有消息传到真主的使者ﷺ那里,说罗马人正准备袭击阿拉伯半岛北部,意图抹去穆斯林军队在穆塔战役中那次精彩的战术撤退所留下的记忆。这一次,他ﷺ决定亲自应对这一外来威胁,于是拟定了一项计划,旨在彻底粉碎罗马领导人干涉穆斯林事务的一切野心,以及他们可能曾有过的袭击穆斯林领土的任何念头。

News reached the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) that the Romans were preparing to raid the North of the Arabian Peninsula in order to wipe out the memory of the spectacular tactical withdrawal which the Muslim army had staged in the battle of Mu’tah. This time he (pbuh) decided to face the foreign threat himself, so he (pbuh) drew up a plan designed to finally kill off any ambitions that the Roman leaders held about interfering in the affairs of the Muslims or any thoughts that they may have entertained about raiding their lands.

那时已是夏末，天气酷热，又正逢干旱。从麦地那到叙利亚的距离遥远而艰辛，且不是出行的季节，因此这次行军需要极大的毅力。真主的使者ﷺ考虑到这些情况，破例将目的地告知了他的部众，以便他们做好充分的准备。而在他的其他军事行动中，真主的使者ﷺ总是对自己的意图保密，以诡计迷惑敌人。

It was the end of the summer, the heat was intense and there was a drought in effect. The distance between Madinah and al-Sham was long and hard and it was not the season for traveling. Therefore, the journey would require endurance. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh), taking these factors into account, uncharacteristically disclosed the destination to his men in order for them to make adequate preparations. In his other military encounters the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) always kept his aims a secret, misleading the enemy by adopting a strategy of deceptive maneuvers.

然而,这一次,鉴于种种特殊情况,安拉的使者ﷺ宣布,他决心从第一天起就在与罗马人接壤的边境与他们作战。他ﷺ派人召集各部族,要求他们准备战斗,以便尽可能多地集结圣战者。他ﷺ命令富裕的穆斯林,用安拉(SWT)慷慨赐予他们的财富,尽力把穆斯林军队武装到牙齿。安拉的使者ﷺ也开始激励和劝勉人们参加圣战。 人们的回应各不相同。那些内心充满正道与光明而皈依伊斯兰的人,满怀热忱与勇气,迅速响应安拉使者ﷺ的号召。他们中有些人很贫穷,甚至没有一头骡子可骑;另一些人则很富有,他们带来了全部财产,交给安拉的使者ﷺ。正是这些人全心全意自愿为安拉(SWT)之道而战,并且一直渴望殉道。但那些皈依伊斯兰,别无其他原因,只是出于恐惧或个人私利——畏惧穆斯林,或期望获得战利品的一份——的人,对此反应冷淡,也正是他们开始寻找借口。他们彼此私语,谈论这次将在那片炎热难耐的遥远土地上进行的远征。这些人就是伪信者。他们互相说:“不要在这样的酷热中出征。”安拉(SWT)就他们的困境降示了如下启示:

However, on this occasion, in view of the extenuating circumstances, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) declared his intention to fight the Romans alongside their borders from the first day. He (pbuh) sent for all the tribes asking them to prepare for war so that as many Mujahideen as possible could be gathered. He (pbuh) ordered the wealthy Muslims to spend from what Allah (swt) had generously provided them with in order to arm, if possible, the Muslim army to the teeth. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) also began inciting and exhorting people to join in the Jihad. In reply the Muslim response varied. Those who had embraced Islam with their hearts full of guidance and light hurried to the call of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) with great zeal and courage. Some of them were poor, not even possessing a mule to ride on, and others were rich, they brought all their possessions and handed them to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). It was these who volunteered wholeheartedly to fight in the way of Allah (swt), longing all the while for martyrdom. But those who had embraced Islam for no other reason than out of fear or personal gain - fear of the Muslims or anticipation of gaining a share of the booty - those were lukewarm in their response and they were the ones who began finding excuses. They whispered among themselves about the raid that was to take place in this far off land that cooked in the burning heat. These were the hypocrites. They said to each other, “Do not fight in this heat.” Allah (swt) revealed the following concerning their predicament,

“他们说：‘不要在炎热中出征。’”你说：“火狱的热度更烈，但愿他们能够理解。”（忏悔章，9:81）

“And they said: “March not forth in the heat.” Say: “The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat, if only they could understand” [At-Tauba, 9:81].

