Battle of Mauta and Martyrdom of Hazrat Jafer Tayyar (RA)

Hazrat Jafer Ibn Abi Talib (جَعْفَر ٱبْن أَبِي طَالِب) رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, popularly remembered as Jafer At-Tayyar (جَعْفَر ٱلطَّيَّار), was one of the cousins of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He was the son of Abu Talib and brother of the Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. He was born in 590 CE in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

He was appointed as the second commander by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ for the first-ever military campaign, outside of the Arabian Peninsula. It was the Battle of Mu’ata, fought in 629 CE (8 AH), between the Muslims and the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly known as the Byzantines. The Prophet sent an army of around 3,000 soldiers under the Command of Hazrat Zayd Ibn Haritha, with Hazrat Jafer at-Tayyar as the second commander, after him.

The Muslims significantly outnumbered the enemy forces. Hazrat Jafer At-Tayyar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ fought with extreme bravery and courage during this battle. He lost both of his arms and was eventually martyred by the Byzantine soldiers. It is reported that he had more than 70 scars between his shoulders, where swords or spears either hit him. His valiant fighting for the cause of Islam earned him the title "at-Tayyar”, which translates to “the Winged”. After his martyrdom, the Prophet said, Jafer has been given a pair of wings by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ instead of his arms. That’s why he is known as At-Tayyar.

The highlight of the battle of Mu’ata was the bravery and martyrdom of Hazrat Jafer at-Tayyar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. The battle is remembered for his valiant fighting and great martyrdom, where he continued fighting and resisting despite the cutting off of both of his arms.

Date and Location

• Year – 629 CE, corresponding to 8 AH
• Place – Mu’ata, Jordan, a part of the Byzantine Empire

Cause of the Battle

In 629 CE (8 AH), the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ sent his envoy, reportedly Haris Ibn Umary Al-Azdi, to Basra, situated in southern Syria, also spelled "Bostra” in historical accounts. While he was on his way, he was intercepted at Mu’tah by the Ghassanid official, namely Shurahbil ibn Amr. The envoy was killed by the Ghassanid official, who was a part of the Byzantine Rule. This incident was seen as an insult to the sanctity of Islam.

The envoys or ambassadors were universally respected and protected even before Islam, hence the killing of the Prophet's envoy was taken seriously. The Prophet ordered the launch of a military campaign to take revenge for the killing of the Muslim envoy. This was the leading cause that triggered the military campaign, now known as the Battle of Mu’ata.

So, the Prophet sent an army of 3,000 soldiers to take revenge for the killing of the envoy. The enemy was the then mighty Byzantine Empire. Both armies faced each other at Mu’ata, situated in present-day Jordan. The Byzantine forces are reported to be 10,000 or 20,000. Whatever the actual number of soldiers in the Byzantine army, it is historically agreed that they were far more numerous than the Muslim Army.

Leadership in the Battle

The Muslim army, comprising 3,000 soldiers, was initially led by Hazrat Zayd Ibn Harithah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. However, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ appointed two more commanders, making the number of commanders three. The Prophet ordered that all three would command the Muslim army in the following sequence:

• Hazrat Zayd Ibn Harithah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ will lead the Muslim Army.
• If he is martyred, the next commander will be Hazrat Ja’afar Ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
• In the event of martyrdom of Hazrat J’afear رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the next commander will be Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Rawahah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
• In the event of the martyrdom of all three, the Muslim forces may entrust the leadership to any other suitable person from amongst them. After the above three commanders were martyred one after the other during the fierce battle at Mu’ata, Hazrat Khalid Ibn Walid رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was entrusted with the command. He was successful in that the remaining Muslim army safely returned to Medina without any further loss under his leadership.

Martyrdom of Hazrat Ja’far Tayyar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

The battle of Mu’ata was a historical but most significant event in the early history of Islam, especially in the context that:

• It was the first Muslim Military campaign outside the Arabian Peninsula.
• It was fought against the then-military superpower, namely, the Eastern Roman Empire, more commonly known as the Byzantine Empire.
• The Muslim army comprised 3,000 soldiers, whereas the number of soldiers in the Byzantine army is reported to be 10,000 or 20,000. Regardless of the exact number of the Byzantine military, it is agreed upon by all historians that they were significantly larger in number compared to the Muslim Army.

Despite all odds, the Muslim army, especially one of their commanders, Hazrat Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, fought with great courage and bravery. Hazrat Ja’far رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was holding the Islamic Flag during the fight. While fighting bravely, his right arm was cut off by one of the enemy. He then had the flag in his left hand and continued fighting. When his left arm was also cut off, he held the flag against his chest, continuing to resist and fight. Eventually, one Byzantine soldier attacked him from behind, and he embraced martyrdom. It is reported that there were more than 70 scars on his body, between his shoulders. These were the wounds and scars caused by the swords and spears. It demonstrates his level of bravery.

When the news of his martyrdom reached the Prophet, he said that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has granted him a pair of wings, instead of his arms, so that he will be flying in Paradise. The Prophet honored him with the title “at-Tayyar”, which translates to “the one with wings”. This was such a powerful title that Hazrat Ja’far ibn Abi Talib is commonly remembered by it, rather than his actual name. So, we know him as "Ja’far at-Tayyar” رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

Impact of the Battle

The Battle of Mu’tah had a profoundly significant and lasting impact on the history of Islam. Three thousand devoted Muslim soldiers fought against the then-great military power, the Byzantines, who were far more numerous than the Muslims.

• Muslims lost three of their prominent commanders, who were appointed for this battle by the Prophet. It included Hazrat Zayd Ibn Harithah, Hazrat Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib, and Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Rawahah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ. Martyrdom is a symbol of courage, devotion, and loyalty to Islam.
• The role of Hazrat Khalid Ibn Walid رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ came into the limelight. He was the one who took command of the Muslim Army after the martyrdom of the three commanders. He successfully saved the rest of the army and brought them back to Medina.
• The battle is also seen as Islam's entry onto the international scene, outside of the Arabian Peninsula, which resulted in future military conflicts between Muslims and the Byzantine Empire.
• The war, though it ended without a clear victory for the Muslims, resulted in boosting their morale. The war is symbolized by the resilience of Muslims against the most powerful military power of that era.
• The Battle of Mu’ata is remembered more for the dignity, sacrifice, and strategic resilience shown by the companions of the Prophet, who fought bravely against a massive Byzantine Empire army.

Legacy of Hazrat Ja’far Tayyar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

• He is remembered as a symbol of sacrifice, bravery, devotion, and loyalty to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• He is also remembered for his historic and exemplary role during the first migration of Muslims from Mecca to Habshah. His speech and response to the questions of the Quraysh delegation in the court of King Najashi of Abyssinia were outstanding, which earned the Muslims a safe living opportunity.
• His brave and valiant fighting in the Battle of Mu’ata is a prominent example of courage and resilience. His martyrdom remains a shining example of defending the honor and dignity of Islam.
• He is also remembered and loved for his closeness to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He exhibited unwavering loyalty to the Prophet and Islam, setting an example for generations to come.
• He is remembered for his compassion, generosity, and care for the poor and needy.

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