Episode 21: A Spotlight on the Battle of Mu'ta

Sheikh Ali Paqees:  The battle of Mu'tah, this great battle, was a turning point regarding the balance of power in the Arabian Peninsula

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The battle of Mu'tah was a preliminary and a prelude to the great conquests of the land of the Christians. As the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم dispatched Al-Harith bin 'Umair Al-Asdi with his message to the ruler of Busra.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: That message was carried by Al-Harith bin 'Umari to that ruler to invite him unto believing in Allah سبحانه وتعالى

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: On his way, he was intercepted by Sharahbeel bin 'Amr Al-Ghassani, the governor of Al-Balqa' and a close ally to Caesar

Sheikh Ali Paqees: He captured the prophet's messenger, robbed him and then killed him.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Killing envoys and messengers used to be regarded as the most awful crime, and amounted at those times, to the degree of war declaration.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: This heinous incident aroused the ire of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Very angry and troubled, the prophet mobilized an army of three thousand combatant. It was the largest Muslim army ever mobilized on this scale by the prophet.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: Also it was uncommon battle for it was far away from the Medina and the dangers they may expose themselves to on the way there in addition to the absence of the prophet from amongst his companions.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: As this great army was never summoned before but in the Confederates Battle. This indicates how very angry was the prophet and his intention to teach a stern ‎lesson to those who ventured to provoke such acts against the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: This Occurred on the 8th year A.H.

(It was a heinous treachery what Sharahbeel bin 'Amr Al-Ghassani did to Al-Harith bin 'Umari Al-Asdi, the messenger of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to the ruler of Basra.  He bound Al-Harith then beheaded him. The prophet mobilized the army of Mu'tah's battle and ordered them to head to Al-Balqa')

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم appointed Zayd bin Harithah to lead the army and said: ‘If Zayd is martyred, Ja‘far should take over his position, and if Ja‘far is martyred, ‘Abdullah bin Rawaahah should take over his position.’

Sheikh Ali Paqees: and if Abdullah bin Rawaahah was martyred, the Muslims were free to choose their leader then.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet raised a white banner and handed it over to Zayd. This was a sign from the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم indicates the high probability of the army's leader being martyred. It's as if the prophet is consoling his companions.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: After the army was mobilized and before marching the prophet addressed them "Fight the disbelievers in the Name of Allah and for the sake of Allah"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: neither breach a covenant nor entertain treachery, and a new-born, woman, an ageing man or a hermit should not be killed"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon:  moreover; neither trees should be cut down nor homes demolished." And this indeed is the teachings of Islam.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The invasions in the biography of the prophet were based on Mercy, justice and forgiveness.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: What a splendid precept! It's an advice to all mankind how the prophet and his companions behaved in battles.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Islam cannot allow wasting other's rights to no avail even in a battlefield.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: As it's the Muslims' principle to have mercy upon those they rule or have their upper hands upon; and if they rule, they're just rulers and if they gained power, they're full of forgiveness.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: They have killed the prophet's messenger, yet the prophet bespoke his companions to have mercy on the weak ones amongst the enemies: the children and the women.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Once the army was mobilized and its preparations were completed, the people approached to bid farewell to the Muslim army.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: The ‎Messenger of Allah was very hospitable towards that army. He accompanied by the Muslims went to bid farewell to the army supplicating to Allah The Almighty to grant them victory, extending ‎greetings of peace to them and advising them to have patience.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: 'Abdullah bin Rawaha began to weep at that very moment and when asked why he was weeping?

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "did you not accompany the prophet? Did you not fight for the sake of Allah? Did you not did so and so?"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He (may peace be upon him) responded to him “By Allah, I do not weep because I love this world; rather, I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting a Quran verse in ‎which Hell is mentioned. Allah the Almighty Says:

{وَإِنْ مِنْكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَى رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَقْضِيًّا} [مريم: 71]

 Interpretation of the meaining: "And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord inevitability decreed.} [Quran 19:71] I do not know where I will go once I come to it.” [Maryam: 71]

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He is heading in few moments to the battlefield, yet he keeps remembering the day of judgment;when people will be exposed to Hellfire, passing over it on the path and right then it's either you pass it safely or you're dropped down in Hell. May Allah save us from it.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The Muslims told him "May Allah the Almighty defend you, and bring you back pious and victorious.” And bid him farewell

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: But I supplicate the All-Merciful to forgive me

And a violent blow that beats the ocean’s foam

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Or a deadly strike from a thirsty hand

Thrusting the spear pierce through my liver and intestines.

