Expedition of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib
623 historical campaign by Muhammad
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Expedition of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib (Arabic: سرية حمزة بن عبد المطلب), also known as Sīf Al-Baḥr platoon (Arabic: سرية سِيفُ البَحْرِ), was the first expedition sent out by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was sent in 1 AH of the Islamic calendar in the month of Ramadan (March 623 CE).
| Expedition of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Muhajirun of Medina | Quraysh of Mecca | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib | Amr ibn Hisham | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 30 | 300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | None | ||||||
The raid, which was to intercept a caravan that belonged to Quraish, was undertaken by the Muhajirun (Muslim exiles in Medina) alone (none of the Ansar, Helpers of Madinah, participated in it).[1]
Description
The raid was ordered by Muhammad seven to nine months after the Hijrah. It was led by Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle) and comprising 30 men with a definite task of intercepting a caravan that belonged to Quraish. ‘Amr ibn Hishām (Abu Jahl), the leader of the caravan was camping at al-‘Is with 300 Meccan riders.[2][3][4][5]
The two parties encountered each other, aligned and stood face to face in preparation for battle but Majdi ibn ‘Amr al-Juhani, a Quraysh who was friendly to both the parties intervened between them; so both parties separated without fighting. Hamza returned to Medina and Abu Jahl proceeded towards Mecca.
On that occasion, Muhammad accredited the first flag of Islam. Kinaz ibn Husain Al-Ghanawi was given the task of carrying it, and it was white in color.[1][3][4][5][6]
Location
The event took place on the seashore in the neighborhood of aI-‘Īṣ (العيص), in the territory of Banū Juhayna, between Mecca and Medina.