The Expedition of Mutah
Time and Place
This war took place in the month of Jamadi al-Awwal, in the year 8 A.H. in the region of Mutah (one of the villages in Balqa, Syria near Damascus). [1]
Background of the War
Waqidi narrates regarding the cause leading up to this war as follows. Prophet Muhammad sent a letter to the king of Basra through an individual named Harith ibn Umayr Azdi Lahabi. Harith was on his way when he arrived in Mutah, where Shurahbil ibn Amru Ghassani, the ruler of the city, blocked his path, presuming that he was an emissary for the Prophet. To confirm his suspicions, he asked Harith:
“Are you an emissary for Muhammad?”
Harith replied,
“Yes, I am.”
Upon hearing this, Shurahbil ordered for him to be put to death. Keep in mind that up until this point in history, no emissary of the Prophet had ever been killed (while on official diplomatic work for the Prophet.)
When the news of the killing of Harith reached the Prophet, it was very difficult for him to bear and so he called for the people of Medina to gather, and conveyed to them the news of Harith’s death and who had killed him. The companions quickly prepared to move (towards Mutah), left Medina and set up camp in Jurf. The Prophet however, did not mention anything regarding the battle. [2]
The Event of the War
The appointment of war commanders by the Prophet
After the Prophet had performed the noon prayer, he sat in his place and his companions sat around him. The Prophet said,
“Zayd ibn Harithah is the commander of the army; if Zayd is killed, then Jafar ibn Abi Talib will be the commander; if Jafar is killed, Abdullah ibn Rawahah will be the commander and if Abdullah should die, then the soldiers must choose someone from amongst themselves to command them.”
After hearing this, the people began to bid farewell to the commanders and prayed for them and as well, they bade farewell to each other. [3]
The number of soldiers in the Rome and Muslim armies
The number of soldiers in the Muslim army totalled three thousand, while the Roman army consisted of one hundred thousand soldiers with the help of Heraclius, who had sent soldiers to fight against the Muslims. [4]
The Prophet’s orders to the soldiers in the war
While addressing his troops, the Prophet said,
“I advise you to observe God-consciousness, goodness and kindness towards the Muslims that are with you. Advance in the name of Allah and in His way; fight with those who disbelieve in Allah and do not break your oaths or betray others. Do not kill the women, children or elderly at any cost; do not burn the palm trees, do not cut down any trees or ruin any houses. When you confront the enemy, first invite them to one of these commands, and if they accept any of them, then accept their word and do not harm them. Invite them to embrace the religion of Islam; should they accept, accept it from them and let them go freely. Then, invite them to immigrate to Dar al-Muhajirin (the city of Medina and its outskirts); should they accept, they will be considered as equals in terms of the benefits which all of the muhajirin enjoy. However, if they accept Islam and decide to remain in their previous homes and cities from which they came from, then inform them that they are just like the Arab muslims (in terms of their religious responsibilities and rights) and the judgement of Allah is now incumbent upon them to follow and that they are not entitled to enjoy any of the benefits from the spoils of war, unless they fight alongside the Muslims.
However, if they do not accept Islam, then invite them to pay jizyah and if they accept this condition, then accept them and leave them be.
If they do not accept this either, then request help from Allah and fight against them. If you surround the castle or city and they request to be treated according to the judgement of Allah, then do not accept this; rather, keep them safe according to your own judgement, as you do not know if Allah’s judgement applies to them or not! Advance in the name of Allah and fight against Allah’s enemies and your enemies in Syria. There, you will see people who are busy worshipping Allah in the monasteries - do not disturb them. You will also see people whose heads are the nests of Satan, so separate those heads from their bodies using your swords.” [5]
Specific orders of the Holy Prophet to Ibn Rawahah
After Ibn Rawahah had bid farewell to the Prophet, he said the following to the Messenger just before departing,
“O Prophet of Allah, advise me (about something) so that I can keep that as a reminder of you.”
The Prophet said,
“You will soon enter a land in which prostration (worship of Allah) is seldom carried out, so increase your prostration.”
Abdullah said,
“Give me more, O Prophet of Allah!”
The Prophet continued,
“Remember Allah in all states, as He is your aide in what you desire.”
Abdullah left, but came back once more and implored,
“O Prophet of Allah, please give me a third piece of advice.”
