The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 402
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 402 widen. Therefore, Dummatul-Jandal, the Ghazwah of which we now mention, was situated near the Syrian border, and it was at a distance of no less than fifteen or sixteen days travel from Madīnah. 1 The reason for this Ghazwah was that the Holy Prophet sa received news that many people from Dummatul-Jandal had gathered and were occupied in robbing and looting others. They would attack travellers and caravans passing by and would disturb them by robbing and looting them. Along with this, it was apprehended that they may turn their sights towards Madīnah as well, and thus become a source of distress for the Muslims. 2 A prime objective of the military operations of the Holy Prophet sa was also the establishment of peace. Therefore, although the Muslims of Madīnah were not directly in severe danger by the pillaging and plunder of these people, the Holy Prophet sa urged the Companions that the robbery and injustice being perpetrated there should be put to an end. Hence, upon the encouragement of the Holy Prophet sa , 1,000 Companions set out with him to undertake this far-off and arduous journey. 3 In the fifth year of Hijrah , during the month of Rabī‘ul-Awwal , the Holy Prophet sa went forth from Madīnah. 4 After completing a long and tiresome journey of fifteen to sixteen days, the Holy Prophet sa reached Dummatul-Jandal. However, upon reaching there it was ascertained that these people had scattered here and there upon receiving news of the imminent arrival of the Muslims. Although the Holy Prophet sa remained there for a few days, and also dispatched small companies in search of them so that intelligence could be gathered with respect to these trouble-makers, they disappeared in such a manner that they were nowhere to be found. However, a shepherd from among them who was taken captive by the Muslims accepted Islām upon the preaching of the Holy Prophet sa. After a stay of a few days, the Holy Prophet sa returned to Madīnah. 5 1 * Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 280, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Dūmatal- Jandal, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * Mu‘jamul-Buldān, By Shihābuddīn Abū ‘Abdillāh Yāqūt bin ‘Abdillāh Al-Ḥamwiyyu Ar-Rūmiyyu, Volume 2, p. 325, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Dūmatal-Jandal, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 2 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 280, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Dūmatal- Jandal, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 3 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 280, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Dūmatal- Jandal, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 4 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 621, Ghazwatu Dūmatal- Jandal, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 5 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, pp. 280-281, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Dūmatal-Jandal, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)