The expedition to Tabuk

In year 9 the Prophet ﷺ set out with a large army to Tabuk in the far north of Arabia in a season of great heat and little food, and some turned back with excuses that saddened him. There was no fighting there, and the army returned to Medina. Three who stayed behind regretted it deeply until God accepted their repentance.

The expedition of Tabuk took place in Rajab of year 9 AH, in a time of severe heat and hardship in money and supplies, and the Prophet ﷺ openly declared its destination toward the Romans at the edge of Arabia, against his custom of concealment. The Muslims gathered a large force called the Army of Hardship; some stayed back on excuses, like al-Jadd ibn Qays who asked leave, and the hypocrites said 'do not march out in the heat'. By Ibn Ishaq's account there was no fighting at Tabuk; the Prophet stayed a while then returned to Medina. On the way back he rebuked those who stayed behind, and three sincere men who had no excuse were left in grief until their repentance was accepted months later — the best known is Ka'b ibn Malik.

The expedition of Tabuk was the Prophet ﷺ's last great campaign, in Rajab of year 9 AH (630 CE), toward Tabuk at Arabia's far north near the Roman frontier. It is remembered as the Army of Hardship: severe heat, scarcity of provisions and mounts, and a ripe harvest season that tempted staying home. The sira books relate that the Prophet announced its destination openly, contrary to his usual discretion, so the hypocrites argued excuses and men asked leave. Sources preserve the equipping drives, the wealthy Companions' donations, and the stories of laggards and fighters. By Ibn Ishaq's account there was no fighting at Tabuk; the Prophet made terms with the people of Ayla, Adhruh and Jarba for tribute, stayed twenty nights, then returned. On the way back he rebuked those who stayed behind, and three truthful men — Ka'b ibn Malik, Hilal ibn Umayya and Murara ibn al-Rabi' — were suspended until their repentance was revealed after about fifty nights; Ka'b's story is among the most famous in the sira. Historians read the expedition as the last great show of force on the Roman frontier before the Prophet's death.