The Life of Mohammed Fact Files for Factphiles

Written for

TheDefenceofTolerance.wordpress.com

Chronology of

Mohammed’s

Medinan Years

Text Key II Reference in Ibn Ishaq’s The life of Mohammed IH Reported by another source Brown text indicates a place name. Dates are principally given in the Hijri Calendar (AH) traditionally used by the Islamic community, in which a year consists of twelve lunar of 30 or 31 days with annual numbers commencing with the year of the Hijrah. NB Each AH year has a duration of either 354 or 355 days: approximately 10 days less than the Gregorian calendar. J

Where an incident is said to be referred to in or be connected to a verse of the Quran.

Map Key

Settlement with substantial Jewish population Settlement with substantial Christian population Settlement under Islamic rule Raid on caravan Aborted raid on caravan Raid against a community ordered by Mohammed

Major battle Assassination ordered by Mohammed Destruction of idol ordered by Mohammed

. J

Event in Mohammed’s personal life.

Arabia in the time of Mohammed

Mecca

The Adnanites

The Addnanites claim descent from Abraham through Ishmael and his great (x6) grandson Adnan.

By Mohammed’s time they were a large ethnic group that included many tribes including

Mohammed’s own tribe, the Banu (‘sons of ‘) Quraysh of Mecca and many of the other tribes

Mohammed fought with including the Banu Ghatafan, Banu Sulaym and Banu Hawazin.

It is unclear if the two main tribes in Yathrib, the Banu Aws and Banu Khazraj were also part of this

group, but it is thought that they emigrated north from Yemen making it more likely that they were

descended from the Qahtanites.

Traditionally

allies of the

Byzantines

Traditionally allies of

the Sassanids

Tabouk ()

Dhumat al Jandal ()

Kaybar ()

Wadi al Qura ()

Yathrib (Medina) ()

Ta’if

Banu Aws, Banu Khazraj

Overview of Mohammed’s Medinan Years

Mohammed’s military expeditions comprise at least three separate campaigns.

Best known is his struggle with the city of Mecca, including three large scale military confrontations, followed by the Treaty of Huddaybiyya and Mohammed’s conquest of Mecca two years after that. Connected with the campaign against Mecca, Mohammed extended his influence over Bedouin tribes in the surrounding area by assassinations and raids, to strangle Mecca’s trade routes, acquire booty for his supporters, attract more fighters and persuade tribes to declare loyalty to Islam. Simultaneously with these expeditions abroad, Mohammed secured unchallenged control over Yathrib, later renamed Medina, through the gradual elimination of the three major Jewish tribes there, one after each of his confrontations with Mecca.

1 AH

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Hijrah

Raids on Meccan caravans

Expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa First assassinations

Battle of Uhud

‘Second Battle of Badr’ Expulsion of Banu Nadir

Battle of the Trench

Treaty of Hudaybiyya

Conquest of Kaybar, Fadak First raids to Yemen

Conquest of Mecca

Raids across Yemen, Dul Khalassa destroyed

Capture of Tabouk Surrender of Ta’if

Death of Mohammed.

The Muslim Community

in Medina

The Conflict with the

Meccans

Conflict with Bedouin

tribes and the wider region

Battle of Badr

First assassinations/ raids on Bedouin tribes. (Banu Salim, Ghatafan)

40/70 Missionaries killed by Banu Salem

First raids to NW Arabia Skirmish with Banu Mutaliq

Many Bedouin clans submit

Battles of Hunayn, Auton

Farewell pilgrimage/sermon

Raid ordered to Palestine.

Raid on Meccan caravan at al Qarada

Massacre of Banu Qurayza

1 AH

Muharram

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

The Hijrah Mohammed migrates from Mecca to Yathrib. II: 324-36

Rabi’ al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Unsuccessful raids on Meccan caravans: Over the nine months beginning with Ramadan 1AH Mohammed led or sent up to six unsuccessful expeditions to rob Meccan caravans.

1st (Waddan) aborted unclear reason. II: 416 2nd (al Ais on Red Sea coast path) aborted when found caravan had 300 guards. II: 419 [Meccans may have been alerted to Mohammed’s raising of a force]

3rd (Buwat near Radwa) arrows fired but no hand combat.

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

AD 623

AD Sept.

