Islam Across Arabia

Similarly a confrontation was hosted between Banu Llail. Muslims came out successful in that confrontation. Mohammed sent another delegation of fifteen persons to Bathu Balsa. There also all the members of the delegation except the head was murdered. Apart from these incidents the atmosphere was calm. The Governor of Yemen embraced Islam. Mohammed then started planning to take Islam throughout Arabian sub continent. Mohammed returned to Medina and started preparation to lead an army to Mutha. Some historians say that the reason for such an event was to revenge those who murdered cheating Mohammed’s companions at Dathu Bahal. Some others say that Mohammed had sent messenger to the Governor of Hirocleus at Bazra. An uncultured Arab murdered him in the name of Hirocleus and it was to teach a lesson to the Governor and his companions the attack was planned. Accordingly an army of two thousand soldiers under the command of Zain Ibn Harin was send to Muhtha.  Mohammed instructed Jafr Ibn Abu Talib should take up the command if anything happens to Zaid and in case anything happens to Jaffer, Abdullha Ibn Rauda would take up the leadership. Khalid Ibn Walid also joined the army as a voluntary soldier. Mohammed also accompanied them to the boundary of Medina. He gave instructions to them that they should not kill any women or children or aged people or destroy the buildings and also cut the trees. Mohammed and his companions prayed for the army.

The enemies had previous information about the attack. Shurateal the Syrian commissioner for Arabs organized the tribes nearby and sent a messenger to Hirocleus requesting him to assist him by sending an army of Greek and Arab soldiers. Some historians report that thereupon Hirocleus himself lead the army consisting of one lakh Bysantian soldiers towards Mayabin and another lakh of soldiers frm Laqam, Judan, Qain and Dhara. Other historians report that it was not Hirocleus but his appointee who lead the army. The Muslim army which camped at Man Anman got information about the size of the army. They had not sensed such a size of army of before. They spent the night pondering over what they should do. One among them suggested that they should write to Mohammed about the size of the army and Mohammed might send some more soldiers to strengthen their position or he would suggest what they should do under such circumstances.  This suggestion was found favourable to most of them. It was at that juncture that Abdullah Ibn Rowha came forward. He was a poet and a very bold person. He started to speak, “Oh people, whom we are afraid. We have come here to become martyrs. We Muslims fight not on the strength of number of the army or material resources; we are fighting on the strength of religion which was gift of God. Therefore, you move forward. We shall win or become martyrs.” This appealed to them and they said, “By God, the words of Ibn Rowhah are right. They moved forward and they stood face to face with the Byssantian soldiers at Gorish village. 

Justice P K Shamsuddin