“Dhāt al-Salāsil” (Arabic: ذات السلاسل, meaning “the one with chains”) is an ambiguous place name in early Islamic history, corresponding to two distinct events in different locations. The more historically documented one is the Battle of Chains (633 CE), while the other is a military expedition during the Prophet Muhammad’s era (around 629 CE).
⚔️ Battle of Chains (633 CE)
This was the first battle between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian Persian Empire, part of the early Islamic conquest of Mesopotamia.
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Location: Near Kazima (in present-day Kuwait) or close to Ubullah in southern Iraq.
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Commanders: The Muslim army was led by Khalid ibn al-Walid (approximately 18,000 troops); the Persian side was commanded by the frontier governor Hormozd (Hormuz).
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Outcome: The Muslim forces achieved victory, Hormozd was killed, and the Persian border defenses collapsed, opening the way for subsequent conquests.
Regarding the name “Chains”: According to al-Tabari and other sources, it is said that the Persians chained their soldiers together to prevent desertion, hence the name. However, modern scholarship generally considers this explanation to be a later legend or fabrication and not credible.
🐎 Expedition of Dhāt al-Salāsil (circa 629 CE)
This was a military expedition dispatched by the Prophet Muhammad to the northern direction (toward Syria), unrelated to the Persian battle mentioned above.
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Background: Following the Battle of Mu’tah, in order to deter the Banu Quda’a tribe and their Byzantine-allied tribes from threatening Medina, the Prophet dispatched Amr ibn al-As with 300 men. After discovering that the enemy forces were numerically superior, reinforcements of 200 men led by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah were sent.
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Outcome: The Muslim army launched a surprise attack and the enemy fled, achieving the campaign’s objective.
Regarding the name: Some sources state that this name derives from the enemy’s act of chaining themselves together out of fear, while others claim it comes from a local spring or water source called “Salsal”.
In summary: When “Dhāt al-Salāsil” is mentioned, it most commonly refers to the 633 CE battle between the Muslims and Persians (Battle of Chains). If you are referring to a different specific context, please let me know.