Expedition of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi (Al-Kadid)
Expedition of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi to Al-Kadid took place in May 629 AD, 8AH, 1st month, of the Islamic Calendar,[1] or according to other sources May 628 AD, 7AH, 3rd Month.[2]
Expedition of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi (Al-Kadid) | |||||||
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| |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
10-15[5] | Entire tribe (unknown population) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
0 |
Many killed[1][3]
(2 captured)[3][4] |
Expedition
A platoon headed by Ghalib bin ‘Abdullah Al-Laithi in Safar or in Rabi‘ Al-Awwal 7 A.H, Muhammad sent Ghalib ibn Abdallah al-Laythi, with between 10-15 men to raid the Banu al-Mulawwih at al-Kadid.[5]
According to the Abu Dawud Hadith collection, when the Muslims arrived at al-Kadid they met a man, al-Harith ibn Malik and took him as a prisoner. He informed Ghalib that he had come to embrace Islam. But he chained him up for safety reasons.[7]
The tribe was attacked and taken by surprise.[3] The Muslims managed to kill a large number of the enemy soldiers and captured a great deal of booty. A large army of polytheists then pursued the Muslims, but heavy floods hindered the pursuit, and the Muslims managed to escape in safety.[4]
According to Ibn Sa'd and Tabari, based on an account through Ibn Ishaq, who was told by a man from the Aslam tribe, the password used by Muslims to recognize one another while fighting at night was:
Amit Amit (kill kill, in arabic[8])
[Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir, Volume 2, Pg 156][9][10]
The Muslim Scholar Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri suggest that the reason for the attack was that the Banu Mulawwih were being provocative (without further details),[4] whereas the Non Muslim historian Sir William Muir claims the reason for the attack is unknown.[3]
Islamic primary sources
The event in also mentioned in the Sunni Hadith collection Abu Dawud as follows:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) sent Abdullah ibn Ghalib al-Laythi along with a detachment and I was also with them. He ordered them to attack Banu al-Mulawwih from all sides at al-Kadid. So we went out and when we reached al-Kadid we met al-Harith ibn al-Barsa al-Laythi, and seized him. He said: I came with the intention of embracing Islam, and I came out to go to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). We said: If you are a Muslim, there is no harm if we keep you in chains for a day and night; and if you are not, we shall tie you with chains. So we tied him with chains. Sunan Abu Dawood, 14:2672
Notes
- Abu Khalil, Shawqi (1 March 2004). Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks. Dar-us-Salam. p. 212. ISBN 978-9960897714. Note: 8AH, 1st month=May 629
- Hawarey, Dr. Mosab (2010). The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (Arabic). Islamic Book Trust. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.Note: Book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here
- William Muir, The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, p. 94.
- Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 241. (online), "A platoon headed by Ghalib bin ‘Abdullah Al-Laithi in Safar"
- "The first saryah of the year led by Ghalib b. Abdullah to al-Kadid", King Abdul Aziz University Archived 2011-07-16 at WebCite Author references, Ibn Sa'd Volume 2, Pg 124-125
- Sunan Abu Dawood, 14:2672 (alternative source archived)
- Sunan Abu Dawood, 14:2672
- Martin Lings, Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources, p. 182,
Emigrants and Helpers fought like incarnations of the Muslim battle-cry that day, Amit, Amit, which means "Kill, Kill".
CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) - Sa'd, Ibn (1967). Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir,By Ibn Sa'd,Volume 2. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 156. ASIN B0007JAWMK.
- Tabari, vol.viii, p.142