Expedition Of Ghalib Ibn Abdullah Al-Laithi To Mayfah
Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR
It is claimed by some that one of the main reasons Ghalib Ibn Abdullah al-Laithi was sent to attack Banu Awal and Banu Thalabah was to steal from them.
This claim has no bearing on this incident historically speaking. Just made up to degrade Islam.
Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir – Ibn Sa’d:
“THE SARRIYAH OF GHALIB IBN ABD’ALLAH AL-LAYTHI TOWARDS AL-MAYFA’AH
… The Apostle of Allah sent Ghalib Ibn Abd’Allah against Banu Uwal and Banu Abd Ibn Tha’labah who were at al-Mayfa’ah, which lies beyond Batn Nakhl towards al-Naqrah in the territory of Najd. … He sent him with one hundred and thrity men. Their guide was Yasar the mawla of the Apostle of Allah. They made a surprise attack and took position in their territory. Then they killed whom they met…” [1]
Dr. Shawqi Abu Khalil:
“THE EXPEDITION OF GHALIB IBN ABDULLAH AL-LAITHI TO BATN NAKHL IN RAMDAN 7 AH.
Ghalib set out with 130 men to go to Banu Uwal and Banu Abd of Thalaba, who were in Al-Mayfa’ah, which is beyond Batn Nakhl headings towards Najd, and fighting took place.’” [2]
Dr. Muhammad Adb Al-Rahman Al-Arifi:
“The Messenger of Allah (p) dispatched a group of his Companions to al-Huraqat, a subtribe of of Juhaynah. Usama bin Zayd (ra) was one of the warriors. The battle commenced in the morning, the Muslims became victorious and the enemy fled.” [3]
Just reading few reports on one incident without checking the historical background why this expedition took place it would show the Muslims in the bad light for attacking Banu Thalabah and Banu Uwal (awal). However, just before incident, the Banu Thalabah and Banu Awal had plotted and sided with enemies in waging war against the Muslims. In another incident, Banu Thalabah attacked and murdered a number of Muslims. Click the following articles for more information:
2. First Raid on Banu Thalabah?
3. Expedition Of Dhat Al-Riqa?
References:
[1] Kitab al-tabaqat al-kabir by Ibn Sa’d, Volume 2, page 148
[2] Atlas Al-sīrah Al-Nabawīyah – Atlas On The Prophet’s Biography, Places, Nations, Landsmarks, By Dr. Shawqi Abu Khalil, page 205
[3] Enjoy Your Life By Dr. Muhammad Adb Al-Rahman Al-Arifi, page 121