Army sizes over the years Each pair of bars is one campaign, on a logarithmic scale; the dot shows the outcome, ringed when the Prophet ﷺ led it. Click a bar to jump to it. 10 100 1k 10k 100k The first patrols (sariyyahs) — Muslims: patrols of 20–60 emigrants; Against: about 300 under Abu Jahl at Sif al-Bahr; about 200 at Rabigh 1 Expedition of al-Abwa (Waddan) — Muslims: about 60 emigrants; Against: the caravan was not met 2 Expedition of Buwat — Muslims: about 200; Against: a caravan of 2,500 camels guarded by about 100 men Expedition of Dhu al-Ushayrah — Muslims: about 150–200, with 30 camels; Against: Abu Sufyan's caravan, which had already passed The expedition of Nakhlah — Muslims: 8–12 emigrants; Against: 4 men with the caravan The Battle of Badr — Muslims: 313–317 men, 2 horses, 70 camels; Against: about 950–1,000 men, 100 horses, 700 camels Siege and expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa — Muslims: not recorded; Against: about 700 fighting men The expedition of al-Sawiq — Muslims: about 200; Against: about 200 riders Expedition of Dhu Amarr (Ghatafan) — Muslims: about 450; Against: clans of Tha'labah and Muharib (dispersed) 3 The Battle of Uhud — Muslims: about 1,000, reduced to about 700 after 300 withdrew; Against: about 3,000, with 200 horses and 3,000 camels Pursuit to Hamra al-Asad — Muslims: about 600–700, many wounded; Against: about 3,000 Siege and exile of Banu al-Nadir — Muslims: not recorded; Against: not recorded 4 Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa' — Muslims: about 400 (some reports 700); Against: a large gathering of Ghatafan (no battle) The appointment at Badr (Badr al-Maw'id) — Muslims: about 1,500, with 10 horses; Against: about 2,000 (turned back) Expedition to Dumat al-Jandal — Muslims: about 1,000; Against: not recorded 5 The Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq / al-Ahzab) — Muslims: about 3,000; Against: about 10,000 (Quraysh, Ghatafan and allies) The siege of Banu Qurayzah — Muslims: about 3,000; Against: about 600–900 fighting men in the fortresses Expedition against Banu Lihyan — Muslims: about 200, with 20 horses; Against: fled into the mountains 6 The raid on al-Ghabah and the pursuit to Dhu Qarad — Muslims: Salamah ibn al-Akwa' on foot, then about 500 riders; Against: about 40 raiders The campaign against Banu al-Mustaliq (al-Muraysi') — Muslims: about 700; Against: not recorded The conquest of Khaybar — Muslims: about 1,400–1,600, with 200 horses; Against: about 10,000 in the fortresses (reported) 7 The Battle of Mu'tah — Muslims: 3,000; Against: very large; the sources say up to 100,000 or more 8 The expedition of Dhat al-Salasil — Muslims: 300, reinforced by 200; Against: not recorded The conquest of Makkah — Muslims: about 10,000; Against: small groups resisted at al-Khandamah The Battle of Hunayn — Muslims: about 12,000; Against: about 20,000 (reported), with families and herds The siege of al-Ta'if — Muslims: about 12,000; Against: defenders of the walled town The expedition of Tabuk — Muslims: about 30,000, with 10,000 horses; Against: did not appear 9 Usamah ibn Zayd appointed to lead an army — Muslims: about 3,000; it set out after the Prophet's ﷺ death; Against: not recorded 11 AH
All Ghazwah23 Sariyyah5
Before the mission Conflicts he witnessed in his youth c. 570 CE
The Year of the Elephant Abraha, the Aksumite ruler of Yemen, marched on Makkah with an elephant to destroy the Ka'bah, and his army was destroyed.
View on the map → c. 588 CE
The Sacrilegious War (Harb al-Fijar) A war between Kinanah, including Quraysh, and the Qays Aylan tribes, fought during the sacred months; he took a minor part.
