Battle of Mutah: The Muslims’ First Encounter with the Byzantine Empire

The Battle of Mu’tah (Arabic: غَزْوَة مُؤْتَة) took place in September 629 (1 Jumada al-Awwal 8 AH).The Battle of Mutah fought between the Muslims and the army of the Byzantine Empire and their Ghassanid vassals. The battle took place in the village of Mu’tah, located east of the Jordan River in what is now modern-day Karak.

Background of the Mutah Battle

Islam was not meant to remain limited to Mecca and Medina. Following the Battle of Khyber Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) sent letters and messengers to various rulers and tribal leaders, inviting them to embrace Islam.

To achieve this, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) sent Al-Harith bin Umair Al-Azdi (R.A.) to Busra (now in Hauran, Syria). The governor and people of Busra were Arab Christians and were under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. On his journey, Al-Harith (R.A.) was intercepted by Shurahbil bin Amrul-Ghassani, the governor of Al-Balqa and a representative of the Byzantine Emperor. Upon learning that Al-Harith (R.A.) was a messenger from the Prophet (S.A.W.), Shurahbil brutally killed him. At that time, killing envoys and messengers was considered a grave crime, equivalent to declaring war.

Reasons for the Battle of Mutah

1. Byzantine Expansion:

Following the peace agreement between Emperor Heraclius and the Sasanid general Shahrbaraz in July 629, the Byzantine Empire began reoccupying territories. The Byzantine commander, Theodore, led an army into the region, employing Arab tribes as well.

2. Martyrdom of al-Harith bin Umayr al-Azdi:

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) sent Al-Harith bin Umair Al-Azdi (R.A.) to Busra, a region under the Byzantine Empire with Christian Arab rulers. On his journey, Al-Harith (R.A.) was intercepted by Shurahbil bin Amrul-Ghassani, the governor of Al-Balqa and a representative of the Byzantine Emperor. Shurahbil, upon discovering that Al-Harith (R.A.) was the Prophet’s envoy, executed him brutally. This act was seen as a severe breach of diplomatic norms and effectively amounted to a declaration of war, leading to the Battle of Mu’tah.

Battle of Mutah Events

The Forming of the Muslim Army

Upon learning of Al-Harith’s (R.A.) death, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) and his companions (R.A.) were deeply saddened. After assessing the situation, the Messenger (S.A.W.) organized an army. He appointed Zaid bin Haritha (R.A.), his freed slave, to lead the 3,000-strong Muslim force, which was the largest army they had assembled.

The Prophet’s Instructions and Departure for the Battle of Mu’tah

Abdullah bin Umar (R.A.) reported:

“Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander for the Battle of Mu’tah, stating: ‘If Zaid is martyred, Jafar ibn Abi Talib will take his place, and if Jafar is martyred, Abdullah bin Rawaha will succeed him.'”

Three thousand Muslims prepared to depart. Before leaving, they bid farewell to the Messenger’s leaders and greeted them. The Muslim army then set out, with the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) accompanying them until he said his goodbyes and returned.

Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.) advised them to go to the site of Al-Harith’s murder and invite the people to embrace Islam. If they responded positively, there would be no need for war. If they refused, fighting would be the only remaining option.

Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.) instructed them:

“Fight the disbelievers in the Name of Allah. Do not breach any covenants or commit treachery. Do not kill newborns, women, the elderly, or hermits. Additionally, do not cut down trees or demolish homes.”

3,000 Muslim Soldiers vs 200,000 Byzantine Soldiers

The Muslim army advanced to Ma’an in Syria, where they learned that Heraclius had arrived in Ma’ab in Al-Balqa with 100,000 or 200,000 Greek soldiers with (Arabian tribes allied with the Byzantines). Confronted with the news of this massive force, the 3,000 Muslim soldiers spent two nights at Ma’an deliberating their next move, as they had not anticipated facing such a large army.

Abdullah Ibn Rawahah (R.A.) motivated the men by saying:

“Men, what you fear is exactly what you came here for—martyrdom. We are not fighting the enemy with numbers, strength, or vast numbers. We are confronting them with the religion Allah has honored us with. So let’s move forward! Both outcomes are great: victory or martyrdom.”

The men responded, “By Allah, Ibn Rawahah is right.”

The Muslims advanced until they reached the borders of Al-Balqa. There, Heraclius’s Greek and Arab forces confronted them in a village called ‘Masharif’. When the enemy drew near, the Muslims withdrew to the village of Mu’tah. At this location, the two forces met, and the Muslims arranged their formation: the right wing was led by Qutbah Ibn Qatadah (R.A.) of Banu Udhrah, and the left wing was commanded by an Ansari named ‘Ubaya Ibn Malik (R.A.).

Martyrdom of Zaid Ibn Harithah, Jafar tayyar and Abdullah bin Rawaha (R.A)

When the battle commenced, Zaid Ibn Harithah (R.A.) fought while holding the Prophet’s standard. He continued to fight until he succumbed to his wounds and died amidst the enemy’s spears.