622

The Quran

First permission to fight: 22.39-40 2.256

1 AH

2 AH

Muharram

Unsuccessful raids on Meccan caravans (cont.) [see 1AH]

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

First successful raid on a Meccan caravan: (Naklah, close to Mecca). 8 Muslims attacked a small caravan carrying raisins and leather during Rajab (sacred month). One Meccan killed, 2 taken captive.

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Battle of Badr A Meccan caravan led by Abu Sufyan detected a planned Muslim ambush. The caravan avoided the Muslims and sent to Mecca for help but Mohammed successfully defended his force against the Meccan retaliation. [317 Muslim fighters suggests a total Muslim population of c.1000 at this time] 70 Meccans and 14 Muslims killed. Some (2?) prisoners later killed. II: 426-539

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Mohammed ordered the killing of poets:

Asma bint Marwan (Yathrib), II: 675-6

Abu Afak (Hijaz) ), II: 675

Ka'b bin al-Ashraf (Yathrib), II: 548

for criticising and mocking him in poems (and in the case of K’ab writing amorous verses concerning Muslim women II: 550) Expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa Mohammed forced the expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa from Yathrib, following an incident in which a Muslim woman was stripped. Qaynuqa arms seized. II: 545-7 First raid against Banu Sulaym “Pre-emptive” strike against Banu Salim at Qarqarat al-Kudr, north of Yathrib. The Salim fled; 500 camels captured.

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al-Hijjah

Dates not

known, but

shortly after the

Battle of Badr

The Quran

All Surah 8 revealed after Badr

Battle of Badr referred to in: 3.12, 13, 118, 123-5

The Quran

Naklah raid (during sacred truce month) retrospectively justified: 2.217

The Quran

The expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa was the occasion of: 3.318 and 5.57

Mohammed married Zeynab bint Khuzayma, widowed at Badr

2 AH

3 AH

Muharram

Raid against Banu Muharib and Banu Thalabah (of the Banu Gatafan) at Dhu Amar, Nejd. Muharib, Thalabah fled as Mohammed approached. One person captured. IH

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

Defensive manoeuvres against Banu Salem No hostilities. IH

Jumada

al-Awwal

Successful raid on a Meccan caravan at Al Qarada, Nejd by a Muslim force of 100 lead by Zayd. ‘100,000’ dirhams worth of goods and two captives taken. IH

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Battle of Uhud The Muslim community was attacked outside Yathrib by a Meccan force of (3000 incl. Bedouin, Abyssinian mercenaries) led by Abu Sufyan in retaliation for the caravan raids. Muslims said to have had 700 fighters. An early Muslim advantage was lost when their archers left their position to raid the Meccan camp, allowing a Meccan cavalry charge. Mohammed was injured and lay, believed to be dead, under bodies. Later he held a shouted conversation with Abu Sufyan who did not attempt to capture him. They agreed to fight again at Badr in a year’s time. 70 Muslims, 20-40 Meccans killed. II: 556-648 Mohammed pursued returning Meccans to deter attack on Yathrib, lighting many fires to pretend reinforcements had arrived. Two Meccans captured, executed. Six Muslim missionaries killed by Banu Lahyan (Six Muslim missionaries invited to preach to two clans of the Banu Hudhad, but Banu Lahyan (also of the Hudhayl) seized them at al Razi: 3 killed outright and 1 whilst escaping. Remaining 2 handed over to Quraish family members of Meccans killed at Uhud, who killed them

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

The Quran

Battle of Uhud thought to be referred to in:

8.36, 3.122 “When two groups among you were about to lose heart God was their protector” and 167 (cursing those who did not fight: “closer to disbelief than belief”)

AD 625

Mohammed later married Hind whose husband had died from wounds sustained at Uhud

3 AH

4 AH

Muharram

First raid against Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah “Pre-emptive” strike against Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah at Qatan, who flee. 3 captives. IS

Assassination of Khaled bin Sufyan, chief of the Banu Lahyan in retaliation for the deaths of six Muslim missionaries 3 months earlier [see 3AH].

Muslim assassin tricked Khaled into going for walk and killed him (bringing his head back to Mohammed at Yathrib IH).

