Episode Summary
In the 5th month of the 6th year AH, the Prophet (saw) led an expedition to seek justice for the Ar Raji’ massacre from two years prior. While the target tribe, Banu Lihyan, evaded capture by retreating into mountain fortresses, the campaign led to a strategic standoff with Khalid ibn Walid’s cavalry near Makkah. This episode explores the background of the Ar Raji’ betrayal, the legislative establishment of Salaat al-Khawf (the Prayer of Fear), and the Prophet’s (saw) masterful management of his team's spiritual and psychological needs during times of duress.
Key Highlights
- The expedition aimed to seek diya (blood money) or justice for the 10 Sahaba ambushed at Ar Raji’ in the 4th year AH.
- Khubayb and Zayd, the two survivors of the ambush, were sold to Makkah and executed; they famously declared they would not trade their lives even for the Prophet to be "pricked by a thorn".
- To maintain the element of surprise, the Prophet (saw) initially marched north toward Ash-Shaam to throw off spies before doubling back toward Banu Lihyan.
- A standoff occurred at Usfaan between the Muslims and a Makkan cavalry led by Khalid ibn Walid, which resulted in no physical combat.
- Salaat al-Khawf was revealed (Surah An-Nisa 4:102), allowing the army to split into groups that pray in shifts so the front line is never undefended.
- The Quranic concession of Kasr (shortening the prayer while traveling or under threat) was formally established during this campaign.
- The prayer methodology addressed the Sahaba’s deep love for the Prophet (saw), ensuring everyone had the opportunity to pray at least one rakaah behind him.
- The Prophet (saw) balanced spiritual priority with tactical caution, rebuking the "stupid extreme" of neglecting self-defense during worship.
Comprehensive Analysis
1. Seeking Justice for Ar Raji’
After staying in Madinah for the first few months of the 6th year of Hijra, the Prophet (saw) gathered a few hundred Sahaba in the month of Jumada al-Ula. The mission was to resolve the lingering grievance of the Ar Raji’ incident from two years prior, where 10 Sahaba were ambushed while on a teaching mission. Eight were killed on the spot, and two—Khubayb and Zayd—were sold into Makkah and publicly executed. The Prophet (saw) intended to give the offending tribe, Banu Lihyan, an opportunity to pay diya (blood money) or face the consequences of their murder.
2. The Standoff at Usfaan
Using strategic misdirection, the Prophet (saw) initially marched north to confuse scouts before turning toward Banu Lihyan. Upon arrival, he found the tribe had retreated into mountain fortresses. However, news reached the Quraysh that the Muslims were near Usfaan, prompting them to send a cavalry led by Khalid ibn Walid. The two armies engaged in a “staring game,” camping across from one another without any initial fighting.
3. Revelation of Salaat al-Khawf (The Prayer of Fear)
During the standoff, the Makkans observed the Muslims praying Dhur and planned to attack during the Asr prayer, noting that “Salah is more beloved to these people than their own lives”. Before they could strike, Allah revealed verses in Surat An-Nisa (4:101–104). This revelation provided the first concession of Kasr (shortening the four-rakaah prayer to two) and established the Prayer of Fear.
4. The Methodology of the Battlefield Prayer
The divine instruction mandated a specific format to ensure both spiritual connection and military readiness:
- The army split into two groups.
- One group prayed the first rakaah behind the Prophet (saw) while carrying their weapons, while the other group guarded the front line.
- When the Prophet (saw) stood for the second rakaah, the first group finished and took over the guard position, allowing the second group to join the Prophet (saw) for the final rakaah.
- This prevented the enemy from attacking the Muslims while they were “careless and neglectful” during prostration.
5. Balancing Spirituality and Caution
The sources highlight the “balance of our deen” provided by these verses. It addresses two extremes:
- Spiritual Neglect: The command to pray even in the heat of battle proves that there is no excuse to abandon Salah.
- The “Stupid Extreme” of Khushu’: Allah commands the believers to “be careful” and keep their guard up. True faith does not mean standing still while a “bus” (or an enemy) is headed your way; Islam mandates self-preservation alongside worship.
6. The Psychology of Leadership and Team Unity
Scholars note that the Prophet (saw) chose to lead two groups in a single-rakaah shift rather than having separate groups pray full shifts for two primary reasons,:
- The Love of the Prophet: Every Sahabi desperately wanted the blessing of praying behind the Messenger, especially since it might be their last prayer. The Prophet (saw) recognized that his team’s love for him superseded typical principles of deference to elders.
- Team Unity: Leading one large, inclusive prayer served as a team-building activity, ensuring the Sahaba felt they were fighting, praying, and succeeding as a single, unified body rather than being mentally scattered in small shifts.
7. Resolution without Conflict
Ultimately, both armies pulled away from Usfaan without engaging in combat. The Muslims returned to Madinah having demonstrated their resilience, their tactical superiority, and their unwavering commitment to the prayer, while the Makkans retreated without achieving their goal of a surprise attack.