Battle of Mu'tah

The Battle of Mu'tah, also known as the Expedition or Incursion of Mu'tah, is one of the Islamic battles that took place during the time of the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - outside the Arabian Peninsula. Historians and biographers have unanimously referred to this event as an expedition, even though the Prophet himself did not participate in it. This designation is due to the significant consequences that altered the history of the region.

Mu'tah served as the gateway for Islam's entry into the lands of Greater Syria, Iraq, and beyond, even though, in Islamic history, the term "Ghazwa" is typically used for wars in which the Prophet Muhammad personally participated. Otherwise, they are considered battles, raids, or missions. This article sheds light on the events of the Battle of Mu'tah and provides additional details.

Reasons of the Battle of Mu'tah

The Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - employed various methods to spread Islam and convey it to people worldwide. One of these methods was sending letters to kings, rulers, emperors, and potentates across different regions, inviting them to believe in the one God and reject their disbelief. The Prophet selected the distinguished companion Harith ibn Umair al-Azdi to deliver this invitation to the great Roman Caesar.

However, on his journey, he was intercepted by Sharhabeel ibn Amr al-Ghassani, an agent of the Roman Emperor Heraclius, who captured him, bound him in chains, and ultimately killed him. The murder of messengers and envoys is considered one of the gravest and most explicit acts of declaring war against the offending party. Consequently, the Prophet - peace be upon him - decided to wage war against the killers of his envoy to Caesar.

Timing of the Battle of Mu'tah

The events of the Mu'tah Expedition occurred in the month of Jumada al-Awwal during the eighth year of the Islamic calendar. The Muslim army, comprising three thousand warriors, met the combined forces of Arabian Christian tribes and Romans, totaling two hundred thousand fighters.

The confrontation took place in a location known as Mu'tah, which is now a town in the Karak Governorate of the southern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Preparations for the Battle of Mu'tah

Upon learning of the murder of the Prophet's envoy, Harith ibn Umair al-Azdi, at the hands of Heraclius' agent, the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - expressed great anger and determination to seek revenge for the unjust and aggressive act. Simultaneously, he aimed to discipline the Arabian Christian tribes along the northern borders of the Arabian Peninsula. He dispatched an army of three thousand fighters without personally accompanying it. Instead, he appointed the companion Zayd ibn Harithah as its leader.

In the event of Zaid's death, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib would assume command, and if he were to fall, then Abdullah ibn Rawahah would be chosen as the leader of the Muslim army. The Prophet instructed the army, emphasizing the principles to follow in any expedition or mission: "Fight in the name of Allah and in His cause. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah. Fight, but do not be treacherous, nor mutilate, nor kill a child".

Events of the Battle of Mu'tah

The Islamic army, under the leadership of Zaid ibn Harithah, departed from Medina towards the Levant and reached the town of Ma'an, located in present-day Jordan, after a strenuous and lengthy journey. To their surprise, they discovered that the Roman-Arab coalition had assembled over two hundred thousand fighters, united in their goal to eliminate Islam and eradicate Muslims from the Arabian Peninsula. A small consultative council was held among the Muslim leaders to decide on the course of action, leading to three possible options:

1. Send a message to the Prophet in Medina, explaining the situation on the battlefield, and await his decision regarding reinforcements, withdrawal, or engagement in battle.
2. Withdraw the entire army from the battle due to the imbalance of forces.
3. Engage in battle and not retreat.

After deliberations among the companions, they unanimously decided to engage in the battle, despite the numerical and equipment disparities. This decision was not opposed by the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - in any way, indicating that the Muslims were seekers of the hereafter rather than worldly gains. Their fight was solely for the sake of Allah, relying not on numbers or equipment but on their unwavering trust in Allah alone.

Following the unanimous decision to engage in battle, the Muslims sought a suitable battlefield location before the Roman-Arab coalition could make their move. They traveled north from Ma'an towards the current Karak Governorate, where they settled in a place known as Mu'tah. This location consisted of a flat, terrain-free area that hindered the Romans from setting ambushes against the Muslims. Furthermore, the desert environment was more favorable for the Arabs, as it resembled the terrain of the Arabian Peninsula, where they were accustomed to fighting. To the south of Mu'tah lay an expansive desert extending towards the Arabian Peninsula, which the Romans feared to venture into, concerned about encountering an awaiting Muslim force hidden behind the sand dunes.

Commencement of the Battle of Mu'tah

The two armies aligned opposite each other on the battlefield of Mu'tah, which witnessed one of the fiercest and most intense battles in Islamic history. Zaid ibn Harithah - may Allah be pleased with him - carried the banner of the Muslims, and the battle began. The two sides clashed, and the sounds of swords rang out.

The leader of the Muslims, Zaid ibn Harithah, was martyred, and the Muslim banner was passed to Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, who held it in his right hand until it was severed. He then carried it with his left hand and was martyred on the battlefield of Mu'tah. Because of this, he was given the title "the one with two wings”. After Ja'far, Abdullah ibn Rawahah took up the banner and fought valiantly until he, too, was martyred, and the ground of Mu'tah was soaked with their blood.

