| Conflict: | Expedition of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith |
| Date: | April, 623 (1 AH) |
| Place: | Batn Rabigh, Mecca, Hejaz |
| Result: | |
| Combatant1: | Muhajirun (Muslim migrants to Medina) |
| Combatant2: | Quraish of Mecca |
| Commander1: | Ubaydah ibn al-Harith |
| Commander2: | Abu Sufyan |
| Strength1: | 60-80 |
| Strength2: | 200 |
| Casualties1: | Unknown (Arrows fired) |
| Casualties2: | Unknown (1 arrow fired) |
| Partof: | the Muslim–Quraysh War |
In April 623, the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent Ubaydah ibn al-Harith with a party of sixty armed Muhajirun (Muslim migrants to Medina) to the valley of Rabigh, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. They expected to intercept a Quraysh caravan that was returning from Syria under the protection of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and 200 armed riders.[1] [2] [3] [4] The Muslim party travelled as far as the wells at Thanyat al-Murra,[1] [3] where Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas shot an arrow at the Quraysh. This is known as the first arrow of Islam.[5] [6] Despite this surprise attack, "they did not unsheathe a sword or approach one another," and the Muslims returned empty-handed;[2] [3] however, two Meccans traders left their caravan, became Muslim, and went with the expedition back to Medina.[7]
Some say that Ubaydah ibn al-Harith was the first to whom Muhammad gave a banner on a military expedition; others say Hamza was the first.[8]
Some scholars assert that Muhammad sent out the expedition while he was in Al-Abwa' or upon his return to the Medina from the raid of Al-Abwa'.[9]