Expedition of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi (Al-Kadid)

Expedition of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laithi to Al-Kadid took place in May 629 AD, 8AH, 1st month, of the Islamic Calendar, Or according to other sources May 628 AD, 7AH, 3rd Month.

Expedition

A platoon headed by Ghalib bin ‘Abdullah Al-Laithi in Safar or in Rabi‘ Al-Awwal 7 A.H, Muhammad sent Ghalib ibn Abdallah al-Laythi, with between 10-15 men to raid the Banu al-Mulawwih at al-Kadid.

According to the Abu Dawud Hadith collection, when the Muslims arrived at al-Kadid they met a man, al-Harith ibn Malik and took him as a prisoner. He informed Ghalib that he had come to embrace Islam. But he chained him up for safety reasons.

The tribe was attacked and taken by surprise. The Muslims managed to kill a large number of the enemy soldiers and captured a great deal of booty. A large army of polytheists then pursued the Muslims, but heavy floods hindered the pursuit, and the Muslims managed to escape in safety.

According to Ibn Sa'd and Tabari, based on an account through Ibn Ishaq, who was told by a man from the Aslam tribe, the password used by Muslims to recognize one another while fighting at night was:

Amit Amit (kill kill, in arabic)
[Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir, Volume 2, Pg 156]

The Muslim Scholar Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri suggest that the reason for the attack was that the Banu Mulawwih were being provocative (without further details), whereas the Non Muslim historian Sir William Muir claims the reason for the attack is unknown.

Islamic primary sources

The event in also mentioned in the Sunni Hadith collection Abu Dawud as follows:

See also

• Muhammad as a general

Notes

1. ^ Abu Khalil, Shawqi (1 March 2004). Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks. Dar-us-Salam. p. 212. ISBN 978-9960897714.  Note: 8AH, 1st month=May 629
2. ^ ^{a b} Hawarey, Dr. Mosab (2010). The Journey of Prophecy; Days of Peace and War (Arabic). Islamic Book Trust. Note: Book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} William Muir, The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, p. 94.
4. ^ ^{a b c d} Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 241. (online), "A platoon headed by Ghalib bin ‘Abdullah Al-Laithi in Safar"
5. ^ "The first saryah of the year led by Ghalib b. Abdullah to al-Kadid", King Abdul Aziz University Author references, Ibn Sa'd Volume 2, Pg 124-125
6. ^ Abu Khalil, Shawqi (1 March 2004). Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks. Dar-us-Salam. p. 212. ISBN 978-9960897714.  Note: 8AH, 1st month=May 629
7. ^ Sunan Abu Dawood, 14:2672 (alternative source archived)
8. ^ Abu Khalil, Shawqi (1 March 2004). Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks. Dar-us-Salam. p. 212. ISBN 978-9960897714.  Note: 8AH, 1st month=May 629
9. ^ "The first saryah of the year led by Ghalib b. Abdullah to al-Kadid", King Abdul Aziz University Author references, Ibn Sa'd Volume 2, Pg 124-125
10. ^ Sunan Abu Dawood, 14:2672
11. ^ Martin Lings, Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources, p. 182, Emigrants and Helpers fought like incarnations of the Muslim battle-cry that day, Amit, Amit, which means "Kill, Kill". 
12. ^ Sa'd, Ibn (1967). Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir,By Ibn Sa'd,Volume 2. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 156. ASIN B0007JAWMK. 
13. ^ Tabari, vol.viii, p.142