Expedition of Seif al-Bahr (Jaish al-Khabat)

Then there was the Sariyah [expedition] of Seif al-Bahr. These saraya are battles, and expeditions in which the Holy Prophe t(sa) did not participate. This specific sariyah was sent in 8 AH [Islamic calendar] towards the sea-shore where the Banu Juhaynah tribe resided.

This expedition is also known as Jaish al-Khabat. The explanation given for this name is that due to a shortage of food, the Companions were forced to eat tree-leaves called Khabat. Khabat also means the falling of leaves.

This expedition is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hazrat Jabir (ra) narrates, that the Holy Prophet (sa) sent 300 companions on mounts, under the leadership of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra) in order to watch over a trading caravan of the Quraish, there was no intention for fighting. They remained at the sea-shore for half a month and they were in a state of extreme hunger, to the extent that they even began to eat leaves. When an expedition would set out, it would not always be with the intent of war rather they would also be sent with other objectives. Albeit there would be occasions on which they entered battle; in both instances they are deemed as a sariyah, i.e. those expeditions where the Holy Prophet (sa) was not present.

In any case, they were in a state of such hunger that they would even eat leaves, which is why this army became known as Jaish al-Khabat (the army of leaves). Hazrat Jabir (ra) continues to narrate that during this time, the sea cast out an animal for them called “anbar” – meaning the sea washed a dead animal onto shore or it was carried to shore by the sea and was not able to survive on land without water and died. In any case, he narrates that an animal from the sea washed up on the shore, which was a very large fish. They ate its meat for half a month and rubbed its fat on their bodies, until their bodies were restored to their original health. Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) took one of its ribs and propped it upright and had the tallest person among them stand beside it.

In another narration, Sufyan bin Uyaynah relates that he took one of its ribs and propped it upright, then he had a person riding a camel pass beneath it. Hazrat Jabir (ra) also stated that there was a person in the army who slaughtered three camels each day for three days so that others could eat, but after this, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) stopped him.

Amr bin Dinar says that he heard Abu Saleh Dhakwan telling them that Qais bin Sa‘d told his father that he too was part of that expedition and when they became hungry, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) instructed that a camel should be slaughtered; and thus he did so. He says that when they became hungry again, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) said that another camel should be slaughtered, and he did as he was instructed. Then when they became hungry again, Hazrat Abu ‘Ubaidah(ra) instructed that another camel should be slaughtered.

They had riding camels with them which must also have been carrying their belongings, but their condition had become so dire that they had to slaughter them to eat. He continues saying that accordingly, he slaughtered a camel. Qais used to say that they became hungry again, and so Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) again instructed that a camel should be slaughtered. But after that he stopped him saying that no more camels should be slaughtered.

There is another narration in which Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah relates:

“I set out on the expedition of Jaish al-Khabat for which Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) was appointed as the commander. We were in a state of extreme hunger when the sea cast out a dead fish (it did not come out alive but was already dead) and we had never seen such a fish. (It was a huge fish and judging by the description it must have been a whale), known as ‘anbar’. They ate its meat for half a month; then Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) took one of its bones and a person riding his camel was able to pass beneath it.”

Ibn Juraij related that Zubair also told him that he heard Hazrat Jabir say that Hazrat Ubaidah (ra) instructed to eat the fish despite the fact that it was already dead, saying there was no harm in doing so. When they returned to Medina, they informed the Holy Prophet (sa) about the dead fish which they found and that they had to use it for sustenance. The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “You should eat of the provisions which Allah Almighty procures for you. Allah Almighty saw the state you were in and sent it to you and you ate from it – there is no harm in this. If there is any meat left and you have brought it with you, then give some to me as well.” Someone then presented the meat to the Holy Prophet (sa) and he also ate from it.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwah Seif al-Bahr, Hadith 4361-4362)

They had brought some of the leftover meat back with them, which the Holy Prophet (sa) also ate.

Hazrat Syed Zainul Abideen Waliullah Shah Sahib (ra) writes in his commentary [of Sahih al-Bukhari] regarding the Sariyah of Seif al-Bahr, which is also called [Jaish-ul] Khabat:

“This expedition was not sent for the purpose of war, rather this expedition was sent for the purpose of ensuring the safety of a trade caravan. According to Ibn Sa‘d, this convoy comprised of 300 Muhajireen and Ansar. Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra) was appointed as its commander, and this expedition is commonly known as Seif al-Bahr. The route which these caravans used to take was by the Red Sea. A watch-post was established on the shore of the Red Sea – this is why this expedition is called Seif al-Bahr.”

The purpose of this expedition and sending this convoy was to establish a watch-post for the sake of protection, and we will find out further on who they were protecting. “Seif means shore – Ibn Sa‘d has briefly mentioned this under the topic of Sariyatul Khabat – and Khabat means tree leaves. Due to their provisions which ran out, the members of this convoy were forced to eat leaves. Ibn Sa‘d has stated that this expedition took place in Rajab 8 Hijri which was the era of Hudnah, meaning it was at the time when the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was in effect.

Owing to his wisdom and farsightedness, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent the aforementioned army to Seif al-Bahr to be stationed at the watch post that was made to ensure the security and safety of passage for the trading caravan of the Quraish that was returning from Syria. The Muslim army wanted to ensure that no one did anything to the caravan of the Quraish lest they find an excuse to claim that the terms of the treaty had been violated. (The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah had already taken place, therefore they wanted to ensure that no one did anything to the caravan whereby the Quraish would have an excuse to say that the Muslims attacked them and hence the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah should be ended.) This is why the Holy Prophet (sa) established a watch post in that area so that they could protect the caravan of the Quraish. He further writes that according to Ibn Sa‘d, the aforementioned location was at a distance of five days’ travel from Medina.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwah Seif al-Bahr, Vol. 9, p. 239, Nazarat Isha’at Rabwah)

As I mentioned earlier this expedition was not sent for the purpose of fighting, rather to grant protection to the disbelievers. This was the level of effort made in order to establish peace that the Muslims even afforded protection to the enemy. Since a treaty had been established, they did not want to give any opportunity to the disbelievers to have an excuse to say that the conditions of the treaty were violated. In any case, it was the decree of Allah the Almighty and it was the disbelievers who were the ones to break the treaty themselves and this ultimately led to the Conquest of Mecca.