The Raid on Nakhla (Sariyyah of Abdullah bin Jahsh)

1. Appointment and Departure

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched Abdullah bin Jahsh with a group of eight Emigrants (Muhajirun), with no Ansar among them. He wrote a letter for Abdullah and instructed him not to look into it until he had traveled for two days, after which he should execute its orders without compelling any of his companions to proceed against their will.

2. The Sealed Instructions

After traveling for two days, Abdullah bin Jahsh opened the letter. It read: "When you look into this letter of mine, proceed until you reach Nakhla, between Makkah and Al-Ta'if. Observe the Quraysh there and bring us news of them.". Upon reading it, Abdullah said, "I hear and obey." He informed his companions of the mission and the Prophet's command not to force anyone. All members of the expedition chose to continue, and none remained behind.

3. The Incident of the Lost Camel

During the journey, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas and Utbah bin Ghazwan lost a camel they were taking turns riding. They stayed behind to search for it, while Abdullah bin Jahsh and the rest of the group proceeded until they reached Nakhla.

4. The Encounter at Nakhla

A caravan of the Quraysh passed by them carrying raisins, leather, and other merchandise. The caravan included Amr bin Al-Hadrami, Uthman bin Abdullah bin Al-Mughirah, his brother Nawfal bin Abdullah, and Al-Hakam bin Kaysan.

When the Quraysh saw the Muslims, they were terrified. However, Ukashah bin Mihsan, who had shaved his head, appeared to them. Seeing his shaved head, the Quraysh felt safe, saying, "They are pilgrims (Ammar), there is no fear from them.".

5. The Decision to Attack

The Muslims consulted among themselves. It was the last day of Rajab (a sacred month). They feared that if they left the caravan alone that night, it would enter the Sanctuary (Haram) of Makkah where fighting is forbidden, but if they attacked, they would be fighting during the sacred month. After hesitation, they resolved to attack. Waqid bin Abdullah Al-Tamimi shot an arrow at Amr bin Al-Hadrami, killing him. This was the first idolater killed by a Muslim. They captured Uthman bin Abdullah and Al-Hakam bin Kaysan, while Nawfal bin Abdullah escaped.

6. The First Spoils and Khums

Abdullah bin Jahsh returned to Medina with the two prisoners and the caravan. It is mentioned that Abdullah bin Jahsh said to his companions, "A fifth of what we have taken belongs to the Messenger of Allah," keeping the remaining four-fifths for the army. This was before Allah revealed the legislation regarding the Khums (one-fifth of spoils). Thus, this was the first booty in Islam, and Abdullah bin Jahsh was the first to distribute the Khums.

7. Reaction in Medina and Revelation

When they arrived in Medina, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I did not order you to fight in the sacred month." He refused to take anything from the caravan or the prisoners. The Muslims were distressed, and the Quraysh criticized them, saying Muhammad and his companions had violated the sacred month by shedding blood, taking wealth, and capturing men.

Subsequently, Allah revealed the following verse in response to the criticism: "They ask you about the sacred month - fighting therein. Say, 'Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing.'" (Quran, 2:217).

8. Conclusion

Following this revelation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) accepted the caravan and the prisoners. The Quraysh later sent for the ransom of Uthman and Al-Hakam. The Prophet said he would not release them until Sa'd and Utbah (who had lagged behind) returned safely, fearing the Quraysh might have harmed them. Once Sa'd and Utbah returned, the Prophet accepted the ransom. Al-Hakam bin Kaysan subsequently embraced Islam and stayed with the Prophet until he was martyred at Bi'r Ma'una, while Uthman bin Abdullah returned to Makkah and died there as a disbeliever.

This expedition resulted in the first booty taken by Muslims, the first polytheist killed by a Muslim (Amr bin Al-Hadrami), and the first captives taken by Muslims. It is also noted that Abdullah bin Jahsh was called "Amir al-Mu'minin" (Commander of the Believers) by his companions on this raid, possibly the first to receive this title in that context.

References:

• Ibn Hisham, A. (n.d.). Sirat Ibn Hisham (T. A. Saad, Ed., Vol. 1)

• Al-Maqrizi, A. (n.d.). Imta' al-Asma' (Vol. 1)