Mischief by the Banū Asad and the Sariyyah of Abū Salamah - Muḥarram 4 A.H.

The defeat suffered in the battle of Uḥud by the Muslims made the tribes of Arabia even bolder than before in raising their heads in opposition to the Muslims. As such, much time had not passed since the battle of Uḥud, and the Companions had not even become fully discharged from tending to their wounds, when in Muḥarram 4 A.H., the Holy Prophet(sa) suddenly received news in Madīnah that Ṭulaiḥah bin Khuwailid, chief of the Asad tribe and his brother Salamah bin Khuwailid were inciting the people of their region to wage war against the Holy Prophet(sa).1 As soon as this news was received, the Holy Prophet(sa), who under the circumstances of his own country understood the dangers of such news, immediately assembled a fast riding detachment of 150 Companions and appointed Abū Salamah bin ‘Abdul-Asad(ra) as their Amīr. The Holy Prophet(sa) emphatically instructed that they should march towards the enemy and cause them to disperse before the Banū Asad were able to practically execute their hostile motives. As such, Abū Salamah(ra) advanced swiftly but silently and caught the Banū Asad at a place called Quṭn, situated in central Arabia, but no fighting took place. As a matter of fact, the people of Banū Asad dispersed as soon as they caught sight of the Muslims. After an absence of a few days, Abū Salamah(ra) returned to Madīnah.2 Due to the strenuous labour of this journey, the injury sustained by Abū Salamah(ra) at Uḥud, which had apparently healed until then, began to deteriorate again. Despite medical treatment, the wound continued to worsen, and ultimately in this very illness, a faithful and pioneer Companion of the Holy Prophet(sa), who was also the foster-brother of the Holy Prophet(sa) passed away.3 Ṭulaiḥah, the chief of Banū Asad, who has been mentioned above became a Muslim later on. However, he later became an apostate, rather, falsely claiming to be a Prophet, he became the cause of much disorder and sedition, but was ultimately overcome and fled from Arabia. However, after some time he repented again and took part in many Islāmic wars, whereafter he died as a Muslim.4