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The most significant and the fiercest battle fought during Prophet Mohammad's lifetime was the Battle of Mutah (629 AD). It also took the lives of his closest companions, martyred fighting against a combined Byzantine/Ghassanid army. You can visit the tombs of the venerable companions Zaid ibn Harithah, Jafar ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah ibn Ruwahah in the town of Al-Mazar Al-Janubi near Kerak.

Prophet Mohammad's adopted son, the venerable companion Zaid ibn Harithah led the Muslim army during the Battle of Mutah. Zaid fought in matchless spirit of bravery until he fell, fatally stabbed. He is the only companion mentioned in the Holy Qur'an by name : "Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, we joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved (their marriage) with them. And Allah's command must be fulfilled".

The deputy commander of the army the venerable companion Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, cousin of Prophet Mohammad, then took the banner after Zaid. He is often known as "The Flying Ja'far" because he lost his hands during the battle and continued to hold the banner. Ja'far, was known to be similar to the Prophet both in features and in character. He was renowned for his kindness towards the needy and for narrating the hadiths directly from the Prophet. Ja'far was charged with heading a group of Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). The non-believers sent a delegation headed by Amr ibn Al-Aas to bring the Muslims back to Mecca. A debate took place in the presence of the King of Abyssinia where Ja'far proved to be indomitable and unflinching in elaborating the Muslim viewpoint.

When the King asked him about Prophet Mohammad's opinion of Jesus the son of Mary, Ja'far wisely answered: "I will tell you what Prophet Mohammad says about Jesus based on the words of Allah: Jesus is the spirit and word of Allah who revealed it to Mary the Pious Virgin". Content with the reply, the King of Abyssinia allowed the Muslims to stay.

The venerable companion Abdullah ibn Ruwahah, the third in charge of the army after Zaid and Ja'far, then assumed command. Abdullah was known among the companions for his piety, obedience and patience. Furthermore, he was a faithful and selflessly dedicated soldier. He was a famous poet of his time, and became the Prophet's poet. Before being martyred in the Battle of Mutah, 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 and around Kerak other shrines of significance to Islam are located. You can visit Prophet Nuh 'Noah' shrine in the city of Kerak. Allah sent Noah to his people to warn them of divine punishment if they continued to worship idols. As stated in the Holy Qur'an in a Sura entitled Noah (Sura 71, verses 1-3): "We sent Noah to his People (with the Command): Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Chastisement. He said: O my People! I am to you a Warner, clear and open: That ye should worship Allah, fear Him and obey me".

Credited with great wisdom and piety, the Prophet and King of Israel, Sulayman 'Solomon', has a shrine in Sarfah near Kerak. Prophet Solomon had great powers that included control over the winds, over the Jinnis and understanding the language of birds and other animals. Islam regards Solomon as impeccable like his father Prophet and King Dawud 'David'. Prophet Solomon is mentioned in 16 verses in the Holy Qur'an.

Also in Kerak is the shrine of Zaid ibn Ali ibn Al-Hussein. He was the great, great, grandson of Prophet Mohammad, and a religious leader known for his righteous, majestic and knowledgeable ways. When describing Zaid, Al-Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq said: "Among us he was the best read in the Holy Qur'an, and the most knowledgeable about religion, and the most caring towards family and relatives".

See also

• Islam
• Mut'ah

External links

• The battle of Mut'ah
• http://al-islam.org/restatement/30.htm
• http://www.islamanswers.net/moreAbout/Muta.htm
• http://www.swordofallah.com/html/bookchapter6page1.htm

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