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The Battle of Yarmuk - Khalid Bin Al-Waleed’s Greatest Victory

Subhnallah, we need more men like Khalid Radhiallahu anu today.

"Women will no longer be able to give birth to the likes of Khalid bin Al-Waleed."
(Abu Bakr (RA))


Thank you for posting. It reminds me of reading those books on Muslim warriors including those on Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed and his victory.

I was in 9th grade when This addiction to these books started. Wonderful time.
Have you tried reading foreign non-Muslim authors about Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed? I guess you have. :)
Reading those make one realize truly how great of a warrior he was, Sword of Allah for sure!!
 
"Women will no longer be able to give birth to the likes of Khalid bin Al-Waleed."
(Abu Bakr (RA))



Have you tried reading foreign non-Muslim authors about Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed? I guess you have. :)
Reading those make one realize truly how great of a warrior he was, Sword of Allah for sure!!

No not exactly. Can you suggest few I will inshallah soon buy.

When I was in 9th grade a class fellow who's father was working as some sort of diplomat, told me about her brother's book collection on Muslim warriors so I used to get from her these books at that time. Her brother was very possessive about books like me so she used to secretly pass those books to me and after reading in a day or two I would give her back.

The very first reading which i went through was on Yousaf Bin Tashfin.

Those were mostly translated from English into Urdu. The books included Qutayiba Bin Muslim, on Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed, Mot k Musaffir (a wonderful Novel on Muslim warriors), one on Imam Shamil ,

Musa bin Naseer , Tariq bin Ziyad;

what an amazing experience it was at that age to read about these wonderful generals / warriors .

Somehow I am in love with Spain . The old structures there seems to fascinate and transport me to the great Muslim conquest .
 
No not exactly. Can you suggest few I will inshallah soon buy.

When I was in 9th grade a class fellow who's father was working as some sort of diplomat, told me about her brother's book collection on Muslim warriors so I used to get from her these books at that time. Her brother was very possessive about books like me so she used to secretly pass those books to me and after reading in a day or two I would give her back.

The very first reading which i went through was on Yousaf Bin Tashfin.

Those were mostly translated from English into Urdu. The books included Qutayiba Bin Muslim, on Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed, Mot k Musaffir (a wonderful Novel on Muslim warriors), one on Imam Shamil ,

Musa bin Naseer , Tariq bin Ziyad;

what an amazing experience it was at that age to read about these wonderful generals / warriors .

Somehow I am in love with Spain . The old structures there seems to fascinate and transport me to the great Muslim conquest .
Let me go home, i will share a few names from my collection. Do not remember all names with author names so it is best i share accurate information. :)

And yes you are right, it is always nice to read about those personalities! (may be because they tell us about our glory days? )

Hazrat Khalid Bib Waleed conquest of Iraq and Syria (War against Persian and Roman Empire)
Hazrat Amr (Umro) bin Al-As (Conquest of Egypt)
Sultan Salahudin Ayubi (Conquest of Israel)
Tariq bin Ziyad (Conquest of Spain)

These have always been among my favorite subjects or conquests to read about. In this very order. :)
 
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Too bad the Romans did not kill that terrorist I think muhammad should have killed him when he had the chance
 
Eve of Yarmuk

Mahan glared at the rag tag army from the desert with contempt. If the Muslims weren’t standing in formation he would have confused them for a mob. They had no uniform. Their weapons were anything but standard; one had Sasanian sword, another a Roman shield and the next a bow taken from a dead Ghassanid archer. Now these fakirs stood before him ready to do battle!

Sitting on his horse behind his soldiers, Mahan could see the silhouette of the Muslim line as the sun rose up from behind. What do these backward desert dwellers know about strategy and war? And yet, thought the Roman General, these same Muslims had decisively defeated his comrades at Ajnadin, Damascus & Baisan. And they now occupied the one point of elevation on the scrubby plain of Yarmuk, which gave them an annoyingly good vantage.

Mahan’s barrel chest swelled with confidence as he gazed at his soldiers standing in perfect formation with the standard of each squad and corps fluttering in the air. He had 120 000 of the toughest soldiers and most talented Generals produced by the Empire. Mahan knew he outnumbered the Muslim army 2 to 1 possibly 3 to 1. They had at most 40 000 troops.


Khalid Bin Al-Waleed (RA)

Their General was Khalid bin Waleed. His people call him the "Sword of Allah". Ever since he entered the Syrian theater Mahan heard the stories. He was a man built for war, a military genius with a sharp strategic mind, a brilliant tactician and the strength to go up against any champion. Khalid (RA) employed strategies and battle field tactics that embarrassed the imperial armies of Persia and Rome.

The destruction of the Persian army at Walaja was still talked about in the capital. Khalid (RA) enveloped the entire Persian army and annihilated it. Mahan, a student of military history, understood the significance of that victory. Many factors are required to pull off a double envelopment or pincer movement. As a result there are few recorded instances of this tactic being employed successfully. The Carthaginian General Hannibal first employed this tactic against the Romans at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE. But Khalid (RA) was not aware of Hannibal and must have developed his strategy independently. Mahan would not underestimate him.

Mahan had the glory of Rome behind him. He’d studied his compatriot’s defeats and this time it would be different. He would go on the offensive and teach these camel herders a lesson in war.


Order of Battle on the Eve of Yarmuk

Day 1

Mahan watched his champions fall like flies. The two armies stood facing each other watching their champion’s faceoff in individual combat and the Muslims were winning. Mahan clenched his teeth in frustration. He swung around with his finger pointing at his deputy and barked “order the assault!”

Along the entire front a third of his army charged shrieking across no man’s land slamming into the Muslim lines.

Not a concerted effort; but simply to test the resolve of the battle hardened Muslim army. At the end of the day, both sides held the same position.

As the sun set across the Yarmuk River, Mahan vowed the next day would be different. He would teach Khalid (RA) and the Muslims a lesson in war.

Day 2

Pebbles bounced up and down on the scrubby Yarmuk plain as the Roman soldiers thundered across the field.

Mahan launched his left and right flank early in the morning hoping to catch the Muslims off guard. He planned to send wave after wave of fresh fighters until the Muslim line broke. He outnumbered Khalid’s (RA) army by a wide margin and knew that Khalid (RA) could not replace his tired troops. He would use his numerical superiority to his advantage.

Squeezed between the treacherous cliffs of the River Yarmuk and the army of Abu Ubaidah (RA), Yazeed repulsed the initial Roman attack.

How long could he hold out before fatigue kicked in, thought Mahan.

The blowing sound of a horn filled the air. From his periphery he saw the second wave launch in unison screaming across the field as the Muslim line reorganized in expectation. The Romans crashed into the tired Muslims and engaged. There was vicious close quarter combat with broken bodies littered everywhere. Mahan could see his troops slowly gaining. Their standard fluttered in the air, it was never pushed back; just kept inching forward. Mahan’s eye zoomed in on that one standard, watching it in expectation until the Muslim line broke and the flood gates opened.

On the left flank with the Azra hills off in the distance things were moving slowly. Amr Al Aas was putting up stiff resistance. His troops repelled 2 waves of Roman fighters and the 3rd wave was barreling towards them midway between the two armies. It was just a matter of time thought Mahan. Even the most battle hardened soldier must give in to fatigue. At that moment the veteran general’s prediction came true; the Muslim line broke. Mahan relaxed. His clenched fists loosened. So far so good.

The Muslims retreated in some disorder back toward their camp but there was no reprieve there. The women came out and threw pebbles at their men for retreating and exhorting them to turn and fight.

The Muslim commanders reorganized their troops and launched a counter attack but they desperately needed support.


Day 2 - Roman attack from the right and left flank
Mahan sat smug on his horse and surveyed his work. He’d broken through on both flanks. From his vantage point behind the center army Mahan could see that Khalid (RA) had not deployed his mobile guard. Mahan knew why and his lips curled into a vicious smile. If Khalid (RA) supported one flank, the other flank would be overwhelmed. Checkmate.

Mahan could taste victory. He was almost disappointed the famous Khalid bin Waleed (RA) did not provide a better challenge. So much for his reputation as a cunning strategist, thought Mahan.

As if on cue, Khalid (RA) deployed his mobile guard. He unleashed his cavalry in support of Amr just as he was launching his counter attack. Mahan’s left flank was struck from two sides. Mahan watched in dismay as the Romans fought heroically but were beaten back to their original lines. No worries, this battle would be decided on the other side of the field.



Day 2 - Muslim counter attack on the Roman left flank

Once Mahan saw that Khalid (RA) had committed his mobile guard to the left flank, he scrutinized the tactical situation on the right and devised his next move with the Corps Commander of the right flank Gregory.

Before Mahan had a chance to issue even a single order, a plume of dust rose up behind the Muslim lines at incredible speed. Mahan stared. Khalid’s (RA) mobile guard raced to support Yazeed on the other side. The Muslim leader hit them from three sides, with Yazeed counter attacking, Khalid’s (RA) mobile guard charging in and Abu Ubaidah (RA) supporting. Mahan’s soldiers put up a stiff resistance but at the end of the day, they fell back to their original position.

Mahan tipped his hat. Khalid’s (RA) reputation remained intact. The next day would be different. He’d learned a lesson from Khalid (RA).


Day 2 - Muslim counter attack on the Roman right flank

Day 3
Mahan felt the wind sweep across the blood soaked plain as he came out of his tent and slowly mounted his horse. Khalid (RA) was outnumbered by a wide margin, he thought. They must be tiring by now. It was just a matter of time before victory. He decided to keep the same strategy as the previous 2 days: attack the flanks and keep throwing fresh men until the lines broke.

Mahan focused on the left flank and gave the order to charge. Just as the previous day, his fighters broke through after several attempts. Just as the previous day, the Muslim commanders reorganized and launched a counter attack with Khalid (RA) supporting. And just as the second day the Muslims pushed the Romans back to their lines.



Day 3 - Roman offensive on the left flank


Day 3 - Muslim counter offensive on the left flank

Another day; another reverse.

Mahan’s face grew dark with concern. His lips tightened at the thought that he had thrown everything he had and gained nothing. From the other side of no man’s land he could hear the cries of “Allahu Akbar” repeated over and over again. Their morale must be high.

Mahan nudged his horse and trotted back to his tent, lost in thought: “What can I do differently to break this army from the desert?”

Mahan’s window of opportunity was closing and the chances of victory were becoming slim.

Day 4 – Day of Lost Eyes

The morning mist from the Yarmuk river gave a strange sense of calm on such a momentous day.

It was now or never. Mahan knew that if his men did not break through they would not be able to launch another offensive. Today had to be decisive. Realizing how desperate he was, he knew he had to take advantage of any opening no matter how trivial.

His men were ready. The standards were fluttering in the air and Mahan gave the order to charge. The horn sounded and the soldiers broke free. He was leaning on his veterans on the left flank again. So far they had carried the lion’s share of the fight and would do so again today.

After three days of fighting Mahan felt the Muslims on his left flank were ripe for the picking. The Roman soldiers engaged Amr and Shurahbeel’s Corps. Amr’s men held their line but the Romans broke through Shurahbeel.


Day 4 - Roman offensive on the left flank

At last! thought Mahan. He watched his troops break through. He knew Khalid (RA) would move his mobile guard to support as he did the previous few days and this time he would act decisively. Once Khalid (RA) moved the mobile guard, Mahan would order the other flank to attack. Without support, the Muslims line would crumble before Khalid (RA) had a chance to react.

Mahan waited. Khalid (RA) never moved. Instead, Khalid (RA) ordered Yazeed and Abu Ubaidah (RA) to charge at Mahan’s right flank to pin them down.

It can’t be!

Khalid (RA) was always one step ahead of him. Khalid (RA) was reading his mind and hearing his thoughts. Mahan was dealing with a master tactician who read the battlefield like a book. Those were not fairy tales he heard in the capital; they were true stories.


Day 4 - Abu Ubaidah (RA) and Yazeed pin down the Romans

Mahan’s brows furrowed in frustration; he couldn’t do anything! Once his right flank was pinned down, Khalid (RA) divided his mobile guard in two. The first half attacked the Romans by going around Shurahbeel’s army and the second half attacked from the south. It was a brilliant move. Hit from three sides, the Romans were pushed back to their original positions. Out-maneuvered again.


Day 4 - Khalid (RA) counter attack on the left flank

Meanwhile, on the banks of the Yarmuk river, only the standards could be seen above the dust cloud that enveloped the fighting men. All that could be heard were the sound of swords clashing against shields, arrows whizzing by, the screams of fallen soldiers and the groans of dying men.

Abu Ubaidah (RA) and Yazeed pinned down the Romans, giving Khalid (RA) valuable time to clean up the situation on the other side; but they had no support. The Roman archers launched an arrow barrage, which covered the blue sky black with arrows sailing across and impaling their victims with deadly accuracy. 700 Muslims lost an eye and the day become known as the day of lost eyes. Both commanders wisely pulled back.

Feeling the pressure of this rare opportunity, Mahan pressed his advantage. He ordered the right flank to chase the retreating Muslims. The Romans surged forward. Their morale boosted at the sight of a retreating foe. The Romans jumped over the fallen in pursuit, slashing at anything not Roman. The Muslims fell back deeper into their territory.

Ikrimah's Last Stand

As the Muslims retreated, one regiment stood its ground. Ikrimah, one of the great foes of the Prophet (SAW) before his conversion, made a pact with death. He would not surrender his position or die defending it. 400 men followed him. With the Muslim army falling back, they were surrounded on all sides. With the ferocity of possessed men they slashed their swords and thrust their spears against all challengers. The position was never lost. Of the 400 men, everyone was either killed or severely wounded. Ikrimah and his son were mortally wounded.

Father and son would later die with their head in the lap of Khalid (RA) – his uncle and dear, dear friend.


Day 4 - The Roman right chase the retreating Muslims

As the Romans surged deeper into Muslim territory, Mahan looked beyond the mayhem of the battle field and could see the Muslim camp. Tents of all sizes with camels tied down, tended by their servants. The women stood outside staring at the drama unfolding before them.

The battle raged for hours. Each side knowing what was at stake. Mahan was anxious. He was looking for a sign, anything to tell him the Romans had broken through. He could see the Roman standards deep inside Muslim territory but they weren’t moving. Several women emerged from the camp and with sword in hand threw themselves against the Romans with wild shouts. The men seeing their women fighting, flew into a rage and counter attacked.

The battle on this front broke down. There was no manoeuvre a general could make to sway the outcome. It came down to each individual soldier giving their super human strength to overcome the other.

Under the heat of the afternoon sun pounding down on the fighting men, Mahan saw the first sign. The fluttering flag of a Roman standard pulled back. Another several hundred meters away also pulled back. Another fell to the ground out of sight. A trickle of men started to retreat and then it became a flood. Mahan’s chest deflated, his head bowed and his eyes shut. They were so close.

The Romans were overcome and retreated back to their lines.


Day 4 - Position of both armies at the end of day 4



As the afternoon turned to evening the day’s action came to an end. It was a vicious day. The battle raged across the entire front and all generals were engaged in combat. Every commander proved his right to be a leader of brave men.

After four days of intense fighting and outnumbering the Muslims 3 to 1 the Romans could not deliver the final blow. The morale had shifted in the Muslims’ favour.

As the sun set on the western edge of the Yarmuk plain, Mahan walked towards his tent passing workers burying the dead and tending to the wounded. Entering his tent, he flopped on the cushions. After a period of stone cold silence he instructed his deputy to assemble his war council. They had to decide the action for the next day; but he knew the answer. They had to negotiate a truce.

But would Khalid (RA) agree?

"Women will no longer be able to give birth to the likes of Khalid bin Al-Waleed."
(Abu Bakr (RA))


Day 5
Sitting on his Arab stallion on the hilltop Jumm’a, Khalid’s (RA) shadow cast forward as the sun rose behind him. Broad-shouldered, he folded his arms across his sturdy frame and ran the fingertips of one hand over his cheek and through his thick flowing beard. The battlefield lay sprawling before him like a game of chess; he mentally moved the pieces to corner the king.

Across the scrubby Yarmuk plain, Khalid (RA) saw the glint off the amour as the morning sun struck the Roman line. Khalid (RA) gazed at the pomp and ceremony of the Roman army; silver armour resting neatly on top of their red tunics with a hint of gold. Impressive; but never judge a soldier by his pretty clothes, Khalid (RA) thought, smiling. After four days of hard fighting, the Romans could not deliver that final fatal blow!

Waging war came naturally to Khalid (RA).

He belonged to the Makkan tribe of Bani Makhzum. They were responsible for matters of war. As a Makhzumi, proficiency over the horse, camel, sword, spear, bow and lance was a minimum and Khalid (RA) had mastered them all. His father, the tribal chief, mentored him in tribal warfare tactics; the importance of speed, mobility and surprise. As he reached maturity, war became his main interest. Yarmuk would be Khalid’s (RA) greatest test and it would push the limits of his training and experience.

Khalid's (RA) Men

Khalid (RA) dropped his glance at the base of the hill Jumm’a and observed his men. Between every soldier there was a wounded man leaning against another. Their spirit in the face of such overwhelming odds never wavered and he would not abandon them; even if it meant death.

He glanced back at the Roman line. He may not have a professional army, he thought, but he had a thousand Companions of the Prophet (SAW) and a hundred veterans of Badr, from the first battle. They were all he needed and he felt comfort in knowing this.

And yet, he was worried. How much longer could his men hold out? Another battle such as the one fought yesterday and his Bedouin army would have to disappear in the desert behind them. The Romans still had enough men to overwhelm the tired Muslims. What would the Romans do today.

Movement in the Roman center caught his attention. The Romans separated to create a corridor of men through which a rider appeared. The rider kicked up dirt and a trail of dust rose up behind as he rode to the middle of no man’s land. Khalid (RA) watched. Surely this was not a Roman knight out to challenge the Muslims to a dual? Khalid (RA) ordered his deputy to meet the rider.

The two emissaries met in no man’s land, their horses standing face to face inches apart. There was a verbal exchange. Khalid’s (RA) deputy nodded in understanding. The rider handed him a scroll, pulled on his reins and rode back to his line.

The deputy reported back to Khalid (RA). The rider was Mahan’s emissary with an offer of truce.

The Truce and the Decision to Continue The Battle

As the sun reached its zenith over the Muslim camp, the slaves tending to the camels overheard a passionate harangue inside Abu Ubaidah’s (RA) tent.

Inside, the tent lacked any ornamentation. An old faded rug with some worn out cushions covered the ground. All of the senior commanders sat on the threadbare rug in a semicircle with Abu Ubaida (RA) at the head. The decision to accept or reject the truce rested with Abu Ubaida (RA) as Supreme Commander of all Muslim forces in the Syrian theater (Abu Ubaidah (RA) had delegated command for Yarmuk to Khalid (RA)).

Many of the Corps Commanders argued to accept the truce. “This is victory,” they passionately argued. “The men are tired, wounded and we’re heavily outnumbered” they pleaded. “We fought a much larger army deep within enemy territory; we can leave with our honour intact and come back to fight another day.” Their words had an impact on Abu Ubaidah.

Khalid (RA) quietly listened to his fellow comrades. Their arguments were sound but they missed the bigger tactical picture.

Khalid (RA) folded his arms across his great chest and bowed his head down. Now was the time to be decisive he thought. The strategy was to remain on the defensive, wear out the enemy, then pounce. After four days of heavy fighting the Romans had lost their will to fight. It was now his turn. He could see the future battle play out in his mind like a game of chess. Even in the face of such over whelming odds he saw the path to victory.

They had to continue!

The brilliance of Khalid bin Waleed (RA) would be illuminated in these final two days. He selected the plain of Yarmuk because of lessons he’d learned from the Persian campaign. He defeated the Persian army at Kazima only to see its remnants turn up at Qarin. He realized that he could not fight a war of attrition against the imperial armies. He conceived a tactical solution and at Walaja he mastered it. He enveloped the Persian army and annihilated it. It was a stroke of genius and this would become his standard operandi.

At Yarmuk, his tactic would be different but the objective was the same. He selected Yarmuk because of a hidden trap. To their horror, the Roman generals would not realise this until it was too late.

When Khalid (RA) raised his head to speak, there was a hush in the tent. His reputation commanded attention. His battlefield record was unmatched not only in the number of victories but the brilliant manner in which he attained those victories. Khalid’s (RA) words carried weight.

“Bismillah” he started by invoking the name of Allah.

He continued in a deep tone and a deliberate pace, “these past four days have tested our resolve. But now is not the time to concede, when the fruits of victory are within our grasp.” Khalid (RA) rejected Mahan’s offer.

Khalid (RA) spoke about the heroics of the past four days. He reminded his men of their strategy and presented them with his plan.

Abu Ubaida (RA) and the other commanders listened with their eyes staring at the faded rug out of respect for their great general. If the person speaking was anyone other than Khalid (RA), they would probably have rejected his plan. But this was not just any person. This was Khalid (RA), son of Waleed.

Once Khalid (RA) finished, there was silence. Only the fluttering of a loose tent canvas could be heard. Abu Ubaida (RA) paused. No one spoke. The matter was settled. The Muslims would fight!


Final Preparations

As the afternoon heat gave way to a cool evening breeze, the rank and file relaxed for a well-deserved break. Many spent the day in prayer and remembrance of Allah, as was their habit.

Khalid (RA) spent the remainder of the day reorganizing the troops for the counter-offensive. He gave orders to the various commanders and squad leaders. He combined the 4 different cavalry regiments into one powerful mounted force totaling 8000 mounted warriors. This new cavalry unit was placed behind Amr Al Aas’ division on the right flank.

The news about the plan spread throughout the army; not one soldier objected.

After all they had been through over the past 4 years the; destruction of the imperials armies from Constantinople and Persia, the overwhelming odds they faced at each battle this, was just another stroll through the desert.

Their Iman was strong, they had faith in their leaders and they had complete confidence in Khalid (RA) as their general.

Tomorrow would be payback.




Wait Yazeed As in Yazeed Bin Muawaiya:o:

The Murderer of Syedina Imam Aali Maqam(Razi Allah Anhu)
 
March 634 - 2 Years Before The Battle of Yarmuk

Heraclius stood by the window with one hand on the wall gazing down at the city. He stared at the morning bustle in the streets of Constantinople but he wasn’t interested in the life below. He was lost in thought, disturbed by the reports he just received. A Roman Legion defeated by desert nomads!

The engagement at the oasis of Dasin, just outside of Gaza, was a minor skirmish but the Muslim victory sent a shock wave all the way up to Constantinople!

To Heraclius the Arabs were a backward people living in a desert wasteland. The Arabs he knew were an unsophisticated lot in constant conflict with each other, just barely eking out an existence under the unforgiving desert sun. The Arabs were not a military threat let alone a military power they were just a thorn in his side when they did pop out of the desert. He looked down on them as petty raiders looking to snatch camels, goats and sheep; the modern day equivalent of pick pockets.

But united for the first time under the banner of Islam, the Arabs unleashed a gale force wind that would sweep across the Middle East and blow as far East as China and West across North Africa.

The soldiers at Dasin were not raiders but the advance guard of an organized Muslim army with large ambitions. They were sent by the Caliph in Medina with a strategic objective... conquer Syria.

Heraclius wrapped his arms behind his back and staring down at the cobblestone floor he pulled away from the window and trudged his way back towards his chamber. He entered his dimly lit room as his mind raced back four years earlier; the citizenry showered him with honour as he rode through the streets of Constantinople in triumph after defeating the Persians and restoring the Empire’s splendor. It was a glorious time. He clenched his teeth and grimaced. Now was the time to enjoy the fruits of his labour, he did not expect this.

Four Muslim divisions marched through the Holy lands and swept across Jordan, Palestine, up the Mediterranean coast and penetrated as far north as Emessa. The Muslim armies terrorized the countryside but they did not lay siege to any city. He didn’t understand why.



The Muslim plan of attack into Syria
sat down at his large oak desk illuminated by a red candle sitting at the corner. A parchment with his general’s plan and strategy to stop the Muslim advance lay on his desk.

Heraclius was a military genius and a master organizer. It was due to his incredible abilities that the Roman defeated the Persians and took back Anatolia and the Holy lands. But most important, he recovered the True Cross and brought it back to its rightful place.

Heraclius nodded his head in agreement as he read the plan to concentrate troops at Ajnadein; a strategic location where the Romans could strike at any of the four Muslim divisions in the theater of operations. He had an astute understanding of the situation and immediately understood the thinking behind the plan. First, by placing a large army behind Muslim lines it would stop the advance in its track; the Muslims would have to secure their rear before moving forward and second it gave the Romans the ability to strike back.


Roman counter measures



He grabbed the candle sitting at the corner of his desk. After four years of idleness his generals had not lost their ability to defend the Empire. He tilted the candle to allow several drops of hot red wax to drip on the plan. He stamped it with his royal seal and sent it off.

He leaned back in his chair and looking up at the ceiling, he asked the good Lord to help him once again!

Umar's (RA) Burden

Umar ibn Khattab (RA) sat in the Prophet’s (SAW) Mosque in Medina burdened with the weight of the nascent ummah on his shoulder. It had only been several weeks since Abu Bakr (RA), the first Caliph of Islam, passed away and Umar (RA) proclaimed the second Caliph. He inherited two wars on two fronts against two superpowers (Romans and Persians) but he was the ideal leader for the trials that lay ahead.

Umar (RA) was a towering figure, stout, firm and resolute. He had a fair complexion with a reddish tint, balding down the middle of his head with grey hair on the sides. Although he was Caliph, he despised extravagance. He walked the streets of Medina in garments of wool patched in places with leather. He lived a frugal life.

His anger was well known but he was just and had genuine concern for the people under his rule, he kept their needs central to his leadership. As Caliph, he refused to chop off the hands of thieves because he felt he had fallen short of his responsibility to provide meaningful employment to all of his subjects. His vision was to ensure that everyone in his domain slept on a full stomach.

Umar (RA) was known to have said:
“If a dog dies hungry on the banks of the River Euphrates, Umar will be responsible for dereliction of duty”. –Umar (RA)
Such was his sense of responsibility to his people.
______ .... ______

The Sahaba sat in a semi circle around their new leader. The Majlis-al-Shura included Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib and Abdur Rahman bin Awf; giants who were some of the closest Companions of the Prophet (SAW).

Umar (RA) sat crossed legged leaning against a wall. He read out loud the reports filtering in from Syria. The Sahaba’s faces were lit with expressions of relief as they listened.

Khalid bin Waleed (RA) had just recently entered Syria with 9000 veterans from the Persian campaign in Iraq and assessed the situation. The Muslim force of 32,000 were scattered across the land with 90,000 Romans concentrated at Ajnadein behind Muslim lines. The Roman concentration at Ajnadein had to be dealt with before further conquests could be made otherwise the Muslim forces would be picked off one division at a time. Khalid (RA) ordered all commanders to converge at Ajnadein with haste.

On July 30, 634, Khalid (RA) ordered a general assault and 32,000 Muslims fell upon 90,000 Romans. 50,000 Romans perished including the commander in chief, his deputy and several generals versus 450 dead on the Muslim side. The Roman army of Ajnadein cease to exist. Those who survived sought refuge behind the walls of Jerusalem, Gaza and Jaffa.

It was a crushing victory!

Umar (RA) heard murmurs of “Subhan Allah” in hushed tones from the gathered majlis, he continued.

A week after the mammoth battle, the combined army marched north to Damascus under Khalid’s (RA) orders. On Aug 20, 634 Khalid (RA) laid siege to the city with 20,000 men against a garrison of 15,000 deep inside Roman territory.

After two months of skirmishing with the Roman garrison, Khalid (RA) finally had an opening. Jonas the Greek crossed to the Muslim side and informed Khalid (RA) of a festival. During this festival the people would be drunk and the walls would have a skeleton crew manning them.

Khalid selected 100 of his elite soldiers and scaled the most impregnable point in the defenses. He and his men subdued the few men guarding the wall, dropped down on the other side and opened the gate from the inside. Khalid’s division rushed in and after several hours of fighting the city fell. The loss of Damascus was a staggering blow for Heraclius.

The army rested at Damascus awaiting their next orders.

Umar (RA) looked up at the Sahaba, paused and asked “What is your opinion?”

Dec 635 - 9 Months Before The Battle of Yarmuk

Two inches remained of a foot long candle that burned most of the night illuminating a map spread out across Heraclius desk. Alone and frustrated, he stared at the map dumbfounded! His generals marked those cities lost in battle over the past two years and those that remained.

Every manoeuvre Heraclius made was strategically flawless but ended in defeat. The first concentration at Ajnadein - failed. His attempt to limit the Muslim advance by a stout defense at Damascus - failed. The defensive manoeuvre at Baisan also failed.

After the fall of Damascus the Muslim army split into four divisions and spread out like birds migrating across the land. The flag of Islam spread quickly as city after city fell in quick succession to the onslaught.

In Syria; Emessa, Qinassareen, Hama, Shaizar, Asamiya and Ma’arra were conquered by Khalid (RA) and Abu Ubaidah (RA).

In Palestine; Nablus, Amawas, Gaza, and Yubna fell to Amr al Aas.

In Jordan; Shurahbeel subdued Tabariya.

Along the Mediterranean coast; Acre, Tyre, Sidon, Arqa, Jabail and Beirut were crushed by Yazeed and Shurahbeel.

Heraclius could not stop the bloodletting.

The Muslims went from victory to victory and by the summer of 636, they had conquered the frontier provinces of Palestine, Jordan and the southern part of Syria.


Muslim conquests by the summer of 636


Heraclius folded his arms and swivelled around in his chair staring at his shadow cast against the back wall. He stroked his beard and realized the situation had become critical. He had to move decisively and with overwhelming force if he had any chance of victory.

When Khalid (RA) broke into the Southern part of Syria, the Muslims threatened the economic wellbeing of the Empire. The cities in Syria were the key to power. Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo; they were sophisticated trading centers, outposts that received caravans from the east. Losing Syria meant losing a pillar of the Empires economic base.

Over the next few months, Heraclius would reach out across the empire and stretch his resources to face this mortal threat. He sought the Empires best generals and provided them with his best officers. He assembled an army of 150,000 men and concentrated them in the area of Antioch.

He appointed Mahan, King of Armenia the General of the Army.

Heraclius divided his forces into five divisions. His strategy was to isolate each Muslim division and attack them one at a time. His first target would be the army led by Khalid (RA) and Abu Ubaidah (RA) operating in the region of Hama and Emessa. He would attack from the front, the two wings and cut off their retreat to Damascus. Even Khalid (RA) would not be able to fend off an army 10 times his size.

Once Khalid (RA) was disposed of, he would move onto Beirut to confront Shurahbeel, Yazeed at Caesarea and Amr al Aas in Palestine. He would continue until his dominion was purified of this foreign threat.

It was Heraclius’ last chance and he knew it!


Roman plans for a counter offensive

July 636 - 5 Weeks Before the Battle of Yarmuk

Umar (RA) called the Majlis-al-Shura to gather at the Prophet’s (SAW) Mosque after fajr salat. They had been discussing, arguing and debating for the better part of the morning without reaching a conclusion. Umar (RA) was silent for most of the deliberation; he was lost in thought with the situation the Muslims found themselves in.

The wars in Syria and Iraq were going well but both had reached a boiling point. It was obvious to Umar (RA) that a decisive battle was coming in both arenas. He had an army encamped at Qadisiya in Iraq waiting for Rustam and the Persians to arrive but it was the situation in Syria that disturbed him on this day.

The Muslims conquests in Syria over the past two years were remarkable but the intelligence reports he received from Northern Syria was staggering; 120,000 to 150,000 soldiers amassing in the area surrounding Antioch. Even after such a bruising war, the Romans were still capable of fielding such a large force.

Umar’s (RA) keen strategic eye immediately understood Roman intentions and realized how vulnerable the Muslims were. The Muslim divisions were scattered across the land and could be picked off one at a time. Abu Ubaidah’s (RA) and Khalid’s (RA) division (which were furthest north) hung like an overripe fruit ready to be plucked.

The sun was reaching its zenith and Umar (RA) had other business to attend to. He final interjected and asked the assembled Majlis for their final opinion. Should they retreat into the desert and fight another day or challenge this juggernaut?

The Majlis fell silent. A Sahaba spoke up and said “It is Khalid’s (RA) opinion in this letter that the Muslims should face the enemy in battle.” The other notable Sahaba silently nodded their head in agreement.

Khalid’s (RA) reputation preceded him. Although Umar (RA) had issues with Khalid (RA), he respected his judgement in military matters. Second, retreating meant giving up all they had gained over the past two years which was not acceptable. Therefore the only decision left was to face the enemy head on.

Umar (RA) accepted their opinion and closed the meeting with a final du’a.
______ .... ______

Khalid (RA) and Abu Ubaidah (RA) beat a tactical retreat. If they’re going to face this Roman juggernaut, it would be as a combined army. All of the territory and cities conquered over the past two years were abandoned and each division converged on the scrubby plains of Yarmuk.