The Prophet added,
“O son of Rawahah! If you are unable to do anything (that which I have advised you towards), then at least do not abstain from this one last thing: If you have done ten bad things, do one good thing (to compensate for your bad actions).”
Ibn Rawahah said, “After this, I have no more questions to ask you” and he left. [5]
The clash between the Muslim army and Shurahbil’s forces
The Muslims left Medina and advanced forward until they set up camp in Wadi al-Qura. The enemy forces became aware of their route and the ruler of Mutah, Shurahbil ibn Amru Ghassani Azdi, the killer of Harith ibn Umayr Azdi Lahabi, started to gather his troops and the arsenal needed to fight. He appointed his brother, Sudus, as the commander of the vanguard of his army and sent him to fight the Muslims. Sudus was eventually killed and in his place, Shurahbil sent his other brother, Wabr ibn Amru to the frontlines. He became frightened due to the battle, and ran to take refuge in the castle. Meanwhile, the Muslims advanced to Maan (in Jordan), which was one of the provinces of Syria and set up camp there. [5]
The advancement of the Muslim and disbelievers armies towards Mutah
The Muslims became aware of a large number of disbelievers from the Lakham, Jizam, Balla and Qadhaah tribes, and the Arab and non-Arabs who had gathered around each other to join in the attack against the Muslims. During this time, the disbelievers were moving towards the province of Musharif along with their army commander, a man named Malik ibn Zafilah from the tribe of Balla. [6]
After the Muslims were informed of the area in which the disbelievers had stopped and set up came, they remained in Maan for two nights to strategize. Some of them said that they should send a letter to the Prophet and notify him of the large number of troops on the opposing side so that he could send reinforcements or that he may give another order; but Abdullah ibn Rawahah comforted the soldiers and said,
“I swear to Allah, this war that you are trying to avoid is the exact thing that you left home for and you will seek it out. We do not fight using large numbers or weapons, rather we will fight using this religion that Allah has honoured us with. Advance towards the enemy and you will acquire one of two virtues: either victory or martyrdom!”
The soldiers called out in unison,
“Ibn Rawahah speaks the truth!”
The Muslims pushed forward until they reached the end of Balqa, close to Musharif, and this is where the army of Heraclius, which consisted of Romans and Arabs, was stationed. The Muslims advanced towards another village in the region of Balqa which was named Mutah, and the enemy troops got closer to the army of the Muslims until they came face to face in Mutah. [7]
The clash between the two armies in Mutah and the retreat of the Muslim army
From the Muslim army, it was Jafar who first advanced towards the battlefield saying,
“Lucky are those who are close to heaven, a heaven that is pure with water that is refreshing. Indeed, the punishment of the Romans who are disbelievers and [whose claims are] unfounded, is near. It is incumbent upon me to strike their heads with my sword.”
Jafar ibn Abi Talib held the military standard in his right hand, which the enemy forced severed. He then took the standard in his left hand, which was also severed. He was able to fasten the standard to his chest using his forearms to keep it up until he reached martyrdom – he was only 33 years old. [8]
Tabarsi narrates in his book Ilam al-Wara that Aban ibn Uthman Ahmar Bajali Kufi heard from Fadil ibn Yasar who had reported Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir as saying,
“On that day, Jafar attained martyrdom after succumbing to fifty wounds to his body, more than five of which were to his face.” [9]
After Jafar, Zayd ibn Harithah picked up the standard and continued to fight. The Muslims observed their order and ranks until Zayd was martyred by a spear. [10]
Then Abdullah ibn Rawahah lifted the standard and he fought until he was too, martyred. [11]
Once Abdullah ibn Rawahah had been martyred, the Muslims felt that they were defeated and fled in all directions. At that moment, one of the Ansar by the name of Thabit ibn Aqram moved towards the standard, picked it up and shouted,
“O people, gather around me!”
