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{{short description|Muslim military expedition to Nakhla in October 623 AD}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Raid on Nakhla <br> {{lang|ar|سرِيَّة نَخْلَة}}
| date = 29 or 30 Rajab [[Hijri year|AH]] 2 (''[[Wiktionary:circa|c.]]'' 30 October AD 623
| place = [[Nakhla (Saudi Arabia)|Nakhla]], [[Hejaz]], [[Arabian Peninsula]]
| coordinates = {{coord|22|29|51.8|N|39|53|50.9|E|region:SA|display=title}}
| result = Successful raid<ref name="Moon" /><ref name="Haykal1976" />
| combatant1 = [[Muslim]]s of [[Medina]]
| combatant2 = [[Quraysh]] of [[Mecca]]
| commander1 = [[Abdullah ibn Jahsh]]
| commander2 = [[Amr al-Hadrami]]
| strength1 = 8-12
| strength2 = 4
| casualties1 = 0
| casualties2 = 1 killed (2 Captured)<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />
}}
{{Campaignbox Campaigns of Muhammad}}
The '''Raid on Nakhla'''<ref name="Moon">{{cite book |title=When the Moon Split |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJL6gxPUV4EC&pg=PA148 |first=Safiur Rahman |last=Al-Mubarakpuri |author-link=Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri |year=2002 |publisher=[[Darussalam Publishers|Darussalam]] |page=148 |isbn=978-9-9608-9728-8}}</ref><ref name="Haykal1976">{{cite book |title=The Life of Muhammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fOyO-TSo5nEC&q=first+raids&pg=PA218 |first=Muhammad Husayn |last=Haykal |author-link=Muhammad Husayn Haykal |year=1976 |publisher=Islamic Book Trust |isbn=978-983-9154-17-7 |pages=218–227}}</ref>{{rp|218}} ({{lang-ar|سرِيَّة نَخْلَة}}) was the seventh [[Caravan Raids|Caravan Raid]] initiated by [[Muhammad]], and the first successful raid against the Meccans, which took place at [[Nakhla (Saudi Arabia)|Nakhla]], in the [[Hejaz]]i region of what is now [[Saudi Arabia]]. It took place in [[Rajab]] [[Hijri year|A.H.]] 2 (October AD 623).<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.aaiil.org/text/articles/islamicreview/1969/02feb/islamicreview_196902.pdf|last=Hamidullah|first=Muhammad|title=The ''Nasiʾ'', the ''Hijrah'' calendar and the need of preparing a new concordance for the ''Hijrah'' and Gregorian eras|journal=Islamic Review|volume=57|number=2|date=February 1969|location=London|page=6|access-date=2020-02-06|archive-date=2020-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215084611/http://aaiil.org/text/articles/islamicreview/1969/02feb/islamicreview_196902.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The commander was [[Abd-Allah ibn Jahsh|'Abdullah ibn Jahsh al-Asadi]],<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|218}} whom Muhammad dispatched to Nakhla as the head of 12 [[Muhajirun|Emigrants]] with six camels.<ref name="witness-pioneervil">{{cite book |first=Safiur Rahman |last=Al-Mubarakpuri |author-link=Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ppPqzawIrIC&pg=PA126 |title=The Sealed Nectar (Free Version) |date=6 October 2020 |pages=126–130|publisher=Independently Published |isbn=9798694145923 }}</ref>{{rp|126, 129}}<ref name="sealednectar">{{cite book |title=The sealed nectar: biography of the Noble Prophet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r_80rJHIaOMC&pg=PA245 |first=Safiur Rahman |last=Al-Mubarakpuri |author-link=Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri |year=2005 |publisher=[[Darussalam Publishers|Darussalam Publications]] |isbn=978-9960-899-55-8 |pages=245–246}}</ref>{{efn|This book<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hawarey |first=Mosab|title=The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (Arabic) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOZZCcXbc5QC&pg=PA241 |publisher=Islamic Book Trust |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4535-3785-5 }}</ref> contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here {{cite web |url=http://military.hawarey.org/military_english.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-06-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726142128/http://military.hawarey.org/military_english.htm |archivedate=2011-07-26}}.}}

The Muslims obtained rich plunder from the raid and brought it before Muhammad in [[Medina]].{{sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} However, he was met with outrage in the city as the raid took place during the holy month, when bloodshed was forbidden according to Pagan convention. He claimed that his followers had misunderstood his orders, and he refused to collect his one-fifth share of the loot until a verse was eventually revealed, justifying the raid.{{sfn|Karsh|2013|p=14}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2017|p=85-86}}{{sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=83}}{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=163}}{{sfn|Peterson|2007|p=101}}{{sfn|Watt|1956|p=5}}

==Background and participants==
Before the first Badr encounter ([[Battle of Safwan]]), Muhammad sent his brother-in-law Abdullah ibn Jahsh, in Rajab with 12 men on a [[Reconnaissance|fact-finding operation]]. Abdullah took along with him Abu Hudhayfa, Abdullah ibn Jahsh, [[Ukasha ibn al-Mihsan]], Utba b. Ghazwan, [[Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas]], Amir ibn Rabi'a, Waqid ibn Abdullah and Khalid ibn al-Bukayr.<ref name="sealednectar" /><ref name="online">{{cite book |author=Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nmUrN0B8cvQC&pg=PA139 |title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir Juz' 2 (Part 2): Al-Baqarah 142 to Al-Baqarah 252 |edition=2 |pages=182–187 |publisher=MSA Publication Limited |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-8617-9676-9}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20150514140606/http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=196 online]</ref> Muhammad gave [[Patronymic#Arabic|Ibn]] [[Jahsh ibn Riyab|Jahsh]] a letter, but not to be read until he had travelled for two days and then to do what he was instructed to do in the letter without putting pressure on his companions. Abdullah proceeded for two days, then he opened the letter; it told him to proceed until he reached Nakhla, between [[Mecca]] and [[Taif]], lie in wait for the Quraysh and observe what they were doing.<ref name="sealednectar"/>

Ibn Jahsh told his companions that whoever chose [[martyrdom in Islam|martyrdom]] was free to join him and whoever did not could go back. All the companions agreed to follow him (a few biographers write that two Muslims decided not to be [[martyr]]s and chose to return to [[Medina]]). Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and Utbah ibn Ghazwan lost a camel that they were taking turns to ride. The camel strayed and went to [[Buhran]], so they went out looking for the runaway camel to Buhran and fell behind the group.<ref name="witness-pioneervil"/><ref name="sealednectar"/>

==The attack==
Participants were:<ref name="sealednectar"/><ref name="online"/>
*Amr ibn al-Hadrami, leader of the caravan
*Uthman bin Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah from the tribe of Makhzum
*Nawfal bin Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah, (Uthman bin Abdullah's brother)
*Al-Hakam ibn Kaysan, the freed slave (Mawla) of Hisham ibn al-Mughirah

At Nakhlah, the caravan passed carrying loads of raisins (dried grapes), food stuff and other commodities. Notable polytheists were also there such as 'Amr bin Al-Hadrami, 'Uthman and Naufal, sons of 'Abdullah bin Al-Mugheerah and others. The Muslims held consultations among themselves with respect to fighting them taking into account Rajab which was a sacred month (during which, along with Dhul Hijja, Dhul Qa‘da and Muharram, war activities were suspended as was the custom in Arabia then).<ref name="sealednectar"/>

One of Abdullah's men, [[Ukasha ibn al-Mihsan]], was shaven in head to hide the real purpose of their journey and to give the Quraysh the impression of lesser [[Hajj]] ([[Umrah]]); for it was the month ([[Rajab]]) when hostilities were forbidden. When the Quraysh saw the shaven head of Ukkash, they thought that the group was on its way for [[pilgrimage]] and they felt relieved and began to set up camp. They said, "These people seek the `Umrah, so there is no need to fear them."<ref name="online"/> The sacred months of the Arab pagans were the 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th months of the Islamic calendar according to the Muslim scholar [[Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri]].<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />{{rp|129}}

Nevertheless, after much deliberation, the group did not want this rich caravan to escape. Abdullah bin Jahsh said: "Surely, if you allow the caravan to pass through tonight unmolested, they will reach the holy territory tomorrow and will thereby become forbidden to you. And yet if you kill them today, you will have killed them in the holy month when killing is forbidden". After hesitating and then convincing one another they decided to attack and take the booty/possessions.<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|226–227}}

While they (the [[Quraysh]]) were busy preparing food, the Muslims attacked.<ref>Sir [[William Muir]], [https://archive.org/details/lifemahometandh02muirgoog/page/n88 The Life of Mahomet and History of Islam, to the Era of the Hegira ..., Volume 3], p. 72, Oxford University, Smith, Elder, 1861.</ref> In the short battle that took place, [[Waqid ibn Abdullah]] killed Amr ibn Hadrami by shooting an arrow at the leader of the Qurayshi caravan. The Muslims captured two Quraysh tribe members.<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|226–227}} Nawfal ibn Abdullah managed to escape. The Muslims took Uthman ibn Abdullah and al-Hakam ibn Kaysan as captives. Abdullah ibn Jahsh returned to Medina with the booty and with the two captured Quraysh tribe members. The followers planned to give one-fifth of the booty to Muhammad.<ref name="online"/>

==Aftermath==
The Muslims gained abundant booty from the raid and brought it before Muhammad in Medina.{{sfn|Buhl|Welch|1993|p=369}} But since this was done in the holy month where bloodshed was forbidden at the time according to Pagan convention, it received a wave of indignation in the city. Muhammad maintained that his followers had mistaken his instruction, and he put off taking his one-fifth portion of the plunder until a verse was finally revealed, legitimizing the attack.{{sfn|Karsh|2013|p=14}}{{sfn|Rodgers|2017|p=85-86}}{{sfn|Gabriel|2014|p=83}}{{sfn|Rodinson|2021|p=163}}{{sfn|Peterson|2007|p=101}}{{sfn|Watt|1956|p=5}}

===Islamic primary sources===
Muhammad initially disapproved of that act and suspended any action as regards the camels and the two captives on account of the prohibited months. The Arab pagans exploited this opportunity to accuse the Muslims of violating what is Divinely inviolable (fighting in the months considered sacred to the Arab pagans).<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />{{rp|129}} This idle talk brought about a painful headache to Muhammad’s Companions, until at last they were relieved when Allah revealed a verse regarding fighting in the sacred months.<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />{{rp|129}}<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|226–227}}

{{cquote|bgcolor=#F0FFF0|They ask you concerning fighting in the sacred months. Say, "Fighting therein is a great (transgression) but a greater (transgression) with [[God in Islam|Allâh]] is to prevent mankind from following the way of [[Allah|Allâh]], to disbelieve in Him, to prevent access to ''[[Great Mosque of Mecca|Al-Masjid-Al-Ḥarâm]]'', and to drive out its inhabitants, and ''Al-[[Fitna (word)|Fitna]]h'' is worse than killing."|{{Quran-usc|2|217}}<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />{{rp|129}}<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|226–227}}}}

According to [[Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya]]h, Allah says that what the attackers did may be serious, but the sins of the Quraysh like disbelief, preventing people from "following way of Allah", expelling Muslims from Mecca, the ''Shirk'' which they practiced and the ''Fitnah'' resulting from your actions is a greater sin. Ibn Qayyim further states that "most of the scholars have explained the word ''Fitnah'' here as meaning ''[[Shirk (Islam)|Shirk]]''; and the truth of it is the ''Shirk'' which its owner calls to, and he punishes those who are not put to trial by it (i.e. those who do not accept it)."<ref name="Ibn 'Abdul-Wahhab">{{Cite book |author=Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb |author-link=Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8JRzr6mC55IC |title=Mukhtaṣar zād al-maʿād |year=2003 |publisher=[[Darussalam Publishers|Darussalam Publishers Ltd.]] |isbn=978-9960-897-18-9 |pages=346–347 }}</ref>{{rp|347}}

The Muslim Mufassir [[Ibn Kathir]]'s commentary on this verse in his book [[Tafsir ibn Kathir]] is as follows:

{{cquote|bgcolor=#F0FFF0|Allah said:

They ask you concerning fighting in the Sacred Months. Say, "Fighting therein is a great (transgression) but a greater (transgression) with Allah is to prevent mankind from following the way of Allah, to disbelieve in Him, to prevent access to ''Al-Masjid Al-Haram'', and to drive out its inhabitants, and Al-Fitnah is worse than killing.)

