| Conflict: | Expedition of Hamzah ibn 'Abdul Muttalib |
| Date: | 13 March, 623 CE, 1 AH |
| Place: | Al-‘Īṣ |
| Result: | Intercession by a third party |
| Combatant1: | Muhajirun (Muslim exiles to Medina) |
| Combatant2: | Quraish of Mecca |
| Commander1: | Hamza |
| Commander2: | Abu Jahl |
| Strength1: | 30-40 |
| Strength2: | 300 |
| Casualties1: | None |
| Casualties2: | None |
Expedition of Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib (Arabic: سرية حمزة بن عبد المطلب), also known as Sīf Al-Baḥr platoon (Arabic: سرية سِيفُ البَحْرِ), was the first expedition sent out by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was sent in A.H. 1 of the Islamic calendar in the month of Ramadan (March, 623 CE).
The raid, which was to intercept a caravan that belonged to Quraish, was undertaken by the Muhajirun (Muslim exiles in Medina) alone (none of the Ansar, Helpers of Madinah, participated in it).[1]
The raid was ordered by Muhammad seven to nine months after the Hijrah. It was led by Hamza ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle) and comprising 30 to 40 men with a definite task of intercepting a caravan that belonged to Quraish. ‘Amr ibn Hishām (Abu Jahl), the leader of the caravan was camping at al-‘Is with 300 Meccan riders.[1] [2] [3]
The two parties encountered each other, aligned and stood face to face in preparation for battle but Majdi ibn ‘Amr al-Juhani, a Quraysh who was friendly to both the parties intervened between them; so both parties separated without fighting. Hamza returned to Medina and Abu Jahl proceeded towards Mecca.
On that occasion, Muhammad accredited the first flag of Islam. Kinaz ibn Husain Al-Ghanawi was given the task of carrying it, and it was white in color.[1] [2] [3] [4]
The event took place on the seashore in the neighborhood of aI-‘Īṣ (العيص), in the territory of Banū Juhayna, between Mecca and Medina.