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

40 (70?) Muslim missionaries killed by Banu Salem at Bir Maoona. One survivor. II: 649-651

Jumada

al-Awwal

Expulsion of Banu Nadir Mohammed forced the expulsion of Banu Nadir from Yathrib after they refused to pay a contribution to compensation for a Bedouin killed by a Muslim, and following the announcement by Mohammed of a revelation that they were plotting to kill him by dropping a stone on his head II: 437-45

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

‘Second battle of Badr’ A Meccan force, led by Abu Sufyan, set off to do battle with Mohammed at Badr, as arranged after the Battle of Uhud [see 3AH] but was forced back by drought giving prestige to Mohammed (Muslim fighting force now said to be 1500#) II: 666-8

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

The Quran

Mohammed’s cutting down of Banu nadir’s palm trees to persuade them to surrender referred to in:

59. 5

The Quran

‘Second Battle of Badr’ referred to in:

3.173-6

AD 626

Death of Zeynab bint

Khuzayma ,

Mohammed’s fourth

wife after death of

Khadija

(Rabi al Thani)

Mohammed married

Hafsa bin Umar

(Shaban)

4 AH

5 AH

Muharram

Second raid against Banu Ghatafan at Dhat al Riqa (60m from Mecca, 180 from Yathrib) “Pre-emptive” strike upon a Bedouin camp of the Banu Ghatafan. Men fled, women captured. (date unclear)

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

First expedition to Dumat al Jandal, (NW Arabia, 350 m from Yathrib) occupied by Banu Kalb, a mostly Christian community living near border with, and allies of, the Byzantine Empire [Show of force?] II: 668

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

First Raid against Banu Mustaliq. (close to the Red Sea). No fighting but 2000 camels, 5000 sheep/goats and 200 women captured.

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Battle of the Trench 10K Meccans/Gatafan besieged Muslims at Yathrib for 27 days. Mohammed dug a defensive trench deterring Meccan charge. Skirmishes but no major hostilities. II: 669-84, 700-13

Massacre/enslavement of Banu Qurayzi During siege Qurayzi had received messages Meccans but took no action to support them. The Banu Aws, allies of the Qurayza, opposed punishing them but agreed to a judgment by Sa’d ibn Muadh who announced all men must be killed and the women and children enslaved. 600-900 men and one woman said to have been killed. II: 684--713 IH IT

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

The Quran

4.101 (on shortening prayers) ‘Revealed at this time’

Sword drawn against Mohammed, referred to in 5.11

The Quran

The Battle of the Trench and punishment of Banu Qurayza referred to in 33.10-22

AD 627

Permission for marriage to Zeynab bint Jahsh granted 33.37-50

Marriage of Mohammed to Zeynab bint Jahsh, divorced wife of Mohammed’s adopted son Zayd. On their marriage she became Mohammed’s fifth concurrent wife (with Sawda, Aisha, Hind and Hafsa)

Mohammed married

Hafsa bin Umar

(Shaban)

Mohammed proposed ‘marriage’ to a widow of Qurayza tribe, Rayhana bint Zayd. She refused him (‘later married him’ - disputed)

5 AH

6 AH

Muharram

Raid against Banu Bakr at Diriyah, Nejd. 10 killed, chief captured but spared. 150 camels, 3000 goats seized. IS

Safar

Second raid against Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah at Gamrah Banu Asad flee, 200 camels seized.

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Raid against Banu Layhan Unsuccessful raid to retaliate further against Banu Layhan [see 6 missionaries, 3AH] IS Pursuit of B. Ghatafan brigands to Dhu Qarad

First and second raids on Banu Thalabah Unsuccessful raid on Thalabah for rustling. A second raid recovered the lost livestock

2nd raid on B. Sulaym at Al Jumum: captives, booty.

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Successful raid on Meccan caravan. Large quantity of silver seized, Meccans captured

Third raid on Banu Thalabah, 20 camels seized. IS

Rajab

Second expedition against Bau Kalb at Dumat al Jandal. Muslim force (700) gave Banu Kalb three days to convert or pay tribute

First raid on Bani Sa‘d bin Bakr at Fadak, Kaybar Raid to prevent Sa’d alliance with Jews of Kaybar. Sa’d fled, 500 camels, 2000 goats seized.

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Second Raid against Banu Mustaliq. 10 members of Banu Mustaliq killed. Tribe taken prisoner IH

.

