Final Military Expedition in Islam
The last military expedition in Islam took place in the ninth year of Hijra, specifically in the month of Rajab. This expedition, known as the Battle of Tabuk, was set to occur between the Muslims and the Romans. The Romans had advanced from their territories, reaching the region of Balqa in Jordan. In response, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, instructed his companions to prepare for the confrontation with the enemy. This marked the final military campaign led by the Prophet alongside his esteemed companions.
Conditions Faced by Muslims Prior to the Expedition
Muslims experienced exceptionally challenging conditions, making the Battle of Tabuk a true test of faith and a differentiator between believers and hypocrites. Several trials encountered by the Muslims before and during their journey to Tabuk included:
- The scarcity of fruits and provisions, as their departure from Medina occurred just before the harvest season, forcing them to set out with minimal supplies.
- The limited number of livestock available for the journey, with every eighteen men sharing a single camel during their trek.
- The intense heat that weighed heavily on the Muslims along their path. The companions faced severe thirst and implored the Prophet for relief. The Prophet supplicated to Allah for their relief, prompting Him to send a cloud that rained down upon them, quenching their thirst.
- The considerable distance to the area Muslims were headed and their small numbers compared to the formidable size and equipment of the enemy forces.
Victory for Muslims Without Combat
The Muslims were taken by surprise upon reaching Tabuk, ready for a confrontation with the Roman army, only to find no one there. They realized that the Roman army had retreated after learning about the Prophet’s deployment of a force consisting of thirty thousand companions to face them. It is likely that the Romans recalled the events of the Battle of Mu’tah that had occurred shortly before, where a mere three thousand Muslim fighters had fiercely confronted them, instilling fear in their hearts. Consequently, that fear led them to flee, resulting in a divine victory for the Prophet without any fighting.