Battle of Mutah

Main Events of the Battle of Mutah

Eighth Year of Hijra

Write about the main events of the battle of Mutah. 

Causes of the Battle of Mutah

In 7 A.H, the Prophet (S.A.W) started sending the message of Islam to various non-Muslim rulers within the Arabian Peninsula. He had sent Hazrat Harith bin Umair with a letter to the ruler of Basra. But he was intercepted and killed by Shurahbil bin Amr Ghassani, the Roman governor of Al-Balqa and a close ally of Heraclius, Caesar of the Roman Empire. It was a violation of diplomatic norms and traditions of the time. In response, in 629 A.D / 8 A.H, Mohammad (S.A.W) dispatched an army of 3000 under Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (R.A) to teach Shurahbil a lesson and tell all such rulers that Muslims were now a force which could not be dealt with in an insulting manner.

Events of Battle of Mutah

Mohammad (S.A.W) knew that Muslims had to confront the Romans, not any weak tribe. Accordingly, he explained if Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (R.A) embraced martyrdom, then the command taken over to Hazrat Jaffer (R.A), and in case he too dies, then Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (R.A) should lead the troops. He (S.A.W) instructed them to invite Islam. If they agree then no war would follow else fighting with them would be the only alternative left. He (S.A.W) also advised them to fight for Allah. He (S.A.W) ordered them to avoid the violation of treaties, forbade the killing of children, women, old and hermits (loners), discouraged hiding or stealing of booty, cutting of trees and demolishing of homes. Prophet (S.A.W) escorted the troops up to Thaniyat Al Wada and then bade them farewell. 

Strategy for Fighting & Encouragement

On the other side, the Romans sent 100,000 troops with another 100,000 from Arabian tribes allied to fight with the Muslim army. The news worried the Muslims who were confused about what to do. For two nights, they sat conferring about the situation, wondering whether to wade into the battlefield outnumbered or to send for reinforcements. Then Abdullah bin Rawahah (R.A) made an impassioned speech to his Muslim brothers. He (R.A) encouraged the Muslims to fight them with the religion, that had been granted by Allah. After this speech, the Muslim army got ready to fight.

Proceeding in the Battle

Muslim forces reached Mutah and offered the enemy to accept Islam, but they chose to fight. The Muslim army of 3000 soldiers challenged the 200,000 heavy Roman armies. In this fight, all three commanders of Muslims died one after another. Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (R.A) was the adopted son of the Prophet (S.A.W). He fought with his absolute strength and bravery until he was fatally stabbed. Next, the banner was given to Hazrat Jaffer, who was entitled to Tayyar (one with two wings); he also did a courageous job. Dismounting on the horse, he resumed fighting until his right hand was cut off, he seized the banner with his left hand until this too was cut. He then held onto the standard with both arms until the Byzantine soldier cut him into two pieces. He had ninety wounds on his body, none of them in the back.

Afterwards, Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawahah proceeded to hold the standard and fought bravely, and attained martyrdom. Sitting in Madinah that same day, the Prophet (S.A.W) was inspired by Allah with the knowledge of the events on the battlefield in Mutah. He gave the people the news of the martyrdom of the three Muslim commanders.

Unique Planning for Battle

After Abdullah bin Rawahah, Muslims chose Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (R.A) unanimously as their fourth leader. Hazrat Khalid (R.A) showed his skills as a strategist. He reshuffled the right and left wings of the army and brought the rear division to the front. Khalid bin Walid (R.A) cast fear in the enemy’s hearts by misleading them that fresh forces had arrived to fight them. While he was fighting, He (R.A) used nine swords that broke. Later, the Prophet (S.A.W) entitled him “Saifullah”(The Sword of Allah).

The Outcome of the Battle

Along with fighting random clashes with the enemy, the Muslim forces retreated gradually in an organized manner. The Byzantines thought they were being entrapped in the heart of the desert, so they decided to stop pursuing the Muslim army. Thus, the Muslim army managed to retreat to Madinah with a small number of potential losses. Only 16 -18 Muslims were martyred during this battle. The Muslims did not avenge Harith (R.A)’s murder, but they proved to be a force to reckon with.

Explain the importance of the Battle of Mutah. 

The Battle of Mutah ended without a result, yet it had vast impacts. Muslims fought this battle because the Roman had unjustly killed a Muslim envoy. The Prophet (S.A.W) had to tell the Romans that Muslims were now a power to reckon with.

The battle of Mu’tah was full of lessons that the brave soldiers who were just 3000 in number faced the strong army of 200,000. They fought for the religion that had been granted by Allah. They knew they would profit in both ways. Either they will win, or they get martyrdom. The battle of Mu’tah was a strategic success for Muslims because of the wise decisions by the great warrior of Islam, Hazrat Khalid Bin Walid (R.A). Later on, He earned the title of ‘The Sword of Allah’ from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) due to his bravery.

The battle was a miracle proving the Muslims were something unusual that they were not familiar with. Moreover, it gave evidence that Allah backed them, and their Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was Allah’s Messenger.

Choose one of these battles and explain why it was important for the Muslims of Madinah in it. 

Battle of Mutah

Muslims had to fight this battle because the Romans had unjustly killed a Muslim envoy. Such a killing was a terrible act and a violation of international diplomatic norms. And in those days, it was seen as an open declaration of war. The Quran strongly condemns the unjust killing of any human, Muslims or non-Muslims, as it says, “that if anyone slew a person, unless it is for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he slew the whole people.” (5:32, al-Ma’ida)

Importantly the Prophet (S.A.W) had to tell the Romans that Muslims were now a power to reckon with. If He (S.A.W) had ignored the killing of al-Harith, they might be encouraged. Eventually, they would start to consider Muslims as an unsound community.

Battle of Khyber

The siege took place to eliminate the Jewish threat. Jews had been creating trouble continually for Muslims, during their stay in Madinah and after their expulsion to Khyber. For instance, in 5 A.H, the Banu Nadir instigated the Quraish to raise an army of allies. Whereas in Khyber, they were supporting the Quraish, as well as finding supporters against the Muslims.

The Prophet (S.A.W) might have adopted the policy of periodic skirmishes, but they would not crush the Jews forever. Therefore, in Khyber, He (S.A.W) did not waste time in small fights and he ordered the use of catapults to break into the Jewish forts. As a result of this war strategy, the Jews never rose against the Muslims till the Prophet (S.A.W)’s death. Finally, after isolating the Quraish by the treaty of Hudaibya, He (S.A.W) received the glad tidings of victory in Khyber.