1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:03,740 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,740 --> 00:00:13,179 Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 3 00:00:13,179 --> 00:00:17,699 An Abridgment of the Prophetic Biography (Seerah), 4 00:00:17,699 --> 00:00:22,899 Authored by Sheikh Musa ibn Rashid al-'Azimi, 5 00:00:22,899 --> 00:00:25,059 May Allah preserve him. 6 00:00:25,059 --> 00:00:33,299 The Eighth Year of the Hijrah: 7 00:00:33,299 --> 00:00:36,140 The Battle of Mu'tah. 8 00:00:36,140 --> 00:00:43,259 This battle took place in Jumada al-Ula in the eighth year of the Hijrah. 9 00:00:43,259 --> 00:00:45,509 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: 10 00:00:45,509 --> 00:00:50,579 "This expedition served as a prelude to the subsequent campaigns against the Byzantines, 11 00:00:50,579 --> 00:00:53,579 And as an act of deterrence against the enemies of Allah and His Messenger." 12 00:00:53,579 --> 00:00:56,899 Its army was known as the "Army of the Commanders." 13 00:00:56,899 --> 00:01:01,929 For Imam Ahmad recorded in his *Musnad* with a good chain of transmission 14 00:01:01,929 --> 00:01:04,930 On the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 15 00:01:04,930 --> 00:01:09,930 "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) dispatched the Army of the Commanders, 16 00:01:09,930 --> 00:01:13,930 Saying, 'Your leader is Zayd ibn Harithah; 17 00:01:13,930 --> 00:01:16,930 If Zayd is struck down, then Ja'far; 18 00:01:16,930 --> 00:01:24,069 And if Ja'far is struck down, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah al-Ansari.'" 19 00:01:24,069 --> 00:01:26,069 The cause of this battle: 20 00:01:26,069 --> 00:01:33,709 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched al-Harith ibn 'Umayr al-Azdi (may Allah be pleased with him) 21 00:01:33,709 --> 00:01:36,709 With his letter to the ruler of Busra. 22 00:01:36,709 --> 00:01:38,709 When he arrived at Mu'tah, 23 00:01:38,709 --> 00:01:41,709 Shurahbil ibn 'Amr al-Ghassani intercepted him 24 00:01:41,709 --> 00:01:43,709 And killed him. 25 00:01:43,709 --> 00:01:48,709 No emissary of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was ever killed other than him. 26 00:01:48,709 --> 00:01:53,810 Killing envoys and emissaries was among the most heinous of crimes, 27 00:01:53,810 --> 00:01:58,810 As established custom and diplomatic norm forbade killing them or harming them. 28 00:01:58,810 --> 00:02:03,810 Imam Ahmad recorded in his *Musnad*, Abu Dawud in his *Sunan*, 29 00:02:03,810 --> 00:02:07,810 And al-Hakim in his *Mustadrak* with a good chain of transmission 30 00:02:07,810 --> 00:02:11,810 On the authority of Nu'aym ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 31 00:02:11,810 --> 00:02:17,810 "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say to the two emissaries of Musaylimah, 32 00:02:17,810 --> 00:02:20,810 When he read Musaylimah's letter, 33 00:02:20,810 --> 00:02:22,810 'What do you two say?' 34 00:02:22,810 --> 00:02:24,810 They replied, 35 00:02:24,810 --> 00:02:26,840 'We say as he says.' 36 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,870 Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 37 00:02:30,870 --> 00:02:33,870 'By Allah, were it not that emissaries are not to be killed, 38 00:02:33,870 --> 00:02:36,870 I would have struck off your necks.'" 39 00:02:36,870 --> 00:02:41,949 The Preparation of the Army of the Commanders: 40 00:02:41,949 --> 00:02:47,009 When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) received 41 00:02:47,009 --> 00:02:52,009 The news of the murder of his emissary al-Harith ibn 'Umayr al-Azdi (may Allah be pleased with him), 42 00:02:52,009 --> 00:02:57,009 He mobilized the people to go out and fight the Byzantines and the Ghassanids. 43 00:02:57,009 --> 00:03:00,009 The people prepared to march forth, 44 00:03:00,009 --> 00:03:02,009 And the strength of the Army of the Commanders was 45 00:03:02,009 --> 00:03:05,009 Three thousand fighters, 46 00:03:05,009 --> 00:03:10,009 Which was the largest Muslim army ever assembled up to that time. 47 00:03:10,009 --> 00:03:15,009 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) placed in command of this army 48 00:03:15,009 --> 00:03:19,009 His freedman Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him). 