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The Expedition of Tabuk 
Finally, the Muslims were ready to make the long journey 
across the desert to Tabuk. The Prophet put Muhammad bin 
Maslama in charge of Madinah. Ali bin Abi Talib was left to look 
after the women and children. Abu Bakr Siddeeq carried the 
standard of the army. Zubayr carried the flag of the Muhajireen, 
Usayd bin Hudhayr carried the flag of the Aus, and Hubab bin 
Mundhir carried the flag of the Khazraj. 
With 30,000 men, the Prophet set out for Tabuk on a 
Thursday, in the month of Rajab, 9 A.H. There were so few 
camels that eighteen men rode each one in turn. The also had so 
little food that they had to eat leaves which made their lips swell. 
In spite of the scarcity of camels, they were forced to slaughter 
some of them so that they could drink water from their stomachs 
and intestines. 
Back in Madinah, Ali grew impatient with the taunts of the 
Hypocrites, and he decided to leave Madinah and join the 
Prophet . When he finally caught up with the troops, the 
Prophet asked him, Are you not content, Ali, that you are to 

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me as Haroon [Aaron] was to Musa, except that there will be no 
Prophet after me?” 
The Muslim forces halted at Al-Hijr, the land of the 
Thamood. They were a nation to whom the Prophet Saleh was 
sent. Reckless in disbelief, the hamstrung a she-camel that Saleh 
declared to be one of Allah’s signs, thereby bringing down Allah’s 
wrath upon themselves. A mighty earthquake wiped them out, 
and only their deserted dwellings testified that they had once 
walked the earth. When the Prophet saw his men draw water 
from the wells in the area and prepare dough for bread, he asked 
them to pour the water taken from the wells and to feed the 
dough to the animals. Then he showed them the water Saleh’s 
camel used to drink from and told them to draw their water from 
there. 
As the Muslims travelled through the bleak land of the 
rebellious Thamood, the Prophet bade his men heed the 
consequences of disobedience to Allah: “As you enter the houses 
of those who wronged themselves, fear that you may also meet 
the same fate that befell them.” 
The chastened Muslims covered their heads and walked 
swiftly across the valley. 
The Prophet’s army reached Tabuk after a journey of about 
four hundred kilometres. There they met Abu Khaythama, one of 
the Muslims who had stayed behind in Madinah without a valid 
excuse. He explained that after the Prophet left Madinah, he 
entered his garden on a very hot day. Both his wives had 
sprinkled water around and brought him cold water and food. He 
then told his wives: 
“When the Prophet is subjected to scorching heat, should I 
enjoy cool shade, water and the sweet company of beautiful 
women? This is not just! By Allah, I shall not enter my house until 
I meet the Prophet. Both of you prepare provisions for me.” 

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His wives complied. The Abu Khaythama mounted his 
camel, took a sword and a spear, and set out in search of the 
Prophet .