Military Operations in the Era of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh)

The Prophet of Allah: Mohammed, Peace be Upon Him (SAW), arrived at Al-Madinah Al-Monawwarah in the 3rd month (Rabii Awwal) of first Hijri (1AH)Year (September 622 CE) - No military operation had occured before that No.
1 2

Commander
The Prophet (SAW)'s Uncle: Hamza The Prophet (SAW)'s Cousine: Obaidah bin Al-Harith The Prophet (SAW)'s Cousine: Saad bin Abi Waqqas The Prophet (SAW)

Operation Nature
Offensive Offensive

Operation Description
Sariyyah composed entirely of Muhajirs Sariyyah composed entirely of Muhajirs Sariyyah composed entirely of Muhajirs Ghazwah of AlAbwaa (Waddan) The army is entirely composed of Muhajirs Ghazwah of Safwan (first Bader Ghazwah) Ghazwah of Al-Bawat Ghazwah of AlAsheera

Target
Quraysh camels at Sayf Al-Bahr Quraysh camels at Thanayyat AlMurrah Quraysh camels at Al-Kherar Quraysh and Beni Dhomrah bin Bakr bin Abd Manah bin Kananah Karz bin Jabr AlFahri attacked AlMadinah, thus the Prophet (SAW) went after him After Quraysh

Hijri/ Month
1 AH / 9th Month 1 AH/10th Month 1 AH/11th Month 2 AH/ 2nd Month

Outcome
No Fight No fight but Saad bin Abi Waqqas was hit by the first arrow in Islam No Fight

Offensive

Offensive

Alliance treaty with Beni Dhomra

The Prophet (SAW)

Defensive Offensive

2 AH/ 3RD Month 2 AH/ 3RD Month 2 AH / 5th & 6th Month 2 AH / 7th Month 2 AH / 9th Month 2 AH / 9th Month

Karz bin Jabr AlFahri escaped and no fight took place No Fight The camels were missed, treaty of no aggression was done with Beni Medlej They killed the Hadhramite and brought two captives in Al-Haram Month Victory of Muslims Stayed for 3 days to scare them, then returend without a fight Expulsion from AlMadinah

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Quraysh camels Recon of Quraysh camels between Makkah and Taif Initially Quraysh camels, then fight erupted Beni Selim gathered to attack AlMadinah, thus he surprised them Jews of Beni Qaynoqaa because they preached the treaty

Abdullah bin Jahsh Al-Asadi The Prophet (SAW)

Reconnaissa nce Offensive

Sariyyah Ghazwah of Giant Bader Ghazwah of Beni Selim of Ghatafan

10

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive to Defend

11

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive to Defend

Ghazwah of Beni Qaynoqaa

2 AH/10th Month

Compiled by ABDUL HAMEED email : hameedmd@yahoo.com

No.
12

Commander
The Prophet (SAW)

Operation Nature
Offensive to Defend

Operation Description
Ghazwah of AlSoweeq

Target
Going after the infidels upon a sudden attack on Al-Madinah by Abu Sofyan Ghatafan in Najd Assassination of Kaab bin AlAshraf After Quraysh in Bahran Quraysh camels coming through Najd

Hijri/ Month
2 AH/12th Month 3 AH / 1st - 2nd Month 3 AH / 3rd Month 3 AH / 4th & 5th Month 3 AH / 6th Month

Outcome
The polytheists escaped and threw the Soweeq from their hands Returned after 1 month without a fight Assassination was successful Stayed for 2 months they returned without a fight The convoy was taken as booty as Maa Al-Qeradah: big strike against Quraysh Deficient victory of Quraysh, because they didn't stay to celebrate as the convention was, and they didn't take captives or anything as booty Quraysh got scared and returned to Makkah, giving up the idea of attacking Al-Madinah They escaped, thus he got booty and returned

13 14 15

The Prophet (SAW) Mohammed bin Maslamah Al-Awsi The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive Offensive to Defend Offensive

