Two Battles with the People of Hawazan

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The First Battle Lead by Abu Bakr

Time and Place

This battle took place in the month of Shaban, in the year 7 A.H. in Najd. [1].

Cause of the Battle

The reasons and context for the occurrence of this battle have not been mentioned in the books of history.

Narrative of the Battle

Waqidi narrates, according to a chain of narrations from Salmah bin Ayyas that, “Prophet Muhammad appointed Abu Bakr as our commander and sent him to battle. At night we attacked some people of the tribe of Hawazan and chanted the following slogan, “Kill them! Kill them!” During that battle, with my own hands, I killed seven people who were married and had families. [1]

The Second Battle Lead by Umar

Time and Place

This battle took place in the month of Shaban in the year 7 A.H. in a place called Turbah which is about a four day journey from Mecca towards Yemen [2].

Cause of the Battle

The reasons and context for the occurrence of this battle have not been mentioned in the books of history.

Narrative of the Battle

Waqidi narrates according to a chain of narration from Salmah bin Ayyas that, “Prophet Muhammad sent Umar along with thirty people to the rest of the tribe of Hawazan which was formed by Bani Jasham and Bani Nasr. The group was guided by Bani Hilal and would travel at night while they would stay hidden during the day. However, news of their approach reached Hawazan, and thus they fled. Umar returned to Medina empty handed, without having captured anyone [1].



References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Muhammad bin ‘Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 722
  2. Muhammad bin Sa’d, Tabaqat al-Kubra Volume 2 Page 85; Ali bin Husayn al-Masudi, Al-Tanbih wa al-Ishraf Page 227