Ridda Wars - Prelude

Prelude

In about the middle of May 632, Muhammad, now ailing, ordered a large expedition to be prepared against the Roman empire. All Muslims were to join it. Usama ibn Zaid, a young man and son of Zayd ibn Harithah, was appointed as commander of this force. However, Muhammad died in June 632 and Abu Bakr was chosen by the other sahaba as Caliph.

On the first day of his caliphate, Abu Bakr ordered the army of Usama to prepare for march. Although Abu Bakr was under great pressure regarding this expedition, due to rising rebellion and apostasy across Arabia, he was adamant. Before his march, Usama sent Umar to Caliph Abu Bakr and is reported to have said:

Go to the Caliph, ask him to permit the army to remain at Medina. All the leaders of the community are with me. If we go, none will be left to prevent the infidels from tearing Medina to pieces.

However, Abu Bakr refused. He was moved to this decision by nothing other than his desire to carry out the last military wish of Muhammad.

On June 26, 632 the army of Usama broke camp and moved out. After leaving Medina, Usama had marched to Tabuk. Most of the tribes in this region opposed him fiercely but were defeated by Muslims. Usama raided far and wide in the region of Northern Arabia, starting with the Quza'a, and then made his way to Dawmatu l-Jandal (modern Al Jawf, Saudi Arabia).

As a result of his operations, several rebel tribes resubmitted to Medina and re-embraced Islam. But the Quza'a remained rebellious and unrepentant, and 'Amr ibn al-'As later attacked them and forced them to re-submit.

Usama next marched to Mu'tah, attacked the Christian Arabs of the tribes of Banu Kalb and Ghassanids. There was, however, no major battle. Then he returned to Medina, bringing with him a large number of captives and a considerable amount of wealth, part of which comprised the spoils of war and part the taxes paid by the re-conquered tribes. The Islamic army remained out of Medina for 40 days.