有一次,安拉的使者ﷺ对加徳·本·盖斯说:"加徳啊,你愿意去与黄种人(Banu Asfar)作战吗?"加徳回答说:"请允许我留在家中,不要以此考验我吧。众人都知道我非常贪恋女色,我担心如果看到罗马的女子,自己将无法克制。"听到这话,安拉的使者ﷺ便转身离开了他。正是为此事,安拉(SWT)降示了下面这节经文:

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said to Jadd ibn Qays, “Would you like to fight the Banu Asfar, Jadd?” Jadd replied, “Will you allow me to stay behind and not tempt me, for everyone knows that I am strongly addicted to women and I am afraid that if I see the Roman women I shall not be able to control myself ?” On hearing this the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) turned away from him. It was about him that Allah (swt) revealed the following verse,

“其中有人说：“请允许我不去参战，不要让我陷入考验。”他们确已陷入考验。地狱实在环绕着不信道者。”（忏悔章，9:49）

“And among them is he who says: “Grant me leave (to be exempted from Jihad) and put me not into trial” Surely, they have fallen into trial. And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.” [At-Tauba, 9:49].

伪君子们并未就此止步，他们开始煽动人们不要参加圣战。于是安拉的使者ﷺ决定严厉处置他们，给他们一个教训。当他ﷺ得知一些伪君子聚集在犹太人Suwaylim的房子里，在那里密谋，并通过劝说人们留守、不参战来在人们心中制造怀疑时，他ﷺ派遣Talhah ibn 'Ubaydullah与一群圣门弟子前往，他们把那座房子烧毁了。所有人都逃离了现场，其中一人在逃出建筑时摔断了腿。这给其他人敲响了警钟，此后伪君子们再也不敢重蹈这种煽动叛乱的行为。

The hypocrites did not stop there, they began inciting people not to join in the Jihad and so the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) decided to deal with them harshly and teach them a lesson. When news reached him that some of the hypocrites were meeting in the house of Suwaylim the Jew, where they were plotting and introducing doubt into the peoples’ minds by urging them to stay behind and not fight, he (pbuh) sent Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullah to them along with a group of his (pbuh) Sahabah and they burned the house down. Everyone fled the scene and one of them broke his leg while escaping from the building. This served as a warning to others and none of the hypocrites dared to repeat such sedition again.

Messenger of Allah ﷺ的坚定与果断在他筹备军队的过程中产生了深远的影响，民众纷纷响应，人数非常庞大。总共约有三万人应召参加圣战。这支军队被称为“困难军”（或称“艰难之军”），因为它被要求在远离麦地那、夏季炎热的条件下，去对抗强大的拜占庭军队。这支军队还需要大量的经费。集结的军队由艾卜·伯克尔带领礼拜，而先知穆罕默德ﷺ则在麦地那处理未竟之事，并在自己不在期间发布指示。指示内容是：穆罕默德·本·麦斯莱迈负责管理麦地那，阿里留下来照顾安拉的使者的妻子们。随后，安拉的使者ﷺ重新加入军队并担任指挥。于是，前进的命令发布。军队全体一同出发，以壮观的力量与威势前行，留在麦地那的人们都亲眼目睹了这一景象。妇女们爬上屋顶，为这支庞大的圣战者军队送行。

The firmness and forcefulness with which the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) went about preparing the army produced a deep effect on the public and a very large number of troops were gathered. In all, about thirty thousand people answered the call to Jihad. The army was named the army of ‘al-‘Usrah (crisis or hardship) because it was asked to face a formidable Byzantine force in the summer heat far away from Madinah. The army also required massive financing. The assembled army was led in prayer by Abu Bakr, while the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sorted out his unfinished business in Madinah and issued his instructions during his absence. These were that Muhammad ibn Maslamah would be in charge of Madinah and ‘Ali would remain behind to look after the wives of Allah’s Messenger. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then rejoined the army and took command. Thereupon, the order went out to move forward. They proceeded to advance en masse in a spectacular display of strength and might which was witnessed by the people remaining in Madinah. Women climbed onto the rooftops to see off this massive force of Mujahideen.

