Year Eleven (AH):

The Expedition of Usama

On Monday, with four days of Safar remaining, al-Waqidi related that they said: The Prophet ﷺ ordered the army to make ready for battle against the Byzantines. He summoned Usama ibn Zayd and said, “Proceed to the place where your father was slain and ride your horses hard against them. I have placed you in command of this army. Launch a dawn raid on the people of Ubna; march quickly so that news of you does not precede you. If you are granted victory, do not linger among them. Post scouts and advance patrols ahead of you.”

When Wednesday came, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt the first onset of his illness; a fever and headache struck him. At daybreak on Thursday he tied a standard for Usama with his own hand. Usama set out bearing the banner, then passed it to Burayda ibn al-Husayb al-Aslami and encamped at al-Jurf.

There was not a single notable among the Emigrants or the Helpers who did not volunteer for that campaign; among them were Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and Abu ‘Ubayda.

Some people spoke up, saying, “Shall this youth be placed in command over such men?” Ibn ‘Uyayna and others narrated—from ‘Abd Allah ibn Dinar, who heard Ibn ‘Umar say—that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed Usama, and the people criticized his leadership. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “If they criticize his command, they have already criticized his father’s command. By Allah, he was worthy of leadership, and indeed…"