The expedition of Tabْk was undertaken this year. This was the last campaign of Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم). On Thursday 5th Rajab, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) marched from Madinah Tayyibah with 20,000 Sahaabah to break the power of Heraclius, the emperor of the Roman Empire. Although defeated in the Battle of Mootah, the Christians still cherished the idea of attacking Madinah Tayyibah.

On this occasion the heat was extreme and the Sahaabah were suffering dire straits of poverty. A great effort was therefore made to raise funds for this campaign. The ladies even contributed whatever jewellery they possessed. Despite this state of the Muslim army, the Christians became very fearful and petitioned for peace. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) accepted their request and a pact of peace was concluded. After a stay of 20 days at Tobْk, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) returned to Madinah Tayyibah. The duration of the whole journey was two months.

On his way back to Madinah, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) set fire to the place known as Musjid-e-Dhiraar. This was not a true Musjid. It was established by the Munaafiqeen as a venue of conspiracy for plotting against the Muslims.

The First Hajj
The first Hajj of Islam was executed in this year. A detachment of 300 Muslims under Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) left to make the necessary Hajj arrangements. Thereafter Hadhrat Ali (karramallahu wajhah) was despatched to announce the total dissociation from the kuffaar. These verses of Baraa’ah (severing ties with the kuffaar and annulling the pacts) are mentioned in Surah Baraa’ah.

Chief of the Munaafiqeen
In the month of Thil Qa’dh, Abdullah Bin Ubay Salool, the leader of the Hypocrites died. Purely out of goodness and on account of his kindness and lofty disposition, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) presented his kurtah in which Salool was buried. He also participated in the funeral and burial. When Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was about to lead the Janaazah Salaat, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) objected, saying that Allah Ta’ala said about the Munaafiqeen:

“Whether you ask forgiveness for them or not (and even) if you seek their forgiveness 70 times, never will Allah forgive them.”

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم), Rahmatul Lil-Aalameen, responded:

“If I know that they will be forgiven if I seek their forgiveness more than 70 times, then I shall do so.”

Hearing this response, Hadhrat Umar maintained silence. Thus, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) led the Janaazah Salaat. Thereupon, the following aayat was revealed:

“Do not ever perform (Janaazah) Salaat on any of them (the Munaafiqeen/kuffaar) nor stand at his graveside…”

This verse for all time prohibited Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) and his Ummah from participation in the funeral and burial of any kaafir.

The King of Abyssinia
Najashi, the emperor of Abyssinia also died during this year. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was informed of Najashi’s death via the medium of Wahi. He assembled the Sahaabah and conducted Najashi’s Janaazah Salaat in abstentia (i.e. without the body of Najashi being present).

According to the Hanafi Math-hab, the performance of Janaazah Salaat with the mayyit (deceased) in abstetia was a privilege exclusive with Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم). The detailed explanation for this could be obtained from the relevant kitaabs.

Umm-e-Kulthoom
Hadhrat Umm-e-Kulthoom (radhiyallahu anha), the daughter of Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) also passed away in this year.