The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

212 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
THE EXPEDITION AGAINST BAN0 AL-M USTALIQ OF KHUZA'A.
Al-Bukhai stated, "This was the expedition to al-Muraysi'."
Muhammad b. Ishaq stated, "That took place in 6 AH."
Mnsa b. Wqba, however, set it in 4 AH.
Al-Nu'mm b. Rashid stated, quoting al-Zuhri, "The hadith al-@,i' the
'calumnious report', occurred during the expedition to al-Muraysic." Similarly
al-Bukhari related it from the military chronicle of Masa b. Wqba, to the effect
that it took place in 4 AH. However, it was related from both him and from Wrwa
that it occurred in Sha'bm, 5 AH. Al-Waqidi stated, "It took place when two nights
remained of Sha'bm in 5 AH, and he (the Prophet (SAAS)) was accompanied
by 700 men."
Muhammad h. Ishaq b. Yasar stated, following his account of the Dha Qarad
incident, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) remained in Medina for part of
Jumada al-Akhira and Rajah, whereafter he made an expedition against Banii
al-Mustaliq of Khuza'a, in Sha'bm, 6 AH."
Ihn Hishim stated, "He appointed Aha Dharr al-Ghifai in command of
Medina; Numayla b. 'Abd Allah al-Laythi, however, is also named."
Ibn Ishaq went on, "'Asim h. 'Umar b. Qatada, 'Ahd Allzh b. Aba Bakr and
Muhammad h. Yahya b. Hibbm related to me, each narrating part of the account
relating to the expedition against Bana al-Mus~aliq, as follows, 'The Messenger
of God (SAAS) was informed that Bana al-Mustaliq were assembling to attack
him, under the leadership of al-Haith h. Aha Dira, the father of Juwayriyya,
whom the Messenger of God (SAAS) later married. When he heard of their
activity, he went forth against them, engaging them at one of their water sources
at a place called al-Muraysi', near Qudayd, towards the coast. The forces met and
did battle; God defeated Bana al-Mustaliq, a number of them being killed, and
the Prophet (SAAS) took over as booty their women, children and possessions.'"
Al-Waqidi stated, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) went forth with two
nights having passed of Sha'ban in 5 AH, with a force of 700 of his Companions
against Bana al-Mustaliq. They were allied to Bana Mudlij. When he reached
them, he entrusted the banner of the muhqzrin to Aha Bakr, the Trusting - though
some say to 'Amma h. Yasir - and that of the an@? to Sa'd h. Whada. He then
ordered Wmar b. al-Khatpb to tell the enemy, 'Cry out the words, "La Ilaha tllz
Allah!", "There is no god but God". By this you will protect yourselves and your
property.' But they refused and cast arrows instead.
"The Messenger of God (SAAS) then ordered the Muslims to attack. They
did so as one. And not one man escaped them; they killed ten and captured the'
rest. Only one of the Muslims was killed."
It is related in both ~ahih collections, from a hadiih of 'Abd Allah h. 'Awn,
who said, "I wrote to Nafi' asking him about the battle-cry prior to the fighting.
He replied, 'The Messenger of God (SAAS) attacked Bana al-Muspliq while
52 See above, p 217 et seq