The Holy Prophet
, therefore, emerged victorious receiving an abundant amount of the war booty.
[Ibn Hashsham, Ibn Khaldun, Bukhari, Zia-ul-Quran]
H) The Battle of Tabuk: (9th Al-Hijra)
1. The Prophet’s last and great offensive was against the Romans.
2. The main cause of the battle was the Roman Emperor of Istanbul, who on hearing about the continuous successes of the Holy Prophet made preparations to attack Madina.
3. The Holy Prophet decided to fight the Romans on their land. He declared* Jihad against him, and at the same time indicated about the might of the enemy, long as well as difficult travel, shortage of food, and severe heat of summer with lack of shadows during the way.*
*[Note: It indicates that in an Islamic country, it is the Head of State only (and not any group or a party leader) who declares Jihad in view of the prevailing circumstances.] ( It may further be noted the Battle of Tabuk is also called the Battle of Usra i.e. the Battle of Hardships.)
4. It was the first time that the Holy Prophet stated openly his plan of fighting the enemy, whereas previously he had been keeping his military campaigns quite secret before leaving Madina with the result that the hypocrites also accompanied him without hesitation.
5. Since the Holy Prophet clearly stated his intention on this occasion, the hypocrites started a secret campaign for compelling the Muslims not to fight the Romans. For that purpose, they gathered in a house of one of the Jews for consultation and dividing the Muslims. Accordingly, on the orders of the Holy Prophet, the house was burnt with its people (as reported by Ibn Hashsham).
6. Usman contributed to the maximum in this Jihad by providing 1000 red coins of Dinar, 900 camels, and 100 horses with complete weapons. Abu Bakr, on the other hand, gave all of his wealth.
7. The Holy Prophet marched at the head of 30,000 fighting men fully equipped in the scorching heat of summer , and encamped at Tabuk, inside the territory of the enemy, but neither the Romans nor the Arabs came forward for fighting.
