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The Battle of Mutah (629 AD) was the most significant and the fiercest battle fought during Muhammad's lifetime, and is also considered one of the most important battles of the Byzantine Empire during the 7th century. Several of Muhammad's closest companions died in this battle. The graves of Zayd ibn Harithah, Jafar ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah bin Rawahhah are located in the town of Al-Mazar Al-Janubi near Kerak.

At that time, Muhammad was sending messengers to leaders of powerful empires at that time, asking them to convert to Islam. One of these messengers, Al-Harith bin ‘Umair Al-Azdi was sent to Busra. The messenger was killed at the hand of a Ghassanid chieftain, Sharhabeel bin ‘Amr Al-Ghassani, the governor of Al-Balqa’ and a close ally to Heraclius. Traditionally, emissaries held immunity from attack.

Muhammed, upon hearing the news ordered an army of 3,000 soldiers be mobilized and sent north to attack the Ghassanids. It was the largest army ever mobilized by the Muslims.

Muhammed ordered the army: "Fight the disbelievers in the Name of Allah, neither breach a covenant nor entertain treachery, and under no circumstances a new-born, woman, an ageing man or a hermit should be killed; moreover neither trees should be cut down nor homes demolished." (Mukhtasar Seerat Ar-Rasool, p.327)

The Muslim army, led by Zayd ibn Harithah, marched northwards to Ma'an. There, news came to effect that Heraclius had mobilized nearly 100,000 soldiers. The Muslims for their part had never thought that they would encounter such an army. Two nights were spent debating on what to do. It was suggested that they inform Muhammed and seek advice. Abd-Allah ibn Rawahah disagreed on that and favoured countering the Romans at Mu'tah. At Mu'tah was a valley between two heights. The width of the valley was such that it could have about 2,000 soldiers. If the Muslim army positions itself there, the Romans would be unable to use their entire army, but rather will only be able to fight the Muslims with the same number of troops. The Muslims agreed and the army moved towards Mu'tah.

The Romans were disappointed that they would be unable to fight the Muslims with all their strength. Nevertheless they were confident that they would be able to win an easy victory. Heraclius moved his troops into the valley to engage with the Muslim army. Bitter fighting took place over the next few days. Khalid ibn Al-Walid reported that the fighting was so intense nine swords of his were broken in the battle. The commander, Zayd ibn Harithah was killed.

The deputy commander of the army the companion was Jafar ibn Abi Talib, Ali's brother and Muhammad's cousin, then took the banner after Zaid, before he himself was killed. Al-Bukhari reported fifty stabs in the body.

The companion Abd-Allah ibn Rawahah, the third in charge of the army after Zaid and Jafar, then assumed command. Before being killed, Abdullah said the following lines as his army faced an overwhelming number of Byzantine and Ghassanid Arab troops: "O my soul! If you are not killed, you are bound to die anyway. This is the fate of death overtaking you. What you have wished for, you have been granted. If you do what they (Zaid and Ja'far) have done. Then you are rightly guided".

In the six days of the battle, several hundreds of the Romans were killed and the Muslims lost 14 soldiers. This was mainly due to the very poor moral of the Roman army, while the Muslims were very enthusiastic, despite the large difference in number. After all three chosen commanders were killed, Khalid ibn Al-Walid became in charge. Having avenged the blood of the emissary, and seeing that the battle could not be won, Khalid decided to retreat, and devised a cunning plan.

Khalid reshuffled the right and left flanks of the army and brought forward a division from the rear. New banners were made for the army. He ordered the cavalry to position themselves behind the hill south of the Muslim army. Then, upon his order, march towards the army in six waves. Khalid wanted the Romans to think that a new army had arrived.

As the fifth wave of horsemen approached, Khalid ordered the army to attack. After some time, he ordered the entire army to retreat in six waves. The Romans did not follow the Muslim army, and remained in their positions, expecting another attack. Consequently, the Muslims managed to retreat safely all the way to Madinah.

Even though the battle was not conclusive, the Muslims proved themselves as a rising potential global power in the face of the Romans and the Persians.

See also

• Islam
• Mutah
• Byzantine Empire

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