View on the map → Year 1 AH 622–623 CE Sariyyah · detachment No battle took place
The first patrols (sariyyahs) c. Ramadan 1 AH · 623 CE · Madinah (Yathrib)
From the seventh month after the Hijra, small detachments of emigrants rode out towards the Quraysh caravan routes along the coast.
Muslims
patrols of 20–60 emigrants
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
about 300 under Abu Jahl at Sif al-Bahr; about 200 at Rabigh
Losses: none
Year 2 AH 623–624 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Ended in a treaty
Expedition of al-Abwa (Waddan) Safar 2 AH · 623 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Waddan
The first expedition the Prophet ﷺ led in person: he rode with about sixty emigrants towards al-Abwa and made a pact with Banu Damrah.
Muslims
about 60 emigrants
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
the caravan was not met
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Expedition of Buwat Rabi' al-Awwal 2 AH · 623 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Buwat (near Jabal Radwa)
He led two hundred companions towards Buwat near Mount Radwa to intercept a large caravan of Umayyah ibn Khalaf, which had already passed.
Muslims
about 200
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
a caravan of 2,500 camels guarded by about 100 men
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Ended in a treaty
Expedition of Dhu al-Ushayrah Jumada al-Thani 2 AH · 623 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dhu al-Ushayrah
He led about 150 men towards Yanbu to meet Abu Sufyan's caravan heading to Syria; it escaped, but treaties were made with Banu Mudlij.
Muslims
about 150–200, with 30 camels
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
Abu Sufyan's caravan, which had already passed
Losses: none
Sariyyah · detachment Muslim victory
The expedition of Nakhlah Rajab 2 AH · 624 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Nakhlah
A small band under Abdullah ibn Jahsh, sent to watch Quraysh, attacked a caravan at Nakhlah at the end of Rajab, causing the first death in the conflict.
Muslims
8–12 emigrants
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
4 men with the caravan
Losses: Amr ibn al-Hadrami killed, 2 captured
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The Battle of Badr 17 Ramadan 2 AH · 624 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Badr
On 17 Ramadan 2 AH, about 313 Muslims defeated a Quraysh army three times their size at the wells of Badr.
Muslims
313–317 men, 2 horses, 70 camels
Losses: 14 killed (6 Muhajirun, 8 Ansar)
vs
Quraysh
about 950–1,000 men, 100 horses, 700 camels
Losses: about 70 killed, 70 captured
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Siege and expulsion of Banu Qaynuqa Shawwal 2 AH · 624 CE · Madinah (Yathrib)
After a violent incident in their market, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa was besieged for fifteen days, surrendered and was exiled to Syria.
vs
Banu Qaynuqa
about 700 fighting men
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
The expedition of al-Sawiq Dhu al-Hijjah 2 AH · 624 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Qarqarat al-Kudr
Abu Sufyan raided the outskirts of Madinah to fulfil a vow after Badr; pursued, his men fled dropping their bags of barley meal (sawiq).
Muslims
about 200
Losses: 2 men killed in the raid on al-Urayd
vs
Quraysh
about 200 riders
Losses: none
Year 3 AH 624–625 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Expedition of Dhu Amarr (Ghatafan) Rabi' al-Awwal 3 AH · 624 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dhu Amarr (Najd)
He led 450 men into Najd against Ghatafan clans gathering to attack Madinah; they dispersed into the mountains.
Muslims
about 450
Losses: none
vs
Ghatafan
clans of Tha'labah and Muharib (dispersed)
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Victory for the opponents
The Battle of Uhud 7 Shawwal 3 AH · 625 CE · Mount Uhud
Quraysh returned with 3,000 men to avenge Badr. The Muslims were winning until the archers left their post; a cavalry charge turned the battle.
Muslims
about 1,000, reduced to about 700 after 300 withdrew
Losses: about 70 killed
vs
Quraysh
about 3,000, with 200 horses and 3,000 camels
Losses: about 22–37 killed
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Pursuit to Hamra al-Asad 8 Shawwal 3 AH · 625 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Hamra al-Asad
The day after Uhud, he led the wounded Muslims out in pursuit of Quraysh; Abu Sufyan, fearing a fresh attack, hurried back to Makkah.
Muslims
about 600–700, many wounded
Losses: none in battle
vs
Quraysh
about 3,000
Losses: none in battle
Year 4 AH 625–626 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Siege and exile of Banu al-Nadir Rabi' al-Awwal 4 AH · 625 CE · Madinah (Yathrib)
After a plot to kill the Prophet ﷺ, the Jewish tribe of Banu al-Nadir was besieged and exiled; many settled in Khaybar.
vs
Banu al-Nadir
not recorded
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa' c. Jumada al-Ula 4 AH · 626 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dhat al-Riqa' (Najd)
A long march into Najd against clans of Ghatafan, so hard that the companions wrapped their bleeding feet in rags; the prayer of fear was first prayed.
Muslims
about 400 (some reports 700)
Losses: none
vs
Ghatafan
a large gathering of Ghatafan (no battle)
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
The appointment at Badr (Badr al-Maw'id) Sha'ban 4 AH · 626 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Badr
Abu Sufyan had challenged the Muslims to meet at Badr a year after Uhud; the Muslims came, but Quraysh turned back.
Muslims
about 1,500, with 10 horses
Losses: none
vs
Quraysh
about 2,000 (turned back)
Losses: none
Year 5 AH 626–627 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Expedition to Dumat al-Jandal Rabi' al-Awwal 5 AH · 626 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dumat al-Jandal
He marched about 500 km north with a thousand men against tribes harassing caravans near Dumat al-Jandal; they scattered before he arrived.
Muslims
about 1,000
Losses: none
vs
Tribes of Dumat al-Jandal
not recorded
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq / al-Ahzab) Shawwal 5 AH · 627 CE · The Trench (north-west Madinah)
A confederate army of ten thousand besieged Madinah; a trench dug on Salman's advice held them off until a bitter wind drove them away.
Muslims
about 3,000
Losses: 6–8 killed
vs
Quraysh, Ghatafan, Banu al-Nadir
about 10,000 (Quraysh, Ghatafan and allies)
Losses: 3–4 killed
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The siege of Banu Qurayzah Dhu al-Qa'dah 5 AH · 627 CE · Madinah (Yathrib)
Immediately after the Trench, Banu Qurayzah were besieged for their treachery; they surrendered and accepted the judgement of their ally Sa'd ibn Mu'adh.
Muslims
about 3,000
Losses: 2 killed
vs
Banu Qurayzah
about 600–900 fighting men in the fortresses
Year 6 AH 627–628 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
Expedition against Banu Lihyan Jumada al-Ula 6 AH · 627 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Gharan
He marched with two hundred men to Gharan to punish Banu Lihyan for the betrayal at al-Raji'; they fled into the mountains.
Muslims
about 200, with 20 horses
Losses: none
vs
Banu Lihyan
fled into the mountains
Losses: none
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The raid on al-Ghabah and the pursuit to Dhu Qarad c. Jumada al-Thani 6 AH · 627 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dhu Qarad (al-Ghabah)
Raiders of Ghatafan seized the Prophet's milch camels; Salamah ibn al-Akwa' chased them on foot, shooting arrows, and recovered the herd.
Muslims
Salamah ibn al-Akwa' on foot, then about 500 riders
Losses: 1 killed (Muhriz ibn Nadlah)
vs
Ghatafan
about 40 raiders
Losses: several killed
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The campaign against Banu al-Mustaliq (al-Muraysi') Sha'ban 6 AH · 627 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → al-Muraysi'
Learning that Banu al-Mustaliq of Khuza'ah were preparing to attack, he surprised them at the well of al-Muraysi'; the hypocrites' words on the way home were answered by Surah al-Munafiqun.
