Events

• This was the fiercest battle during the Prophet’s lifetime, fought in 629 C.E (8 AH);
• The Prophet had sent Al-Harith bin ‘Umair al-Azdi carrying a letter to the ruler of Basra, inviting him to Islam;
• He was intercepted and killed by the governor of al-Balqa’;
• The Prophet mobilised an army of 3000 men;
• People near the scene of al-Harith’s murder would be invited to Islam and if they accepted no battle would ensue;
• Zaid bin Haritha was to lead the army, Ja’far bin Abu Talib would replace him, and ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha would replace Ja’far if he fell;
• Heraclius sent 100,000 troops with another 100,000 from tribes allied to the Byzantines;
• The two armies fought relentlessly;
• Zaid was martyred and so Ja’far took his place. He had his right arm cut off, then his left, and eventually he too was martyred. ‘Abdullah then took his place and fought until he was martyred;
• Khalid bin Walid stepped up to take leadership and showed his skills as a strategist;
• The Muslims from the back were asked to come to the front to give the impression of reinforcements, then they gradually retreated to save lives;