Zaid bin Harithah seizes the caravan at al-Qardah

Trying a new route to Iraq through Najd, a Quraish caravan led by Safwan bin Umayyah is intercepted by Zaid bin Harithah with 100 riders; its guide, Furat bin Haiyan, later accepts Islam. The economic pressure on Makkah tightens.

As the book dates it: Jumada al-Akhirah, 3 A.H.

Who was there

• ZHZaid bin HarithahThe Prophet’s freed slave and adopted son, among the first believers; he went with him to Ta’if and fell as the first commander at Mu’tah.
• SUSafwan bin UmayyahA chief of Quraish whose caravan was taken at al-Qardah; pardoned once he embraced Islam after the Conquest.