Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Chapter on Mentioning the Sariyaat

The Sariyaat are the groups that were in the year six of the Hijra. As claimed by al-Waqidi:

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz reported to us:

Abu Abdullah al-Asbahani said: "Sariyaat is the plural of Sariya, which is a faction of the army reaching up to four hundred sent to the enemy. They are named so because they are the elite and the best of the military, and their essence is from the secret thing: the precious.

It is said that they are named so because they execute secret and hidden operations, not in a direct manner, because the letter "Lam" in the word secret has a "Ra" and this has a "Ya". This is mentioned at the end of Ibn Athir."

Al-Salhi mentioned in al-Sirah al-Shamiyah that Ibn Ishaq mentioned the Sariyaat and missions as thirty-eight. Abu Umar (Ibn Abdul Barr) mentioned them as forty-seven at the beginning of al-Istiab, while Muhammad ibn Umar al-Waqidi mentioned them as forty-eight. Al-Mas'udi reported from some that they were sixty, and the Iraqi Hafiz acted upon that. Al-Hafiz Abu Abdullah al-Hakim said in al-Ikmaal that they were over a hundred. Al-Iraqi said: "I did not find this saying from anyone else but him." The Hafiz said: "Perhaps al-Hakim intended to include the battles with them. I say the statement of al-Hakim as narrated by Ibn Asakir after he narrated from Qatadah that the battles of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Sariyaat were thirty-seven. Al-Hakim said: "This is how we wrote it." And I think he meant the Sariyaat excluding the invasions, as mentioned in the book al-Ikmaal in order, the missions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Sariyaat in addition to a hundred."

He said: "And the reliable informant from our companions in Bukhara informed me that he read in the book of Abdullah Muhammad ibn Nasr about the Sariyaat and missions not related to wars themselves as seventy and a half."

In the beginning: "And what al-Hakim mentioned is very strange, and his interpretation of the words of Qatadah is noteworthy because Imam Ahmad narrated from Azhar ibn Al-Qasim al-Rasbi from Hisham al-Dastawi from Qatadah that the battles..."

Story of the Expedition of Ukasha Ibn Mihsan al-Asadi

Al-Hasan ibn Al-Jahm narrated, saying: Al-Husayn ibn Al-Faraj told us, saying: Al-Waqidi said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, sent Ukasha ibn Mihsan al-Asadi at the beginning of the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, or he said, at the end of the year six after the immigration to Medina, with forty men to Ghhamr. Among them were Thabit ibn Aqram and Siba ibn Wahb. They marched and the people feared them, so they fled. They camped near the water, and the vanguards were sent, who intercepted some of their livestock and found two hundred camels, which they drove to Medina.

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah led a detachment of forty men to Qassa in Rabi' al-Awwal of the sixth year after the immigration to Medina. They set off during the night and reached Qassa by morning, raided the people, and when they resisted, the men fled to the mountains. They captured one man who then converted to Islam. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, let him go.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah was sent in Rabi' al-Awwal of the sixth year after the immigration to Medina with ten men, who were mistaken for enemies by the people. They rested and fell asleep but were only aware of the Prophet and his companions, who were forty-three in total.

References and Further Reading

For more on these expeditions, consult the following sources:

• Sīrat Ibn Hishām (4:218-248)
• Al-Wāqidī's accounts
• Al-Bukhari's Maghazi
• Tabari's history (Volumes 2 and 3)
• Ibn Sa'd's Tabaqāt (Part 17)
• ʿUyūn al-Athar
• Al-Bidāya wa'l-Nihāya (4:2-356)
• Tārīkh al-Khamīs (1:355-470) and (2:67-146)
• Al-Zurqānī’s Al-Mawāhib

^[2] Ukasha ibn Mihsan al-Asadi was an ally of the Quraysh, a participant in the Battle of Badr, and one of the early Muslims promised Paradise. The Prophet utilized him in the Expedition of Ghhamr, where they encountered no treachery.

^[3] Ghhamr was a watering place of Banu Asad, located two nights' distance from Faid.

^[4] Mentioned in Al-Wāqidī's Maghazi (2:550), which is summarized here.

^[5] A narration from Al-Wāqidī's Maghazi (2:552).

