Jamadil Awwal: The battle of Mu’tah.

Anecdotes of our wonderful Rasulullah SAW and his companions.

Jamadil Awwal: The battle of Mu’tah.

Mu'tah, Jordan- this place once received about 3000 sahabat who endured a long journey from Madinah to face an army of 200 000, only for Allah and Rasul. The battle happened in the month of Jamadil Awwal 8H (629M) as a response to the atrocious decapitation of al-Harits bin Umayr, an emissary sent by Rasulullah SAW to bring the message of Islam to the emperor of Byzantium (or Eastern Roman Empire). It was clearly an insult to Islam and a sovereign government helmed by Rasulullah SAW in Madinah. Rasulullah did not join the expedition but he named three of his companions to assume leadership of the Muslimin; they are Zaid bin Harithah, if he died then Jaafar bin Abi Talib, then Abdullah bin Rawahah.

I do not wish to delve on every little detail of this battle, but here are a number of stories that has hit few spots in my heart. I hope they prove to be somehow useful to you too.

Firstly let us inspect the very reason the battle of Mu’tah happened. I am sure we have had enough accusation of Islam advocating violence and whatnot but this war is a beautiful reminder that the case is not. In fact if you learn of all battles in the time of Rasulullah, not one was initiated by him. This battle was retaliation to Byzantium's arrogance and disrespect to Islam and Madinah. It is only fair that when mocked we protect ourselves. Islam is indeed the religion of peace (‘salam’ means peace) but it is definitely not a foolish kind of peace that it lets honour being trampled on and properties being taken by force.

That is why it is disheartening to see the Intifadhah (means ‘shaking off’) in Palestine being touted in the media as acts of fundamentalists, terrorists etc when the Palestinians are only protecting their land, clinging to their rights. To some of us who live in a cocoon (or read only mainstream media) the look of them in military garbs and weapons may put us off, thinking why couldn’t they be more “liberal” in finding solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict. But know that this is the way of Islam; that it calls for jihad. Plus we have no right to judge them when it is not our lives being put at stake every single day.

Then there was an interesting story about Zaid bin Harithah RA- the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad SAW, also father of Usamah bin Zaid. In relation to his name being announced by Rasulullah SAW, a soldier talked to him. That following the tradition of Israelite prophets, when names were named before a battle they were sure to die as syuhada (martyrs). This remarkable man, what could be his response at the news of his impending death? He gave a wide smile, which is a simple gesture but an irrefutable proof of his deep love for Allah and his trust in Allah’s promise that the hereafter is better than this temporary world. Allahu akbar! Compare his resolution with ours who are obliviously inflicted with this illness of al-wahn. The prophet SAW warned us 1400 years ago:

“...Allah will take the fear of you from the hearts of your enemy and cast al-wahn into your hearts.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?” He replied, “Love of the world and dislike of death.”
(Riwayat Abu Daud and Imam Ahmad, narrated by Tsauban RA)

It does not hurt to reflect on ourselves; of our little heart. How much of it is occupied by the worldly matters and how much do we allocate for Allah and Rasul. Maybe we can slowly learn to put more investment for the hereafter instead of coveting this world. And I am still so cowardly to proclaim that I would definitely offer myself to die for Islam when the time calls for it, but the least we can do is to keep an intention in our hearts, or even better to anything in our capacity to help the cause of Islam. I pray that we do not fall to be one of those once mentioned by Rasulullah SAW:

“Those who die when he never went for jihad, nor had the intention of doing so,
will die in the state of jahiliyyah.”
(Riwayat Bukhari, narrated by Huzaifah al-Yaman RA)

Finally I want to share this inspiring tale of Ja’far bin Abi Talib RA, a beloved cousin of Rasulullah SAW, the one who led the first hijrah to Habsyah and eventually facilitating the conversion of King Najasyi to Islam. As Zaid bin Harithah found his final call, Ja’far assumed leadership and naturally was the one to uphold the flag al-Liwa’. It was amidst the chaos of the battle that his right hand which held the flag was cut off by the enemy. He then held it with his left hand, which was subsequently chopped off nonetheless. Not relenting, he brought the remains of those heavily bleeding arms together in an effort to sustain the flag up. That was when his body was being severed into two. Abdullah bin Umar RA narrated that when he found Ja’far after the battle has ended, his body was covered in at least ninety wounds.

The incident might be perplexing to us. It was just a flag, why would you exchange it with your precious life? To Ja’far it definitely was not. It could be just a piece of cloth but it brought the aspiration of Islam and Rasulullah SAW. The message of “La ilaha illallah, Muhammadan rasulullah- there is no God but Allah, Muhammad is a prophet of Allah” adorned on its white surface was far too important than his life. We know Allah never let any sacrifice by his servants go unnoticed; He bestowed upon him a pair of wings in Jannah for his two arms that he let go for Allah. Rasulullah nicknamed him Ja’far at-Tayyar (Ja’far who can fly) ever since.

To sum of what happened next in the battle, Khalid bin Walid RA was elected to be their general (even though he was only converting to Islam three months ago) after Abdullah bin Rawahah too has fallen. By a combination of brilliant military tactics employed by Khalid and (of course) grace of Allah Taala, in the end the enemy were forced to retreat. The battle ended with only twelve casualties on our side, which is astonishing when you take into accounts how they were much outnumbered. The Muslims definitely made a statement to the Byzantium; that this small kingdom in Madinah was not one to be messed with.

p/s: I wish this is not too long to read. Tell me if it is too confusing, I surely got ahead of myself while writing.

Next month edition- the month of Jamadil Akhir: I might share a few stories of Saidina Abu Bakar RA. It was in this month that he died. 

- shared by Najwa, a history enthusiast. If only she is this enthusiastic while reading medical books, ha!