of the three deaths on the very day they occurred, and he added that the standard was then taken by Khalid ibn al-Walid, through whose hands Allah granted victory.

After this, the Prophet himself marched against the Christians. He ordered all Muslims to accompany him on the campaign, permitting no one to remain behind. With tens of thousands he undertook the Expedition of Tabuk, reached Tabuk, and stayed there for twenty nights intending to confront the Christians—both the Arab tribes and the Byzantines, as well as others. He remained in place awaiting their arrival so that he might fight them, but when they heard of him they lost heart, refused battle, and never advanced.

Concerning this episode Allah Most High sent down the greater part of Surah Baraʾah, sternly condemning those who failed to join the fight against the Christians. Those who did not regard participation in that jihad as an act of obedience He labeled hypocrites and unbelievers; Allah will never forgive them unless they repent. And He said to His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: