Through wahi (divine revelation), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was informed of a trade caravan of the Quraish heading towards Makkah Mukarramah. Therefore, in the month of Rabee’-ul-Awwal or Rabee’-us-Saani in the year 2 A.H. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) set out in the direction of Bawaat with at least two hundred Mujaahideen. The purpose of this expedition was to launch an attack against this trade caravan.