Shawwal

Capture and punishment of eight robbers from Banu Uraynah (Bedouins). Assassination of Al-Yusayr ibn Rizam, chief of Kaybar Yusayr was promised safe passage to negotiate with Mohammed in Medina but was killed with his entourage of thirty after leaving Kaybar. IH

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

Pilgrimage to Mecca and Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Mohammed led pilgrimage of 1400 to Mecca. Refused entry but agreed treaty permitting pilgrimages for ten years II; 740-50

Exact

dates, unknown

The Quran

5.32-33 (‘To kill, save for murder or causing mischief = to kill the whole world…”) ‘Revealed at this time’

AD 628

Juwayriyah, daughter

of the Mustaliq chief,

whose husband had

been killed in the

battle, agreed to

marry Mohammed in

return for 100

Mustaliq captives’

freedom.

6 AH

7 AH

Muharram

Conquest of Kaybar, Fadak and Wadi al Qura Mohammed besieged Kaybar (w. 1400 infantry, 200 cavalry. Jews permitted to remain on their land on condition to pay tribute one half produce indefinitely. Kaybar treasurer Kinana was tortured to locate gold. 93 non-Muslims killed (including Kinana II: 756-7) Nearby Bani Sa‘d bin Bakr at Fadak surrendered to Mohammed on similar terms (because not seized in battle Mohammed took Fadak as personal property)

Jewish tribes at Wadi al Qura besieged and surrendered after series of duels with Muslims.

Expedition to Nejd Major expedition to Nejd: ‘many killed, taken prisoner’.

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Raid on Banu Murrah in Fadak Many Murrah killed and their cattle driven off, but the Murrah attacked retreating Muslim force and killed all except their leader Bashir ibn Sa’d al-Amnsari

Ramadan

Fourth raid on Banu Awal and Banu Thalabah in Mayfah, Nejd Many killed and cattle driven off. IS

Shawwal

Raid on polytheists on Yemen border No hostilities, but goods and two captives seized

Expedition to Banu Salem in Najran, Turbah nr Yemen Demand of allegiance rejected, Muslims repelled with many casualties

Revenge raid against Banu Murrah at Fadak

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

The First Pilgrimage to Mecca Many Meccans and Bedouins subsequently convert to Islam incl Khalid Walid (Meccan cavalry commander at Battle of Uhud) II: 789-90

AD 629

Kinana’s widow

Safiyya taken as

slave, later ‘married’

to Mohammed.

Mohammed married Ramla bint Sufyan (naklah ceremony

takes place in his

absence in Ethiopia:

Ramla comes to join

Mohammed in

Medina.

Mohammed marries Maymunah bint al-Harith whilst at Mecca

7 AH

8 AH

Muharram

Raid against Banu Amir (Hawazin) at al-Kadid

Raid against Banu Quda‘a at Dhat Atlah (beyond Wadi al Qura) raid but Muslim force wiped out.

Safar

Raid against a Byzantine Ghassinid tribe at Mutah and Karak (E of R. Jordan) following death of a Muslim emissary to Basra. 3 Muslim commanders killed. Force (3000) returned to scorn. II: 791-802

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Expedition against Banu Qudah (allied to Ghassinids) at Salasil ‘Many polytheists killed’.

Rabi’

al-Thani

‘Expedition of fish’ Aborted caravan raid near coast. Muslims ‘forced to eat a beached whale’. IS

Jumada

al-Awwal

Raid on Khudra (of Banu Ghatafan) at Khadrah After this many other clans incl Bani Murra, Abs, Sulaym submitted to Mohammed

Expedition to Batn Edam Raid on Bedouin caravan – (possible diversion from the imminent march on Mecca?)

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

The Fat’h: Conquest of Mecca Allies of Quraish, Muslims fought around the Kaaba. Unsuccessful Abu Sufyan bid to renew Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Mecca capitulated to Mohammed’s army of 10,000. Following the surrender Mohammed passed ten death sentences, some later commuted. II: 802-32

Expeditions to destroy idols: Uzza at Naklah; Suwa at Ruhat; Manat at Al-Mashallal

Expedition to force conversion of Bani Khuzaimah Two weeks after capture of Mecca Mohammed led 10K Muslims + 2K Meccans to confront Hawazins (trad. Quraish rivals SE of Mecca). Battle of Hunayn: 6000 captives exchanged for pledge of loyalty. 24,000 camels seized Some Hawazins retreated to Autas where defeated after a second battle. Others reached Ta’if where a Muslim siege was abandoned. II: 840-86

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

Assassination of Rifa’a ibn Qays, chief of Banu Jusham at al-Ghaba Plotting suspected. Four women also captured. IH

Raid against Banu al-Mulawwih at al-Kadid Many Mulawwih killed, booty seized (date disputed). IS

The Quran

Battle of Hunayn referred to in 9.25

“Allah has already given you victory in many regions and [even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth was confining for you with its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.”

