View source for Expedition of Bashir Towards Ghatafan

==Time and Place==

This expedition took place in the year 7 A.H. in the area of Salah after the Battle of Khaybar. <ref name=":0">Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2,Page 728</ref>

==Background on the Expedition==

===Alliance of the People of Ghatafan with the Jews of Khaybar===

Kinanah bin Abi al-Haqiq, the leader of the Jews of Khybar, went to ‘Uyaynah bin Hisn Ghatafani who had the strength of four-thousand people with him<ref name=":1">Maghazi of Waqidi, Volume 2, Page 650</ref> and invited him to help him, in return for half of the date production of Khaybar for that year.<ref name=":2">Maghazi of Waqidi, Volume 2, Page 262</ref>. They accepted his invitation, and entered the fort of Nuta. However, later they feared for their family and wealth and went against their words and left the Jews on their own.<ref name=":1" />

===The report of their alliance reaches the Prophet===

The Prophet’s guide towards Khaybar was Husayl bin Nuwayrah Ashja’i. After the battle of Khaybar, in the seventh year after the migration, he moved to Junab which was an area affiliated with the people of Ghatafan, and lived there. <ref name=":1" />

One, day he came to the city of Medina to meet the Prophet and the Messenger of God asked him: <blockquote>“What is the news at your end?” </blockquote> He replied: <blockquote> “I left Junab at a time when ‘Uyaynah bin Hisn sent a group of people from the Ghatafan with a message saying: ‘Will you come to us, or do you want us to come to you?’ They replied: ‘You come to us, so that we can collectively attack Muhammad.’ Thus it is possible that they may attack you or your allies.”<ref name=":3">Waqidi, Volume 2, Page 728</ref> </blockquote>

==Details of the Expedition==

The Prophet – as per the suggestion of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar – sent Bashir bin Sa’d with three-hundred men towards the Bani Ghatafan. He ordered them to travel at night and to disguise themselves during the day, and appointed Husayl bin Nuwayrah as their leader. They traveled until they arrived at an area called Salah, which was at the end of Khaybar. After a short time, they left and tried to get as close to the Ghatafanis as possible. Subsequently, they sent their guide ahead so that he could go and assess the situation and report back to them. The guide did as he was told and when he returned, he informed his people saying, <blockquote> “They have left their animals with no one to tend to them and they themselves are resting.” </blockquote> The Muslims used this opportunity to attack them and took their animals as the spoils. When the lumberjacks tried to become obstacles, the Muslims scared them off and they all ran away into the mountain tops to seek refuge.

Thereafter, Bashir pressed ahead with his army until they arrived at the place where the Bani Ghatafan were to be staying, however they did not find anyone there. Thus, they returned back with the captured animals to Salah, and saw ‘Uyaynah bin Hisn there, until they ran off.<ref name=":3" />

==Aftermath of the Expedition==

===Prisoners of War===

The Muslims were able to capture two men as prisoners, and brought them to the Prophet. <ref name=":3" />

===Treatment of the Ghatafani Prisoners by the Prophet===

Once they accepted Islam, the Prophet freed the prisoners from Ghatafan. <ref name=":3" />
[[Category:Expedition]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Expedition of Bashir Towards Ghatafan}}
[[Category:History]]
==References==
<references />