Ghazwah Bani Mustaliq

Ghazwah Bani Mustaliq took place in Sha‘ban, 5 AH. This battle was also known as Ghazwah Muraisi. Mentioning this, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:

“The opposition of the Quraish began to take on a more dangerous form day by day and through their conspiracies, they had already incited many tribes against Islam and the Founder of Islam. However, now their animosity created a new threat, in that those tribes of Hijaz who had thus far held good relations with the Muslims, now began to stand up against them due to the seditious designs of the Quraish.

“In this respect, the Banu Mustaliq, a branch of the renowned Khuza‘ah tribe, took the lead and began to mobilise in order to launch an attack against Medina. Their chief, Harith bin Abi Darrar toured the other tribes of that region and brought various other tribes aboard as well.

“When the Holy Prophet (sa) received news of this, as an act of precaution, the Holy Prophet (sa) dispatched a Companion named Buraidah (ra) bin Husaib towards the Banu Mustaliq in order to gather intelligence and urged him to return swiftly with insight into the state of affairs. When Buraidah (ra) arrived, he found that in fact, a very large gathering was present and preparations were underway to attack Medina with great vehemence and uproar. He returned at once and relayed his findings to the Holy Prophet (sa).

“According to his custom, as a pre-emptive measure, the Holy Prophet (sa) urged his companions to set out towards the dwellings of Banu Mustaliq. A large number of companions prepared to go forth. In fact, a large group of hypocrites who, prior to this, had never come along in such numbers also set out. The Holy Prophet (sa) left behind Abu Dharr Ghifari (ra) or in light of various narrations, Zaidra bin Harithah as the amir of Medina, and set out in the name of Allah from Medina in Sha‘ban 5 AH.

“There were only 30 horses in the army; however, camels were available in a somewhat greater number. The Muslims travelled on these horses and camels in turns. During the course of this journey, the Muslims happened to find a spy of the disbelievers, who was taken captive and presented to the Holy Prophet (sa).

“After questioning him, when the Holy Prophet (sa) was assured that he was actually a spy, the Holy Prophet (sa) attempted to probe him for information relevant to the disbelievers, but he refused. Furthermore, since his attitude was suspicious, according to the customary law of warfare, Hazrat Umar (ra) executed him. After this, the Muslim army continued to advance.

“When the Banu Mustaliq found out about the imminent arrival of the Muslims, and received news that their spy had been killed, they became very fearful. Their actual intention was to somehow attack Medina unexpectedly, but owing to the alertness of the Holy Prophet (sa), the tables had now turned. They became immensely awe-stricken and the other tribes who had come out to join them in support became so fearful due to the power of God, that they immediately left their side and returned to their homes. However, as for the Banu Mustaliq, the Quraish had so deeply intoxicated them with enmity towards the Muslims that they still did not hold back from war, and remained fully bent upon fighting the Muslim army with full force. When the Holy Prophet (sa) reached Muraisi‘, close to where the Banu Mustaliq were present, which is a place situated between Mecca and Medina near the coast of the sea, the Holy Prophet (sa) ordered the setup of camp. After arranging the ranks and the distribution of flags, etc. the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed Hazrat Umar (ra) to move forward and announce to the Banu Mustaliq that even now, if they refrain from their enmity towards Islam and accept the rule of the Holy Prophet (sa), they would be given peace, and the Muslims would return. However, they vehemently refused and prepared for war. It is even written that the first arrow was shot by a man from their tribe.

“When the Holy Prophet (sa) witnessed their hostility, he ordered the companions to fight as well”, as the enemy had already started to fight. “For some time both sides exchanged a shower of arrows, upon which the Holy Prophet (sa) ordered the companions to launch a sudden attack. As a result of this sudden assault, the disbelievers lost their footing. The Muslims surrounded them so skilfully that their entire tribe became surrounded and was forced to throw in their arms. With only ten casualties among the disbelievers and one from among the Muslims, this war, which could have taken on a dangerous form, came to an end.”

In Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin [The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets] Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:

“It is also necessary to mention that there is a narration regarding this battle in Sahih Bukhari, where it is related that the Holy Prophet (sa) attacked the Banu Mustaliq at a time when they were unaware and giving water to their animals. However, if one contemplates, this narration is not in contradiction to the account related by historians; rather, both these narrations relate to two different times; that is to say, when the Muslim army arrived close to the Banu Mustaliq, at the time, since they were unaware that the Muslims had reached so close”, even though they were definitely aware that the Muslim army was about to arrive, “they were still at ease in an unorganised state. It is this very state to which Bukhari has made mention. However, when they received news that the Muslims had arrived according to their previous preparation, they immediately aligned in battle array and prepared to fight. The historians have alluded to this second state. ‘Allamah Ibn Hajar and other research scholars have reconciled these two varying narrations in this very manner, and it is this elucidation which seems to be correct.”

(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 557-559)