WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:03.700 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:13.259 Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:17.820 A Summary of the Prophetic Biography (Seerah), 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:22.899 Authored by Shaykh Musa ibn Rashid al-'Azimi, 00:00:22.899 --> 00:00:25.059 May Allah preserve him. 00:00:25.059 --> 00:00:32.780 The Expedition of Khabat (Tree Leaves). 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:36.060 *Al-Khabat* refers to the leaves that fall from trees 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:38.420 By striking and shaking the branches. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:40.979 The two Shaykhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim) narrated in their *Sahih*s, 00:00:40.979 --> 00:00:42.979 And the wording is from Muslim, 00:00:42.979 --> 00:00:46.820 On the authority of Jabir ibn 'Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said: 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:50.740 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) dispatched us, 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:53.460 And appointed Abu 'Ubaydah over us as leader, 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:55.939 To intercept a caravan belonging to Quraysh. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:58.420 He provided us with a leather bag of dates, 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:00.420 Finding nothing else for us. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:04.420 Thus, Abu 'Ubaydah used to give us one date each, one by one. 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:08.340 I asked, "How did you manage with just one date?" 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:12.099 He said, "We would suck on it just as a child sucks, 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:14.900 Then we would drink water over it, 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:17.859 And it would suffice us for the day until nightfall. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:20.900 We would also strike tree leaves (*khabat*) with our sticks, 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:24.079 Then wet them with water and eat them." 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.799 He continued, "We set out along the seashore, 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:31.599 And there appeared to us on the coast something like a huge sandhill. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:35.599 We approached it and found it to be a creature called *al-'Anbar* (a sperm whale), 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:38.799 Which is a large marine creature. 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:40.719 Abu 'Ubaydah said, 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:42.239 'It is carrion.' 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:44.640 Then he reconsidered and said, 'No! 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:48.719 Rather, we are the envoys of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:50.480 And we are in the cause of Allah. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.519 Since you have been forced by necessity, eat of it.' 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:56.879 He said, 'So we stayed near it for a month, 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:58.719 While we were three hundred men, 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:00.750 Until we gained weight. 00:02:00.829 --> 00:02:05.950 I remember us scooping out oil from its eye socket with large jugs, 00:02:05.950 --> 00:02:08.990 And cutting chunks of meat from it as large as a bull, 00:02:08.990 --> 00:02:10.990 Or equal to the size of a bull. 00:02:10.990 --> 00:02:15.469 Abu 'Ubaydah took thirteen men from among us 00:02:15.469 --> 00:02:18.110 And seated them inside its eye socket. 00:02:18.110 --> 00:02:21.789 Then he took one of its ribs and set it upright, 00:02:21.789 --> 00:02:24.750 Then saddled the largest camel among us, 00:02:24.750 --> 00:02:26.990 And it passed right underneath it. 00:02:26.990 --> 00:02:30.189 We also provisioned ourselves with dried strips of its meat (*washa'iq*).' 00:02:30.349 --> 00:02:32.830 *Al-Washa'iq* is the plural of *washiqah*, 00:02:32.830 --> 00:02:34.590 Which refers to meat that is taken, 00:02:34.590 --> 00:02:37.150 Parboiled slightly without being fully cooked, 00:02:37.150 --> 00:02:39.569 And carried along on journeys. 00:02:39.569 --> 00:02:41.650 'When we arrived back in Medina, 00:02:41.650 --> 00:02:45.490 We came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:02:45.490 --> 00:02:47.729 And mentioned that to him. 00:02:47.729 --> 00:02:49.090 He said, 00:02:49.090 --> 00:02:52.050 "It is a provision that Allah brought forth for you. 00:02:52.050 --> 00:02:56.240 Do you have any of its meat with you to give us some to eat?"' 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:57.280 He said, 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.060 'So we sent some of it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he ate from it.'" 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:05.860 According to another wording in the two *Sahih*s, 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:08.580 Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:10.740 "There was a man among us 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:14.979 Who, when the hunger became severe, slaughtered three camels, 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:17.219 Then another three camels, 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:20.900 Until Abu 'Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) forbade him." 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:23.060 Al-Hafiz said in *Al-Fath*: 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:24.419 "This man 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:30.430 Was Qays ibn Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him)." 00:03:30.430 --> 00:03:34.210 Benefits from the Expedition of Khabat: 00:03:34.210 --> 00:03:36.530 Al-Hafiz said in *Al-Fath*: 00:03:36.530 --> 00:03:38.129 "From it is derived: 00:03:38.129 --> 00:03:40.449 The permissibility of eating sea carrion, 00:03:40.449 --> 00:03:44.289 Whether it died naturally or through hunting, 00:03:44.289 --> 00:03:46.819 Which is the opinion of the majority of scholars." 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:49.219 Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: 00:03:49.219 --> 00:03:56.500 "In it is evidence for the permissibility of scholarly reasoning (*ijtihad*) regarding events during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:03:56.500 --> 00:03:58.849 And his approval of that. 00:03:58.849 --> 00:04:03.090 However, this occurred in a situation of dire need for *ijtihad*, 00:04:03.090 --> 00:04:06.770 Where they were unable to consult the text directly. 00:04:06.770 --> 00:04:14.370 Indeed, Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) exercised *ijtihad* in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:04:14.370 --> 00:04:16.930 Regarding several occurrences, 00:04:16.930 --> 00:04:19.490 And he approved of both of them doing so. 00:04:19.490 --> 00:04:22.769 But this was only in specific individual cases, 00:04:22.850 --> 00:04:26.930 Not regarding general rulings or universal sacred laws, 00:04:26.930 --> 00:04:36.610 For such a thing never occurred from any of the Companions in his presence at all." 00:04:36.610 --> 00:04:43.389 Regarding the timeline of this expedition according to scholars of military history (*al-maghazi*): 00:04:43.389 --> 00:04:46.110 The majority of scholars of *al-maghazi* held 00:04:46.110 --> 00:04:51.709 That the Expedition of Khabat took place in Rajab of the eighth year after the Hijrah. 00:04:51.709 --> 00:04:53.980 However, there is doubt regarding this view. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.220 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: 00:04:56.220 --> 00:04:59.180 "The implication of most of these narrations 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:03.519 Is that this expedition took place before the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah." 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:06.000 Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:11.439 "This context indicates that this military dispatch took place before the truce 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:13.920 And before the 'Umrah of al-Hudaybiyyah. 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:18.000 For ever since he made peace with the people of Mecca at al-Hudaybiyyah, 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.560 He did not lie in wait for any of their caravans; 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:25.040 Rather, it was a time of security and peace until the Conquest of Mecca. 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:29.920 It is highly improbable that the Expedition of Khabat occurred in this exact manner twice: 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:33.120 Once before the treaty and once after it. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.959 And Allah knows best." 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:36.720 He also said: 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:39.899 "Section regarding the legal understanding (*fiqh*) of this story: 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:41.339 In it is 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:44.220 The permissibility of fighting during the sacred month, 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:48.220 If the historical mention of Rajab in it is accurately preserved. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:50.379 However, what is apparent—and Allah knows best— 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.019 Is that it is an error and not preserved, 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:56.379 Since it is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:58.860 That he fought during a sacred month, 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:00.540 Nor that he launched a raid during it, 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:03.279 Nor dispatched an expedition during it." 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:05.519 Al-Hafiz said in *Al-Fath*: 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:07.519 "Intercepting the caravan of Quraysh 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:13.839 Cannot be conceived to have occurred at the time mentioned by Ibn Sa'd, namely Rajab of the year 8 AH, 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:17.120 Because they were under a peace treaty at that time. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:19.439 Rather, what is dictated by what appears in the *Sahih* 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.800 Is that this expedition was in the year 6 AH 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:27.339 Or prior to it, before the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah." 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:29.339 An Important Note: 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:30.540 I say: 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:36.139 There occurs in *Sahih Muslim* a military expedition led by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:40.379 Whose events closely resemble those of the Expedition of Khabat, 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:45.579 And it is also narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn 'Abdillah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them both), 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:51.980 Who narrated the story of the Expedition of Khabat alongside Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with them both). 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:55.019 Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:06:55.019 --> 00:07:00.860 "We marched with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on the Expedition of Batan Buwat, 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:04.220 While he was searching for al-Majdi ibn 'Amr al-Juhani. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:09.259 A single water-carrying camel was shared alternately by five, six, or seven of us." 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.259 Until he said: 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:16.139 "The daily sustenance for each man among us was a single date. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:20.300 He would suck it and then tie it up in his garment. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:23.899 We used to strike tree leaves with our bows and eat them 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:26.459 Until the sides of our mouths became sore." 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:28.220 Until he said: 00:07:28.220 --> 00:07:33.180 "The people complained of hunger to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:36.939 So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:39.420 'May Allah feed you.' 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:41.579 So we reached the seashore, 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:43.819 And the sea surged with a great surge— 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:45.819 Meaning its waves rose high— 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:47.819 And threw up a huge sea creature. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:50.620 So we lit a fire beside one side of it, 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:55.180 And we cooked, roasted, and ate until we were full. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:58.139 Then I, along with so-and-so and so-and-so— 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:00.139 Until he counted five people— 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:02.139 Entered into its eye socket, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:04.139 And no one could see us 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:05.819 Until we came back out. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:09.740 Then we took one of its ribs and bent it, 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:13.180 Then we called for the largest man in the caravan, 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:15.500 And the largest camel in the caravan, 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.980 And the largest camel-saddle in the caravan, 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:21.500 And he passed underneath it without even lowering his head." 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:29.149 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir mentioned the events of the Expedition of Khabat led by Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:08:29.149 --> 00:08:30.910 Then he said: 00:08:30.910 --> 00:08:33.389 "In some narrations of Muslim, 00:08:33.549 --> 00:08:39.789 It is mentioned that they were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when they found this whale. 00:08:39.789 --> 00:08:41.389 Some scholars said: 00:08:41.389 --> 00:08:43.389 'This was a separate incident.' 00:08:43.389 --> 00:08:45.389 While others said: 00:08:45.389 --> 00:08:47.629 'Rather, it was a single event; 00:08:47.629 --> 00:08:52.110 However, they were initially with the Prophet (peace be upon him), 00:08:52.110 --> 00:08:56.830 Then he dispatched them on an expedition led by Abu 'Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:08:56.830 --> 00:09:02.750 So they found this creature during that expedition of theirs with Abu 'Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him).' 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:04.750 And Allah knows best." 00:09:04.750 --> 00:09:06.750 Al-Hafiz said in *Al-Fath*: 00:09:06.750 --> 00:09:09.750 "The apparent context of this story 00:09:09.750 --> 00:09:13.750 Requires it to be distinct from the story mentioned in the chapter, 00:09:13.750 --> 00:09:16.750 Which is also from the narration of Jabir. 00:09:16.750 --> 00:09:20.750 To the extent that 'Abd al-Haqq said in *Al-Jam' Bayn al-Sahihayn*: 00:09:20.750 --> 00:09:23.750 'This is a separate incident from that one, 00:09:23.750 --> 00:09:28.750 For this one took place in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).' 00:09:28.750 --> 00:09:31.750 However, what he mentioned is not explicit evidence for that, 00:09:31.750 --> 00:09:36.750 Due to the possibility that the particle *fa* in the statement of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him)— 00:09:36.750 --> 00:09:38.750 'So we reached the seashore'— 00:09:38.750 --> 00:09:40.750 Is the explanatory *fa* (*al-fahiyyah*), 00:09:40.750 --> 00:09:43.750 Succeeding an omitted phrase, estimated as: 00:09:43.750 --> 00:09:48.750 'So the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent us with Abu 'Ubaydah, 00:09:48.750 --> 00:09:50.750 And so we reached the seashore.' 00:09:50.750 --> 00:09:52.750 Thus, the two stories would be one and the same. 00:09:52.750 --> 00:09:55.750 And this is the preferred view in my assessment, 00:09:55.750 --> 00:09:57.750 As the default principle is non-duplication of events. 00:09:57.750 --> 00:10:00.820 Among the matters to be pointed out here as well 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:07.820 Is that al-Waqidi claimed that the story of Abu 'Ubaydah's dispatch occurred in Rajab of the year 8 AH, 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.820 Which in my view is an error, 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:12.820 Because in the authentic report itself, 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:15.820 It states that they went out to lie in wait for a caravan of Quraysh, 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:18.820 Whereas Quraysh, in the eighth year, 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:22.820 Were bound by a peace treaty with the Prophet (peace be upon him). 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:25.820 I have already drawn attention to that in *Al-Maghazi*, 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:29.820 And suggested the possibility that this took place before the truce, 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:32.820 In the sixth year or earlier. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:35.820 Then it became clear to me now that this is strengthened 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:40.820 By the statement of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) in this narration of Muslim: 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:43.820 That they set out on the Expedition of Buwat. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:49.820 And the Expedition of Buwat took place in the second year after the Hijrah, prior to the Battle of Badr, 00:10:49.820 --> 00:10:52.820 When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:54.820 Set out with two hundred of his Companions 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:58.820 To intercept a caravan belonging to Quraysh in which Umayyah ibn Khalaf was present. 00:10:58.820 --> 00:11:03.820 He reached Bawat, but encountered no one, so he returned. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:07.850 It is as if he dispatched Abu Ubaydah alone alongside his detachment 00:11:07.850 --> 00:11:09.850 to keep watch for the aforementioned caravan. 00:11:09.850 --> 00:11:15.850 That this occurred early on is supported by the extreme poverty and hardship described in the account. 00:11:15.850 --> 00:11:18.850 The reality is that by the eighth year after the Hijrah, 00:11:18.850 --> 00:11:22.850 their circumstances had broadened significantly through the conquest of Khaybar and other victories. 00:11:22.850 --> 00:11:26.850 The hardship mentioned in this narration clearly fits the very beginning of the Islam period. 00:11:26.850 --> 00:11:30.850 This gives weight to the view I have mentioned, and Allah knows best. 00:11:31.850 --> 00:11:36.389 *Al-Mukhtasar fi al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah* (The Abridged Prophetic Biography) 00:11:36.389 --> 00:11:42.389 Though longing between lovers may grow deep and long, 00:11:42.389 --> 00:11:49.649 The boundlessness of our longing for you can never be encompassed. 00:11:49.649 --> 00:11:56.220 May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you whenever the call to prayer is raised, 00:11:56.220 --> 00:12:05.379 And whenever lips move to utter the enduring words of remembrance.