Occasion of 4:24 ‘[Sex permitted] with those one’s right hand possess’

AD 630

The Quran

Occasion of 4.94 (Warning to take care not to inadvertently kill Muslims)

8 AH

9 AH

Muharram

Subjugation of Banu Tamim, Nejd Raid against Banu Tamim for refusing Jizya, captured 63. Tribe agreed jizya; wrote poems in Mohammed’s honour

Safar

Raid against Banu Khatam Surprise attack while Khattam slept. ‘Many killed’, livestock and women seized. IS

Subjugation of Banu Kilab Delegation demanding Kilab embrace Islam, Several Killed, Kilab defeated. Al-Asyad killed his own father.

Subjugation of Banu Tai Raid to destroy idol of Al-Fuls. Livestock and captives seized, including the sister of chief, Adi bin Hatim Tai, whole tribe converted IS

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Defensive manoeuvres against African pirates No hostilities

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Capture of Tabouk, NW Arabia [With W. Arabia conquered, new areas needed to conquer/plunder, especially to reward Bedouin converts and following his ban on usury? Per RA Gabriel] Muslim force captured Tabouk without fighting. Third raid against Banu Kalb at Dumat al Jandal Raid to destroy idol Wadd. Banu Abd-Wadd and the Banu Amir al Ajdar resisted but many killed and tribes forced to destroy idol.

Raid on Prince of Duma, Dumat al Jandal Raid on castle of Ukaydir, Christian prince of Duma. Ukaydir and brother caught hunting. Brother killed, Ukaydir ransomed for livestock, 400 suits of armour

Raids against Udhra and Baliy (modern Iraq) No hostilities.

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

AD 631

(Unknown date after capture of Tabouk)

Surrender of Ta’if Following capture of Tabouk, Ta’if [see 8AH] offered its surrender, having attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate retention of idol Al-Allat for 3 years.

9 AH

10 AH

Muharram

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

The ‘Sword verse’ Mohammed sent Abu Bakr to Mecca to announce:

• Muslims must pay annual Zakat (tax of 2.5% of wealth);

• Jews, Christians must pay Kharaj (land tax) and Jizya (poll tax), with no sum specified;

• Pagans had four months to convert to Islam or die;

• After four months only Muslims to enter Mecca. II: 919-29

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

The Farewell Pilgrimage to Mecca and Farewell Sermon II: 966-70

AD 632

(Unknown dates in this period)

Expeditions to Yemen Raid by Banu Azd against Jurash (Yemen) The Banu Azd submitted to Mohammed, and were ordered to attack Jurash where the Banu Khattam had sought refuge [9 AH]. The Azd unsuccessfully besieged Jurash but killed many Khattam when they pursued their retreat.

Raid against pagans of Najran (near modern Saudi-Yemen border) Christians of Najran attempted to discuss Christianity with Mohammed and formed an alliance with him, based on Jizya.

Raid on Banu Nakha, Yemen 29 Nakha killed before the tribe submitted to convert to Islam. Further raids across Yemen: livestock, captives, goods seized. Destruction of Dul Khalassa, ‘The Ka’ba of Yemen’ Yemenite leader, Jarir al-Bajali submitted to Mohammed. Ordered to destroy Dul Khalassa which he did. 100 temple guardians died defending the site.

Year of deputations 15 tribes across Arabia sought alliances with Mohammed including from Yemen and Bahrain (then referring to the land near the border with Persia, not the modern island of Bahrain).

The Quran

‘Debate’ between Christians of Najran and Mohammed referred to in: 3.61

The Quran

9.29

“Fight those who do

not believe in Allah or

in the Last Day and

who do not consider

unlawful what Allah

and His Messenger

have made unlawful

and who do not

adopt the religion of

truth from those who

were given the

Scripture - [fight]

until they give the

jizyah willingly while

they are humbled.” 9.1-6 “And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way.”

10 AH

11 AH

Muharram

Safar

Rabi’

al-Awwal

Rabi’

al-Thani

Jumada

al-Awwal

Jumada

Al-Akhirah

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu

Al-Qa’dah

Dhu

Al=Hijjah

Expedition to Moab and Darum in Palestine [Ordered by Mohammed, but left Medina on the day Mohammed died] Death of Mohammed