The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) passing
near the ruins of Thamud during Tabuk expedition:
The Tabuk expedition is one of the major campaigns of the Prophet
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), and the last one in which he personally
took part. When he received the news that the Caesar (of Rome) had
mustered a large force to crush the power of Islam and was on his
way (through Syria) to invade Madinah, he decided to lead the Sahabah
to check him on his way. On Thursday the 5th of Rajab, 9 A.H., the
devoted band marched out of Madinah. As the weather was hot and
the fighting was expected to be very tough, the Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) made an open declaration that the Muslims should
gather in strength and prepare fully to face the forces of the Roman
Empire. He also exhorted them to contribute towards the equipment
of the expedition. It was on this occasion that Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(Radhiyallaho anho) contributed all his belongings. When he was
questioned by the Prophet (Sal-lallaho alaihe wasallam) as to what
he had left for his family, he replied:
"I have left Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)
for them."
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) contributed half of his belongings
and Hadhrat 'Usman (Radhiyallaho anho) provided for the equipment
of one-third of the whole army. Although everybody, contributed
beyond his means, yet the equipment fell far short of the requirements.
Only one camel was available for each group of ten persons, who
were to ride it in turn. This is why this campaign is known as:
"The campaign of hardship."
The journey was long and the weather hot and dry. The orchards
were laden with ripe dates (the staple crop of Madi-nah) and it
was just the time for harvesting, when all of a sudden the Sahabah
were required to start on this campaign. It was really an acid test
of their Imaan. They visualised the long and arduous journey, the
scorching heat, the formidable enemy opposed to them and, to top
all, the prospective loss of the year's crop, but they could not
even dream of evading the call to arms, and that solely on account
of the deep-rooted fear of Allah in their hearts. Except the women,
children (who were excusable), those who were ordered to stay behind
by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself, and the munafiqin,
nearly everybody joined the expedition. Also among those left behind
were such persons as could neither arrange conveyance for themselves,
nor was the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) able to provide
them with any. It is about such people that Allah says in his Book:
 "They turned back with eyes flowing with tears in sorrow that
they could not find means to spend." (IX: 92)
Of the true believers, those who stayed behind without any excuse
whatsoever were three in number. Their story would be presently
related. On their way to Syria when the expedition reached the habitation
of Thamud, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) covered his
face with his shirt and quickened the pace of his camel. He also
instructed the Sahabah to do the same, since that was the scene
of Tha-mud's destruction. They were advised to pass there weeping
and fearing lest Allah should punish them as he had punished the
Thamud.
The dearest and the most beloved Prophet of Allah and his privileged
companions pass by the ruins of the punished people in fear and
tears, lest they meet the same fate; on the other hand today, if
any place is struck with an earthquake, it becomes a place of sightseeing
for us and, if we come across any ruins, our eyes remain dry and
our hearts unaffected. What a change of attitude!
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