Ghazwah of Thi Amr Sariyyah Ghazwah of Bahran

16

Zayd bin Harithah

Offensive

Sariyyah

17

The Prophet (SAW)

Defensive

Ghazwah of Ohod

Defending AlMadinah against Quraysh and its allies

3 AH/10th Month

18

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Ghazwah of Hamraa Al-Asad

Showing the strength of Muslims Deterrence of Beni Asad bin Khozayma, who considered an attack on AlMadinah Deterrence of Khaled bin Sofyan AlHathali, who considered an attack on AlMadinah Teaching Islam to people in Adl and Qarah
Inviting people of Najd to Islam, upon invitation by Abi Baraa Amer bin Malek and under his protection

3 AH - 1 day after Ohod War

19

Abu Salamah

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

4 AH / 1st Month

20

Abdullah bin Onays

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

4 AH / 1st Month

Abdullah brought the head of Khaled to the Prophet (SAW) The infidels of Beni Lahyan betrayed the Muslims: 10 martyrs
The infidels of Beni Lahyan betrayed the Muslims: all 70 martyrs. The Prophet (SAW) made supplication against them for 1 complete month

21

Asim bin Thabet

Dawah

Tragedy of Al-Rajee

4 AH /2nd Month 4 AH /2 Month

nd

22

Al-Monther bin Amr

Dawah

Tragedy of Bir Maona

No.
23

Commander
The Prophet (SAW)

Operation Nature
Offensive to Defend

Operation Description
Ghazwah of Beni AlNadhir

Target
Jews of Beni AlNadhir because they preached the treaty Deterrence of Bedouins of Beni Mohareb and Beni Thaalabah of Ghatafan The date with Quraysh at Bader Tribes of Dawmat Al-Jandal for piracy Defending AlMadinah against Quraysh and its allies Jews of Beni AlQuraythah because they preached the treaty Assassination of Abi Rafii: Salam bin Abi Haqiq Giving lesson to Beni Hanifah in Najd Water of Beni Asad called AlGhamr

Hijri/ Month
4 AH / 3rd Month 4 AH / 4th or 5th Month 4 AH / 8th Month 5 AH / 3rd Month 5 AH 10th & 11th Month 5 AH/11th Month 5 AH / 11th or 12th 6 AH / 1st Month

Outcome
Expulsion from AlMadinah The Prophet (SAW) scared them and returned to AlMadinah safe and sound He stayed 8 days waiting for Quraysh, but they got scared and didn't come Peace was made with Oyaynah ben Hesn Al-Fazari The polytheists were defeated and turned back to their homes Men were killed, women, children and moneys were captured Assassination was successful Mohammed caputred their head: Thomamah bin Athal, who became Muslim later on in AlMadinah The infidels escaped and he took 200 camels as booty back to Al-Madinah Ambush took place and all Muslims were martyred except Mohammed bin Maslamah, who pretended to be dead The infidels escaped and he returned to Al-Madinah with the booties Muslims took booties and returned to AlMadinah

24

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive to Defend

Ghazwah of Najd

25

The Prophet (SAW)

Defensive Offensive Offensive to Defend Defensive

Scheduled Ghazwah of Bader Ghazwah of Dawmat Al-Jandal Ghazwah of AlKhandaq (trench): AlAhzab Ghazwah of Beni Quraythab

26

The Prophet (SAW)

27

The Prophet (SAW)

28

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive to Defend Offensive to Defend