49 00:03:19,009 --> 00:03:22,009 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 50 00:03:22,009 --> 00:03:26,009 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 51 00:03:26,009 --> 00:03:31,009 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) appointed over the expedition of Mu'tah 52 00:03:31,009 --> 00:03:34,009 Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him), 53 00:03:34,009 --> 00:03:38,009 And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 54 00:03:38,009 --> 00:03:41,009 'If Zayd is killed, then Ja'far; 55 00:03:41,009 --> 00:03:45,009 And if Ja'far is killed, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah.'" 56 00:03:45,009 --> 00:03:50,009 In the narration of Imam Ahmad in his *Musnad* with a good chain of transmission, 57 00:03:50,009 --> 00:03:54,009 On the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 58 00:03:54,009 --> 00:03:59,009 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched the Army of the Commanders, 59 00:03:59,009 --> 00:04:03,009 Saying: 'Your leader is Zayd ibn Harithah; 60 00:04:03,009 --> 00:04:06,009 If Zayd is struck down, then Ja'far; 61 00:04:06,009 --> 00:04:11,009 And if Ja'far is struck down, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah al-Ansari.'" 62 00:04:11,009 --> 00:04:18,019 The Army of the Commanders set out for Mu'tah, 63 00:04:18,019 --> 00:04:23,920 And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) tied a white banner for them 64 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:28,019 And handed it to Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him). 65 00:04:29,019 --> 00:04:34,019 He instructed them to march to the place where al-Harith ibn 'Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him) had been slain, 66 00:04:34,019 --> 00:04:37,019 And to invite the people there to Islam; 67 00:04:37,019 --> 00:04:42,019 If they accepted, well and good; otherwise, they were to seek Allah's help against them and fight them. 68 00:04:42,019 --> 00:04:46,019 Among those who marched forth in this momentous campaign was 69 00:04:46,019 --> 00:04:49,019 Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him), 70 00:04:49,019 --> 00:04:52,019 And this was his first military engagement in Islam. 71 00:04:52,019 --> 00:04:56,050 The Army of the Commanders marched toward their enemy in the Levant 72 00:04:56,050 --> 00:04:59,050 Until they reached Ma'an. 73 00:04:59,050 --> 00:05:05,050 There, news reached them that Heraclius, Emperor of the Byzantines, had encamped at Ma'ab in the region of al-Balqa' 74 00:05:05,050 --> 00:05:07,050 With one hundred thousand Byzantine troops, 75 00:05:07,050 --> 00:05:12,050 Joined by Christian Arab tribes from Lakhm and Judham, 76 00:05:12,050 --> 00:05:17,050 As well as the Quda'ah clans of Bahra', Bali, and al-Qayn. 77 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:21,050 Thus the combined army of the Byzantines and Ghassanids numbered 78 00:05:21,050 --> 00:05:23,050 Two hundred thousand fighters. 79 00:05:27,939 --> 00:05:30,939 Faced with this overwhelming force of Byzantines and Ghassanids, 80 00:05:30,939 --> 00:05:37,610 The Muslims had never anticipated confronting such an enormous host 81 00:05:37,610 --> 00:05:39,610 As the one that took them by surprise. 82 00:05:39,610 --> 00:05:43,610 They remained in Ma'an for two nights deliberating their course of action, 83 00:05:43,610 --> 00:05:49,610 Saying, "Let us write to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 84 00:05:49,610 --> 00:05:52,610 To inform him of our enemy's numbers, 85 00:05:52,610 --> 00:05:55,610 So that he may either reinforce us with more men 86 00:05:55,610 --> 00:05:58,610 Or issue us a command that we will carry out." 87 00:05:58,610 --> 00:06:02,699 Thereupon 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 88 00:06:02,699 --> 00:06:06,699 "O my people! By Allah, the very thing you dread 89 00:06:06,699 --> 00:06:08,699 Is that which you came out seeking: 90 00:06:08,699 --> 00:06:10,699 Martyrdom! 91 00:06:10,699 --> 00:06:13,699 We do not fight the enemy by virtue of numbers, nor by strength; 92 00:06:13,699 --> 00:06:18,699 We fight them only with this religion with which Allah has honored us. 93 00:06:18,699 --> 00:06:20,699 So march forward! 94 00:06:20,699 --> 00:06:23,699 For it is surely one of the two best outcomes: 95 00:06:23,699 --> 00:06:26,699 Either victory or martyrdom." 96 00:06:26,699 --> 00:06:28,829 The men agreed with him, 97 00:06:28,829 --> 00:06:32,939 And they rose to advance. 98 00:06:32,939 --> 00:06:36,939 The Army of the Commanders advanced toward their enemy: 99 00:06:36,939 --> 00:06:42,490 At that point, the Army of the Commanders advanced into enemy territory, 100 00:06:42,490 --> 00:06:46,490 After the Muslims had spent two nights in Ma'an. 101 00:06:46,490 --> 00:06:50,490 When they reached the borders of al-Balqa', 102 00:06:50,490 --> 00:06:55,490 The Byzantine and Ghassanid forces, along with Christian Arabs and others, met them 103 00:06:55,490 --> 00:06:58,490 At a village called Masharif. 