While
as Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) initiated the restructuring of world order, the
Caliphs—first Hazrat Abu Bakr Sidiq (RA) later the second—Hazrat Omar Farooq
(RA) planned it deftly at the seat of Caliphate—Medina-ul-Nabi [the city of
Prophet (pbuh)]. In the Syrian campaign, the initial forays of Hazrat Osama ibn
Zaid [RA] were meant to forestall any offensive by Roman
Empire. The forces hardly had the numerical strength of a major
campaign. The forays did have a deterrent effect, as well as a surprise element
for border Arab tribes living as tributaries of Roman
Empire. Many of these Arabs were Christians. They had however
cross border tribal links, just like Pakhtuns have on Pak-Afghan border.
Tributaries of Romans no doubt, however the ethnic link was providing some food
for thoughts. Arabs of Hejaz in Islamic fold
were getting to be far different, in fact the opposite of what they were in
pre-Islamic era. Their life seemed to be assuming a purpose hitherto unknown.
This set the Arabs on Syrian side of the border thinking. And it worked in
favour of Islamic campaign, though initially there were some hiccups.
Hazrat
Osama ibn Zaid [RA]’s forays did witness some reverses, fallbacks, regroupings
and in 634 A.D/13 A.H, a major change in the plan. Before the restive
Byzantines had a chance to re-coup, the Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) devised
four formations, making provision for the topography and logistics? The country
called Syria
by the Romans is called Barr-ush-Sham
by the Arabs, meaning land to the left--Sham
in simple terms. The theatre of war was however was not restricted to Syria, as we
know and understand the country in modern times. It included Palestine
and Jordan
also.
Hazrat
Abu-Ubaidah (RA) was assigned the division at Hems (Emessa) a city in Syria and
this formation included large number of Medinites and Suhaba-e- Karam
[companions of Prophet (pbuh) Illahi Rahma] The commander was one of the most
eminent of Suhaba, who had fought heroically in the battle of Ohod to defend
Prophet (AS) from a vigorous assault. He was kind and gentle in disposition,
with the knack of getting into administrative details of the campaign and
wellbeing of his troops.
Amr
ibn Aas (RA) commanded the Palestinian division. He is recorded in Islamic
history as a deft politician, who would count his stakes before making a move.
He is better known as the conqueror of Egypt. And it is recorded in Arab
chronicles that he knew the terrain of Egypt like the palm of his hand. He
had traded in those parts in pre-Islamic days.
Yezid
ibn Abu-Sufian [RA] commanded the Damascus
division. He should not be confused with his half nephew Yezid s/o Amir
Muwaiyah. He had Meccans and Arabs of Tehama in his command. Many of these
Meccan notables had fought against the Islamic forces in Badr and Ohod, however
following the conquest of Mecca, in the most benevolent act of forgiveness,
fortitude and forbearance of the conqueror towards the conquered. Prophet Mohammad
(pbuh) not only let them off but allowed them to attain position of honour and
prestige in the Islamic fold.
Shorabhil ibn Hasnah (RA) led the fourth army
in Ardan. The four Generals advanced in assigned directions. Shams-ul-Ulama
Shubli Numani says in his book ‘Al-Farooq’ that the troops totaled 24,000,
while as Ameer Ali in his famous book ‘History of Saracens’’ quotes a figure of
35,000. 24,000 or 35,000, the forces were no match for what Heracles could
marshal in his Asian and Eurasian territories. Muslims could bank only on a
small reserve force under command of Amir Muwaiyah.
Heracles
alarmed at the audacity of Arabs, considered to be ragtag desert beings,
incapable of an organized campaign collected a large force at Ajnadin. The
commanders of Islamic formations by mutual consent resolved to close ranks and
fight jointly. The Caliph was informed and re-enforcement was sought. The
Caliph asked Hazrat Saifullah Khalid (RA) engaged in the Iraq/Iran theatre of
war to move camp to the Syrian theatre leading to the famous desert march
through the shortest but the dense and dangerous route, which just had one
water source known to just one person in famous warrior’s army. The
obliteration of water source with parched throats, half the way still uncovered
and no water posed a situation of mass dehydration, fortunately the obliterated
source was detected and the intense thirst quenched. However it showed the
famed general’s readiness to accept grave risk in pursuit of an objective.
The
enemy informed of Hazrat Saifullah Khalid (RA)’s move expected him to take the
safer longer route. He got on their head much earlier than accepted. Speed in
movement combined with surprise as elemental in his war strategy made Hazrat
Saifullah Khalid (RA) one of the most daring generals in the annals of warfare.
As he reached Syria
from Iranian front, he assumed overall command.
Ajnadin
was the first stiff test. Shubli
Numani’s account notes 3000 Muslim causalities; however the battle was won on
28th Of Jamad-ul-Awal in the 13th Year of Hijra,
corresponding to 634-35 A.D, as noted by Ibn Ishaq, the famous compiler of
Islamic history. Following this the Commander of joint forces—Hazrat Saifullah
Khalid (RA) laid siege to Damascus, the four gates of the city guarded by
Hazrat Abu-Ubaidah (RA) at Jabiah gate, Hazrat Amr ibn Aas (RA) at Tuma gate,
Hazrat Shorabhil ibn Hasnah (RA) at Faradis gate, while Hazrat Saifullah Khalid
(RA) posted himself at the Eastern gate.
We
are just in the middle of fascinating Syrian campaign, as Islamic forces are
seen knocking at the heart of Roman Empire—their financial nerve center---more
on that in weeks’ ahead.
Yaar
Zinda Sohbat Baqi (Reunion is subordinate to
survival)
By Dr. Javid Iqbal
iqbal.javid46@gmail.com
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