So that when they pass by my grave they shall say

 "What a warrior that obeyed the Lord; indeed he did"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet accompanied the departing army till they reached a curved turn known for bidding Farwell in Medina. He prayed for them and bade them farewell himself صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The Prophet peace be upon him recommended that they reach the scene of Al-Harith's murder. Did he asked them to kill the people there? No, but to invite the people to profess Islam. Should the latter respond positively, then no war would ensue Otherwise fighting them would be the only alternative left. The prophet bade the army farewell with those words and Muslims bade them farewell as well

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The Muslim army then marched northward to Ma'ân, a town bordering on As-Sham Land (Syria)

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: There news came to the effect that Heraclius had mobilized a hundred thousand troops to Balqa' together with another hundred thousand men of the Arabian tribes allied with him

Sheikh Khaled Al-Musleh: A great number no matter how you look at it; either at number of men or the war materials.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Observe well! Three thousand men are going to fight against two hundred thousand men! And now is the Satan's turn to discourage the Muslims and the weak-faith ones.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The Muslim army stayed in Ma‘aan for two days weighing the situation and discussing how they would face this huge army.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: They held an emergency meeting when they knew the huge number of that army

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Should they face the huge army? Although, they well knew that they were by far less in number than that army, or maybe they should head back to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم? What should they do?

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Some suggested that they should write to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: 'Abdullah bin Rawaha was opposed to them being reluctant against all those debates. Hence he encouraged the Muslims and addressed them saying:

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi:  “O people, by Allah, what you now dislike is what you came seeking in the first place: martyrdom."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He meant, "Don't you dislike fighting those huge numbers for your fear of being killed! Yet you set out seeking to die in the sake of Allah.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: In our fight we don't count on numbers or equipments but rather on the Faith in the religion that Allah has honored us with"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: So, proceed forward, for you will be granted one of two good ‎things, either victory or martyrdom.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: When the people saw this firm believing and enviable steadiness they could not have agreed but on dart forward to fight the army.

{كَمْ مِنْ فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ}

Inerpretion of the meaining: "lt has often been that a small host has, by Allah's grace, overcome a big host: for Allah is with those who show fortitude."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: ِAfter the two nights they spent debating they resumed their marching till they met with the enemy in Masharif, a town of Al-Balqa'. As the enemy marched closer to the companions, the Muslims changed direction towards Mu'tah where they encamped and prepared themselves for the fight.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Zaid bin Haritha, the first leader, organized the army into right flank, left flank and the vanguard.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: They resolved to face the enemy in their humble numbers for they believed that in many times a small band has, by the permission of Allah, vanquished a mighty army.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Bitter fighting started on the early morning of that day between the two parties, three thousands against two hundred thousand.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Zayd bin Haritha, the closest to the Messenger's heart, assumed leadership and began to fight tenaciously

Sheikh Ali Paqees: He fought both the enemy's flanks, fearlessly pierced through the ranks of the enemy

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Few minutes later he fell fatally stabbed. He was killed and his pure spirit ascended to the Lord سبحانه وتعالى

Sheikh Ali Paqees: When Zayd was killed, Ja'far bin Abi Talib, the prophet's cousin then took the banner

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He then recited lines of poetry: How wonderful is Paradise as it draws near! How good it is with its cool drink.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Punishment for the Romans is not far away;

I shall fight their warriors whenever I see one.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He fought like no other in matchless spirit of bravery

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He went one fighting then he dismounted and killed his horse and he stunningly fought like a full armored army with firm believe and sincerity till his right hand was cut off then he took the banner with his left hand.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: the left hand was cut off as well then he embraced it with his upper arms

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He didn't let the banner of the Muslims touch the ground till he was killed.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: At this moment, the third hero advanced to take charge of the army and hold their banner. He was 'Abdullah bin Rawahah.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: 'Abdullah bin Rawaha then proceeded to hold up the banner and fight bravely in the sake of Allah but he sensed hesitation from himself so he addressed himself with splendid stanzas

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: I swear O soul  you have to enter the battlefield;

Either willingly or reluctantly

What if some people gather and shout!

