Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Chapter on the Number of the Expeditions by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the Number of His Brigades

Abu Al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Fadl Al-Qattan informed us in Baghdad that Abdullah ibn Ja'far ibn Durustawayh narrated to us, who reported from Ya'qub ibn Sufyan, who narrated from Abu Asim Al-Dhahhak ibn Makhlad, who reported from Yazid ibn Abi Ubaid, who reported from Salamah ibn Al-Akwa' who said: "I participated in seven expeditions with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and in nine expeditions with Zaid ibn Harithah, whom the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, commanded over us." This is reported by Al-Bukhari in Sahih from Abu Asim.

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us that Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated to us, who reported from Ahmad ibn Salamah and Muhammad ibn Ishaq, saying: Qutaibah ibn Said narrated to us, who narrated from Hatim ibn Ismail, who reported from Yazid ibn Abi Ubaid, saying: "I heard Salamah ibn Al-Akwa' saying: I participated in seven expeditions with the Prophet, peace be upon him, and I was sent out in the delegations seven times."

[1] Forward in the beginning of the third journey of this book, which is the commencement of the battles, the research on the number of expeditions and brigades. [2] Al-Bukhari from Abu Asim...

Abu Bakr's Campaigns

Abu Bakr led nine campaigns once, and Usama ibn Zayd led another campaign against us. This is narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Sahih from Qutayba.

Usama's Leadership

In the expeditions, Abu Bakr led us in nine campaigns, and Usama led us in one campaign. This is narrated by Muslim in Al-Sahih from Muhammad ibn Abbad, and also by Al-Bukhari in a Hadith from Hafs ibn Ghiyath narrated by Yazid.

The Prophet's Expeditions

The Prophet, peace be upon him, took part in a total of sixteen campaigns. This is narrated by Muslim from Ahmad ibn Hanbal and by Al-Bukhari from Ahmad ibn Al-Hasan Al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. This Hadith also mentions that Abu Bakr led a campaign against us once and Usama once.

Hadith on the Expeditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

First Narration:

It was narrated to us by Bakr bin Muhammad bin Hamdan al-Sayrafi, who narrated to us from Ibrahim bin Hilal, who narrated from Ali bin al-Hussein bin Shaqiq, who narrated from al-Hussein bin Waqid, who narrated from Abdullah bin Buraida, from his father, who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) participated in nineteen expeditions, fighting in eight of them. This hadith was recorded by Muslim in his authentic collection from the hadith of al-Hussein bin Waqid.

Second Narration:

It was informed to us by Abu Bakr Ahmed bin al-Hasan al-Qadi, who narrated from Hajib bin Ahmed al-Tusi, who narrated from Abdul Rahim bin Munib, who narrated from al-Fadl bin Musa, who narrated from al-Hussein bin Waqid, who narrated from Buraida, saying: My father narrated to us that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) engaged in seventeen expeditions, fighting in eight of them. He also sent twenty-four detachments, fighting in Badr, Uhud, the Trench, al-Muraysi', Qudayd, Khaybar, Mecca, and Hunayn.

Third Narration:

It was reported by Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz, who narrated from Abu al-Abbas Muhammad bin Ahmed al-Mahbubi, who narrated from Saeed bin Mas'ud, who narrated from Ubaidullah bin Musa, who narrated from Israel, who narrated from Abu Ishaq, saying: I heard al-Bara saying: I took part in fifteen expeditions with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and I was a lactating child. This hadith was recorded by Bukhari in his authentic collection from Abdullah bin Raja, from Israel.

Fourth Narration:

It was informed to us by Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz and Abu Ahmed Abdullah bin Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Muslin, who narrated from Abu Bakr bin Abi Shayba, from Zaid bin al-Habbab, and from Saeed bin Muhammad al-Jarmi, from Abu Thumaila, all narrating from Hussein bin Waqid, from Abdullah bin Buraida, from his father. This narration can be found in the previous location.

Hadith about the Prophet's Expeditions

Al-Mihrjaniyy al-Adl narrated: Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Shaibani told us, narrating from Ibrahim ibn Abdullah al-Sa'di, who reported from Wahb ibn Jarir, from Shu'ba, from Abu Ishaq who said, "I heard Zaid ibn Arqam saying, 'The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, participated in nineteen expeditions.' I asked, 'How many of them did you participate in with him?' He said, 'Seventeen.' I asked, 'Which one was the first?' He said, 'Dhul 'Ushayra or Dhul 'Ushayr.' This hadith is reported by al-Bukhari through Abdullah ibn Muhammad, from Wahb ibn Jarir."

