Breaking the ice at the Battle of Yarmouk
The Battle of Yarmouk took place over six days in August 636 when the Islamic State (the Caliphate) was under the rule of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) closest companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). The battle comprised a series of engagements between the Islamic Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire near the Yarmouk River, along what is today the border between Syria and Jordan, south-east of the See of Galilee. It is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in human history, and marked the first great wave of Islamic conquests after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Here is how the battle began.
At dawn the Muslim corps lined up for fajr salah (dawn prayer) under their respective commanders. As soon as the prayers were over, every man ruished to his assigned place. By sunrise both armies stood a little less than a mile apart awaiting the battle to commence.
Then, a Byzantine general by the name of George (known as Jarjah in Arabic) emerged from the Byzantine army and rode towards the Muslims. Halting a short distance from the Muslims he raised his voice and asked for Khalid bin Waleed. Khalid, one of the commanders of the Muslim army, rode out with the anticipation of beginning this epic battle with a duel with George.
However, this duel was unusual. As Khalid drew near, the Roman made no move to draw his sword and begin fighting. Instead, he proceeded to ask Khalid a few questions.
General George said to General Khalid in Arabic:
“O Khalid, tell me the truth and do not decieve me, for the free do not lie and the noble do not decieve. Is it true that Allah send a sword from heaven to your Prophet? . . . And that he gave it to you? . . . And that never have you drawn it but your enemies have been defeated?”
“No!” replied Khalid.
“Then why are you known as the sword of Allah?”
At this point, Khalid explained to George how he recieved the title of Sword of Allah from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He recieved this title after triumphing by the Will of Allah at the Battle of Mut’ah.
At this, George asked Khalid:
“Tell me, to what do you call me?”
Khalid replied, “To bear witness that there is none to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and to believe in what he has brought from Allah.”
“If I do not agree?”, asked George.
“Then the Jizya (a tax), and you shall be under our protection.”
“If I still do not agree?”
“Then the sword!“, exclaimed Khalid.
George considered the words of Khalid for a few moments, then asked:
“What is the position of one who enters your faith today?”
“In our faith there is only one position. All are equal,” replied Khalid.
“Then I accept your faith!”, George concluded. [Conversation narrated in Tabari, Vol 2, p595]
Glory be to Allah, how amazing! This epic battle began with the conversion of one of the Byzantine commanders to Islam! We learn here of the straight forward truth that Khalid bin Waleed spoke. He explained in clear terms, using just a few words with vast meanings the fundamentals of the Islam. It is never too late to become Muslim, as long as one is alive – even if he was just about to fight Islam!
What’s even more astonishing is the fate that Allah, may He be exalted and glorified, had in store for George. A few hours later that very day, George would fight heroically for the faith he had just embraced and die a martyr.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they have provision.” [Surah Ale Imran: 169]
A fitting end for a seeker of truth.
History never forgets the brave,but the cowards go down the drains of history.
May Allah(swt)grant us the courage of facing the enemies of Islam at the battle field, killing them and being killed as well for we seek martyrdom and they are surely bound for the pits of Hell.
May Allah(swt)send down Sakinah on all the Muslims that are being oppressed in the world, AMEEN.