军队坚定不移地朝着沙姆进发,毫无犹豫,不因炎热、干渴或饥荒而动摇。那些落在后面的人,因见此番力量与勇气而深受触动,很快便加入了大军,向塔布克进发。罗马军队当时正驻扎在那里,准备袭击穆斯林。然而,当罗马人听说穆斯林军队的规模与实力之后,穆塔战役的情景便浮现在他们眼前。他们回想起穆斯林尽管武器低劣、人数稀少,却仍然英勇而坚定。这一次,安拉的使者ﷺ亲自率领穆斯林军队,这使他们不寒而栗。他们惊恐万分,于是急忙退回沙姆腹地,躲进了自己坚固的堡垒以求安全。 罗马人从塔布克撤退之后,沙姆边境的罗马据点便空无一人。安拉的使者ﷺ听到这一消息,便毫无阻拦地进入塔布克,未经战斗便占领了该地,并在那里扎营。他ﷺ没有选择追击罗马人,而是满足于占领塔布克并控制附近的边境地区。穆斯林军队在塔布克停留了大约一个月,应对那些仍想战斗或抵抗他们的残余势力。 ﷺ 他还派人致信该地区处于罗马统治下的各位首领和总督。他ﷺ写信给艾له(Aylah)的总督友哈纳·本·鲁迈(Yuhanna ibn Ru'mah)、贾尔巴(al-Jarba')的人民以及阿德拉赫(Adhrah)的人民,告诉他们要么归顺,要么面临入侵。他们向他屈服并服从了他。他们与安拉的使者ﷺ缔结和约,并缴纳了吉兹亚。 安拉的使者ﷺ完全实现了自己的目标之后,便返回了麦地那。

The army moved relentlessly towards al-Sham, not entertaining any second thoughts, unperturbed by the heat, thirst or famine. Some of those who lagged behind were moved by this display of strength and courage and so they soon joined the force and marched towards Tabuk where the Roman armies were encamped ready to raid the Muslims. However, when the Romans heard about the size and strength of the Muslim army, the recollection of Mu’tah flashed before their eyes. They recalled the bravery and resolve of the Muslims despite their inferior weapons and lack of numbers. The fact that this time the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was at the head of the Muslim army sent shivers down their spines. They were simply terrified and this led to them rushing back into the interior of al-Sham and the safety of their fortresses. After their withdrawal from Tabuk the Roman positions on the border of al-Sham became deserted. When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) heard this he moved unmolested into Tabuk, occupied it without a fight and encamped there. He (pbuh) chose not to chase the Romans, but contented himself with the occupation of Tabuk and control of the nearby border regions. The Muslim force remained in Tabuk for about a month dealing with those remaining forces who wished to fight or resist them. He (pbuh) sent messages to the leaders and governors who were under Roman control in the area. He (pbuh) wrote to Yuhanna ibn Ru’mah governor of Aylah, the people al-Jarba’ and of Adhrah telling them to submit or face invasion and they yielded to him and obeyed. They made peace with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and paid the Jizyah. Having completely fulfilled his objective the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then returned to Madinah.

在他不在的时候,伪信者趁机散布谣言,在信士之间制造分裂。他们在社会内部加强了煽动性的活动,在离麦地那约一小时路程(白天行走)的图尔阿旺镇建造了一座“清真寺”。这座“清真寺”被用来庇护那些企图歪曲安拉的话语、并通过散布恶毒故事来在社会中制造分裂的伪信者。“清真寺”的主人曾前来拜见安拉的使者ﷺ,当时他正准备远征塔布克,他们请求他前去在那里礼拜。他ﷺ请他们等他从旅途归来再说。使者ﷺ返回后,听说了他们的恶行,“清真寺”的真相也向他揭露了。他ﷺ下令拆毁这座“清真寺”,并将其彻底焚毁。伪信者受到了非常严厉的处置。经历此事之后,他们感到恐惧,此后再也不敢做此类勾当。

In his absence, the hypocrites took advantage of the situation to spread rumors and cause division among the believers. They strengthened their seditious operations within the society by building a “masjid” in Thu Awan, a town about an hour journey (during daylight hours) from Madinah. The “masjid” was used to shelter the hypocrites who tried to distort the words of Allah and who attempted to cause division in society by spreading poisonous tales. The owners of the “masjid” had approached the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) as he was preparing for the expedition to Tabuk asking him to come and pray there. He (pbuh) asked them to wait until he returned from his trip. On returning the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) heard of their mischievous deeds and the truth about the “masjid” was revealed to him. The “masjid” was ordered to be destroyed and it was categorically burned down. The hypocrites were dealt with very harshly indeed. In light of their experience they became terrified and never again thought to indulge in such ventures.

塔布克远征标志着穆斯林对整个阿拉伯半岛统治地位的确立。安拉的话语传遍了这片土地，安拉的使者ﷺ巩固了他的权威，建立了他的统治，再无人敢于挑战。此后，阿拉伯各部落的代表成群结队地来到他ﷺ面前，宣誓效忠，并宣告他们信奉伊斯兰教。

The Tabuk expedition marked the completion of the Muslims’ authority over the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. The word of Allah spread all over the land and Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) secured his (pbuh) dominance and established his (pbuh) authority without anyone remaining to challenge him. After this time, the congregations of Arab tribes came to him in crowds pledging their obedience and declaring their Islam.