The Expedition of Hz. Hamza - The First Expedition of Sîfu'l-Bahr (In Ramadan, 7 months after Hijra)

The Sîfu'l-Bahr Expedition (Expedition of Hamza b. Abdülmuttalib) is notable for being the first expedition sent by the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic history. It took place in the month of Ramadan of the 1st year of Hijra (March 623), seven months after the Hijra. The Prophet Muhammad organized this expedition to control the trade caravans of the Quraysh, which economically pressured the Muslims who had migrated to Medina, along the Syrian route. Sîfu'l-Bahr was an area near the Red Sea coast west of Medina, within the territory inhabited by the Juhayna tribe. Hz. Hamza b. Abdülmuttalib set out from Medina with a unit of thirty men, all of whom were migrants. The Prophet Muhammad gave him the first flag. His aim was to follow the Quraysh caravan, which was accompanied by approximately 300 guards, including Abu Jahl, and to launch an attack if necessary. The two sides confronted each other at Sîfu'l-Bahr, and a clash seemed inevitable. Just then, Mecd b. Amr from the Juhayna tribe, who was an ally of both sides, intervened and reconciled them. The clash was abandoned; the Quraysh caravan returned to Mecca, and the Muslim unit under the command of Hz. Hamza returned to Medina. Although no conflict occurred, this expedition is of great importance as the first indication of the military organizational capacity of the Islamic state. Following this, the Râbiğ Expedition of Hz. Ubeyde b. Hâris and the Harrâr Expedition of Hz. Sa'd b. Ebî Wakkâs took place. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Sîfu'l-Bahr Expedition" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sifulbahr-seriyyesi; TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Hamza" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/hamza; Ibn Sa'd, et-Tabakāt, II, 6-7]