CHAPTER Tl-URTEF.NComing Home
The Muslim community in Medina welcomed the women and men who
had emigrated to Abyssinia and who had lived there for almost fifteen
years, such as Ja far ibn Abi Talih (who came back married to Asma bint
Umays and a father to three children). Urn H abibah bint r\hi Sufyan,
whose wedding £0 the Prophet h ad been celebrated with the Negus stand-
ing in for J\'luhammad , also came back and se ttled in her apartment near
the mosque. Daily life went o n, and the number o f Muslims increased
constantly, compelling the P rophet to multiply (caching o p portunities and
to delegate that task to his most faithful and competent Companions.
Hostility was expressed here and there, and Muhammad was still send-
ing small groups o f scouts to settle matters, but it was sometimes necessary
to fight tribes that remained determined [0 challenge Medina's supremacy.
Usam ah ibn Zayd
Muhammad had scnt an expedition to the northern Bed ouin tribes, par-
ticularly tllC Banu l\Iurra, who kept attacking the Jewish farmers working
on the Fadak oasis, which was under the Prophet's authority. Thc Muslim s
met with Strong opposition, and all tlurty men sent on that expedition
were killed. The Prophet decided to se nd another troop o f twO hundred
men, including Usamah ibn Z ayd , who was only seventeen years o ld.l
The battle was difficult, sinee numerous tribes had joined together,
hoping to defeat the :Muslim troops and take o ver the radak oasis and its
riches. The situatio n nevertheless turned to the Muslims' ad vantage. A