Friday Sermon Summary 20th December 2024: ‘Various Expeditions During the Life of the Holy Prophet (sa)’
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he has been mentioning the various battles and expeditions from the life of the Holy Prophet (sa). In this regard, His Holiness (aba) said we also find mention of the Expedition of Ukashah bin Mihsan.
The Expedition of Ukashah bin Mihsan (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that this took place in Rabi al-Awwal 6 AH. His Holiness (aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘The Holy Prophet (sa) sent one of his companions who was a Muhajir, Ukashah bin Mihsan (ra), as the leader of 40 Muslims to combat the tribe of the Bani Asad. At the time, this tribe had set up camp near a water spring named Ghamr, which was located at a few days’ journey from Madinah to Makkah. The party of Ukashah (ra) travelled quickly and neared Ghamr so as to prohibit them from their mischief. It was discovered that upon hearing news of the arrival of the Muslims, the tribespeople had dispersed here and there. Consequently, Ukashah (ra) and his companions returned to Madinah and no combat took place.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, p. 10)
The Expedition of Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that there is also mention of the Expedition of Muhammad bin Maslamah. This took place in Rabi’ al-Thani, 6 AH. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) to the Banu Tha’labah and Banu Awaal who lived in Dhu al-Qassah, 24 miles from Madinah. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent a contingent of 10 men along with Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra). They reached Dhu al-Qassah at night and as they were sleeping, they were surrounded by 100 disbelievers. When the Muslims realised, Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) called out to the Muslims to take up their arms. There was an exchange of arrows and finally the enemy attacked with spears, martyring everyone, while Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) was badly injured. A Muslim man passed by and Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) called out to him. He was then taken back to Madinah.
The Expedition of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that in light of these martyrdoms and to take recompense for them, there was another expedition called the Expedition of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah. His Holiness (aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘When the Holy Prophet (sa) was informed of these events, he sent Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (ra) who was from the Quraish and was counted among the most venerable of companions to Dhul-Qassah, to seek retribution for Muhammad bin Maslamah. Moreover, since news had also been received that the people of the Banu Tha‘labah tribe intended to attack the surroundings of Madinah, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent a party of 40 able-bodied companions in the command of Abu Ubaidah (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) ordered that they travel by night and reach there in the morning. In the fulfilment of this order, Abu 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. Abu Ubaidah (ra) took hold of the spoils of war and returned to Madinah.
The two companions in this expedition mentioned, i.e., Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) and Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (ra) were both from the most venerable of companions. Aside from his own qualities and ability, Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) was also the hero of the K‘ab bin Ashraf Yahudi affair, because this mischief-maker was brought to his death by him. Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra) was from the Aus tribe and in the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra) he was considered one of his intimate confidants. Therefore, Hazrat Umar (ra) would generally send him to investigate complaints about his governors. After the demise of Hazrat Uthman (ra) when the door to internal disorder was opened, Muhammad 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.’” This order was perhaps specific to Muḥammad bin Maslamahra 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 Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (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 Aminul-Millah [The faithful of the religion]. Moreover, after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), he was also among the two companions whom Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) considered worthy of caliphate. Abu Ubaidah (ra) passed away and was martyred by plague during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra).’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, pp. 12-13)
Two Expeditions of Zaid bin Harithah (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that then there is the Expedition of Zaid bin Harithah. His Holiness (aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘In this month, Rabi‘ul-Akhir 6 A.H., the Holy Prophet (sa) dispatched a few Muslims to the tribe Bani Sulaim under the command of his freed slave and previously adopted son, Zaid bin Harithah (ra). This tribe resided in the region of Najd at a place called Jamum and had been at war against the Holy Prophet (sa) for some time now. As such, this tribe played a significant role against the Muslims in the Battle of the Ditch as well. When Zaid bin Harithah (ra) and his companions reached Jamum, which was located at a distance of approximately 50 miles from Madinah, they found it to be empty. However, they were able to find the whereabouts of where a portion of the Banu Sulaim were grazing their cattle, from a woman named Halimah from the Muzainah tribe, who was from among the opponents of Islam. Therefore, benefiting from this intelligence, Zaid bin Harithah (ra) attacked the place. This sudden attack caused most of the people to flee and they dispersed here and there. However, the Muslims were able to capture a few prisoners and some cattle, which they took hold of and returned to Madinah. Coincidentally, the husband of Halimah was also among the prisoners, and although he was an enemy of war, considering Halimah’s assistance, not only did the Holy Prophet (sa) release Halimah without ransom but also released her husband as an act of benevolence. Thereafter, Halimah and her husband happily returned to their homeland.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, p. 14)
His Holiness (aba) said that there was also the Expedition of Zaid bin Harithah (ra) that was sent to Is. His Holiness (aba) quoted The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) in which it is written:
‘Not many days had passed since the return of Zaid bin Harithah (ra), when the Holy Prophet (sa) sent him from Madinah once again during the month of Jamadi al-Ula, commanding 170 companions. The scholars of Sirat have written that the cause of this expedition was that a caravan of the Quraish was arriving from Syria and that the Holy Prophet (sa) had sent this squadron for the interception of this caravan. We have already written a principal note on the interception of these caravans in the beginning of the section on wars, therefore, repetition is unnecessary here. However, here it is sufficient to allude to the fact that these caravans of the Quraish were always armed and whilst travelling between Makkah and Syria they passed very closely by Madinah, and so they were a constant threat. Other than this, as has already been mentioned in the preliminary discussion on this topic, these caravans would provoke the tribes of Arabia against the Muslims wherever they passed. Due to this, a dangerous fire of animosity had been ignited throughout the country against the Muslims, due to which their interception was necessary. In any case, upon receiving news of this caravan, the Holy Prophet (sa) dispatched Zaid bin Harithah (ra) to meet it. He moved forward with such intelligence, seizing the opportunity, that he was able to successfully reach ‘Is and intercepted the caravan. ‘Is is the name of a place situated at a distance of four days’ travel from Madnah, towards the ocean. Since this was a sudden attack, the people of the caravan were unable to combat this assault of the Muslims. They left all their belongings and fled. Zaid (ra) captured a few prisoners and took hold of the caravan’s load, set off to Madinah and presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa).’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, pp. 14-15)
Acceptance of ‘Abul-‘As bin Ar-Rabi‘ (ra)
His Holiness (aba) further quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘Abul-‘As bin Ar-Rabi‘ (ra) was also among the prisoners who were captured in the expedition to ‘Is. He was the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet (sa) and a near relative of the late Hazrat Khadijah (ra) from among the Quraish. Prior to this, he was also captured in the Battle of Badr, but the Holy Prophet (sa) released him on the condition that when he reached Makkah, he would send his daughter – Hazrat Zainab (ra), to Madinah. Abul-‘As (ra) fulfilled his promise but was still personally a polytheist. When Zaid bin Harithah (ra) captured him and brought him to Madinah it was night time, but somehow he managed to send word to Hazrat Zainab (ra) that, “I have been captured and brought here. If possible, see if you can arrange something for my release.” So, just as the Holy Prophet (sa) and his companions were engaged in their morning prayer, Zainab (ra) announced from her home in a loud voice, “O Ye Muslims! I have granted Abul- ‘As protection”. When the Holy Prophet (sa) had completed his Salat, he turned to his companions and said, “Whatever Zainab has said, you have heard it. By God, I had no prior knowledge of this, but the community of the believers is like a single soul. If one of them grants protection to an infidel, its honour is incumbent.”
Then the Holy Prophet (sa) turned to Zainab (ra) and said, “We have granted protection to whom you endow protection.” The wealth which was acquired from Abul-‘As (ra) during this expedition was returned to him. Then, the Holy Prophet (sa) entered the home of Zainab (ra) and said to his daughter, “Be very hospitable to Abul-‘As (ra), but do not meet him in seclusion. Under the current circumstances it is not lawful that you be intimate with him.”
After a stay of a few days, Abul-‘As went to Makkah, but this time his return to Makkah was not for permanent residence, for he quickly ordered his affairs and set off to Madinah reciting the Kalimah Shahadah, and upon reaching the Holy Prophet (sa) he became a Muslim. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Zainab (ra) to him without a new Nikah, i.e., he granted Zainab (ra) permission to resume marital relations with Abul-‘As once again.
In certain narrations it is also mentioned that the Nikah of Hazrat Zainab (ra) and Abul-‘As (ra) was performed anew, but the first narration is more reliable and authentic.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, pp. 15-16)
The Expedition of Banu Lihyan
His Holiness (aba) said that then there is the Expedition of Banu Lahyan or Lihyan. According to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), this expedition took place in Jamadi al-Ula 6 AH and he writes:
‘The painful occurrence of the Ashabur-Raji‘ has already been mentioned in the accounts of 4 A.H. On this occasion, 10 innocent Muslims who had been sent for peaceful preaching were ruthlessly murdered by deceit. At the root of this entire mischief was the hand of the Banu Lihyan, which at the time resided between Makkah and Madinah, in the Valley of Ghuran.
