BATTLE OF MU’TAH

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

• The battle of Mu’tah is a very important conflict in the

history of Islam because it demonstrated the power of
Muslims to the Romans.
• This battle was fought in September 629 CE near Mouta
(a village East of the river Jordan).
• This is a very significant event in the Prophet’s (peace be
upon him) life in Madina.
• To understand this, you need to know that this was
fought against the Byzantines who were the superpower
of the world at that moment.
• Therefore, this battle was against a very powerful
opponent. The faith of Muslims in Allah helped them to
counter the problems with ease.
 BACKGROUND

• This battle started when Hazrat Muhammad (peace

be upon him) sent a letter to Shurahabeel bin Umro
Ghassani (governor of Syria from the government of
Rome) through Hazrat Haris bin Umair Azdi (R.A).
• However, Shrahabeel martyred him without seeing
the letter. The Holy Prophet ( )‫ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص‬was distressed and
he was determined to give a powerful reply.
• Why did the Prophet (PBUH) send a letter? This is
because at that time the power of Islam was
growing rapidly. Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH)
decided to sent letters to the governors and the
emperors, inviting them to Islam.
 THE COMMAND FOR JIHAD:

• The Holy Prophet ( )‫ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص‬told this sorrow news to his companions
(R.A).
• He (peace be upon him) set up an army of 3000 companions
(R.A) to tell the Byzantines that the Muslims will avenge the
death of Hazrat Haris (R.A).
• He made Hazrat Zaid bin Haris (R.A) as the flag bearer and
said that if he were to be martyred than his paternal
cousin Hazrat Jafar (R.A) would take over and if he were to be
martyred than Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawwaha (R.A) would take
over and if he too was martyred then Muslims should consult
among themselves for a commander.
• This was a dangerous task to appoint three commanders at
once but it indicated martyrdom of all. Hence
the 3000 companions (R.A) left for Syria to meet the
Byzantines.
THE BATTLE OF MU’TAH BEGINS:

• The companions thought that they were going to

fight Shurahabeel but when they reached Ma’an
the area of Jordan, Heraclius was there with an
army of 100,000 soldiers.
• Other tribes dispatched him
another 100,000 soldiers hence he was with an army
of 200,000 soldiers.
• Muslims advised telling that to Holy Prophet (S.A.W)
that he could tell other plan or send more
reinforcement.
THE BATTLE OF MU’TAH BEGINS:

• Than Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawwaha gave a speech

that motivated the Muslims. He said:
• O, people! You are nervous today of the very aim
you had set for yourself, exactly the goal for which
you set out from your homes, martyrdom.Remember
whenever we fought wars, it was never on the basis
of superiority of number, arms or horses.We fought
only for our religion which is an honour bestowed on
us by the Almighty. Go ahead either you will
overpower the enemy or gain martyrdom and enter
heaven.
• Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawwaha (R.A).
THE BATTLE OF MU’TAH BEGINS:

• After listening to this courageous and inspiring

speech Muslims were aroused by a passionate
enthusiasm for martyrdom, setting up camps at
Mouta.
 THE EVENTS OF WAR:

• A severe and conflict battle took place at Mouta.

Both armies attacked each other fiercely. During
the battle, while fighting fiercely Hazrat Zaid bin
Haris (R.A) was martyred, then Hazrat Jafar (R.A)
became the flag bearer.
• In the shower of arrows and spears, it was difficult
for him to remain seated on his horse so he got
down and pushed into the ranks of the Byzantines.
 THE EVENTS OF WAR:

• When the enemy struck down his right arm he held

the flag with his left arm and when the enemy
struck down his left arm he tried to hold the flag with
his cut off arms but he was martyred by the third
attack.
• Hazrat Abdullah bin Umer (R.A) said that he had
more than 90 wounds on his body made by spears
and arrows but there was no wound on his back.
• According to the command of Holy Prophet (S.A.W)
then Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawwaha (R.A) became
flag bearer and started advancing towards the
enemy.
 THE EVENTS OF WAR:

• He was starving for many days, seeing this his

Paternal cousin gave him a small piece of meat, he
sucked on it once and said:
• “You are indulging in these Worldly activities in this
condition.”
• Then he fought fiercely and gave his life to his
Maker. Hazrat Sabit (R.A) lept over the flag and
said, “select any one amongst you as
Commander”.
• The Muslims said that they want him to be the
commander but he disagreed then Muslims made
Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (R.A) as their commander.
 THE EVENTS OF WAR:
STRATEGIES BY KHALID BIN WALEED
(R.A)
• He made three rows of Muslims and whenever enemy
came to attack the right rows the right row backed up
and left side came forward and when the enemy tried
to attack the left side they backed and right side come
forward and middle row attacked.
• In this way, he wisely reshuffled the flanks and the
enemies thought that the Muslims has been reinforced.
• In this way, Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (R.A) forced the
Roman armies to flee. Allah the Almighty by his power all
this to Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and the Prophet told all this
to the city.
 MUSLIM LOSSES:

• Some of the prominent Muslims that were martyred in the battle

are mentioned below (4 of them from Muhajireen and 8 of them
from Ansar).
• Zaid bin Haritha
• Jafar bin Abi Talib
• Abdullah ibn Rawwaha
• Amer bin Saad
• Saraqa bin Amr
• Abbad bin Qais
• Jabir ibn Amr
• Abu Kulaib bin Amr
• Harith bin Nauman
• Amr bin Saad
• Wahab bin Saad
• Masood bin Al-Aswad
 IMPORTANCE OF WAR:

• The importance is that the Muslims were successful in showing

their power to the Romans and indirectly to all of the non-Muslims.
• Moreover, the battle also showed the spirit of martyrdom among
Muslims. This created fear among the rivals of Muslims.
• Furthermore, the conflict was also significant because the
Prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the
battle proved to be correct.
• Due to this, the belief of the Muslims in Prophet (S.A.W) increased.
In the same way, when Romans ruthlessly killed an innocent
Muslim, it became essential to tell them that this
would not be permitted. All the transgressors thus became familiar
with this fact.
• Lastly, the battle was also significant because when a very small
force of Muslims defeated a massive Roman army,
the strength of Allah became visible to all Muslims.
 CONCLUSION:

• This battle indicates that wars are not won with

numbers but with passion and the spirit of
martyrdom. The Prophet (peace be upon him)
himself said that war is nothing but a game of
tactics.