THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 063 THE ENCOUNTER AT MU’TAH by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Encounter At Mu’tah The Death of Lady Zaynab, Daughter of the Prophet It was now eight years since the Migration. Early that year there had been yet another great sadness in the Prophet's household as Lady Zaynab, the eldest daughter of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had been taken ill and passed away. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was with his daughter as the angels took away her soul and offered comforting, reassuring words to his young granddaughter and son-in-law. When it was time to make arrangements for Lady Zaynab’s burial the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked Umm Ayman, Ladies Sawdah and Umm Salamah to prepare his daughter. After the completion of the ritual washing the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) removed an underwrap he was wearing and told them to wrap her in it before her shrouding. Then, he led the funeral prayer after which the funeral procession sadly made its way to the graveyard where she was lowered gently into her place of rest and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) prayed for her yet again. The Long Awaited News Lady Khadijah was the only wife to bear the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) children. None of his later wives conceived his child. Not long after Lady Zaynab's death, Lady Maryam (Maria of Egypt) became pregnant. It was a time for great rejoicing; companionship and help abounded as everyone waited for the blessed event. The Syrian Border Tribes Approximately three months had elapsed since the pilgrimage when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent fifteen Companions in peace to invite the Arab tribes along the border of Syria to Islam. Several of the border tribes were hostile and when word reached them that the Companions were about to arrive they lay in wait and ambushed them with showers of arrows. The Companions defended themselves as best they could, but their effort was to no avail, and all but one was martyred. The Encounter at Mu’tah The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had sent his envoy Harith, Umair Al Azdi’s son with a letter inviting the ruler of Busra, in ancient Greater Syria. However, the letter did not reach him because on his way Harith was intercepted by Sharhabeel, the son of Amr Al Ghassani, who was the governor of Al Balqa a self-governing protectorate of the Roman Empire. Unmercifully, Al Harith was bound and tied, then beheaded by Al Ghassani. At that time envoys had always enjoyed diplomatic immunity and the killing of an envoy was a very serious matter and considered to be an act of war. When the news reached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he called upon three thousand of his Companions to take up arms and placed Zayd in command with the instructions that if he were to fall then Jafar, Abu Talib's son should succeed, then Abdullah, Rawahah's son. He told his Companions that in the event that all three were no longer able to command they were to choose their own leader. Before leaving the Prophet gave specific orders that no women, children or aged men were to be killed. It was Jumada Al Ula 8H when the Companions left upon their mission. As they were about to leave, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) handed Zayd a white banner and rode out with him and his men to the pass known as the "Place of Farewell" (Thanyat Al Wadaa). When the Muslims reached the border of Syria they learned the Arab tribes from the north had banded together against them. It was also rumored that Heraclius was going to send his own Roman army and that of the Byzantines to assist the Arabs. However, the rumor was false as Heraclius, Emperor of Rome, had received and privately accepted the Prophet’s invitation to Islam and never raised a sword against him or the Muslims. However, the fact of the matter remained - the number of the Arab enemy was great. It was time to call for a council meeting; the majority were in favor of sending a messenger back to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with the daunting news, so that he might decide whether they should return or send reinforcements. Abdullah was against such action and as before, at the encounter of Uhud, he encouraged them to go forward in the Name of Allah and concluded with the stirring words, "We are certain of two things that are before us. We will either be given victory or martyrdom and join our brothers in the Gardens of Paradise -- let us go forward!" As before, Abdullah's words spurred the Companions on and they continued to march northwards. A few hours after having reached Ma'an and their eyes fell upon their enemy. It was not to their advantage to engage the enemy immediately so Zayd issued the order to withdraw southwards to a place called Mu’tah where the terrain offered more protection. However, the enemy spotted their arrival, and wishing to finish the matter in the shortest time possible, marched after them. As soon as Zayd reached Mu’tah he ordered the Muslims to prepare themselves for the hostilities. The Vision of the Prophet As the attack was launched against the Companions, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), who remained in Medina, had a vision and saw Zayd with the white banner leading his men into the hostilities. He witnessed Zayd sustain many wounds until, finally, he lay martyred on the