Gradually, a small number of soldiers gathered around him. Thabit saw Khalid ibn Walid and cried,
“O Abu Sulayman, come and take the standard”
and so Khalid took it. The polytheists were attacking from all directions until Khalid, with the help of his companions, managed to push them back. Slowly, many soldiers were sent to help the enemy and for this reason, Khalid and his companions started to retreat with the polytheists in hot pursuit. Qutbah ibn Amir yelled,
“O people, if somebody is killed while fighting, it is better than being killed while fleeing!”</bloackquote> However, no one payed attention to his words or joined him in the battlefield. [12]
The position of Jafar ibn Abi Talib
After the martyrdom of Jafar, the Prophet visited his house in Medina to condole his family and told them to bring Jafar’s young son, Abdullah. The Prophet sat the young child in his lap, and caressed his head as was customarily done to console a child who had become an orphan. [13]
Asma, the widow of Jafar, said, <bloackquote>“O Prophet of Allah! If you had gathered the masses and had talked about the virtues of Jafar, his virtues would never been forgotten within the society.”
The Prophet of Allah commended her tact and foresight and after leaving Jafar’s house, the Prophet went to the mosque, sat on the mimbar and spoke about the virtues and qualities of Jafar. [14]
The aftermath of the battle
The Muslims’ return to Medina and the reaction of the people towards them
After retreating, Khalid and the soldiers returned to Medina. When they neared the city, the Muslims went out to welcome them and at the head of this welcoming delegation was the Prophet of Allah, riding a camel. When the companions saw Khalid and the people with him, they began to throw dirt at them and scream, <bloackquote>“O you who fled! Why have you escaped from jihad?”
However, the Prophet of Allah said to his companions, <bloackquote>“These men have not fled - and if Allah wills, they are impetuous and will fight the enemy once more.” [15]
The people of Medina, hesitatingly, welcomed the warriors of the Battle of Mutah such that when some of them return back home and knocked on the door to enter, the residents of the house would not open the doors and would say, <bloackquote>“Have you returned with your companions and helpers (or did you abandon them in the battle of Mutah)?”
Those who were known as the great companions of the Prophet of Allah stayed at home out of shame and so the Prophet sent people after them to tell them that they retreated in the way of Allah so that they may fight against the enemy another day [and that what they did was not wrong].
One of the participants in the battle of Mutah was Salamah ibn Hisham Makhzumi, the son of Umm Salamah who was one of the wives of the Prophet. Upon his return from the battle, he went home and refused to come out of the house until one day, his wife went to see Umm Salamah.
Umm Salamah asked her:
“How come I don’t see Salamah? Has something happened to him?”
Salamah’s wife replied:
“No, but he cannot leave his house because if he does, the people will taunt him and say, ‘O the one who fled the battle! Why have you escaped from jihad?’ For this reason, he sits at home and will not leave.”
Umm Salamah relayed this to the Prophet and he said, “Rather, they have retreated in the way of Allah so that they may fight the enemy again. He must come out of his house.” After Salamah was told of this statement of the Prophet, he then came out of his house. [16]
Martyrs of the battle of Mutah
Apart from the aforementioned three martyrs, namely Jafar, Zayd and Abdullah ibn Rawahah Khazraji, there were other martyrs from the Quraysh, including: Masud ibn Aswad Adawi and Wahab ibn Sad ibn Abi Sarh (brother of Abdullah ibn Sad ibn Abi Sarh). From Bani Najjar, from the tribe of Khazraj included: Suraqa ibn Amru, Jabir ibn Amru and his brother, Abu Kilab or Kulayb, Amru ibn Sad and his brothers, Amir and Harith ibn Numan ibn Yusaf. [17]
References
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Hisham Volume 4 Page 15; Ilam al-Wara Volume 1 Page 212
- ↑ Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 756
- ↑ Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 755-756; Usd al-Ghabah Volume 1 Page 34
- ↑ Al-Tanbih wa al-Ishraf Page 230
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 756-760
- ↑ Ilam al-Wara Page 213; Manaqib Al Abi Talib Volume 1 Page 205
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Hisham Volume 4 Pages 17 and 19
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Hisham Volume 4 Page 20
- ↑ Ilam al-Wara Volume 1 Page 213
- ↑ Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 761
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Hisham Volume 4 Page 21
- ↑ Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 763
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Ishaq Volume 3 Page 22
- ↑ Al-Mahasin Volume 2 Page 193-198
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Ishaq Volume 4 Page 24
- ↑ Muhammad bin Umar al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi Volume 2 Page 765; Sirah of Ibn Ishaq Volume 4 Page 24-25
- ↑ Sirah of Ibn Hisham Volume 4 Page 25