Note 14 — Chapter II · EXPEDITION OF OSÂMA TO THE SYRIAN BORDER. A.H. XI. A.D. 632.
Reading edition
The chronology at this period is uncertain, and the dates only approximate. On the Prophet’s death we plunge at once from light into obscurity. For the next two or three years we are left in doubt, not only as to the period, but even as to the sequence of important events and great battles. In the narrative of this expedition, we only know that the army started soon after Abu Bekr’s accession, but not before the spirit of rebellion had begun to declare itself, which last, according to one tradition, was within ten days of the Prophet’s death.
The length of the expedition varies, according to different traditions, from 40 days to 70.