Battle of Muraisi’

Today you will learn about a wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas), Ummul-Mu’minin, Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra). Before that, let us tell you what Madinah was like when Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) got married to the Holy Prophet (sas). This will help introduce Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) to you. You are already aware that after the Holy Prophet (sas) had been treated with utmost cruelty and injustice for thirteen years at the hands of Makkans, he was granted permission by Allah the Almighty to leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah.

The people of Madinah gave the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) a warm welcome. The Muslims were very happy to have him there, but there were some people in Madinah and in the surrounding areas that were against the Holy Prophet (sas). The Holy Prophet (sas) adopted peaceful ways to live in harmony with every tribe in Madinah. Amongst these tribes were some that acted peacefully on the outside, but inwardly were against Islam. About ninty-six miles outside of Madinah, there was a very famous well called the Muraisi‘. A tribe by the name of Banu Mustalaq was living near that well. The name of their chief was Harith bin Abi Darrar. This man hated Muslims with a passion. He was filled with a burning fury against Muslims. He would often say that they would eliminate the problem (i.e., the Muslims) that the Makkans could not remove and that the people of Madinah could not solve. He said the Quraish of Makkah would help them in this effort as well; and that they should arm themselves with weapons and gather at Muraisi‘. Harith bin Abi Darrar said that they would fight fiercely and would not rest until they had destroyed the Muslims. Musafi‘ bin Safwan, the husband of Harith’s daughter Barrah, was also with him. He was filled by the uncontrollable urge to make war. The Holy Prophet (sas) became aware that preparations for a war against the Muslims were underway. It was a habit of the Holy Prophet (sas) that he did not believe any rumours. So, he sent Buraidah bin Hasib Aslami (ra) to confirm the news. When he returned, he told the Holy Prophet (sas) about the situation. Upon hearing this report the Holy Prophet (sas) ordered the companions to prepare to fight.1

The Muslim army marched out of Madinah in the month of Sha‘ban, 5th Hijri. When Harith bin Abi Darrar heard about the Muslim army, he became very scared and fled the scene, and the men in his army also scattered. The people of Muraisi‘ fought the Muslims but were soon defeated. The Muslims were victorious. Eleven men of the enemy army were killed, and six hundred were made prisoners. Harith’s son-in- law, Musafi‘ was among those that were killed.