[7] However, this sparked controversy among the people since warfare was strictly forbidden during the holy month by Pagan convention and a raid was a transgression against the agreement.
[8] Before the first Badr encounter (Battle of Safwan), Muhammad sent his brother-in-law Abdullah ibn Jahsh, in Rajab with 12 men on a fact-finding operation.
All the companions agreed to follow him (a few biographers write that two Muslims decided not to be martyrs and chose to return to Medina).
[3][5] Participants were:[5][9] At Nakhlah, the caravan passed carrying loads of raisins (dried grapes), food stuff and other commodities.
[5] One of Abdullah's men, Ukasha ibn al-Mihsan, was shaven in head to hide the real purpose of their journey and to give the Quraysh the impression of lesser Hajj (Umrah); for it was the month (Rajab) when hostilities were forbidden.
When the Quraysh saw the shaven head of Ukkash, they thought that the group was on its way for pilgrimage and they felt relieved and began to set up camp.
Abdullah bin Jahsh said: "Surely, if you allow the caravan to pass through tonight unmolested, they will reach the holy territory tomorrow and will thereby become forbidden to you.
[7] But since this was done in the holy month where bloodshed was forbidden at the time according to Pagan convention, it received a wave of indignation in the city.
Muhammad stated that his followers had mistaken his instruction, and he refused to take his one-fifth portion of the plunder until a verse was finally revealed, justifying the attack.
[11][12][13][14][15][8] Muhammad initially disapproved of that act and suspended any action as regards the camels and the two captives on account of the prohibited months.
[3]: 129 This idle talk brought about a painful headache to Muhammad’s Companions, until at last they were relieved when Allah revealed a verse regarding fighting in the sacred months.
means, trying to force the Muslims to revert from their religion and re-embrace Kufr after they had believed, is worse with Allah than killing.'