Battle Of Tabuk

Battle of Tabuk
1. Brief history
This battle occurred in the month of Rajab, the 9th year of Hijra (October, 630 AD) when in the height of summer.1 This battle took place in Tabuk. The reason for this war erupted was because Al-Ghassain, the Governor of Al-Balqa had killed an envoy of Prophet SAW’s ambassadors.2 Likewise, firm actions been taken against them who are breaking the term of their treaty with the Muslim.3 Besides, this battle also happen because the Muslims get news from traders who had just returned from Syam that the Romans has brought together a large force with the support of Arab Christians from tribal Judzam, Lakhm and those who were under Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) rules.4 The main reason why they do that was because the Romans had felt threatened with the rapid rise of the Muslims power, especially after the opening of Makkah. Hence, they would like to demolish Muslims from Arabian Peninsula.
2. Preparations of the army
Muslims were ready with 30,000 troops, including 10,000 from the armed horsemen.5 Prophet SAW himself led this expedition. While Prophet SAW and the Muslims were preparing, a verse from Surah At-Tawbah was revealed as reminder for them to fight the nonbeliever:6
“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”(9:29).
Because of this war occurred during the summer, some of them especially the Munafiq started to give excused so that they will be exempted from joining this campaign. This attitude been reprimanded by Allah also in Surah At-Tawbah:
“Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah: they hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of Allah: they said, “Go not fort in the heat.” Say, “The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat.” If only they could understand!”(9:81).
From the Byzantine side, as been mentions earlier, the Romans had gather a huge forces by combining their army with armies from Arab Christians from tribal Judzam, Lakhm and those who were under Byzantine rules. They were led by Hereclius. The total sums of their soldiers were around 40,000 troops.7
3. War strategy
As soon Prophet SAW reached Tabuk, Prophet SAW made a treaty with all tribe around Tabuk.8 Even some of them were willingly to convert to Islam.9 Beside, the Governor of Aila, Yohanna had come to see Prophet SAW to make the treaty and willing to pay the Jizyah (tax) to the Muslim.10 With this treaty, Prophet SAW had succeeded to strengthen the Muslim’s defense for a long term.
After waiting for several days, there were no sign of the Roman armies.11 Prophet SAW had received news that the Roman armies already retreated from the battlefield.12 It was because the large number of the Muslim armies and previous victory of Muslims in the wars with only small numbers of armies made the Romans changed their mind. Although the treat had gone, Prophet SAW stayed there for a few more days and sent some troops around that area to monitor it.13
In the event that we see from other point of view, the marched of Muslim’s armies to Tabuk was an incredible deliberately and strategically moves. It demonstrated not just the considerable mettle and quality of the Muslims additionally their solid will and determination to shield and protect their territories from any genuine or potential adversary.14 It was additionally a pointer to the Romans and other powers around Arabian Peninsula that there was currently a government which was solid and strong enough to take care of the security and wellbeing of its own people. It was the rights deliberately move at the perfect time and wide political and military impacts inside and additionally outside the nation. Accordingly, this move helped in securing the territory from outside attack and creating peace and order inside of the Islamic state.15

If we see from other perspective, Prophet SAW’s expedition to Tabuk was a great strategically move. It showed not only the great courage and strength of the Muslims but also their strong will and determination to defend and protect their frontiers from any real or potential enemy. It was also a pointer to the Romans and other powers around Arabian Peninsula that there was now an established government which was strong and powerful enough to look after the security and safety of its people. It was the rights strategically move at the right time and very wide political and military effects inside as well as outside the country. Thus, this move helped in securing frontiers from foreign invasion and establishing peace and order within the boundaries of the Islamic state.

References
Solihin, S. M. (n.d.). Reading Materials Fiqh Sirah, Gombak: IIUM Printing.
Bashier, Zakaria (2006). War and Peace In the Life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Markfield,
United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation.
Al-Mubarakpuri, S. M. (2005). The Sealed Nectar, Riyadh: Darussalam Publication.
Muir, William (2003). Life of Mahomet, Montana: Kessinger Publishing Co.

References: Solihin, S. M. (n.d.). Reading Materials Fiqh Sirah, Gombak: IIUM Printing. Bashier, Zakaria (2006). War and Peace In the Life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Markfield, United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation. Al-Mubarakpuri, S. M. (2005). The Sealed Nectar, Riyadh: Darussalam Publication. Muir, William (2003). Life of Mahomet, Montana: Kessinger Publishing Co.