Expedition of Tabuk

He led a force of as many as 30,000[1][2] north to Tabuk, near the Gulf of Aqaba, in present-day northwestern Saudi Arabia.

[2] Following rumours of a Byzantine invasion,[1] the Muslims and allies of Muhammad received an urgent call to join the campaign, but the Arabs of the desert showed little interest.

[3] Muhammad and his forces marched northwards to Tabuk, near the Gulf of Aqaba in October 630[2][4] (Rajab AH 9).

[5] Muhammad spent twenty days at Tabuk, scouting the area, making alliances with local chiefs.

[1] Though Muhammad did not encounter a Byzantine army at Tabuk, according to the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, "this show of force demonstrated his intention to challenge the Byzantines for control of the northern part of the caravan route from Mecca to Syria".