299 - AT-TAUBA (Ayat# 38-40)
The Battle of Tabuk, occurring in 6 AH, arose from the murder of a messenger sent by the Prophet Muhammad to the Ghassanid tribe, an act considered a declaration of war. A force of three thousand Muslims, led by Zayd ibn Harithah, was dispatched against the Romans, encountering a significantly larger army of one hundred thousand. Initial engagements resulted in the martyrdom of Zayd, then Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, and subsequently Abdullah ibn Rawahah, before Khalid ibn al-Walid took command and secured the army's retreat. This event prompted the Prophet to announce a further expedition to Tabuk, requiring participation from all believers. The journey posed challenges due to the summer heat and the harvest season. This period also exposed the hypocrisy within the Muslim community. The Surah Al-Ahzab contains verses addressing the hypocrites and their attempts to obstruct the expedition. The conflict culminated in a treaty and the establishment of Muslim authority in the region.