104 00:06:58,490 --> 00:07:00,490 Then the enemy drew closer, 105 00:07:00,490 --> 00:07:04,490 And the Muslims pulled back toward a village called Mu'tah. 106 00:07:04,490 --> 00:07:07,579 There the two forces met, 107 00:07:07,579 --> 00:07:09,579 And the Muslims drew up their battle lines: 108 00:07:09,579 --> 00:07:13,579 They placed Qutbah ibn Qatadah over their right wing, 109 00:07:13,579 --> 00:07:18,579 And 'Ubayah ibn Malik al-Ansari over their left wing. 110 00:07:18,579 --> 00:07:25,860 The Outbreak of Battle and Succession of Commanders: 111 00:07:25,860 --> 00:07:29,399 The two armies clashed at Mu'tah, 112 00:07:29,399 --> 00:07:31,399 And fierce, bitter fighting began: 113 00:07:31,399 --> 00:07:37,399 Three thousand fighters confronting two hundred thousand warriors— 114 00:07:37,399 --> 00:07:41,399 A battle watched by the world in awe and astonishment. 115 00:07:41,399 --> 00:07:47,399 Yet when the winds of faith blow, they bring forth wonders. 116 00:07:47,399 --> 00:07:55,509 The banner in the hand of Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him): 117 00:07:55,509 --> 00:08:00,089 Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) took up the banner, 118 00:08:00,089 --> 00:08:04,089 The beloved of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 119 00:08:04,089 --> 00:08:09,089 And fought with tremendous ferocity and rare valor, 120 00:08:09,089 --> 00:08:12,089 With the Muslims fighting alongside him, 121 00:08:12,089 --> 00:08:15,089 Until he fell, pierced by spears, 122 00:08:15,089 --> 00:08:18,089 Collapsing as a martyr (may Allah be pleased with him). 123 00:08:18,089 --> 00:08:23,250 Al-Hakim recorded in *al-Mustadrak* with an acceptable *mursal* chain 124 00:08:23,250 --> 00:08:27,250 On the authority of 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 125 00:08:27,250 --> 00:08:31,250 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched 126 00:08:31,250 --> 00:08:33,250 An expedition to Mu'tah, 127 00:08:33,250 --> 00:08:36,250 And Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) fought 128 00:08:36,250 --> 00:08:40,250 Holding the banner of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 129 00:08:40,250 --> 00:08:43,250 In Jumada al-Ula of the eighth year, 130 00:08:43,250 --> 00:08:46,250 Until he fell amidst the enemy's spears." 131 00:08:46,250 --> 00:08:54,330 The banner in the hand of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him): 132 00:08:54,330 --> 00:08:58,289 When Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) fell, 133 00:08:58,289 --> 00:09:03,289 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) took up the banner 134 00:09:03,289 --> 00:09:07,289 And fought with peerless courage, 135 00:09:07,289 --> 00:09:10,320 Until, when the fighting grew overwhelming around him, 136 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,320 He dismounted from his horse and hamstrung it— 137 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,320 It being the first horse to be hamstrung in Islam— 138 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,320 Reciting: 139 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,320 "How wonderful is Paradise and its drawing near, 140 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,320 Sweet and cool is its water! 141 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:28,320 While the Byzantines, their torment has drawn near, 142 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,320 Disbelievers of distant lineage; 143 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:35,320 It is upon me, when I meet them, to strike them down." 144 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,509 Then his right hand was severed (may Allah be pleased with him), 145 00:09:38,509 --> 00:09:41,509 So he took the banner in his left hand, 146 00:09:41,509 --> 00:09:43,509 And his left hand was severed as well, 147 00:09:43,509 --> 00:09:45,509 So he clasped the banner with his upper arms 148 00:09:45,509 --> 00:09:48,509 Until he was martyred (may Allah be pleased with him). 149 00:09:48,509 --> 00:09:50,509 Allah, Glorified be He, rewarded him 150 00:09:50,509 --> 00:09:53,509 In exchange with two wings in Paradise, 151 00:09:53,509 --> 00:09:57,509 With which he flies wherever he wills (may Allah be pleased with him), 152 00:09:57,509 --> 00:10:00,509 Which is why he was called Ja'far the Flying (al-Tayyar). 