battlefield. He witnessed Jafar take the banner from Zayd and saw him fight valiantly until he too was overcome. Then, in obedience to his instructions, he saw Abdullah seize the banner and charge against the enemy. As the ferocity of the hostilities intensified he saw Abdullah martyred as the Muslims were driven back. Then he witnessed Thabit, Arkam's son take hold of the banner and give it to Khalid, who at first declined the honor, telling Thabit that he was more worthy of it than he. As Thabit insisted, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) heard Thabit telling Khalid that he had only taken it so that he could give it to him, and so it was that Khalid took command. Khalid with great skill and foresight rearranged the ranks so that their effort would be more effective and as a result the Companions were able to hold off the advance of their enemy. After having rearranged the right and left flanks of the Muslim army Khalid brought to the forefront those soldiers who had fought at the rear. When the Ghassanis saw the new formation they mistakenly thought that reinforcements had arrived and were afraid of being trapped and driven into the desert and gave up their pursuit so the Muslims were able to return to Medina with the minimal loss. As for the number of loss of the Ghassani Arabs, it is unknown, but it is known they sustained a substantial number of casualties. The result of the encounter had a far-ranging impact on the Arab tribes who remained hostile to the Muslims as the Muslims had gained a great reputation of skill and bravery. Khalid had demonstrated both skill and wisdom during the encounter and after it was over, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with tears in his eyes gently informed his Companions of the martyrdom of Zayd, Jafar and Abdullah then said, "One of the Swords of Allah took the banner, and Allah opened the way for them." And so it was that Khalid was often referred to thereafter as "The Sword of Allah" as his bravery was such that during the encounter he had broken nine swords fighting in the way of Allah. The devoted Umm Ayman, who cared for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) since childhood, and watched Zayd grow into manhood in his household, Zayd’s wife and much loved son Osama were in the same house when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) went to break the sad news to them. He spoke gently to them and consoled them with the blessing that Zayd had reached the rank of martyr. Zayd had been among the first to embrace Islam and had always been very dear to him since he had chosen to remain in his household rather than return to his own family so many years before. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) went next to Jafar's house. As he entered he asked Asma, Jafar's wife, to bring her three sons to him. Asma went to fetch them, but already perceived something was amiss. When the boys entered, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), with tears welling up in his eyes gently kissed each of them on his forehead and began to weep. Then, Asma asked, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), you are dearer to me than my father and mother, why do you weep? Have you received news of Jafar and his companions?" thereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gently broke the news and she too began to weep whilst the women of her household rushed to her side to try to comfort her. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) departed and asked for food to be prepared and sent to them in the coming days as he knew their mourning would prevent them from tending to their needs. On his way home, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) met Zayd's little daughter who came running up to him in the street with tears streaming down her darling little face, whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) bent down and held her tightly to him. It was a very emotional moment and tears flowed like a river from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Sa’ad, Ubadah's son happened to be passing by and saw them, then, trying hard to find suitable words could only say, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), what is the matter?" Amidst his tears he replied, "This is one who loves to long for his beloved." The time for prayer was at hand and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) went to the Mosque to lead the congregation, then returned home immediately without his customary glance towards the congregation; he did the same after both the evening and night prayers. That night as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) slept he saw a vision in which Zayd, Abdullah and Jafar who was flying with wings like those of an angel, had entered Paradise and that the other Muslims who had been martyred had also entered Paradise. At the dawn prayer, the congregation sensed the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) felt less saddened as once again he turned his face towards them. Directly after the prayer, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) went to Asma to tell her of his vision, and although she grieved for her beloved husband, she was happy for him and her heart was at rest. The Return of Khalid Days later, news of Khalid and his fellow Muslim’s approach to Medina reached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) whereupon he asked for his mule, Duldul, to be brought to him, then, he seated Jafar's eldest son on it and together they rode out to meet the returning Companions. Many of the citizens of Medina had gathered upon the roadside leading into the City and as Khalid led the Companions they shouted words of rebuke as they threw dust at their faces asking why they had fled from fighting in the way of Allah. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) heard the shouts he rebuked the people saying, "No, they are not fugitives, rather, they are returning to fight again, if Allah wills." From this experience Khalid, who was already a great commander, gained a greater insight into the strategy of warfare and through this his knowledge of logistics and field maneuvering had been enhanced which was proved effective in later encounters. Farwah, the Commander of the Byzantine Army Who Embraced Islam Farwah was an Arab and the commander of the Byzantine army who lived in Mu’an. He had been greatly impressed by the bravery but more so the conviction of the faith of the small band of Muslims. During the recent encounter at Mu’tah Allah turned his heart to Islam still further and he converted. Farwah sent news of his conversion to the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and as a gift he sent a white mule. When the Byzantines learned of his conversion they seized and incarcerated Farwah. He was told that if he did not renounce Islam they would put him to death. Farwah refused to abandon Islam in exchange for his life and was taken to Jerusalem and crucified in a brutal manner as an example to those who might have had similar inclinations. Renewed Turbulence The recent encounter at Mu’tah encouraged the northern Arab tribes to initiate further uprisings against the Muslims. Winter was now upon them and within a month news reached Medina that the tribes of Kudadh, Udhra and Bali intended to march against the Muslims and had already joined forces in large numbers on the Syrian border, however, this time they learned the Byzantine legion was not amongst them. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) commissioned Amr, whose mother was from the tribe of Bali, to lead three hundred Muslims with the instruction to try to enlist the support of other tribes and if unavoidable, engage the enemy. The march to the Syrian border took just ten days, but as Amr approached hostile territories he and his men would, on many a night, make use of its darkness to march then rest during the day to avoid attracting unwanted attention. One night in particular was very chilly, so when they reached their final halt for the night many searched for firewood to light a fire. When Amr realized what they were doing he gave the order that no one should light a fire, for the smoke and blaze might well be detected and their presence revealed. Although it made sense not for the fires to be lit, there was dissatisfaction among some of his men and he had to remind them that they had been ordered to hear and obey him. Scouts were sent to bring back news of the enemy and returned with the news that their numbers exceeded those anticipated. As of yet the Muslims had not succeeded in securing the support of other tribes along the route so Amr sent a messenger from the tribe of Juhaynah back to Medina with a request to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to send further reinforcement. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) learned of their need, he sent Abu Ubaydah with more men as well as Abu Bakr and Omar with further detachments. Abu Ubaydah was a close Companion of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) as well as being a veteran campaigner and had been given the instruction that there should be absolute cooperation between the two contingents. When Abu Ubayydah reached Amr it was perhaps natural to suppose that he should be the commander, however, Amr was not agreeable as he held the opinion that Abu Ubayydah's forces were auxiliary and the appointment should remain as it was. Abu Ubaydah was not a proud man and submissively stepped aside saying, "Just in case you should disobey me, by Allah I will obey you." Later, when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) heard of Abu Ubayydah's gesture he was touched by his degree of sincerity and supplicated for blessings upon him. The Syrian Border Amr led his reinforced army across the Syrian border, but as they approached their enemy decided not to engage them -- that is except for a short interval in which arrows were fired -- and dispersed. As Amr pressed forward they came across the vacated camp sites, and like the wind, news of the enemy's retreat swept across the desert. It was time for the neighboring tribes inclining to friendship with the Muslims to venture forward. Until now they had not wished to expose themselves, and so new and bygone ties were soon cemented between them, some of which, were for the present, politically motivated rather than through spiritual conviction as they knew the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to be not only just but a powerful ally. And so Amr was in the blessed position of being able to send word back to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that their influence had been reestablished along the Syrian border. The Encounter At Mu’tah 063 Back Cover Subtitles The Eighth Year The Death of Lady Zaynab, Daughter of the Prophet The Long Awaited News The Syrian Border Tribes The Encounter at Mu’tah The Vision of the Prophet The Return of Khalid Farwah, the Commander of the Byzantine Army Who Embraced Islam Renewed Turbulence The Syrian Border