29

Abdullah bin Ateek Al-Khazraji

Sariyyah

30

Mohammed bin Maslamah Al-Awsi

Offensive

Sariyyah

31

Okashah bin Mohsen

Offensive

Sariyyah

6 AH / 3rd Month

32

Mohammed bin Maslamah Al-Awsi

Offensive

Sariyyah

Thu Al-Qassah at Diyar Thalabah

6 AH / 4th Month

33

Abu Obaidah Amir bin Al-Jarrah

Offensive

Sariyyah

Revenge for the Sariyyah of Mohammed bin Maslamah Al-Jomom Water of Beni Selim

6 AH / 4th Month 6 AH /4th Month

34

Zayd bin Harithah

Offensive

Sariyyah

No.
35

Commander
Zayd bin Harithah

Operation Nature
Offensive

Operation Description
Sariyyah Ghazwah of Beni Lahyan

Target
Al-Ees, after Quraysh camels Revenge for the betrayal in AlRajii Beni Thalabah Wadi Al-Qura Watching Quraysh camels The gathering of Benu AlMostaleq, commander: AlHarith bin Abi Dherar Diyar Beni Kalb at Dawmat AlJandal Giving lesson to Beni Saad at Fidk for supporing the Jews of Khaybar
Giving lesson to Fazarah at Wadi Al-Qora for conspiring to assassinate the Prophet (SAW) Giving lesson to AlArnis for apostasy and betrayal of camels shepherd Peacemaking to neutralize Quraysh and its allies to eradicate the presence of Jews in Khaybar in particular and the Arabian Peninsula in general

Hijri/ Month
6 AH / 5 Month
th

Outcome
Muslims took booties and returned to AlMadinah The infidels espaced, thus he returned to AlMadinah
The infidels espaced, thus he took booties and returned to AlMadinah

36

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

6 AH / 5th Month 6 AH / 6th Month 6 AH / 7th Month 6 AH / 7th Month

37 38

Zayd bin Harithah Zayd bin Harithah Abu Obaidah Amir bin Al-Jarrah

Offensive Offensive

Sariyyah Sariyyah

Nine Muslims were martyred

The brigade starved: ate a plant, so Allah (SWT) sent them a whale from the sea to eat
Beni Al-Mostaleq were defeated, the Prophet (SAW) married Al-Harith's daughter, Beni AlMostaleq all became Muslims, the incident of Efk (false accusation against our Mother: Aisha RA)

39

Offensive

Sariyyah

40

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Ghazwah of Beni AlMostaleq (Ghazwah of Mereseea Water)

6 AH / 8th Month

41

Abdur-Rahman bin Awf

Offensive

Sariyyah

6 AH / 8 Month

th

Abdur-Rahman married the daughter of their king after they became Muslims They escaped, thus he took booties and returned
He defeated them, took booties and captives and returned to AlMadinah He captured them and took them to AlMadinah, so the Prophet (SAW) punishes them
Al-Ridwan Pledge of Allegiance under the trea after the rumor that Othman bin Affan was killed, the peace treaty of Hodaybiyah, Khozaa'a and its Habashi's joined the camp of Islam, became able to deal with northern regions full time, nine messages to kings and leaders

42

Ali bin Abi Taleb

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

6 AH / 8th Month

43

Abu Baker As-Siddiq

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

6 AH / 9th Month

44

Karz bin Jaber AlFahri

Offensive

Sariyyah

6 AH/10 Month

th

45

The Prophet (SAW)

Peacemaking

Al-Hodaybiyah Peace Treaty

6 AH/11th Month

No.

Commander

Operation Nature

Operation Description

Target
Oyaynah bin Hesn Al-Fazari attacked camels of the Prophet (SAW), killing a man of Ghafar and kidnapped his wife To scare the bedouins in Najd not to attack AlMadinah during the conquest of Khaybar Eradication the presence of Jews in Khaybar (army composed only of Al-Ridwan Pledge of Allegiance givers) Jews of Fidk Jews of Wadi AlQora Jews of Taima Deterrence of Beni Thalabah and Mohareb of Ghatafan Giving lesson to Beni AlMolawweh at AlQidid for killing the companions of Beshir bin Sowayd Giving lesson to Jotham at Hosma for their piracy against Dahya bin Khalifah AlKalbi: the carrier of the Prophet (SAW)'s message to Caesar Hawazen at Torba