153 00:10:00,509 --> 00:10:03,539 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: 154 00:10:03,539 --> 00:10:05,539 "He was killed (may Allah be pleased with him) 155 00:10:05,539 --> 00:10:08,539 At thirty-three years of age, according to the correct view." 156 00:10:08,539 --> 00:10:11,740 Abu Dawud recorded in his *Sunan* 157 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:13,740 And al-Hakim in his *Mustadrak*— 158 00:10:13,740 --> 00:10:15,740 The wording being al-Hakim's— 159 00:10:15,740 --> 00:10:17,740 With a good chain of transmission 160 00:10:17,740 --> 00:10:20,740 On the authority of Yahya ibn 'Abbad ibn 'Abdillah ibn al-Zubayr, 161 00:10:21,740 --> 00:10:23,740 From his father, from his grandfather, who said: 162 00:10:23,740 --> 00:10:25,740 "My foster father, 163 00:10:25,740 --> 00:10:28,740 Who had nursed me from Banu Murrah, told me: 164 00:10:28,740 --> 00:10:32,740 'It is as though I am looking at Ja'far ibn Abi Talib 165 00:10:32,740 --> 00:10:35,740 (May Allah be pleased with him) on the day of Mu'tah; 166 00:10:35,740 --> 00:10:38,740 He dismounted from a reddish mare of his and hamstrung it'— 167 00:10:38,740 --> 00:10:41,740 Meaning he cut its hocks— 168 00:10:41,740 --> 00:10:44,740 'Then he advanced and fought until he was killed.'" 169 00:10:44,740 --> 00:10:47,929 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 170 00:10:47,929 --> 00:10:49,929 On the authority of Nafi', who said: 171 00:10:49,929 --> 00:10:52,929 "Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported 172 00:10:52,929 --> 00:10:55,929 That he stood over Ja'far on that day 173 00:10:55,929 --> 00:10:57,929 While he lay slain: 174 00:10:57,929 --> 00:11:01,929 'I counted on his body fifty wounds from spear-thrusts and sword-strikes, 175 00:11:01,929 --> 00:11:04,929 Not a single one of them on his back'"— 176 00:11:04,929 --> 00:11:06,929 Meaning from behind. 177 00:11:06,929 --> 00:11:11,120 Imams al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim, and Ibn Hibban recorded— 178 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,120 The wording being that of Ibn Hibban— 179 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,120 With a good chain of transmission 180 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:18,120 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 181 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:22,120 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 182 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:27,120 'I was shown Ja'far as an angel flying with his two wings in Paradise.'" 183 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,279 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 184 00:11:30,279 --> 00:11:33,279 On the authority of 'Amir al-Sha'bi, who said: 185 00:11:33,279 --> 00:11:36,279 "Whenever Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) 186 00:11:36,279 --> 00:11:39,279 Greeted the son of Ja'far, 187 00:11:39,279 --> 00:11:44,279 He would say, 'Peace be upon you, O son of the Two-Winged.'" 188 00:11:44,279 --> 00:11:51,980 The banner in the hand of 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with him): 189 00:11:51,980 --> 00:11:55,620 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah took up the banner 190 00:11:55,620 --> 00:11:59,620 And carried it after Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred. 191 00:11:59,620 --> 00:12:03,620 He then advanced with it while on his horse, 192 00:12:03,620 --> 00:12:05,620 Urging himself to dismount 193 00:12:05,620 --> 00:12:08,620 Yet experiencing a moment of hesitation, 194 00:12:08,620 --> 00:12:10,620 Whereupon he said: 195 00:12:10,620 --> 00:12:13,620 "I swear, O soul of mine, you shall certainly dismount, 196 00:12:13,620 --> 00:12:16,620 You shall dismount willingly, or you shall be compelled! 197 00:12:16,620 --> 00:12:19,620 If the men raise their battle-cries and the clamor intensifies, 198 00:12:19,620 --> 00:12:23,809 Why do I see you loathing Paradise?" 199 00:12:23,809 --> 00:12:25,809 He also said: 200 00:12:25,809 --> 00:12:28,809 "O soul, if you are not slain, you will still surely die; 201 00:12:28,809 --> 00:12:31,809 This is the fate of death into which you have entered. 202 00:12:31,809 --> 00:12:34,809 What you have long wished for, you have now been granted; 203 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:38,809 And if you do as the two of them did, you are rightly guided." 204 00:12:38,809 --> 00:12:42,840 Then he advanced and fought until he was killed, may Allah be pleased with him. 205 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:48,350 *Abridged Prophetic Biography (Seerah)*: 206 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:55,350 "Though the longing of people for one another may stretch long, 207 00:12:55,350 --> 00:13:02,960 The longing for you knows no bounds. 208 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:08,960 May Allah send blessings upon you as long as the call to prayer is raised, 209 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:15,919 And as long as lips move 210 00:13:15,919 --> 00:13:17,919 In utter devotion."