uhud’s misfortune left a bad impact on both the credibility and military reputation of the muslims. their dignity and power in people’s eyes were impaired. troubles and dangers spread everywhere in and out of madinah. the jews, hypocrites and bedouins declared publicly their enmity to the muslims and each party was keen on degrading and, in the final place, exterminating their whole existence.

two months had almost passed after this battle, when banu asad made preparations to raid madinah, ‘udal and qarah tribes conspired against
the muslims in the month of safar, 4 a.h. and killed ten of the prophet [pbuh]’s companions. similarly banu ‘amir plotted against them too, and seventy companions were killed in the battle of ma‘una well. during that period, banu nadeer kept on announcing their enmity and were involved in a plot to kill the prophet muhammad [pbuh] in rabi‘ al-awwal in 4 a.h. banu ghatfan were about to attack madinah in jumada al-ula in 4 a.h.

thus we see that the muslims turned into an attractive target of several potential dangers after they had lost their military credibility in the battle of uhud. muhammad [pbuh] most wisely managed to hold all those hostile currents at bay, and even redeem the lost dignity of the muslims and gain them anew fresh glory and noble standing. the first initiative he took in this process was hamra’ al-asad pursuit operation, whereby he could retain the muslim military reputation. he succeeded in recovering his followers’ dignity and awe-inspiring position in such a manner that astonished or even astounded both the jews and hypocrites, alike, then he proceeded to crown his successful attempts by despatching military errands and missions: