WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:03.740 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:13.179 Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:17.699 An Abridgment of the Prophetic Biography (Seerah), 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:22.899 Authored by Sheikh Musa ibn Rashid al-'Azimi, 00:00:22.899 --> 00:00:25.059 May Allah preserve him. 00:00:25.059 --> 00:00:33.299 The Eighth Year of the Hijrah: 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:36.140 The Battle of Mu'tah. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:43.259 This battle took place in Jumada al-Ula in the eighth year of the Hijrah. 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:45.509 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: 00:00:45.509 --> 00:00:50.579 "This expedition served as a prelude to the subsequent campaigns against the Byzantines, 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:53.579 And as an act of deterrence against the enemies of Allah and His Messenger." 00:00:53.579 --> 00:00:56.899 Its army was known as the "Army of the Commanders." 00:00:56.899 --> 00:01:01.929 For Imam Ahmad recorded in his *Musnad* with a good chain of transmission 00:01:01.929 --> 00:01:04.930 On the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 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, 00:01:09.930 --> 00:01:13.930 Saying, 'Your leader is Zayd ibn Harithah; 00:01:13.930 --> 00:01:16.930 If Zayd is struck down, then Ja'far; 00:01:16.930 --> 00:01:24.069 And if Ja'far is struck down, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah al-Ansari.'" 00:01:24.069 --> 00:01:26.069 The cause of this battle: 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) 00:01:33.709 --> 00:01:36.709 With his letter to the ruler of Busra. 00:01:36.709 --> 00:01:38.709 When he arrived at Mu'tah, 00:01:38.709 --> 00:01:41.709 Shurahbil ibn 'Amr al-Ghassani intercepted him 00:01:41.709 --> 00:01:43.709 And killed him. 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. 00:01:48.709 --> 00:01:53.810 Killing envoys and emissaries was among the most heinous of crimes, 00:01:53.810 --> 00:01:58.810 As established custom and diplomatic norm forbade killing them or harming them. 00:01:58.810 --> 00:02:03.810 Imam Ahmad recorded in his *Musnad*, Abu Dawud in his *Sunan*, 00:02:03.810 --> 00:02:07.810 And al-Hakim in his *Mustadrak* with a good chain of transmission 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: 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, 00:02:17.810 --> 00:02:20.810 When he read Musaylimah's letter, 00:02:20.810 --> 00:02:22.810 'What do you two say?' 00:02:22.810 --> 00:02:24.810 They replied, 00:02:24.810 --> 00:02:26.840 'We say as he says.' 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.870 Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:02:30.870 --> 00:02:33.870 'By Allah, were it not that emissaries are not to be killed, 00:02:33.870 --> 00:02:36.870 I would have struck off your necks.'" 00:02:36.870 --> 00:02:41.949 The Preparation of the Army of the Commanders: 00:02:41.949 --> 00:02:47.009 When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) received 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), 00:02:52.009 --> 00:02:57.009 He mobilized the people to go out and fight the Byzantines and the Ghassanids. 00:02:57.009 --> 00:03:00.009 The people prepared to march forth, 00:03:00.009 --> 00:03:02.009 And the strength of the Army of the Commanders was 00:03:02.009 --> 00:03:05.009 Three thousand fighters, 00:03:05.009 --> 00:03:10.009 Which was the largest Muslim army ever assembled up to that time. 00:03:10.009 --> 00:03:15.009 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) placed in command of this army 00:03:15.009 --> 00:03:19.009 His freedman Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:03:19.009 --> 00:03:22.009 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 00:03:22.009 --> 00:03:26.009 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:03:26.009 --> 00:03:31.009 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) appointed over the expedition of Mu'tah 00:03:31.009 --> 00:03:34.009 Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:03:34.009 --> 00:03:38.009 And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:03:38.009 --> 00:03:41.009 'If Zayd is killed, then Ja'far; 00:03:41.009 --> 00:03:45.009 And if Ja'far is killed, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah.'" 00:03:45.009 --> 00:03:50.009 In the narration of Imam Ahmad in his *Musnad* with a good chain of transmission, 00:03:50.009 --> 00:03:54.009 On the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:03:54.009 --> 00:03:59.009 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched the Army of the Commanders, 00:03:59.009 --> 00:04:03.009 Saying: 'Your leader is Zayd ibn Harithah; 00:04:03.009 --> 00:04:06.009 If Zayd is struck down, then Ja'far; 00:04:06.009 --> 00:04:11.009 And if Ja'far is struck down, then 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah al-Ansari.'" 00:04:11.009 --> 00:04:18.019 The Army of the Commanders set out for Mu'tah, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:23.920 And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) tied a white banner for them 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:28.019 And handed it to Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him). 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, 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:37.019 And to invite the people there to Islam; 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. 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:46.019 Among those who marched forth in this momentous campaign was 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:49.019 Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:52.019 And this was his first military engagement in Islam. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:56.050 The Army of the Commanders marched toward their enemy in the Levant 00:04:56.050 --> 00:04:59.050 Until they reached Ma'an. 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' 00:05:05.050 --> 00:05:07.050 With one hundred thousand Byzantine troops, 00:05:07.050 --> 00:05:12.050 Joined by Christian Arab tribes from Lakhm and Judham, 00:05:12.050 --> 00:05:17.050 As well as the Quda'ah clans of Bahra', Bali, and al-Qayn. 00:05:17.050 --> 00:05:21.050 Thus the combined army of the Byzantines and Ghassanids numbered 00:05:21.050 --> 00:05:23.050 Two hundred thousand fighters. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:30.939 Faced with this overwhelming force of Byzantines and Ghassanids, 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:37.610 The Muslims had never anticipated confronting such an enormous host 00:05:37.610 --> 00:05:39.610 As the one that took them by surprise. 00:05:39.610 --> 00:05:43.610 They remained in Ma'an for two nights deliberating their course of action, 00:05:43.610 --> 00:05:49.610 Saying, "Let us write to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:05:49.610 --> 00:05:52.610 To inform him of our enemy's numbers, 00:05:52.610 --> 00:05:55.610 So that he may either reinforce us with more men 00:05:55.610 --> 00:05:58.610 Or issue us a command that we will carry out." 00:05:58.610 --> 00:06:02.699 Thereupon 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:06.699 "O my people! By Allah, the very thing you dread 00:06:06.699 --> 00:06:08.699 Is that which you came out seeking: 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:10.699 Martyrdom! 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:13.699 We do not fight the enemy by virtue of numbers, nor by strength; 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:18.699 We fight them only with this religion with which Allah has honored us. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:20.699 So march forward! 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:23.699 For it is surely one of the two best outcomes: 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:26.699 Either victory or martyrdom." 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:28.829 The men agreed with him, 00:06:28.829 --> 00:06:32.939 And they rose to advance. 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:36.939 The Army of the Commanders advanced toward their enemy: 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:42.490 At that point, the Army of the Commanders advanced into enemy territory, 00:06:42.490 --> 00:06:46.490 After the Muslims had spent two nights in Ma'an. 00:06:46.490 --> 00:06:50.490 When they reached the borders of al-Balqa', 00:06:50.490 --> 00:06:55.490 The Byzantine and Ghassanid forces, along with Christian Arabs and others, met them 00:06:55.490 --> 00:06:58.490 At a village called Masharif. 00:06:58.490 --> 00:07:00.490 Then the enemy drew closer, 00:07:00.490 --> 00:07:04.490 And the Muslims pulled back toward a village called Mu'tah. 00:07:04.490 --> 00:07:07.579 There the two forces met, 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:09.579 And the Muslims drew up their battle lines: 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:13.579 They placed Qutbah ibn Qatadah over their right wing, 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:18.579 And 'Ubayah ibn Malik al-Ansari over their left wing. 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:25.860 The Outbreak of Battle and Succession of Commanders: 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:29.399 The two armies clashed at Mu'tah, 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:31.399 And fierce, bitter fighting began: 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:37.399 Three thousand fighters confronting two hundred thousand warriors— 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:41.399 A battle watched by the world in awe and astonishment. 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:47.399 Yet when the winds of faith blow, they bring forth wonders. 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:55.509 The banner in the hand of Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him): 00:07:55.509 --> 00:08:00.089 Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) took up the banner, 00:08:00.089 --> 00:08:04.089 The beloved of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:08:04.089 --> 00:08:09.089 And fought with tremendous ferocity and rare valor, 00:08:09.089 --> 00:08:12.089 With the Muslims fighting alongside him, 00:08:12.089 --> 00:08:15.089 Until he fell, pierced by spears, 00:08:15.089 --> 00:08:18.089 Collapsing as a martyr (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:08:18.089 --> 00:08:23.250 Al-Hakim recorded in *al-Mustadrak* with an acceptable *mursal* chain 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: 00:08:27.250 --> 00:08:31.250 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispatched 00:08:31.250 --> 00:08:33.250 An expedition to Mu'tah, 00:08:33.250 --> 00:08:36.250 And Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) fought 00:08:36.250 --> 00:08:40.250 Holding the banner of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:08:40.250 --> 00:08:43.250 In Jumada al-Ula of the eighth year, 00:08:43.250 --> 00:08:46.250 Until he fell amidst the enemy's spears." 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): 00:08:54.330 --> 00:08:58.289 When Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) fell, 00:08:58.289 --> 00:09:03.289 Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) took up the banner 00:09:03.289 --> 00:09:07.289 And fought with peerless courage, 00:09:07.289 --> 00:09:10.320 Until, when the fighting grew overwhelming around him, 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:13.320 He dismounted from his horse and hamstrung it— 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:16.320 It being the first horse to be hamstrung in Islam— 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:18.320 Reciting: 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:21.320 "How wonderful is Paradise and its drawing near, 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:24.320 Sweet and cool is its water! 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:28.320 While the Byzantines, their torment has drawn near, 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.320 Disbelievers of distant lineage; 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:35.320 It is upon me, when I meet them, to strike them down." 