Another Account of the Prophetic Expeditions

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Furak reported to us, narrating from Abdullah ibn Ja'far al-Asbahani, who told us through Yunus ibn Habib, through Abu Dawud al-Tayalisi, from Shu'ba, from Abu Ishaq who said, 'I asked Zaid ibn Arqam, "How many expeditions did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, participate in?" He said, "Nineteen expeditions." I asked him, "How many expeditions did you participate in with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him?" He said, "Seventeen expeditions." I then asked, "What was the first expedition that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, waged?" He said, "Dhul 'Ushayra or Dhul 'Ushayr." This hadith is reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim in Sahih from the narration of Shu'ba."

Further Narration of the Prophet's Expeditions

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us, narrating from Abu al-Fadl Muhammad ibn Ibrahim, who told us through Zuhayr ibn Harb, from Rawh ibn 'Ubadah, from Zakariya, from Abu al-Zubayr, from Jabir ibn Abdullah who said, 'The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, participated in twenty-one expeditions.' Jabir added, 'I witnessed [the battles] between Al-Hasari (Khaibar) and Al-Watir. Some texts include a "ح" between the two terms, while it remains "ث" in most other copies.' This account is captured by al-Bukhari and Muslim."

Rasulullah's Raids

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, participated in the Battle of Uhud. I accompanied the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in nineteen raids, without witnessing the Battles of Badr or Uhud as my father held me back. However, when Abdullah was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, I never lagged behind the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in any raid.

It is narrated in Sahih Muslim from Zuhayr ibn Harb on authority of Rawh that Rasulullah, peace be upon him, was involved in twenty-one raids, and I witnessed nineteen of them. In the last raid, people were groping around and clinging to the Prophet, peace be upon him. This narration is from Abu Bakr and Abu Saeed.

Further Accounts of Raids

According to the narration of Abu Bakr and Abu Saeed, in the account of Abu Abdullah, during the last raid led by the Prophet, peace be upon him, at Tabuk, what happened afterwards is not mentioned.

As per Saeed ibn Al-Musayyib, Rasulullah, peace be upon him, participated in eighteen raids. He mentioned it once but later said it was twenty-four, uncertain if it was a mistake or a later realization.

Ibn Ishaq's Account on the Battles of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Ibn Ishaq reported: Abu Abdullah, who is Ahmad ibn Hanbal, told us that Abu Saeed, a freedman of the Banu Hashim tribe, narrated to us that Abu Ya'qub, Ishaq ibn Uthman, said: "I asked Musa ibn Anas, how many battles did the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) participate in?" He replied: "Twenty-seven battles, of which he was absent for eight, while the rest he fought both by day and night." I further inquired, "How many battles did Anas himself participate in?" To which he answered: "He took part in eight battles."

Additional Narrations: Abu al-Husayn ibn al-Fadl al-Qattan in Baghdad informed us, through Abdullah ibn Ja'far al-Nahwi, that Ya'qub ibn Sufyan narrated to us, who heard from Ahmad ibn al-Khalil al-Baghdadi in Nisapur, who was informed by Husayn ibn Muhammad, who narrated from Shayban, who stated: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) engaged in nineteen battles, where he personally fought in eight and dispatched twenty-four more. The total number of battles of the Prophet (PBUH) and his expeditions were forty-three."

Further Narrations: Abu al-Husayn ibn al-Fadl al-Qattan in Baghdad reported to us, through Abdullah ibn Ja'far al-Nahwi, from Ya'qub ibn Sufyan, who heard from Uthman ibn Salih, who narrated from Ibn Lahia, who was told by Abu al-Aswad, from Urwah, who said: Ya'qub narrated to us, and Ibrahim ibn al-Mundhir related, who was informed by Muhammad ibn Fulayh, who heard from Musa, who narrated from Shihab, similar in wording: "Ibn Shihab said,"

(Note: The battles are mentioned earlier in the third book of this manuscript. The missing text between the two sieges is denoted by "A.")

Military Campaigns of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

This passage lists the military expeditions led by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which took place during different years. These campaigns include the Battles of Badr, Uhud, the Trench (Al-Khandaq), Khaybar, the Conquest of Mecca, and the Battle of Hunayn, among others. The Prophet participated in twelve battles, the first of which was the expedition of the previous generations, followed by the Battles of Uhud, the Trench, Hunayn, and more.

Dispatching Envoys

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sent various envoys during these campaigns. Among them was Ubaydah ibn al-Harith sent to meet a significant caravan at a place called Ahbab in Al-Awasi. Additionally, Ibn Jahsh was dispatched towards Mecca, where he encountered Amr ibn al-Hadhrami and Qudamah ibn Ubaydullah resulting in a confrontation. Another envoy was Hamzah ibn Abdul-Muttalib who faced Abu Jahl at Saif al-Bahr along with a group of Quraysh.

