Expedition of 'Abdullah ibn 'Atik

The Expedition of 'Abdullah ibn 'Atik (Arabic: عبد الله بن عتيك‎) also known as the Assassination of Abu Rafi' ibn Abi Al-Huqaiq (Arabic: أبو رافع بن أبي الحُقَيÙ'ق‎), took place in December, 624AD

Background

Sallam ibn Abu al-Huqayq (Abu Rafi) was a Jew, who helped the troops of the Confederates and provided them with a lot of wealth and supplies, on the one hand and used to mock Muhammad with his poetry, on the other. When the Muslims had settled their affair with Banu Quraiza; Al-Khazraj tribe, a rival of Al-Aws, asked for Muhammad's permission to kill him (which Muhammad accepted) in order to merit a virtue equal to that of Al-Aws who had killed Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf.

Assassination

According to the Sealed Nectar, a group of 5 men from the Banu Khazraj tribe with ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ateeq at their head, headed for Khaybar where ‘Abu Rafi‘’s fort was situated. When they approached the place, ‘Abdullah advised his men to stay a little behind, he went ahead disguised himself in his cloak as if he had been relieving himself. When the people of the fort went in, the gate-keeper called him to enter thinking he was one of them. ‘Abdullah went in and lurked inside. He then began to unbolt the doors leading to Salam’s room. There it was absolutely dark but he managed to put him to the sword, and then leave in safety. On his way back, his leg broke so he wrapped it up in a band, and hid in a secret place until morning when someone stood on the wall and announced the death of Salam bin Abi Al-Huqaiq officially. On hearing the glad news he left and went to see Muhammad, who listened to the whole story, and then asked ‘Abdullah to stretch his leg, which he wiped and the fracture healed on the spot according to Muslim scholar "Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri". In another version, all the group of five participated in killing that enemy of Islam. This incident took place in Dhul Qa‘dah or Dhul Hijjah in the year five Hijri.

William Muir also claims 5 people were sent, 'Abdullah ibn 'Atik who was familiar with the language of the Banu Nadir, addressed Al-Huqaiq's wife, who came to open the door, entering on a false pretext. Muir also mentions that according to one account, he pretended he brought a present for her husband. When his wife saw they were armed, she began to scream and they started to aim their weapons at her, forcing her to be silent "at the peril of her life". They then rushed in and killed Al-Huqaiq (Abu Rafi).

Islamic primary sources

In his biography of Muhammad, the Muslim jurist Tabari mentions the event as follows:

Abu Rafi's assassination is mentioned in many Sunni Hadith:

Abu Rafi's assassination is mentioned in: Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:370, Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:371, Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:372 and many more.

See also

• List of expeditions of Muhammad

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar (Free version), p. 204.
2. ^ ^{a b c} Tabari, Al (2008), The foundation of the community, State University of New York Press, p. 100, ISBN 978-0-88706-344-2 
3. ^ Abu Khalil, Shawqi (1 March 2004). Atlas of the Prophet's biography: places, nations, landmarks. Dar-us-Salam. p. 177. ISBN 978-9960-897-71-4. 
4. ^ Muir, The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, p. 14.
5. ^ 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
6. ^ Watt, W. Montgomery (1956). Muhammad at Medina. Oxford University Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-19-577307-1.  (free online)
7. ^ Ibn Hajr Asqalani , Fath Al-Bari, p. 7/343.
8. ^ Safi ur Rahman Al Mubarakpuri, When The Moon Split, p. 196
9. ^ Muir, William (1861), The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, Smith, Elder & Co, pp. 14â€"15 

Notes

• Mubarakpuri, Saifur Rahman Al (2005), The Sealed Nectar (Free Version), Darussalam Publications . Note: This is the free version available on Google Books
• Muir, William (1861), The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, Smith, Elder & Co , Original from: Harvard University (according to Google books).