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:38.509 Then his right hand was severed (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:09:38.509 --> 00:09:41.509 So he took the banner in his left hand, 00:09:41.509 --> 00:09:43.509 And his left hand was severed as well, 00:09:43.509 --> 00:09:45.509 So he clasped the banner with his upper arms 00:09:45.509 --> 00:09:48.509 Until he was martyred (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:09:48.509 --> 00:09:50.509 Allah, Glorified be He, rewarded him 00:09:50.509 --> 00:09:53.509 In exchange with two wings in Paradise, 00:09:53.509 --> 00:09:57.509 With which he flies wherever he wills (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:09:57.509 --> 00:10:00.509 Which is why he was called Ja'far the Flying (al-Tayyar). 00:10:00.509 --> 00:10:03.539 Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:05.539 "He was killed (may Allah be pleased with him) 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:08.539 At thirty-three years of age, according to the correct view." 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:11.740 Abu Dawud recorded in his *Sunan* 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:13.740 And al-Hakim in his *Mustadrak*— 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.740 The wording being al-Hakim's— 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.740 With a good chain of transmission 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:20.740 On the authority of Yahya ibn 'Abbad ibn 'Abdillah ibn al-Zubayr, 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.740 From his father, from his grandfather, who said: 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:25.740 "My foster father, 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:28.740 Who had nursed me from Banu Murrah, told me: 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:32.740 'It is as though I am looking at Ja'far ibn Abi Talib 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:35.740 (May Allah be pleased with him) on the day of Mu'tah; 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:38.740 He dismounted from a reddish mare of his and hamstrung it'— 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:41.740 Meaning he cut its hocks— 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.740 'Then he advanced and fought until he was killed.'" 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:47.929 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 00:10:47.929 --> 00:10:49.929 On the authority of Nafi', who said: 00:10:49.929 --> 00:10:52.929 "Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported 00:10:52.929 --> 00:10:55.929 That he stood over Ja'far on that day 00:10:55.929 --> 00:10:57.929 While he lay slain: 00:10:57.929 --> 00:11:01.929 'I counted on his body fifty wounds from spear-thrusts and sword-strikes, 00:11:01.929 --> 00:11:04.929 Not a single one of them on his back'"— 00:11:04.929 --> 00:11:06.929 Meaning from behind. 00:11:06.929 --> 00:11:11.120 Imams al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim, and Ibn Hibban recorded— 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.120 The wording being that of Ibn Hibban— 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:15.120 With a good chain of transmission 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:18.120 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:22.120 "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:27.120 'I was shown Ja'far as an angel flying with his two wings in Paradise.'" 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.279 Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his *Sahih* 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:33.279 On the authority of 'Amir al-Sha'bi, who said: 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:36.279 "Whenever Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:39.279 Greeted the son of Ja'far, 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:44.279 He would say, 'Peace be upon you, O son of the Two-Winged.'" 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:51.980 The banner in the hand of 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with him): 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:55.620 'Abdullah ibn Rawahah took up the banner 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:59.620 And carried it after Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:03.620 He then advanced with it while on his horse, 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:05.620 Urging himself to dismount 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:08.620 Yet experiencing a moment of hesitation, 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:10.620 Whereupon he said: 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:13.620 "I swear, O soul of mine, you shall certainly dismount, 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:16.620 You shall dismount willingly, or you shall be compelled! 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.620 If the men raise their battle-cries and the clamor intensifies, 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.809 Why do I see you loathing Paradise?" 00:12:23.809 --> 00:12:25.809 He also said: 00:12:25.809 --> 00:12:28.809 "O soul, if you are not slain, you will still surely die; 00:12:28.809 --> 00:12:31.809 This is the fate of death into which you have entered. 00:12:31.809 --> 00:12:34.809 What you have long wished for, you have now been granted; 00:12:34.809 --> 00:12:38.809 And if you do as the two of them did, you are rightly guided." 00:12:38.809 --> 00:12:42.840 Then he advanced and fought until he was killed, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:48.350 *Abridged Prophetic Biography (Seerah)*: 00:12:48.350 --> 00:12:55.350 "Though the longing of people for one another may stretch long, 00:12:55.350 --> 00:13:02.960 The longing for you knows no bounds. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:08.960 May Allah send blessings upon you as long as the call to prayer is raised, 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:15.919 And as long as lips move 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.919 In utter devotion."