The Battle of Dhi Amr
This was the largest military expedition led by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ before the Battle of Uhud. It took place in Muharram of 3 AH. It was also known as the Ghazwat Ghatafan or the Battle of Anmar. The reason for this expedition was that intelligence reports from Madinah informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that a large group from the tribes of Banu Tha‘labah and Muharib had gathered and were planning to launch a raid on the outskirts of Madinah. In response, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called upon the Muslims and set out with 450 fighters, including both mounted and foot soldiers. He appointed Uthman ibn Affan as his deputy in Madinah during his absence.
The Muslims Reach Dhi Amr
While they were travelling, they captured a man named Jubār from Banu Tha‘labah. He was brought before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who invited him to Islam, and he accepted it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entrusted him to Bilal to teach him about Islam, and Jubār then served as a guide for the Muslim army to the enemy’s territory.
The polytheists from Banu Tha‘labah and Muharib learned that the Muslims were advancing towards them, so they scattered and fled to the mountain tops. Meanwhile, the Prophet ﷺ reached the place where they had gathered, at the water known as Dhi Amr where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions camped. They were caught in heavy rain, which soaked the clothes of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then went beneath a tree, spread out his clothes to dry, and lay down while the polytheists could see him. Meanwhile, the Muslims were busy attending to their own affairs.
The Conversion of Du‘thur ibn Al-Harith
The polytheists sent a brave man among them, known as Ghawrath ibn Al-Harith, or Du‘thur ibn Al-Harith, and said to him, “Allah has given you the opportunity to kill Muhammad.” So, the man went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ carrying a sharp, unsheathed sword. He stood over him with the sword raised and said, “O Muhammad! Who will protect you from me today?”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied, “Allah.” At that moment, Jibril pushed him in the chest, causing the sword to fall from his hand. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ picked up the sword and said, “And who will protect you from me?”
The man replied, “No one. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By Allah, I will never gather people against you again.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then returned his sword to him. When the man went back to his companions, they asked him, “What happened to you?” He replied, “I saw a tall man who pushed me in the chest, causing me to fall on my back. I realised that he was an angel, and I bore witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By Allah, I will never gather people against him again.” He then began calling his people to Islam.
It is reported that the following verse was revealed concerning this incident:
“O you who believe! Remember Allah’s favour upon you when a people intended to stretch out their hands against you, but He restrained their hands from you.”
(يَا أيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أن يَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أيْدِيَهُمْ عَنْكُمْ)
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:11)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned to Madinah without encountering any fighting. He had been away for fifteen nights. There is another narration by Abu Umar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ remained in Najd throughout the entire month of Safar.
Allah’s Protection of the Prophet ﷺ
Al-Mawardi said in A‘lam al-Nubuwwah: “Among his miracles ﷺ was his protection from his enemies, who were a great multitude and numerous in number. They were extremely hostile towards him and determined to drive him away. Yet he remained among them, moving freely and overcoming them, while they watched him with hostile eyes, but their hands were restrained from reaching him out of fear. His Companions had even migrated away from him out of caution, while he remained among them for thirteen years. Then he departed from them safely, without suffering any harm to his person or body.
This was only through divine protection, which Allah Almighty had promised him and fulfilled, as He said: {And Allah will protect you from the people} (وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ) (Al-Ma’idah 5:67). Thus, Allah protected him from them.”
This battle was also a practical form of military training through which the noble Companions learned obedience and discipline and gained new military experience. These expeditions helped them develop patience, courage, readiness, and the ability to face difficult circumstances. May Allah grant us the steadfastness, courage, and trust in Him that He granted His noble Companions. May He protect us from harm, strengthen our faith, and guide us to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in every aspect of our lives. Ameen.