Muslim retreat to the plains of Yarmuk

Yarmuk was the battle of the century. It was a battle to decide the fate of this war. Heraclius placed the full weight of the Empire behind his army and he had nothing left to give.

By the time Mahan arrived on the plains of Yarmuk, he had anywhere between 80,000 to 120,000 professional soldiers. The Muslims had 30,000 to 40,000 men and no reserves.

Retreat was not an option for either side. The Muslims had invested two years and numerous lives just to reach this point and giving up was not in their nature, no matter what the odds. Heraclius fought the Persians for ten years just to regain Syria and he was not about to walk away.

The war had reached its climax. Only one side would be left standing and Yarmuk would decide it.

In the second week of Rajab in the 15th year after Hijra (3rd week of August 636), Mahan ordered a general assault on the Muslim line, marking day 1 of the Battle of Yarmuk.

The battle would last for six grueling days.

Mahan came within a hair widths edge of victory several times but the Khalid (RA) pushed him back from the brink. On the final day, the military brilliance of Khalid (RA) wiped Mahan’s army off the field. The Roman army was decimated, nothing remained of this army.

Those who escaped were not given reprieve. Mahan was in full retreat when Khalid (RA) and the mobile guard caught up with him on the road to Damascus and was killed.

The Muslim army spent one month recuperating before marching. The first target was Jerusalem. After a 4 month siege, Jerusalem surrendered.

The army broke up again. Amr and Shurahbeel marched to reoccupy Palestine and Jordan. Yazeed lay siege to Caesarea. Abu Ubaidah (RA) and Khalid (RA) set out to complete the conquest of Syria and the cities fell fast and furious.

Damascus, Qinassareen, Aleppo, Antioch, Latakia, Jabla, Tartus and Azaz all fell in quick succession. Once Azaz fell, Syria was secure. Azaz was the northern most point on the road to Constantinople it was the cork which sealed the Syrian bottle. With the conquest of Azaz, no large Roman army could threaten Syria.

By the end of 637 all of Northern Syria and the Western coast were under Muslim control except Caesarea which held out until 640.


Sept 637 - 1 Year After the Battle of Yarmuk

Heraclius was riding his ornamented horse in the lead and could see the pine, cedar and oak trees on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains; the Roman column wasapproaching the Cilician Gates pass. What remained of the Roman army was in full retreat to the safety of Anatolia.

Two years earlier, Heraclius travelled to Antioch to take direct control of military affairs but after the loss of the city, he had no choice but to abandon Syria.

He left a broken man.

The Empire he saved from the Persians was torn apart by nomads from the desert and his empire was in a perilous situation. He had committed all military resources to Syria and only had a token force to protect his capital. Any thoughts of returning to Syria were abandoned. His focus was now to keep what he had left.

Just as Heraclius entered the pass, he turned around to take one last look at Syria and with sorrow said


“Salutations to thee, O Syria! And farewell from one who departs. Never again shall the Roman return to thee except in fear. Oh, what a fine land I leave to the enemy!”

Muslims had look nothing more and nothing less

There is no historical evidence that this battle even happened
 
Muslims had look nothing more and nothing less

There is no historical evidence that this battle even happened
Yeah there was no war of independence in 1857 neither the world war 1 had happened.
 
Yeah there was no war of independence in 1857 neither the world war 1 had happened.
These wars are well documented while your history is made up by the Abbasids and the ummyyads
 
O Allah give us stern and decisive leaders like Abu Bakr (radiallah ta'ala anhu) and Umar (radiallah ta'ala anhu).
Paitent like Usman (radiallah ta'ala anhu) and Hussain (radiallah ta'ala anhu).
Worrior like Ali (radiallah ta'ala anhu).
General and commander like Khalid bin Waleed (radiallah ta'ala anhu) and Sultan Qutuz (rahimullah).
And grant us army like army of Sahabah who fought at Yarmuk, and army that fought battle of Ayn Al Jalut.
Give us victory like the one you gave to Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was'sallam).
Ameen rabbana.
--------------------


Wait Yazeed As in Yazeed Bin Muawaiya:o:

The Murderer of Syedina Imam Aali Maqam(Razi Allah Anhu)

Lol! There wasn't just one person with name of Yazeed. The Yazeed you're thinking wasn't even born when this battle took place even if he was he was a minor between the age of 5/10. This is Yazeed is son of Abu Suyan (radiallah ta'ala anhu). Abu Sufyan (radiallah ta'ala anhu) fought in battle of Yarmuk and his son - Yazeed Ibn Abu Sufyan - was commander of a portion of army.
 
There is a very nice book about Hazrat khalid bin Waleed(RA)'s life, talwar bin nayam... i highly recomend it to all of you
 
A nice read. Thanks for posting. And, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han (RA) made a closure with the conquest of Constantinople as foretold by a Hadis-i Sherif...
 
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