Further Missions

Further missions led by the Prophet included sending Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah towards Dhi al-Qassah through Iraq and appointing Mundhir ibn Amr to be martyred at Bi'r Ma'unah with his companions. Zaid ibn Harithah was also sent on a mission.

Four Conquests

One time towards Banu Qurd from Hudhayl, and one time towards Huzam from the valley, and one time towards Mu'tah, and the Ghazwah of al-Jamum from Banu Sulaim. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Umar Ibn Al-Khattab towards the people of Turbah. And he sent Ali Ibn Abi Talib towards the people of Yemen. And he sent Bashir Ibn Sa'd al-Ansari, brother of Banu Al-Harith Ibn Al-Khazraj, towards the people of Murrah at Bafidak. And he sent Abdullah Ibn Atik, Abdullah Ibn Unays, Abu Qatadah Mas'ud Ibn Sinan, and Aswad Ibn Al-Khuzai to kill Rafa'ah Ibn Abi Al-Haqiq at Khaybar. Their leader, Abdulah Ibn Atik, came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on a Friday while he was on the pulpit. When the Prophet saw them, he said: "Faces have succeeded." They replied: "May your face be successful, O Messenger of Allah." He asked: "Have you killed him?" They said: "Yes." So he called for the sword with which he was killed and asked while standing on the pulpit: "The food of this (one) in the intestines of the sword." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Ka'b Ibn Umayr towards that of Abatih from Balqa' where Ka'b and his companions were injured. He sent Amr Ibn Al-'As towards that of Salasil from the east of Sham. And he sent Usamah Ibn Zaid towards Wadi Al-Qura on the day when Mas'ud Ibn 'Urwah, Zaid Ibn Bishran were slain, and he was not from Thaqafi. Then they both confirmed.

Key Events in the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and the Banu Bakr tribe were struck by the Kudayd.

He also sent messengers to different tribes, including Al-Qarta'a from the Hawazin, Abu Al-Awjaa towards the Banu Sulaym who were then killed by them.

Moreover, the Prophet dispatched Ukkashah bin Muhisin towards al-Ghamrah, Asim bin Abi al-Aqlah and his companions towards Hudhayl, and Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas to the Hijaz.

Additionally, the Prophet performed three Umrahs: the first in Dhul-Hijjah, the second in the following year in Dhul-Qa'dah, and the third Umrah in Dhul-Qa'dah in the eighth year after the Hijrah.

It is narrated that the final battle led by the Prophet was the Tabuk expedition, which was the 26th he had personally participated in. He engaged in various expeditions including Badr, Banu Sulaym, and the region between the two blockades.

Major Expeditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The expedition of Sawiq aimed to pursue Abu Sufyan ibn Harb until reaching Quraqirat al-Kudr. This was followed by the expedition of Ghatfan to Najd, specifically the expedition of Dhi Amarr. Subsequently, there was the expedition of Bahrana situated above Far' in the Hijaz, followed by Uhud, Hamra al-Asad, Bani Nadir, Dhatus-Siqa' from the palms, the later Battle of Badr, Dumat al-Jandal, the Battle of the Trench, Banu Qurayza, Banu Lihyan from Hudhayl, Dhi Qarad, Bani Al-Mustaliq from Khuzā'ah, Hudaybiyah where no fighting took place due to the pagans' resistance, Khaybar, the Prophet's Umrah al-Qada', and the conquest of Makkah.

The subsequent battles included Hunayn, the siege of Taif, and then Tabuk, where the Prophet participated in a total of nine battles: Badr, Uhud, Trench, Qurayza, Mustaliq, Khaybar, Conquest, Hunayn, and Taif. The campaigns were led by the Prophet and his emissaries from his migration to Medina until his passing, totaling thirty-five missions and raids.

Notable Expeditions:

• Ubaydah ibn al-Harith to the lower part of Thaniyyat al-Murra in the Hijaz
• Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib to the coastal area from Ais towards the sea
• Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
• Abdullah ibn Jahsh to Nakhl
• Zaid ibn Harithah al-Qaradah
• Marthad ibn Abi Marthad al-Ghanawi al-Rajiyah
• Mundhir ibn Amr at Bi'r Ma'unah

Islamic Military Expeditions

1. Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah's Expedition to Dhi al-Qassa from Iraq

2. Umar ibn al-Khattab's Expedition from the Land of Bani Amir

3. Ali ibn Abi Talib's Expedition to Yemen

4. Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Kalbi's Expedition where they faced the enemy fiercely