Events of the Year 6 AH

In the year 6 AH, the companions of Muhammad ibn Maslamah were killed, while Muhammad himself sustained injuries. During this year, there was a military expedition led by Zaid ibn Harithah to Hamum, where they encountered a woman from the tribe of Muzaynah named Haleemah. She guided them to a location belonging to the Banu Sulaym tribe, resulting in successful raids and capturing of spoils. Among the captives was Haleemah's husband. Following this event, the Prophet Muhammad generously gifted the captured woman and her husband back to themselves.

Additional Expeditions

Another military expedition led by Zaid ibn Harithah took place in the same year to the outskirts, targeting the Banu Tha'labah tribe, resulting in the escape of the Arabs due to fear of retaliation from the Prophet Muhammad. The expedition managed to capture twenty camels and remained hidden for four nights.

In the same year, another expedition led by Zaid ibn Harithah was carried out to A'ays, where the wealth belonging to Abu Al-Ash was confiscated. Seeking protection, Abu Al-Ash sought refuge with Zainab bint Muhammad, who granted him asylum.

Additionally, there are accounts of Dawhat al-Kalbi's journey, where he received gifts and assistance, and Ali ibn Abi Talib led a group of a hundred men to confront disturbances from certain tribes.

These events are sourced from Al-Waqidi's accounts, providing insights into the military campaigns and actions undertaken during the 6th year after Hijra.

Story of the Expedition of Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf to Dumat al-Jandal

Informed by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that the Jews of Khaybar were planning an attack, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf was sent to negotiate with them. He proposed offering them the fruits of Khaybar in return for peace.

Saraya of Kurz ibn Jabir al-Fihri to the Aranite Tribe

Another expedition led by Kurz ibn Jabir was sent to the Aranite tribe, who had killed a shepherd of the Prophet and seized camels. This incident occurred in Shaban during the sixth year after the Hijra. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, dispatched twenty horsemen in pursuit.

Anecdote of Abu Al-Aas ibn Ar-Rabi' on a Trading Journey to Sham

Abu Al-Aas ibn Ar-Rabi' went on a trading journey to Sham with goods belonging to the Quraysh. He encountered a group from the Messenger of Allah's army, who seized his camels. Abu Al-Aas sought refuge with the Prophet's wife, Zaynab, and requested her to intercede on his behalf. The Prophet then returned Abu Al-Aas' wealth and possessions taken from others in the caravan, demonstrating generosity and justice.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

In a narration by Musa ibn Uqbah, it is mentioned that the wealth of Abu Al-Aas was taken by Abu Nusayr during the truce, this matter will be clarified later by the will of Allah. The story of the two men reported by Abu Muhammad Abd Allah ibn Yusuf Al-Asbahani goes as follows: Abu Saeed ibn Al-Arabbi told us that Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad Al-Zaafrani narrated to us from Abdul Wahab ibn Ataa who informed us from Sa'id on the authority of Qatadah from Anas ibn Malik that a group from the tribes of 'Ukl and 'Uraynah came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. They said, "O Messenger of Allah, we are from the people of milking and not of cultivation, so we disliked Madinah. The Messenger of Allah then commanded provision and extra food for them. He ordered them to go out and drink the water of its wells and milk of its livestock. They set out until they reached the territory of Harrah, where they killed the shepherd of the Messenger of Allah and stole the provisions after embracing Islam. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent men after them, and when they were caught, their hands and feet were cut off, their eyes were branded, and they were left at Harrah until they died in that state. Qatadah mentioned that the verse was revealed concerning them: "The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger." Qatadah also narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized charity in his sermons after this incident and prohibited mutilation.

Hadith Narrations

Sa'id bin Abi Aruba: They compiled this in Sahih from the hadith of Sa'id bin Abi Aruba, while some mentioned it from Ibn Abi Aruba, from Ukil or Urainah.

Hamam, Shu'bah, Hammad bin Salamah: According to Qatadah, they narrated it from Urainah.

Abdul Aziz bin Suhayb: Anas narrated from Urainah.

Thabit and Humaid: They narrated from Anas from Urainah.