Hijri/ Month

Outcome
Salamah bin AlAkwaa chased them, then others, then the Prophet (SAW), until they rescued the Muslim woman and took the goods back Mission was successful and Abban followed the Prophet (SAW) to Khaybar

46

The Prophet (SAW)

Defensive Offensive

Ghazwah of Thi Qerd

6 AH/12th Month

47

Abban bin Saeed

Offensive

Sariyyah

7 AH/ 1 Month

st

48

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Ghazwah: The Conquest of Khaybar

7 AH/ 1st Month

Victory of Muslims and conquest of Khaybar Peace treaty without a fight Victory of Muslims and peace treaty Peace treaty He ran into group of Ghatafan and made treaty with them. Later on they all became Muslims He attacked them during night and defeated them, took booties and returned, after Allah (SWT) protected them from huge army with floods

49 50 51

The Prophet (SAW) The Prophet (SAW) The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive Offensive Offensive

Ghazwah of Fidk Ghazwah of Wadi AlQura Ghazwah of Taimaa Ghazwah of That AlRiqaa

7 AH/ 2nd Month 7 AH/ 2nd Month 7 AH/ 2nd Month 7 AH/ 3rd Month

52

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

53

Ghaleb Al-Laythi

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

7 AH/ 3rd Month

54

Zayd bin Harithah

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

7 AH/ 6th

Attacked them off guard, inflected wounds all over them, took booties and returned

55

Omar bin Al-Khattab

Offensive

Sariyyah

7 AH/ 8th

They escaped, thus he returned without a fight

No.
56

Commander
Beshir bin Saad AlAnsari

Operation Nature
Offensive

Operation Description
Sariyyah

Target
Benu Marra at Fidk Benu Awwal and Benu Abd ben Thalabah at Mayfaa'a
Aseer bin Zoram was gathering Ghatafan against the Muslims, at Khaybar

Hijri/ Month
7 AH/ 8th Month

Outcome
All got martyred but Beshir, who returned to Al-Madinah after his wounds were healed at the Jews of Fidk He defeated them, took booties and returned he deafted them and killed them all The infidels escaped and the Muslims took booties and returned with 2 captives They refused Islam and fought The Muslims were victorious, took booties and returned All Muslims were martyred, except one who pretended to be dead The Muslims were victorious, took booties and returned
No victorious side, all three commanders were martyred, Khaled retreated the army to Al-Madinah, the Romans and their Arab agents didn't chase the retreating Muslim army, Arab tribes were overwhelmed by the shocking battle: tribes of Beni Salim, Ashjaa, Ghatafan, Thobyan, Fazarah and others became Muslims

57

Ghaleb Al-Laythi

Offensive

Sariyyah

7 AH/ 9th Month

58

Abdullah bin Rawahah

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

7 AH/10th Month

59

Beshir bin Saad AlAnsari Ibn Abi Al-Awjaa

Offensive to Defend Dawah

Sariyyah

Yemen and Jabbar at Ghatafan lands Calling Beni Selim to Islam

Giving lesson to those who killed the companions of Beshir bin Saad Al-Ansari of Beni Morra at Fidk Giving lesson to Beni Qodhaa'a gathering in Sham lands to attack the Muslims Giving lesson to Beni Hawazen for their repetitive support to enemies of Muslims Preparation of conquest of Christian lands, stopping the gatherings of Romans, Giving lesson to Sharhabeel bin Amr Al-Ghassani: governor of Caesar, for killing the messenger of the Prophet (SAW): Al-Harith bin Omayr Al-Azdi

7 AH/10 Month

th

60

Sariyyah

7 AH/12th Month 8 AH / 2nd Month

61

Ghaleb Al-Laythi

Offensive

Sariyyah

62

Kaab bin Omayr AlAnsari

Offensive

Sariyyah

8 AH / 3rd Month

63

Shojaa bin Wahb AlAsadi

Offensive

Sariyyah

8 AH / 3rd Month

64

Zayd bin Harithah, then Jafer bin Abi Taleb, then Abdullah bin Rawahah, then the Muslims selected Khalid bin Al-Walid

Defensive Offensive

Ghazwah of Motah (the Prophet witnessed it through Angel Jibril, thus it's called Ghazwah)

8 AH / 5th Month

No.

Commander

Operation Nature
Offensive to Defend

Operation Description
Sariyyah of Muhajirs and Ansar, with help from tribes of Beli, Othra, and Belqin: That Al-Salasel Ghazwah

Target
Repulsion of Qadhaa'a: ally of Romans, which gathered again in the North to attack AlMadinah Giving lesson to Beni Ghatafan in Najd for their gathering and intention to attack Al-Madinah
Mystification of the real target of the army heading to Makkah, thus Abu Qatadah marched away from Makkah to Batn Adhm

Hijri/ Month
8 AH / 6th Month

Outcome
Majority of infidels escaped, except one tribe that fought, no decisive result

65

Amr bin Al-Aas

66

Abu Qatadah

Offensive to Defend

Sariyyah

8 AH / 8th Month

Muslims were victorious, took booties and captives and returned

Abu Qatadah changed route and joined the army of the Prophet (SAW) during its march to Makkah

67

Abu Qatadah

Deceptive Maneuver

Sariyyah

8 AH / 9 Month

th

68

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Ghazwah: Conquest of Makkah

Conquest of Makkah Demolition of AlOzza at Nakhla, between Makkah and Al-Taif Demolition of Sowaa, idol of Hatheel Demolition of Manat Beni Jatheema of Kananah Recon of infidels forces at Wadi Awtas

8 AH/ 9TH MONTH 8 AH/ 9TH MONTH 8 AH/ 9TH MONTH 8 AH/ 9TH MONTH 8 AH 10th Month

Muslims were victorious and the conquest of Makkah was completed Demolished

69

Khalid bin Al-Walid

Offensive

Sariyyah

70 71

Amr bin Al-Aas Saad bin Zayd AlAsh-hali

Offensive Offensive

Sariyyah Sariyyah

Demolished Demolished
Killing took place by mistake, thus the Prophet (SAW) paid blood money to people and returned their moneys to them

72

Khalid bin Al-Walid

Dawah

Sariyyah

73

Abdullah Al-Aslami

Reconnaissa nce

Sariyyah

8 AH 10th Month

Intel came back to the Prophet (SAW)

The infidels, under the commandership of Malek bin Awf AlNadhri, ambushed the Muslims at Honayn valley, Muslims were defeated at the beginning, but the Prophet (SAW) stood fast they they gathered around him then became victorious

74

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive

Ghazwah of Honayn

Confrontation with the gatherings of Hawazen, Thaqeef, and Qays in Wadi Awtas

8 AH 10th Month

No.
75 76

Commander
Abu Aamer Al-Ash-ari Abu Mosa Al-Ash-ari (Abu Aamer's brother) The Prophet (SAW)

Operation Nature
Offensive Offensive

Operation Description
Sariyyah Sariyyah Ghazwah of Al-Taif (Thaqeef)

Target
Chasing the infidels in Awtas Chasing the infidels in Awtas Thaqeef and Hawazen in AlTaif

Hijri/ Month
8 AH 10th Month 8 AH 10th Month 8 AH 10th Month

Outcome
Abu Aamer was martyred The Muslims were victorious, Malek bin Awf escaped with his men to Al-Taif After 18-day siege, the Prophet (SAW) turned back
He defeated them, took captives and returned, Beni Tamim came after him to AlMadinah, after lengthy poetic and speech challenges they adopted Islam