The Fourth Commander in the Battle of Mu'tah

After the sequential martyrdom of the leaders of the Prophet's army, the critical moment arrived to choose a new commander for the Muslim army. The banner was handed over to Khalid ibn al-Walid - may Allah be pleased with him - to lead the army, and it had only been three months since his conversion to Islam. The Muslims accepted this choice, facilitated by the companion Thabit ibn Aqram - may Allah be pleased with him.

Khalid assumed command and engaged in a tremendous battle, during which nine swords broke in his hand. His unwavering determination and fighting prowess served as a significant morale booster for his soldiers, even as darkness fell, casting a shadow between the two sides.

Khalid's Military Genius

As night fell, the fighting stopped, and the Romans and their allies surrendered to rest. However, Khalid and his men remained in constant motion, seeking to minimize their losses. Khalid's military genius became evident in one of the most exceptional war tactics in history. He aimed to convey to the Romans that significant reinforcements were on their way from Medina. To achieve this, Khalid had the Muslim cavalry run through the night, creating dust and sandstorms to deceive the Romans into thinking that large Muslim forces were arriving. Then, he rearranged the army, switching the right and left wings and the front and rear of the formation, giving the impression that fresh troops had arrived during the night.

The final element of Khalid's plan came on the morning of the battle. He began an apparent withdrawal with his army, luring the Romans deeper into the desert, where the Muslim armies from Medina were converging. The Romans hesitated to follow, allowing Khalid to withdraw with his army without any further casualties. The journey back to the Prophet's city, Medina, was completed safely, with only twelve of the Muslims martyred, including the three initial commanders chosen by the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him. In contrast, the Roman-Arab alliance suffered significant losses, with approximately 3,350 men killed.

Results of the Battle of Mu'tah

There are conflicting accounts regarding the outcome of the Battle of Mu'tah as follows:

• One group believes that it ended in a Muslim victory over the Byzantines, while another group sees it as a Byzantine victory. Others argue that the battle concluded with both sides withdrawing from each other. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani discussed the differing interpretations of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) statement about Khalid: "Until Allah granted him victory”. Scholars debated whether this referred to the actual defeat of the polytheists in battle or Khalid’s strategic withdrawal of the Muslim army. A reconciliation between both views suggests that Khalid’s maneuver of retreating with the army, changing its formation to give the impression of reinforcements arriving, launching an attack that forced the Byzantines to flee, and safely returning with the Muslim army was a great achievement. This was considered a tactical victory and a successful military campaign, rather than a decisive battlefield triumph.
• The battle was seen as a prelude to the Battle of Tabuk. The growing Byzantine threat required the Muslims to take preemptive military action to prevent instability in the Arabian Peninsula, maintain the universality of the Islamic message, and protect Muslim victories. The Byzantine Empire sought to reassert control over remote eastern Jordanian territories after Mu'tah to secure Palestine’s flank, respond to local population demands for protection, and safeguard Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem and Mount Nebo.
• The battle demonstrated one of the miracles of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and affirmed his prophethood. He foretold the martyrdom of the three Muslim commanders Zayd, Ja'far, and Ibn Rawahah without being present on the battlefield. Allah revealed the battle to him as if he were witnessing it in real-time, despite the vast distance between Medina and the outskirts of Greater Syria.
• The battle showcased the impact of faith in warfare and the resilience of the Muslim fighters despite being vastly outnumbered. The Muslim army consisted of 3,000 warriors, while the Byzantine army numbered approximately 200,000. The battle highlighted the courage and high morale of the Muslims, which shattered the confidence of the Byzantine and Persian forces.

Lessons Learned from the Battle of Mu'tah

• Faith and Trust in Allah Are More Important Than Numbers and Equipment – The Muslims, despite being vastly outnumbered, engaged in battle with strong faith, proving that victory depends on belief rather than sheer numbers.
• The Importance of Wise Leadership and Military Tactics – Khalid ibn al-Walid demonstrated military brilliance by changing strategies, reorganizing the army, and deceiving the Romans, highlighting the role of tactical planning in warfare.
• Sacrifice for the Sake of Faith – The martyrdom of the three commanders (Zayd ibn Harithah, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah) underscores the significance of dedication and sacrifice in defending one's beliefs.
• Ethical Conduct in Warfare – The Prophet ﷺ instructed his army to avoid treachery, mutilation, and harming children, emphasizing that Islam upholds morality even in battle.
• The Role of Consultation in Decision-Making – Muslim leaders held a council to discuss their options before deciding to fight, demonstrating the value of collective decision-making and consultation.
• Psychological and Moral Strength in Warfare – The Muslims’ high morale and courage played a crucial role in their resilience, whereas the Romans, despite their numerical superiority, were psychologically shaken.
• Strategic Retreat Can Be a Form of Victory – Although not a decisive battlefield win, Khalid’s strategic withdrawal ensured minimal Muslim losses and a safe return, proving that retreating wisely can be a successful military maneuver.
• A Prelude to Major Islamic Conquests – The battle marked the first confrontation between Muslims and the Byzantine Empire, paving the way for later Islamic expansions into Greater Syria and Iraq.
• A Confirmation of the Prophet’s Prophethood – The Prophet ﷺ accurately described the events of the battle as they occurred despite being far from the battlefield, serving as proof of his divine revelation.
• The Need for Constant Preparedness Against External Threats – The battle highlighted the importance of being ready to face external dangers, particularly from powerful empires like the Byzantines, ensuring the security and expansion of Islam.