During his return journey, the Holy Prophet(sa) offered a prayer which the Muslims later began to recite, usually whilst returning from significant journeys. The prayer was:
“We are those who return to our God, we bow to him, we worship him, we prostrate before him, and sing in praise of our Lord.”
In his later journeys, the Holy Prophet(sa) would generally offer this prayer himself as well and on certain occasions would add the following words:
“Our God fulfilled his promise, and helped his servant and put the enemy forces to flight by his breath.”1
This prayer, which scholars of Sīrat have mentioned in conjunction with the Ghazwah of Banū Liḥyān and the Muḥaddithin2 have also testified to, possesses a unique expression. By studying it, one receives the opportunity to understand the emotions which permeated in the pure heart of the Holy Prophet(sa) (may my soul be a ransom for him) in this tumultuous era, and what he wished to instill into the hearts of his companions. In this prayer, the anxious desire of the Holy Prophet(sa) which was hidden, was that Allāh the Exalted remove the obstacles which were being set up by the enemy to hinder the worship and peaceful preaching of the Muslims. Moreover, gratitude has been paid to Allāh the Exalted, for in as much of the hurdles which He had removed thus far. The example of this is like a man who is absorbed in very desirable work and suddenly another person interferes, thus distracting his attention. However, after some time, this hindrance is removed by divine grace and once again he finds the opportunity to engage in his beloved work. The emotions that would be induced in such a man are those hidden in this very prayer. The Holy Prophet(sa) expresses here that after having gained freedom from our temporary hindrance we are now returning to a state where we shall be able to spend time in the remembrance of God and shall gain the opportunity to praise Him. Verily, the same God who time and time again safeguarded us from the designs of the enemy before and brought us into protection. This emotion was so very blessed, it was so attractive, it was so full of peace! It is unfortunate, however, that various enemies of Islām do not refrain from levelling allegations and continue asserting that the real purpose of the Holy Prophet(sa) and his companions was offensive warfare and materialism.
Historians disagree with regards to the date of the Ghazwah of Banū Liḥyān. Ibni Sa‘d has mentioned it to be in Rabī‘ul-Awwal 6 A.H. Ibni Isḥāq and Ṭabarī have narrated that it was in Jamādi’ul-Ūlā 6 A.H. On this occasion, I have taken the stance of Ibni Isḥāq. Allāh knows best.
1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihādi Was-Siyar, Bābu Mā Yaqūlu Idhā Raja‘a Minal-Ghazwi, Ḥadīth No. 3084
Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihādi Was-Siyar, Bābut-Takbīri Idhā ‘Alā Sharafan, Ḥadīth No. 2995
2 Scholars of Ḥadīth (Publishers)
3 This is a Persian verse written by Ḥāfiẓ Shīrāzī which literally means, "Look at how distant these two paths are." (Publishers)
