In Islamic history, expeditions led by the Prophet Muhammad are called Ghazwat (singular: Ghazwa), while those dispatched by him but led by his companions are known as Saraya (singular: Sariya). There were approximately 27-29 Ghazwat and a higher number of Saraya, with some sources listing around 60 to over 90 of these expeditions. [1, 2, 3, 4]

List of Major Ghazwat (Expeditions with the Prophet)

The number of major battles where actual fighting occurred is generally considered to be nine. The complete list of Ghazwat is extensive and includes expeditions where no fighting occurred, such as those for reconnaissance, treaty negotiations, or a show of force.

1. Battle of Badr (2 AH): The first major battle and a decisive Muslim victory against the Quraysh of Mecca.
2. Battle of Uhud (3 AH): Fought near Mount Uhud, where Muslims faced significant casualties.
3. Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) or Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab) (5 AH): A defensive battle for Medina where Muslims dug a trench, leading to the defeat of the besieging Meccan and allied tribes.
4. Battle of Banu Qurayza (5 AH): The siege and subsequent judgment against the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza after the Battle of the Trench.
5. Battle of Khaybar (7 AH): The siege and conquest of the Jewish fortress of Khaybar.
6. Conquest of Mecca (Fath al-Makkah) (8 AH): The peaceful taking of Mecca without major bloodshed.
7. Battle of Hunayn (8 AH): Fought against the Hawazin and Thaqif tribes after the conquest of Mecca.
8. Siege of Ta’if (8 AH): The subsequent siege of the city of Ta’if after the Battle of Hunayn.
9. Battle of Tabuk (9 AH): The last major expedition led by the Prophet, involving a large Muslim army marching north to the Byzantine border, though no actual fighting occurred. [6, 7]

Examples of Saraya (Expeditions without the Prophet)

There were many more Saraya than Ghazwat, generally smaller in scale and focused on specific objectives such as reconnaissance, intercepting caravans, or engaging specific enemy groups.

1. Sariya of Hamza ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib (1 AH): The first military expedition sent out by the Prophet.
2. Sariya of Ubaydah ibn al-Harith (1 AH): Another early expedition, involving an encounter with a Quraysh caravan.
3. Nakhla Raid (2 AH): A significant early raid that resulted in the first Muslim capture of a caravan and some prisoners.
4. Expedition of Al Raji (4 AH): A mission where Muslim envoys/instructors were ambushed.
5. Expedition of Zaid ibn Haritha (Hisma) (6 AH): Dispatched to deal with robbers who attacked a Muslim envoy.
6. Battle of Mu’tah (8 AH): A large engagement with Byzantine forces where the Prophet did not participate but appointed the commanders. [4, 9, 10, 11]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://sunnahonline.com/library/history-of-islam/283-the-prophets-battles-armies-and-expeditions

[2] https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/92318/the-number-of-battles-led-by-the-prophet-sallallaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expeditions_of_Muhammad

[4] https://al-islam.org/ask/was-there-a-battle-in-islamic-history-called-the-battle-of-saria-or-is-it-the-same-as-the-battle-of-muta/sayyed-mohammad-al-musawi

[5] https://www.quora.com/How-many-battles-did-the-prophet-Muhammad-attend-by-himself

[6] https://en.wikishia.net/view/Ghazwa

[7] https://www.facebook.com/groups/fiqhclass/posts/2057977684286780/

[8] https://wikiislam.ca/list-of-expeditions-of-prophet-muhammad/

[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expeditions_of_Muhammad

[10] https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/quran/in_the_shade_of_quran/s080.html

[11] https://www.facebook.com/groups/2077090212683898/posts/2363497530709830/

List of expeditions of Prophet Muhammadﷺ

https://wikiislam.net/wiki/List_of_expeditions_of_Muhammad