In April 623, the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent Ubayda ibn al-Harith with a party of sixty armed Muhajirun (Muslim migrants to Medina) to the valley of Rabigh, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. They expected to intercept a Quraysh caravan that was returning from Syria under the protection of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and 200 armed riders.Ibn Ishaq/Guillaume, p. 281.Haykal, M. H. (1935). Translated by al-Faruqi, I. R. A. (1976). The Life of Muhammad, p. 256. Chicago: North American Trust Publications.Mubarakpuri, S. R. (1979). Ar-Raheeq Al-Maktum (The Sealed Nectar), p. 92. Riyadh: Darussalem Publishers.Note: Book contains a list of battles of Muhammad in Arabic, English translation available here The Muslim party travelled as far as the wells at Thanyat al-Murra, where Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas shot an arrow at the Quraysh. This is known as the first arrow of Islam. Despite this surprise attack, "they did not unsheathe a sword or approach one another," and the Muslims returned empty-handed; however, two Meccans traders left their caravan, became Muslim, and went with the expedition back to Medina.
Timing Some say that Ubaydah ibn al-Harith was the first to whom Muhammad gave a banner on a military expedition; others say Hamza was the first.Ibn Saad/Bewley, p. 37.
Some scholars assert that Muhammad sent out the expedition while he was in Al-Abwa' or upon his return to the Medina from the raid of Al-Abwa'.
See also Muhammad List of expeditions of Muhammad Military career of Muhammad Muslim–Quraysh War Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
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