The Expedition of Tabuk
غزوة تبوك
Summary
The Prophet (peace be upon him) led 30,000 Muslims on the longest and most difficult expedition to confront a rumoured Byzantine army at Tabuk in northern Arabia. It took place in extreme heat during harvest season, testing the faith of the believers. The expedition is called 'The Expedition of Hardship' (Ghazwat al-Usrah).
Details
The hypocrites made excuses to avoid the march. Three sincere believers — Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn ar-Rabi', and Hilal ibn Umayyah — failed to join without valid excuse. They were boycotted for fifty days until Allah revealed their forgiveness in Surah at-Tawbah (9:118). Abu Bakr donated all his wealth, and Umar gave half of his. Uthman funded a third of the entire army. The Romans did not engage, and the Prophet secured treaties with the northern border tribes and the Christians of Aylah, establishing Muslim authority over the northern frontier.