar two years before). Usama killed all
those who fought him and burnt orchards and villages, leaving in
his wake 'a hurricane of smoke.' 1
As a result of his operations several tribes
resubmitted to Madinah and re-embraced Islam. But the Quza'a remained
rebellious and unrepentant, and had to be dealt with again a short
while later by Amr bin Al Aas.
Usama next marched to Mutah, fought the
Christian Arabs of the tribes of Kalb and Ghasan and avenged the
death of his father. There was, however, no major battle. Then he
returned to Madinah, bringing with him a large number of captives
and a considerable amount of wealth, part of which comprised the
spoils of war and part the taxes paid by the repentant tribes. The
Army of Usama was warmly welcomed by Abu Bakr and the people of
Madinah, to whom its return brought comfort and assurance. It had
been away for 40 days.
After the defeat of the apostates at Zhu
Qissa, several apostate clans turned viciously upon those of their
members who remained Muslims and slaughtered them. The killing was
done mercilessly, some Muslims being burnt alive and others thrown
from the tops of cliffs. Abu Bakr heard the news of these atrocities
with cold anger, and swore that he would kill every infidel who
had murdered a Muslim and carry fire and sword to every apostate
clan.
Things were now looking up for the Muslims.
The recent victories of Abu Bakr, though not decisive, had raised
spirits. Some of the apostate tribes living near Madinah had repented,
rejoined the faith and paid their taxes and more. The Army of Usama
was back with captives and wealth. The coffers of the Muslim State
were full again, providing a sound financial base for all-out war
against the enemies of Islam.
But Abu Bakr decided that he needed more
time before launching a general offensive, in order to rest and
re-equip the Army of Usama. He consequently ordered Usama to rest
his men at Madinah and while doing so also ensure the safety of
the capital. His own hastily scraped together force had now begun
to feel like an army; and he decided to use this army, while the
Army of Usama rested and re-equipped, to fight another offensive
battle against the apostates gathered at Abraq. Now Abu Bakr really
prepared for war, not only to punish the tribes for the heinous
crime of apostasy, but also to avenge the innocent blood of the
faithful Muslims who had been murdered by the apostates.
When Abu Bakr announced his intention of
leading his army to Abraq, Muslim elders tried to restrain him.
"May Allah bless you, O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah!"
they said. "Do not endanger yourself by leading the army
in person. If you should be killed, it would upset the order of
things. Your very existence is a source of trouble to the unbelievers.
Appoint another to command the army. Then, if he is killed, you
can appoint yet another."
Abu Bakr was shortly going to place an immense
burden on the shoulders of the Muslims, both commanders and troops.
He was going to ask them to strive as they had never done before
and to face dangers which would appal most warriors. He could think
of no better way of making them come up to his expectations than
setting the pace himself.
1. Ibn Sad: p. 709.
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