Sariyyah of Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) to Dhul-Qaṣṣah - Rabī‘ul-Ākhir 6 A.H.

In the month of Rabī‘ul-Ākhir, the Holy Prophet(sa) sent Muḥammad bin Maslamah Anṣārī(ra) to Dhul-Qaṣṣah which was located at a distance of 24 miles from Madīnah, where, in those days, the Banū Thu‘labah resided. When Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) and his 10 companions reached there at night they found 100 young tribesmen prepared for battle. This party was 10 times the numerical value of the companions, but a difference of numbers was not very significant in the Islāmic execution of war. Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) immediately marshalled his troops before the army and there was a war of archery throughout the darkness of the night. After this, the infidels marched forward to attack this handful of men and since they were much greater in number, it was not long before these 10 devotees of Islām fell to the ground. The companions of Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) were all martyred, but Muḥammad bin Maslamah himself survived, because the infidels had left him with the others, thinking he had also perished and stripped him of his clothes. Perhaps Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) would have died lying there as well, but propitiously, a Muslim passed by and recognising Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra), picked him up and took him to Madīnah.

When the Holy Prophet(sa) was informed of these events, he sent Abū ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrāḥ(ra) who was from the Quraish and was counted among the most venerable of companions to Dhul-Qaṣṣah, to seek retribution for Muḥammad bin Maslamah. Moreover, since news had also been received that the people of the Banū Thu‘labah tribe intended to attack the surroundings of Madīnah, the Holy Prophet(sa) sent a party of 40 able-bodied companions in the command of Abū ‘Ubaidah(ra). The Holy Prophet(sa) ordered that they travel by night and reach there in the morning. In the fulfillment of this order, Abū ‘Ubaidah(ra) reached there punctually with his forces, when it was time for the morning prayer. They were confused by this sudden attack and so after a brief confrontation they fled, disappearing to the nearby mountains. Abū ‘Ubaidah(ra) took hold of the spoils of war and returned to Madīnah.1

The two companions in this expedition mentioned, i.e., Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) and Abū ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrāḥ(ra) were both from the most venerable of companions. Aside from his own qualities and ability, Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) was also the hero of the K‘ab bin Ashraf Yahūdī affair, because this mischief-maker was brought to his death by him. Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) was from the Aus tribe and in the caliphate of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) he was considered one of his intimate confidants. Therefore, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) would generally send him to investigate complaints about his governors. After the demise of Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān(ra) when the door to internal disorder was opened, Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) broke his sword upon a rock and took a staff in hand. When he was asked the reason for this he responded, “I have heard from the Holy Prophet(sa) that, ‘When the door to mutual bloodshed is opened within the Muslims, break your sword and lay hidden in your home as a floor lies within the room of a house.’”2 This order was perhaps specific to Muḥammad bin Maslamah(ra) or this particular conflict, as on some occasions the combating of internal disorders is considered a very worthy service of the faith.

The second companion was Abū ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrāḥ(ra). He was amongst the greatest of companions and was also from the Quraish. His lofty grandeur can be gauged by the fact that the Holy Prophet(sa) granted him the title of Amīnul-Millah.3 Moreover, after the demise of the Holy Prophet(sa), he was also among the two companions whom Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr(ra) considered worthy of caliphate. Abū ‘Ubaidah(ra) passed away and was martyred by plague during the caliphate of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra).4