The Expedition of al-Abwaʾ (Waddan) — the first expedition of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ set out in person on the first of his expeditions, to al-Abwaʾ, to intercept a Quraysh caravan. He met no fighting and concluded a pact with Banu Damra there — the opening of Prophetic military activity after the Hijra.

After Allah permitted the Muslims to fight — "Permission is given to those who are fought because they were wronged" — the Prophet ﷺ began sending out small parties, then went out himself in Safar at the head of the second year of the Hijra to al-Abwaʾ, between Makkah and Madinah.

He left Saʿd ibn ʿUbada (may Allah be pleased with him) in charge of Madinah and went out with the Emigrants in particular to intercept a Quraysh caravan. He met no aggression, and along the way concluded a pact of non-aggression with Banu Damra, that they would not mass against him nor aid an enemy against him.

Though it saw no fighting, al-Abwaʾ announced the Muslims' shift from defence to initiative, and served as practical training in protecting their nascent state and its trade routes.