The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 12
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 12 refuse in a manner that would hurt the feelings of the Anṣārī questioner, but declined in an exceedingly subtle manner. Sariyyah of Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra to Dhul-Qaṣṣah - Rabī‘ul-Ākhir 6 A. H. In the month of Rabī‘ul-Ākhir, the Holy Prophet sa sent Muḥammad bin Maslamah Anṣārī ra to Dhul-Qaṣṣah which was located at a distance of 24 miles from Madīnah, where, in those days, the Banū Thu‘labah resided. When Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra and his 10 companions reached there at night they found 100 young tribesmen prepared for battle. This party was 10 times the numerical value of the companions, but a difference of numbers was not very significant in the Islāmic execution of war. Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra immediately marshalled his troops before the army and there was a war of archery throughout the darkness of the night. After this, the infidels marched forward to attack this handful of men and since they were much greater in number, it was not long before these 10 devotees of Islām fell to the ground. The companions of Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra were all martyred, but Muḥammad bin Maslamah himself survived, because the infidels had left him with the others, thinking he had also perished and stripped him of his clothes. Perhaps Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra would have died lying there as well, but propitiously, a Muslim passed by and recognising Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra , picked him up and took him to Madīnah. When the Holy Prophet sa was informed of these events, he sent Abū ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrāḥ ra who was from the Quraish and was counted among the most venerable of companions to Dhul-Qaṣṣah, to seek retribution for Muḥammad bin Maslamah. Moreover, since news had also been received that the people of the Banū Thu‘labah tribe intended to attack the surroundings of Madīnah, the Holy Prophet sa sent a party of 40 able-bodied companions in the command of Abū ‘Ubaidah ra. The Holy Prophet sa ordered that they travel by night and reach there in the morning. In the fulfillment of this order, Abū ‘Ubaidah ra reached there punctually with his forces, when it was time for the morning prayer. They were confused by this sudden attack and so after a brief confrontation they fled, disappearing to the nearby mountains. Abū ‘Ubaidah ra