Muslims
about 700
Losses: 1 killed (by mistake)
vs
Banu al-Mustaliq
not recorded
Losses: about 10 killed; about 200 families captured
Year 7 AH 628–629 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The conquest of Khaybar Muharram 7 AH · 628 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Khaybar
He marched on the fortified oasis of Khaybar, base of the exiled Banu al-Nadir; after the fall of its fortresses, its people stayed on as sharecroppers.
Muslims
about 1,400–1,600, with 200 horses
Losses: about 15–20 killed
vs
The people of Khaybar, Ghatafan
about 10,000 in the fortresses (reported)
Losses: about 93 killed
Year 8 AH 629–630 CE Sariyyah · detachment Inconclusive
The Battle of Mu'tah Jumada al-Ula 8 AH · 629 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Mu'tah
Three thousand Muslims faced a far larger Byzantine and Arab army; the three appointed commanders fell in turn, and Khalid ibn al-Walid led a skilful withdrawal.
Muslims
3,000
Losses: about 12 killed (reported)
vs
Byzantine and Ghassanid forces
very large; the sources say up to 100,000 or more
Losses: unknown
Sariyyah · detachment Muslim victory
The expedition of Dhat al-Salasil Jumada al-Thani 8 AH · 629 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Dhat al-Salasil
Amr ibn al-As led a force north against Quda'ah tribes gathering near Syria; reinforcements under Abu Ubaydah, including Abu Bakr and Umar, served under him.
Muslims
300, reinforced by 200
vs
Tribes of Quda'ah
not recorded
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The conquest of Makkah 20 Ramadan 8 AH · 630 CE · Makkah
Eight years after leaving as a fugitive, he entered Makkah with ten thousand men, almost without fighting, his head bowed in humility.
Muslims
about 10,000
Losses: 2–3 killed
vs
Quraysh
small groups resisted at al-Khandamah
Losses: about 12–28 killed
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Muslim victory
The Battle of Hunayn 10 Shawwal 8 AH · 630 CE · Wadi Hunayn
Ambushed at dawn in the valley of Hunayn, the large Muslim army fled; the Prophet ﷺ stood firm, rallied them, and Hawazin were defeated.
Muslims
about 12,000
Losses: a few killed (reports vary)
vs
Hawazin, Thaqif
about 20,000 (reported), with families and herds
Losses: over 70 killed; about 6,000 captives
Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ Inconclusive
The siege of al-Ta'if Shawwal 8 AH · 630 CE · al-Ta'if
Thaqif shut themselves in walled al-Ta'if; after a siege of about two to three weeks, he lifted it and prayed for their guidance.
Muslims
about 12,000
Losses: about 12 killed
vs
Thaqif
defenders of the walled town
Losses: few
Year 9 AH 630–631 CE Ghazwah · led by the Prophet ﷺ No battle took place
The expedition of Tabuk Rajab 9 AH · 630 CE · Madinah (Yathrib) → Tabuk
In the heat of summer and a time of hardship he led thirty thousand men to Tabuk to meet a reported Byzantine army; none came, and frontier towns made treaties.
Muslims
about 30,000, with 10,000 horses
Losses: none
vs
Byzantine Empire and its Arab allies
did not appear
Losses: none
Year 11 AH 632–633 CE Sariyyah · detachment Muslim victory
Usamah ibn Zayd appointed to lead an army Safar 11 AH · 632 CE · Madinah (Yathrib)
He appointed Usamah, about eighteen, to lead an army to the Byzantine frontier where his father Zayd had fallen; when some objected to his youth, he defended him.
Muslims
about 3,000; it set out after the Prophet's ﷺ death
Losses: none
vs
Byzantine frontier tribes
not recorded