The Hijri calendar is an important calendar in the Islamic world. It began with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace from Mecca to Medina. The month of Rabi` al-Thani, also known as Rabi Al-Akhir, is among the important months of the Hijri calendar. In this article, we will explore the significance of the month of Rabi Al-Thani and the most important events that occurred during it.
What is Rabi Al-Thani?
Rabi al-Thani is the fourth month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called Rabi Al Akhir. This month was given this name around 412 AD during the reign of Kilab bin Murra, the fifth grandfather of the Messenger. The Arabs used to begin investing all the spoils they seized in Safar, and that is why some narrations have come to name this month and the month that precedes it as the two springs. It is said that these two months are named so because they come in the fall season, which the Arabs call spring, spring-summer, and summer heat. The months of Rabi al-Awwal and the others were called that because they came at the time of naming them in the time of spring, so they had to name them. The Arabs remember all months abstract except for the months of spring and the month of Ramadan. They say: I accept Shaaban and I accept the month of Ramadan.
When is Rabi Al-Thani?
Rabi al-Thani or Rabi al-Akhir is the fourth month of the Islamic calendar.
Importance of Rabi Al-Thani
The importance of Rabi Al-Thani comes from the fact that important events took place during the reign of the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him. In the following, we mention the most prominent of these events.
Events Took Place During Rabi Al Thani
Here are some of the events that took place during Rabi Al Thani
Completing The Prayer of Four Rak’ahs
In the month of Rabi’ al-Akhir the first year of the Hijrah, the four-rak’ah prayer was obligated at home. The prayer was obligatory for two rak’ahs when traveling and at home, so the travel prayer was approved, and two rak’ahs were added to the home prayer. As it was proven on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Aisha, daughter of Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with her, narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their Sahihs.
Battle of Bahran
In the month of Rabi’ al-Akhir of the third year, there was a campaign against Bahran, and the reason for this attack was that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, received news stating that crowds from the Sulaym tribe had gathered in the region of Bahran. So the Messenger, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, went out with 300 men and fed on the march, but Salim’s crowds dispersed when they learned that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was marching towards them. Then he, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, stayed for days in that area, and he did not meet anyone from Banu Sulaym, then he returned to Medina after being absent from it for ten nights.
Expedition of Zaid bin Haritha to Jamum
In Rabi` al-Akhir of the sixth year of the Hijrah, Zaid bin Haritha’s Expedition, may God be pleased with him, was in al-Jumum. It is a place not far from Medina, and it was inhabited by the Bani Salim tribe, which followed the Quraish. They were hostile to the Muslims and participated in the parties alongside the Quraysh, Hawazin, and others. During the Battle of the Trench.
The hostility of Banu Sulaym to the Muslims is what made the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, invade them in the gurgling of distress in the second year, then in Bahran in the third year, then Zaid bin Haritha directed them at the head of a detachment in the sixth year.
The reason for Zayd’s Expedition to Jamum was that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, had informed him that a group of Sulaym had met with Jamum, so the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, sent Zayd ibn Haritha, may God be pleased with him, at the head of a detachment. Zayd marched secretly until they returned to Al-Jumum, where they struck a woman from Bani Mazina called Halima, who showed them one of the places of Bani Salim, so they hit sheep and camels in that area, and captured some of its people.
The Salim tribe later converted to Islam, and the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, honored them.
It is enough for them to be proud that the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, presented their banner on the day of the conquest over all the brigades. ِAnd the fact that they were united on that day. That is, a thousand men attended among them. As well as his saying may God’s prayers and peace be upon him: I am the son of Al-Awatak from Sulaym, which means that he, peace and blessings be upon him, had three grandmothers from Banu Sulaym, all of whom were called Atakah.
The Detachment of Abu Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah
in the month of Rabi al-Akhir of the sixth year of the Prophet’s migration, the detachment of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah took place to the Banu Tha’labah, and this detachment was in response to the killing of 9 of the companions of the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, who were with Muhammad ibn Maslamah in a detachment.
The outcome of this secrecy is that the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, sent Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah with 40 men to discipline Banu Tha’labah and avenge the companions of Ibn Maslama.
The expedition raided Banu Tha’labah, so they fled in every direction, dispersed in the mountains, and no one from Ibn Maslama met except one man, and he embraced Islam, then the squadron returned with many spoils without harm.
Expeditionary Ali Bin Abi Talib To Demolish The Idol Ta’i
In the month of Rabi` al-Thani of the ninth year of the Hijrah, the Messenger, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, sent Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him, leading a hundred and fifty men to Tayi to demolish their idol (fils). which is one of the well-known idols in that region. Ali and his companions marched until they reached the country They attacked them at dawn and managed to destroy the idol, and they returned with spoils and captivity.
Recommended reading: The 4 Sacred Months in Islam
Conclusion
In this article, we have talked about the significance of the month of Rabi Al-Thani. We have dealt with the most important events that occurred in it, such as the imposition of the Asr prayer, four rak’ahs at home, and some of the squadrons sent by Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace.