Chapter: Concealing the true destination of a Ghazwa

Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) intended to lead a Ghazwa, he would use an equivocation from which one would understand that he was going to a different destination.

Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) intended to carry out a Ghazwa, he would use an equivocation to conceal his real destination till it was the Ghazwa of Tabuk which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) carried out in very hot weather. As he was going to face a very long journey through a wasteland and was to meet and attack a large number of enemies. So, he made the situation clear to the Muslims so that they might prepare themselves accordingly and get ready to conquer their enemy. The Prophet (ﷺ) informed them of the destination he was heading for.

"Scarcely did Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) set out for a journey on a day other than Thursday."

The Prophet (ﷺ) set out on Thursday for the Ghazwa of Tabuk and he used to prefer to set out (i.e. travel) on Thursdays.