In year 9 the Prophet ﷺ set out with a large army to Tabuk in the far north of Arabia in a season of great heat and little food, and some turned back with excuses that saddened him. There was no fighting there, and the army returned to Medina. Three who stayed behind regretted it deeply until God accepted their repentance.
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The expedition to Tabuk
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The expedition of Tabuk took place in Rajab of year 9 AH, in a time of severe heat and hardship in money and supplies, and the Prophet ﷺ openly declared its destination toward the Romans at the edge of Arabia, against his custom of concealment. The Muslims gathered a large force called the Army of Hardship; some stayed back on excuses, like al-Jadd ibn Qays who asked leave, and the hypocrites said 'do not march out in the heat'. By Ibn Ishaq's account there was no fighting at Tabuk; the Prophet stayed a while then returned to Medina. On the way back he rebuked those who stayed behind, and three sincere men who had no excuse were left in grief until their repentance was accepted months later — the best known is Ka'b ibn Malik.
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