77

Offensive

78

Oyaynah bin Hesn Al-Fazari

Offensive

Sariyyah

Giving lesson to Beni Tamim

9 AH 1st Month

79

Qotbah bin Aamer Al-Dhahhak bin Sofyan Al-Kilabi

Offensive

Sariyyah

Group of people of Khatha'am Benu Kilab

9 AH 2nd Month 9 AH 3rd Month 9 AH 3rd Month

80

Offensive

Sariyyah

81

Ali bin Abi Taleb

Offensive

Sariyyah

Demolition of AlQals: idol of Tayi' Giving lesson to some Habashi's gathered at Jeddah coast for piracy against Makkah Stopping the confrontation of Romans and their Arab agents of Ghassan tribe with Islam and Islamic State
Restoring the governance of Islam over Yemen after being taken over by imposter Al-Aswad Al-Ansi who claimed to be prophet

Qotbah was martyred, the Muslims were victorious and took booties Muslims were victorious Demolished, some fighting took place with tribe of Tii, Muslims took booties and returned to AlMadinah

82

Alqamah bin Mejazzez Al-Medlaji

Offensive

Sariyyah

9 AH 4th Month

Habashi's escaped

83

The Prophet (SAW)

Offensive to Defend

Ghazwah of Tebuk

9 AH 7th Month

84

Prophet's governors in Yemen

Defensive

Skirmish with AlAswad Al-Ansi

12thMonth 9 AH to 3rd Month 10 AH

The Romans and their agents were scared and left the battle field; Muslims didn't find any army to fight against, Muslims reached AlMadinah after 50 days in Ramadhan The ordeal of AlAswad Al-Ansi lasted 3 or 4 months, until Fayruz Al-Daylami killed him prior to the death of the Prophet (SAW)

No.

Commander

Operation Nature

Operation Description

Target

Hijri/ Month

Outcome
The army paused at Al-Jarf outside AlMadinah awaiting for the news about the sickness of the Prophet (SAW), until Caliph Abu Baker sent it late Rabii Awwal. The army achieved its target under fog and returned to AlMadinah. Many tribes kept their faith due to this offensive. Caesar was shocked: what's wrong with those people; their Man dies and they attack us!!

85

Osama bin Zayd

Offensive to Defend

Army of Osama

Giving lesson to Romans for killing Farwah AlJothami: their governor on Maa'an, after adopting Islam and refusing to go back to Kufr. Target, as set by the Prophet (SAW): "Attack Abna at Dawn and Burn".

11 AH 2nd & 3rd Month

31 Military operations commanded directly by the Prophet (SAW), The Prophet of Allah; Mohammed (SAW), passed away in the 3rd month of the 11th Hijri year (June 632 CE) in Al-Madinah

Remarks: 1. The word (Ghazwah) is used for a battle that was witnessed by the Prophet (SAW) himself. 2. The word (Sariyyah) is used for small military unit (e.g. brigade) not accompanied by the Prophet (SAW). 3. The word (Muhajir) means (immigrant): it indicates the Muslims who immigrated to Al-Madinah from Makkah, generally. 4. It's highly essential to understand that Hijrah (immigration) was decided on, in time and place, by Allah (SWT) Himself. 5. Notice the approach of the Prophet (SAW) of using Muhajirs only for military operations during early stage of state construction. 6. Hijri months are lunar months, in contrast to Gregorian months (solar). The Hijri calendar was first implemented by Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab, and the Hijrah of the Prophet was selected as the landmark to start it. An attempt to start the calendar on the day of the Prophet's arrival at Al-Madinah was unsuccessful, because he arrived on the 12th. Thus, it was satisfactory to select the year of the incident of Hijrah as the first year of the lunar calendar. Relevant to the difference between the two calendars is seen in Surat Al-Kahf (18), verse (25), where Allah (SWT) mentions 309 years, but the Jews disagreed claiming it's only 300 years, from their knowledge of past nations: they were counting solar years while Allah (SWT) mentioned the count in lunar years, distinguishing in that verse between the 300 years and the added 9 years. Compiled by ABDUL HAMEED email: hameedmd@yahoo.com