Detailed Account

Just one day after the Battle of Uhud, despite injuries and fatigue, the Prophet ﷺ ordered Muslims to pursue the retreating Makkan army. Only those who had participated in Uhud were permitted to join this expedition to Hamra al-Asad, about 8 miles from Madinah. This bold move served multiple strategic purposes: demonstrating that Muslims still possessed strength despite their losses, preventing Quraysh from regrouping for a decisive attack on Madinah, and restoring Muslim morale after the partial defeat. Abu Sufyan, learning of this pursuit through intelligence, decided not to reengage and hastened his retreat to Makkah. The Muslims camped at Hamra al-Asad for three days, lighting 500 campfires each night to magnify their apparent numbers. During this expedition, Ma'bad al-Khuza'i (a polytheist whose tribe had friendly relations with Muslims) met the Prophet ﷺ and later encountered Abu Sufyan, whom he discouraged from attacking by exaggerating Muslim forces. Additionally, two Makkan scouts (Mu'awiyah al-Khuza'i and Abu 'Azzah) were captured—the latter was executed for violating his parole from Badr, establishing the principle of consequences for breaking prisoner release terms. This expedition represented sophisticated military strategy, including psychological warfare and intelligence operations. The Quran acknowledged this effort in Surah Al-Imran (3:172-175): 'Those who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them... Allah said: Sufficient for you is Allah.' This five-day campaign prevented Quraysh from capitalizing on their partial victory at Uhud and demonstrated the Prophet's ﷺ resilience, proving his leadership capabilities extended beyond the battlefield to strategic aftermath management.