Understanding Islam — Page 129
127 It is with this background that Muslims under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad sa started preparation for war against the peril of an impending attack on the Muslims. In the month of September, Muslims prepared themselves for the long journey to Tab ū k which was 375 miles towards Syria. There were around 30,000 Muslims, of whom less than 10,000 were cavalry. After a hot and thirsty march, the army arrived at Tab ū k, where there was plenty of shade and water and they made a halt there. The rumors of an impending invasion had, by this time, died away. There seemed nothing at the time to threaten the border. This entire journey took place as a precautionary measure with the sole purpose of self-defense. Hence, it is abundantly clear from a historical perspective that Muslims did not just attack Tab ū k without any justification. First, the ruler of the area himself had pronounced war intentions and plans. Second, after having announced war intentions, he sought legitimization from his superiors to pursue and fulfil that announcement. Third, the news that Muslims received from different traveling caravans was that there was military planning of an