This Ayah means, `If you had killed during the Sacred Month, they (disbelievers of Quraysh) have hindered you from the path of Allah and disbelieved in it. They also prevented you from entering the Sacred Mosque, and expelled you from it, while you are its people,

(...a greater (transgression) with Allah) than killing whom you killed among them. Also:

(...and ''Al-Fitnah'' is worse than killing.) means, trying to force the Muslims to revert from their religion and re-embrace ''[[Kufr]]'' after they had believed, is worse with Allah than killing.' Allah said:

(And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can.)

So, they will go on fighting you with unrelenting viciousness.

Ibn Ishaq went on: When the Qur'an touched this subject and Allah brought relief to the Muslims instead of the sadness that had befallen them, Allah's Messenger took possession of the caravan and the two prisoners. The Quraysh offered to ransom the two prisoners, `Uthman bin `Abdullah and Hakam bin Kaysan. Allah's Messenger said:

(We will not accept your ransom until our two companions return safely.) meaning Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas and `Utbah bin Ghazwan, "For we fear for their safety with you. If you kill them, we will kill your people.''|[[Tafsir ibn Kathir]], on Quran 2:217<ref name="online"/>
}}

According to Ibn Kathir, Muhammad refused to accept ransom until he was sure his companions were safe, he also threatened to kill the captives. He said: "For we fear for their safety with you. If you kill them, we will kill your people", Ibn Kathir cites [[Ibn Ishaq]]'s [[7th century]] biography of Muhammad as the primary source for this quote.<ref name="online"/> The Muslim scholar [[Muhammad Husayn Haykal]] also mentions this and said the verse which permitted Muslims to fight in the months which were considered sacred by the Arab [[Paganism|pagans]] had "brought the Muslims relief", and that then Muhammad had accepted his share of the booty.<ref name="Haykal1976" />{{rp|226–227}}

Soon after his release, al-Hakam bin Kaysan, one of the two prisoners captured, became a Muslim.<ref name="witness-pioneervil"/><ref name="Ibn 'Abdul-Wahhab" />{{rp|347}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5727 |title=Tafsir ibn Kathir, on 2:217 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109200814/http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5727 |archive-date=2010-01-09}}, free online text version</ref> Mubarakpuri mentions that the Quran verse 47:20 was also sent down, dispraising the hypocrites and cowards who are scared of fighting, and exhorted Muslims to fight.<ref name="witness-pioneervil" />{{rp|130}}

==See also==
*[[List of expeditions of Muhammad]]
*[[Military career of Muhammad]]
*[[Muslim–Quraysh War]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
<References/>

===Books and articles===
*{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Buhl |first1=F. |last2=Welch |first2=A.T. |date=1993 |title=Muḥammad |url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/muhammad-COM_0780 |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]] |edition=2nd |publisher=Brill |volume=7 |isbn=978-90-04-09419-2 }}
*{{Cite book |last=Watt |first=William Montgomery |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Muhammad_at_Medina.html?id=2ucPAQAAIAAJ |title=Muhammad at Medina |date=1956 |publisher=Clarendon Press |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel C. Peterson |date=2007 |title=Muhammad, Prophet of God |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-8028-0754-0}}
*{{Cite book |last=Rodgers |first=Russ |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wE5BvgAACAAJ |title=The Generalship of Muhammad: Battles and Campaigns of the Prophet of Allah |date=2017 |publisher=University Press of Florida |isbn=978-0-8130-5459-9 |language=en}}
*{{Cite book |last=Rodinson |first=Maxime |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttPdDwAAQBAJ |title=Muhammad |date=2021-03-02 |publisher=New York Review of Books |isbn=978-1-68137-493-2 |language=en}}
*{{Cite book |last=Gabriel |first=Richard A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HQCBQAAQBAJ |title=Muhammad: Islam's First Great General |date=2014-10-22 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-8250-6 |language=en}}
*{{Cite book |last=Karsh |first=Efraim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VGrAAAAQBAJ |title=Islamic Imperialism: A History |date=2013-09-24 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-20133-8 |pages=14 |language=en}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nakhla Raid}}
[[Category:Campaigns ordered by Muhammad]]

Raid on Nakhla - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article