5. Ali ibn Abi Talib's Expedition to the people of Fadak

6. Ibn Abi al-Awja's Expedition to the land of Bani Sulaym

7. Ukasha ibn Muhsin al-Ghamr's Expedition

8. Abu Salama ibn Abd al-Asad's Expedition to the water of Bani Asad

9. Muhammad ibn Muslima's Expedition towards a location from Hawazin

10. Bashir ibn Saad ibn Murrah's Expedition to Fadak

11. Bashir ibn Saad's Expedition to Kadah

12. Zaid ibn Haritha's Expedition from the land of Bani Sulaim

13. Zaid ibn Haritha's Expedition to Judham in the land of Hasma

14. Zaid ibn Haritha's Expedition to Tariq from the direction of Nakhl on the way to Iraq

15. Zaid ibn Haritha's Expedition to Wadi Al-Qura, where they encountered Banu Fazarah

Ghazwat (Battles) of the Prophet Muhammad

The expedition of Abdullah bin Rawaha passed by Khaybar, where Yassir bin Rizam the Jew was killed. The expedition of Abdullah bin Atik to Khaybar resulted in the killing of Abu Rafi bin Abi al-Huqaiq. During the battle between Uhud and Badr, Muhammad bin Maslamah was sent by the Prophet to assassinate Ka'b bin Ashraf. The Prophet also sent Abdullah bin Anas to kill Khalid bin Sufyan al-Hudhali. Zaid bin Haritha, Ja'far bin Abi Talib, and Abdullah bin Rawaha's expedition to Mu'ta resulted in their injuries. The Ghazwat of Ka'b bin Umayr al-Ghifari in At-Tilah from the land of Sham led to his and his companions' injuries. The expeditions of 'Aynah bin Husan bin Hudhaifah bin Badr from Banu al-‘Anbar of Banu Tamim and Ghalib bin Abdullah al-Kalbi Kuleib from the land of Banu Murra ended in a battle where both were defeated. The campaign of 'Amr bin Al-'As in Dhat as-Salasil from the land of Bali and 'Udhrah was another significant event. Similarly, the expedition of Ibn Abi Jadrud and his companions to Batn Adim took place before the conquest, and the campaign of Ibn Abi Hadrud in Al-Ghabah resulted in a battle.

It is narrated that Abu al-Husayn bin al-Fadl informed us, that Abdullah bin Jafar told us, that Ya'qub bin Sufyan narrated to us, that 'Ammar bin al-Hasan told us, that Salamah narrated from Muhammad bin Ishaq about the Prophet's arrival in Madinah in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, spending twelve nights, then setting out in Safar, engaging in battles for twelve months until reaching Waddan, during the Battle of Abwa, following which came the battle as mentioned. This narration can be found in Ibn Hisham's Sirah (4:218-220).

Rewards and Campaigns of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

In the month of Rabi' al-Akhir, the Prophet (peace be upon him) set out to Quraish until he reached Buwat from the direction of Radwa. He then mentioned the Ghazwah of Ushayrah in Jumada al-Ula, followed by his expedition in search of Kurz bin Jabir. Subsequently, the Battle of Badr took place in the month of Ramadan on a Friday morning, the 17th day of Ramadan.

After Badr came the Ghazwah of Sawiq in Dhul-Hijjah, two months later, followed by the expedition to Najd seeking Ghatfan, then the Ghazwah of Najran aimed at Quraish and Banu Sulaym. Between these events was the matter of Banu Qaynuqa.

Subsequently, the Battle of Uhud took place in Shawwal, three years after the Hijrah, followed by the expedition against Banu Nadir and their eviction, then the expedition of Dhat ar-Riqa', after which the Prophet (peace be upon him) marched towards Badr to confront Abu Sufyan on a pre-arranged meeting.

Later expeditions included the attack on Dumat al-Jandal and the return before reaching it, followed by the Battle of the Trench in Shawwal of the fifth year after the Hijrah, then the expedition against Banu Qurayzah in Dhu al-Qa'dah or early Dhu al-Hijjah.

Further campaigns included the expedition to Banu Lihyan in Jumada al-Ula, seeking the people of Ar-Raji', followed by his arrival in Madinah. Soon after, the incident with 'Uyaynah ibn Ghazwan occurred as part of the expedition of Dhi Qarad.

Throughout the years, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went on various missions, such as the campaign against Banu Al-Mustaliq in Sha'ban of the sixth year after the Hijrah, followed by the Farewell Pilgrimage in Dhu al-Qa'dah, culminating in the conquest of Makkah and his subsequent expeditions to Hunayn and Ta'if.

Upon returning to Madinah after these campaigns, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed there until he ordered preparations for the expedition against the Romans. He set out with the people until they reached Tabuk, without going beyond. [And Allah knows best].