What is the term used for a military expedition in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not personally participate?

Explanation

In early Islamic military terminology, expeditions were divided into two main categories. A Ghazwa refers to a battle or military campaign in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ personally took part, while a Sariyya (plural: Saraya) refers to an expedition dispatched by the Prophet ﷺ under the command of a companion without his personal participation. This distinction helps students of Seerah understand the nature and scale of different military engagements during the prophetic era.

Good to know

The total number of Ghazwat (expeditions with the Prophet's ﷺ participation) is generally reported as 27, while the number of Saraya (expeditions without his personal participation) is reported as around 47 to 56 according to various historians. Some famous Saraya include the expedition of Abdullah ibn Jahsh (R.A) to Nakhlah and the expedition of Mu'tah led by Zayd ibn Harithah (R.A). These expeditions played a crucial role in securing the Muslim community's position in Arabia.

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