Following the Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) instructions, Jafar ibn Abi Talib (R.A.) took up the Flag. Due to his bravery, he was later called “the flying Jafar” or “Jafar with two wings.” He held the Flag until he was martyred.

Abdullah bin Rawaha then took up the Flag, fighting courageously on horseback while reciting fervent verses, until he was martyred.

In this context, Al-Bukhari narrated the following account:

Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) said:

“I was present at that battle, and we searched for Jafar bin Abi Talib. We found his body among the martyrs, bearing over ninety wounds from stabs and arrow shots.”

Hazrat Amir (R.A.) narrated:

“Whenever Ibn Umar greeted Jafar’s son, he would say, ‘Assalam ‘Alaika (peace be upon you), O son of the two-winged one.'”

Hazrat Anas (R.A.) said:

Khalid ibn Al-Walid’s Command and Valor in the Ghazwa Mota

Hazrat Anas (R.A.) said:

The Prophet (S.A.W.) had informed the people about the martyrdom of Zaid, Jafar, and Ibn Rawaha before the news of their deaths arrived. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “Zaid took up the flag as the commander and was martyred, then Jafar took it and was martyred, and finally, Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred.”

At that moment, the Prophet’s eyes were filled with tears. He continued, “Then the flag was carried by one of Allah’s Swords (i.e., Khalid ibn Al-Walid), and Allah granted victory to the Muslims.”

The honor was unanimously awarded to Khalid bin Al-Walid (R.A.), a skilled and courageous fighter and an exceptional strategist. According to Al-Bukhari, he used nine swords, which broke during his relentless and valiant battle against the enemies of Islam. Only Allah knows how many unbelievers Khalid (R.A.) wounded and killed while breaking those nine swords.

Hazrat Khalid Ibn Al-Walid (R.A.) said:

“On the day of Mu’tah, I broke nine swords in my hand, and only a Yemenite sword of mine was left.”

Khalid Ibn Al-Walid’s Tactical Mastery at Mu’tah

Hazrat Khalid (R.A.) assumed command just before evening. After one or two skirmishes, darkness fell, and both sides withdrew to their camps. Renowned for his tactical brilliance, Hazrat Khalid (R.A.) devised plans overnight to surprise the enemy. At dawn, he arranged his troops in a formation that made them appear larger in number. This strategy aimed to intimidate the Byzantines by giving the impression that fresh reinforcements had arrived. The Byzantine forces, seeing the enlarged Muslim army, were alarmed and thought, “It seems auxiliary troops arrived overnight to support the Muslims. We hadn’t seen those soldiers on the right before.”

The enemy soldiers, still reeling from the shock of the previous day’s sudden blow, were frightened and anxious. They looked at each other, uncertain about what to do next. When Hazrat Khalid noticed that the enemy was unsettle now by his strategy, He (R.A.) ordered an immediate attack. The Muslim forces overwhelmed and scattered the enemy. The enemy army, which had seemed strong, quickly fled. The enemy soldiers, paralyzed with fear, didn’t try to follow the Muslims, leading to a major defeat for them.

Shuhada in the Jang e Mota

The Muslims lost twelve martyrs (with some sources indicating fifteen). The exact number of Byzantine casualties remains unknown, but the details of the battle suggest that their losses were substantial.

The Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Knowledge of the Battle

Yala bin Umayyah (R.A.) arrived in Madinah before the returning army and went to see the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.). When he attempted to recount the events of the battle, the Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “I will tell you what happened.” He then described the events in precise detail. Yala (R.A.) responded, “I swear by God, who sent you with the true religion and book, that you did not miss a single detail.”

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) explained, “Allah eliminated the distance between us, and I saw the battlefield with my own eyes”.

The Triumphant Return of the Muslim Army

The Muslim Army began their journey back to Madinah with the dignity and majesty of a bright victory. Due to the strategic brilliance and bravery of Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed during the war, Hazrat Muhammad bestowed upon him the title of Saifullah (Sword of Allah).
Despite the scorching heat, everyone in Madinah, young and old, gathered at a place called Juruf, outside the city, to welcome their heroes.

Outcome of the Battle of Mu’tah

• The battle did not achieve the Muslims’ primary objective of avenging Al-Harith’s murder.
• Battle of Mutah had a significant and far-reaching impact.
• The Muslims gained a formidable reputation on the battlefield.
• Three years later, they returned to decisively defeat the Byzantine forces in the Expedition of Usama bin Zayd.

Who won the Battle of Mutah?

Although in the Battle of Mutah the Muslims did not achieve their original goal of avenging Al-Harith murder. But in another point of view was a victory in this war for them. Despite the great disparity in numbers, Khalid ibn Al-Walid and his Muslim forces managed to withdraw safely. Most of their soldiers returned unharmed. This strategic retreat showed their strength and tactical skill, making the battle a win in terms of preserving their forces and reputation.

You can also read about:

Battle of Badr

Battle of Uhud

Ghazwa e Ahzab (Battle of the Trench)

Story of Hazrat Nooh (A.S)