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: How come you are averse to entering Paradise?

 You have lived long in peace and tranquility.

Were you not but a lowly drop of water in the womb?

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: He advanced to continue fighting but one of his cousins gave him a piece of meat and said, “Eat this to gain strength, for you have expended a great deal of strength today."

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: tHe ook the meat from his hand and took a ‎bite of it; then he throw it down and hurried forward to fight the enemy.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Striking this man and that one he fought bravely till he was martyred (may Allah be pleased with him) and the prophet's prophecy came true. Afterwards; A man from bani 'Ajaln called Thabit bin Arqam headed the Muslims to rouse their spirits after the death of all their leaders. He shouted "O Muslims"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "Choose a man to lead you"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: They said "Let it be you.” He said, “No, I will not accept this"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: So they chose Khaled bin Al-Walid who relentlessly and Courageously fought

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It was reported by Al-Bukhari that he said about himself during that battlefield he used nine swords which all broke in his hands till nothing remained to fight with but a Yemenite sword.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Those events occurred during the battlefield in al-Balqa' in As-Sham, yet all of it was revealed to the prophet while he was in Medina.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He sat among his companions while waves of tears run down his cheeks

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "Zaid took over the banner and was martyred"

Sheikh Ali Paqees: How ward was it for the prophet to announce the death of his most beloved Zaid bin Harithah! "Then it was taken by Ja'far" few moments later his tears stream down with new grievous waves "Ja'far was martyred as well"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "Then 'Abdullah bin Rawaha took the flag but he too was martyred" and at that time the eyes of Allah's Apostle were full of tears.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: till he said " then Allah's sword took over the leadership, a man who shall be blessed with victory"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet has been telling his companions a detailed account of Mu'tah even before it reached them; for he صلى الله عليه وسلم doesn't speak out of desire. Indeed it is not except a Revelation which is revealed to him.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: As night fell on Mu'tah, he thought of a new strategy that shall cast fear into the hearts of their enemies and allow him a well-planned withdrawal.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He reshuffled the right and left flanks of the Muslim army and introduced forward a division from the rear and made at the rear of the army whom were the head of it

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: As the enemy was taken by surprise, the new faces and different ‎banners holders; the faces they fought at the right flank are no more the same. The  same happened for the left flank.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They thought that fresh reinforcements had arrived to join Khalid.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The fear filled their hearts. Afterwards, Khalid started to implement his strategic withdrawal by retreating slowly

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Khalid then commanded a small battalion to hurry few yards away from the battlefield and raise a trail of heavy dust to let the enemy believe that reinforcements indeed are approaching.

 Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Seeing this new strategy, The Romans believed that they were being entrapped and drawn in the heart of the desert. So they stopped the pursuit

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: So the Romans started to flee and retreat from the battlefield. How merciful of Allah to save the Muslims so! And How firm is the faith of the companions!

(Here's Zaid the Emir lead the expedition to Mu'tah

They encountered the enemy from afar

 He mobilized the army and fought

A fight to verify the truth and avenge

 Killed was Zaid; followed by Jaa'far

and 'Abdullah too who fell down at the Camel's foot.)

Sheikh Ali Paqees: When the army approached, the prophet along with Muslims went out to receive them. People started shouting, "O you who fled, O you who fled" yet the prophet said "They have not fled! But they have ‎turned around to resume fighting later"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: iI attached to the Muslims a great reputation

Sheikh Ali Paqees: None amongst the Arab could ever think to fight the Romans, but the prophet not only did he fight them, but also taught them a harsh lesson. So things settled for the Muslim in the Arabian Peninsula.

 Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The Impact of it amongst the Arab and polytheists was great. Fear of fighting such stout fighters filled the hearts of Arabs.