Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

THE BATTLE OF MUTAH
(629 A.D./ 8 A.H.)
CAUSES , _,
Of the epistles that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) despatched to various kinas and rulers inviting them towards Islam, one was sent to the Sg of Busrl through Harith bin Umair Azdi When Harith reached Mutah he was killed by Shurahbil Ghassam, Shurahbii was one of the Governors of Heracieus. The murder of the envoy was gainst alt SwlTf inter tribal morality. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was naturally very much upset when the news reached him is Sadf al-lJia, 8A.H. (August/September. 629 A-), the Holy Pronhet (TBUH) prepared an expedition of 3000 Muslims under Zaid bin Haritha to go north and to prove Romans that he was not afraid of them while nominating Zaid bin Haritha, a freed slave, to command the army, the Holy Prophet said:
”If Zaid is killed Jafar bin Abi Talib will be your commander, and if he is also nuatyied then Abdullah bin Rawahah will t«ke the command. If he too dies then you can %!ecc a wuiimiander from among yourselves.”
EVENTS .
Shurahbil received the information of the expedition through intelligence and prepared himself to meet the Muslims with an army of 1,00,000 strong. On their way they also heard a iwr mat Heracieus himself was coming with another army ot 1,00,000. The Muslims stopped at M^; for TWO nights to consider what they should -’«• C*. tnc enthusiastic and eloquent speecn of Abdullah bin Ravdhah, alTof them decided to meet the enemy at all cost.
Zaid with the standard in his hand directed the operations. A fierce battle took place. Shurahbil’s trotha was killed in action, and he himself fled from the field and took shelter in a fort. He sent a message to Heracieus who immediately despatched for his help another strong armv The Muslin* wsie now fighting against very heavy odds. Zaid bm’tUritha was kiUed and th. flag was taken over by Jafar. He intentionally disaHed IJs horse to dispel any idea of returning home from the battlefield, and jumped into the enemy lines. He fought to his death. Then Abdullah bin Rawahah took the Flag. He was also killed
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after a desperate fight. Then the Muslims selected Hazrat Khalid bin Walid as their commander. Khalid took hold of the standard and realised the extreme peril of the Muslim forces. He was a man beyond a rival in the art of war and in courage and skill. He ordered a realignment of the Muslim forces. The Muslims fought the enemy with great advantage. Eight swords were broken in Khalid’s hand. In the evening the fight was postponed till the next day.
The next day, Hazrat Khalid spread out his men in a long line as though he was going to envelop the enemy. But the Romans did not advance to fight, and Khalid, according to his plan, withdrew the army from Mutah to Medina. The Romans were too glad that the fight was over as they did not like to meet Khalid any more. The Muslims at Medina did not like their return in that way and on their return they threw dust on the faces of the returning soldiers saying. ”’O you runaways! You ran away from the Path of Allah! But the Holy Prophet (PBUH) consoled them and replied on their behalf, ”Not runaways, but if it pleases Allah, (Would) go-back once more.” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions were all in great sorrow on account of the loss of so many brave men and especially the three generals.