Naturally, the Holy Prophet (sa) was deeply saddened by this event, and since the behaviour of the Banu Lihyan still remained hostile and mischievous and the danger that they would become the cause of future mischief against the Muslims still existed, the Holy Prophet (sa) thought it administratively appropriate to somewhat reprimand them, at least so that the Muslims would be safe from any further mischief. With this thought, the Holy Prophet (sa) left Madinah in the month of Jamadi al-Ula in 6 A.H. with a party of 200 companions. In the beginning, with the thought that the purpose of this journey remain secret, lest the Banu Lihyan receive news and become alerted, the Holy Prophet (sa) travelled north and after covering some ground he re-routed to the south. However, despite this caution, somehow the enemy had received news and were pre-alerted. Before the Holy Prophet (sa) could reach the Valley of Ghuran the people of the Banu Lihyan had dispersed, disappearing into the mountains.
Upon reaching his destination, the Holy Prophet (sa) stayed there for some time. It is narrated that during this journey when the Holy Prophet (sa) reached the place where his companions were martyred, a deeply emotional state overcame him and the Holy Prophet (sa) wept and prayed for these martyrs. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) moved forward to ‘Usfan at a distance of five to six miles towards Makkah and sent various parties in different directions. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was also the leader of one of these parties, which was sent in the direction of Makkah. However, none of these parties were faced with the need to fight and following an absence of a few days, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned to Madinah.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, pp. 20-21)
His Holiness (aba) further quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘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.”
This prayer, which scholars of Sirat have mentioned in conjunction with the Ghazwah of Banu Lihyan and the Muhaddithin 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 instil into the hearts of his companions. In this prayer, the anxious desire of the Holy Prophet (sa) which was hidden, was that Allah 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 Allah 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.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa), Vol. 3, pp. 22-23)
An Expedition of Zaid bin Harithah (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that another expedition was the Expedition of Zaid bin Harithah in Jamadi al-Akhir 6 AH. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Zaid (ra) to Banu Tha’labah bin Sa’d who were in Tarif which was 36 miles from Madinah. Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah (ra) set out with 15 men and upon reaching Tarif they captured the camels and sheep. While the dwellers there became frightened and fled. The companions returned to Madinah with 20 camels without any fighting.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue narrating these accounts in the future.
Appeal for Prayers in Light of Injustices in the World
His Holiness (aba) said that everyone is aware of the state of affairs in the world. The conditions in Syria that have arisen are not entirely clear as of yet. Though it seems that a dictatorship has come to an end, we must pray that the incoming government rules with justice. Though they say they will rule with justice, it is generally observed that after coming into power, actions aren’t in line with words. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty protect the Ahmadis in these places. Commentators say that people are rejoicing upon the ending of cruelties, but there is no telling what will happen in the future.
His Holiness (aba) said that, similarly, Israel is needlessly attacking these areas. It appears that they have malicious intent against the Islamic world. In this way, no country is safe and we must pray for countries like Pakistan, Iran and others. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty grant sense and understanding to the Muslims and that sectarianism and the desire for rule may end and they all become united. If the conduct of Muslims persists, then how can Allah help such cruel people who kill their own people?
His Holiness (aba) said that everyone should pray a great deal. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah protect every Ahmadi from these evils. Ahmadis are not safe from the so-called Muslims, nor from non-Muslims who are against Muslims. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty have mercy and protect us.
Appeal for Prayers for Ahmadis in Mayotte
His Holiness (aba) said that there are many tsunamis these days. In recent days there was a large tsunami in Mayotte Island. There are Ahmadis there who are safe by the grace of Allah and the Ahmadiyya Community there is rendering assistance which has been appreciated by the government. The Ahmadiyya Community is providing food to those in need. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty protect these islands against natural disasters.
Funeral Prayers
His Holiness (aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers of the following members:
Amir Hassam Murani
Amir Hassam Murani who was recently martyred. He was returning home from the mosque when he was shot. He is survived by his mother, wife, two sons, three daughters and his siblings. While returning home from the mosque after morning prayers along with his 12-year-old son, two masked individuals approached him and shot him five times, martyring him on scene and then the assailants fled. His 12-year-old son was able to escape unharmed and showed great resilience. The deceased martyr was a farmer and also served as a security guard. He served the Community in different capacities. He was devoted to Khilafat, he was hospitable and kind. He always took care of his siblings, especially after the demise of their father. He was regular in offering prayers in congregation. He was always ready to serve the Community when needed. He was very brave and helpful to others. He also had good relations with non-Ahmadis in his area, and everyone said that he treated them with kindness. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah grant him forgiveness and mercy, elevate his station, and protect his children.
Maulana Abdul Sattar Rauf
Maulana Abdul Sattar Rauf who was serving as a missionary in Malaysia. He served in various countries, such as Indonesia, Fiji, Malaysia, and Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and three sons. He was very loving and covered the faults of others. Many people accepted Ahmadiyyat through his efforts. He had great love for the Holy Prophet (sa). He was always ready to present any sacrifice for the sake of the Community. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah grant him forgiveness and mercy, elevate his station and enable his children to carry on the legacy of his virtues.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