Abu Al-Qasim Talhah bin Ali: Narrated that Muhammad bin Abd Allah Al-Shafi'i Abu Bakr narrated it, and then it was narrated from Al-Hasan bin Sallam by Abu Ghassan Malik bin Isma'il through Zuhayr from Simak bin Harb from Mu'awiyah bin Qurrah from Anas bin Malik.

Incident with the Bedouins: A group of people from Urainah came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), accepted Islam, and pledged allegiance to him. They complained of a disease in Medina, and the Prophet allowed them to go to their camels. They killed a shepherd, took the camels, and when another shepherd came wounded, the Prophet sent a group to pursue the first group, and they were brought back with their hands and legs cut off and eyes burnt. This was narrated by Muslim in Sahih from Harun bin Abd Allah bin Malik bin Isma'il and Abu Qilabah from Anas from Ukil.

Journey of Another Group: Another group from Ukil came, accepted Islam, and roamed the land. They too came to the Prophet, who advised them to take possession of the camels and consume their milk and dairy. They did as told, killed a shepherd, and drove off the camels. The shepherd sought help from the Prophet, who ordered them to be pursued. They were captured, had their hands and legs cut off, and were left in the heat without water until...

Translation of a Hadith Narration

Hadith: The Prophet (peace be upon him) encountered a group from Uraina and narrated a lengthy hadith to them. Following this, he sent people to find them and cursed them saying: "O Allah, blind their path for them and make it narrower than the neck of a camel." Allah then blinded their path, and they were caught. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then ordered for their hands and feet to be cut off and for their eyes to be gouged.

References:

• Recorded by Imam Bukhari in the Book of Punishments, Chapter: The Apostates Were Not Given Water Until They Died (Volume 8, Book 86, Hadith 17).
• Also cited by Imam Muslim in the Book of Legal Punishments, Chapter: Rulings on Warriors and Apostates (Book 28, Hadith 9).
• Cited by Abu Dawood in the Book of Punishments, under the chapter of What Was Mentioned Regarding Combat (Hadith 436).
• Quoted by Imam Tirmidhi in the Book of Purification, under the chapter of What Was Mentioned Regarding the Flesh of an Animal Whose Urine Can Be Eaten (Hadith 72).
• Referenced by Imam Al-Nasai in the Book of Prohibitions in three consecutive chapters (7, 8, 9, Pages 7:93-101).
• Found in Ibn Majah's Book of Punishments (Hadith 20) and Imam Ahmed's Musnad (Volumes 3:163-177-198).

"They refrained from entering the city" refers to their dislike for being there due to illness, possibly due to a contagious disease. The phrase "they did not agree with its food" indicates their aversion to the sustenance offered. An alternative narration suggests a form of investigation or clarification took place.

"And gouged their eyes" means their eyes were put out and what was in them was removed. Anas mentioned that their eyes were gouged as a punishment for blinding the innocent.

Benefit: This hadith is abrogated in terms of its application in punishments and is also annulled by the prohibition of mutilation.

Explanation of the Prohibition of Making Images

Ibn Shahin said after the hadith of Imran ibn Husain regarding the prohibition of making images: "This hadith abolishes all image-making." This is evidenced by what Al-Bukhari narrated in the Book of Jihad from the hadith of Abu Huraira regarding the prohibition of punishment with fire after permission has been granted, and the story of the two Bedouins before the Islam of Abu Huraira, where permission was granted and then prohibition was decreed. The making of images was annulled by the noble verse: "Indeed, the recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger..." [Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:33]. Qatada reported from Muhammad ibn Sirin that when the limits (Hudud) were revealed, the making of images was annulled.

Prohibition of Making Images after the Verse of the Hudud

There is no likeness to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, after the verse of the limits, and he prohibited making images, saying: "Do not make images with anything." Refer to the consideration in abrogating and abrogated matters from the narrations of Al-Hazimi from our research.

Benefit-No. 2: Regarding the Use of Camels' Urine and Dung

The permission was granted to use the urine of camels for medicinal purposes, specifically for their dung to treat these [ailments], and this was at the beginning of Islam then it was abrogated. It is said: "It is permissible for the one seeking treatment to use it [camels' urine] similarly to consuming dead meat for averting severe hunger."