Those Who Refused to Pay Zakat launch an Attack on Medina
This analysis of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) turned out to be completely correct and after only three nights, those who refused to pay the Zakat launched an attack on Medina at nightfall. They left one group of their confederates in Dhu Hissah, as reinforcements if required. Dhu Hissah is one of the waters of Banu Fuzarah, situated between Rabazah and Nakhl. The assailants reached the posts of Medina at night and the soldiers were already stationed there. They were then followed by others who were ascending to a higher terrain. The guards alerted the people of this attack by the enemies, and people rushed to inform Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) of this advance of the enemies. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) sent word for everyone to remain firm in their positions and the whole army did so. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then took all the Muslims present in the mosque and after mounting their camels, they made their way to them and the enemy was defeated.
The Muslims on their camels pursued them until they reached Dhu Hissah. The group of reinforcements of the enemies came forth to combat the Muslims with their leather water containers filled with air, tied together with ropes. They would kick these water containers with their feet so they would dangle in front of the camels. Seeing as camels were most frightened by such moving objects in front of them, all the camels of the Muslims became startled by these water skins and fled. The Muslims who were riding them were unable to control them until they reached Medina once more. In the end, no harm was inflicted upon the Muslims, nor did they manage to obtain anything.
From this supposed defeat of the Muslims, the enemies came under the impression that the Muslims were weak and unable to fight. With this assumption in mind, they informed their comrades stationed in Dhul Qassah of the events. Trusting in this news, they came forth to this group, but they were unaware that Allah the Almighty already had other plans for them, which He was indeed going to fulfil.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was occupied all night in preparing the army. Then in the latter part of the night, having formed the army, they departed on foot. Nu‘man bin Muqarrin was appointed to overlook the right flank, Abdullah bin Muqarrin over the left flank, and Suwaid bin Muqarrin over the rear part of the army, and they had some cavalry too. The sun had not yet risen when the Muslims met those who refused to pay the Zakat on the battlefield. They had no clue or inkling of the Muslims coming and suddenly the Muslims attacked them with their swords. The fight ensued in the last part of the night, and the rays of the sun had not yet shone upon them from the horizon when the opponents were defeated and began to flee.
It is further recorded that the Muslims took all of their animals into their possession. During this incident, Hibal was killed. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) pursued them until they reached Dhul Qassah and stopped there. This was the first victory granted to the Muslims by Allah the Almighty. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stationed Nu‘man bin Muqarrin and a few others there and returned to Medina himself.
This has been cited in Tarikh al-Tabari.
(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, 11 AH [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 255-256) (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 3, Ch. 6 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001] p. 308) (Al-Munjid, Under “Barada”) (Yaqut Ibn Abd Allah al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2, al-Hisa, p. 297)