Expedition to Moota

Of the epistles that the Prophet (Sallallabo alaihe wa-sallam) despatched to various kings, inviting them to Islam, one was sent to the King of Busra through Hadhrat Harts bin Umair Azdi. When Hadhrat Harts (Radhiyallaho anho) reached Moota, he was killed by Sharjeel Ghassani, one of the governors of Caesar. The murder of the envoy was against all laws of inter-tribal morality. The Prophet (Sallal-litho alaihe wasallam) was naturally very much upset when the news reached him. He collected an army, 3 000-strong, to advance against the enemy. While nominating Hadhrat Zaicl bin Harithah (Ra(fhivallaho anho) to command the army, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said:

"If Zaid is killed, then Ja'far bin Abi Talib will be your Amir and if he is also martyred, then Abdullah bin Rawahah will take the command. If he also dies, then you can select a commander from among yourselves."

A Jew, who was listening to this, said:

"All the three must die. This is exactly how the earlier Prophets used to prophesy."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) gave Hadhrat Zaid (Radhiyallaha anho) a white flag made by himself. He then accompanied the army for some distance out of Madi-nah and prayed for them saying:

"May Allah bring you back safely and triumphantly. May He gucrd you against all evils."

At that moment, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (Rad-hiyailaho anho), who was a poet too, recited three couplets, which meant:

"I only wish forgiveness of my sins and a sword to cause my blood to gush out like water from a fountain.

Or a spear to pierce me through my liver and my stomach. And when people pass my grave they say:

'May you, who have died for Allah's cause,

Triumph and prosper. You are really triumphant and prosperous."

Sharjeel received the intelligence about this army. He prepared himself to meet them with an army, 100 000-strong. When they proceeded further, they heard the rumour that the Caesar himself was coming with another army of 100 000-men to help Sharjeel. The Sahabah hesitated whether they should face such heavy odds or inform the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) for further instructions. At this Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiyal-laho anho) called aloud:

"Friends! what are you bothering about? What are you here for? You are here to be martyred. We have never fought by dint of our strength in arms and numbers. We have always fought on the score of Islam, through which Allah has exalted us. You are sure of one of the two triumphs: Victory or Martyrdom."

Thus exhorted by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiyallaho anho), the Sahabah decided to advance till they faced the Christian army in the battlefield of Moota. Hadhrat Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) with flag in his hand directed the field operations. A fierce battle raged; Sharjeel's brother was killed in action. Sharjeel himself fled from the field and took shelter in a fort. He sent a message to the Caesar, who immediately despatched for his help and an army, which was 200 000-strong. The Muslims were fighting against very heavy odds. Hadhrat Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) was killed and the flag was taken over by Hadhrat Ja`far (Radhiyallaho anho). He intentionally disabled his horse to dispel any idea of returning home from the battle-field. He then recited a few couplets, which meant:

"O, people! What a beautiful place is Paradise. And how happy is its approach! How fine and how cool is its water. The Roman's doom is at hand, I must finish them all."

With flag in one hand and sword in the other, he jumped into the enemy lines. ‘The enemy cut his right hand, which held the flag. He at once transferred it to his left. When that was cut off, he held the flag in his teeth and supported it with his bleeding arms. His body was cut into two by somebody from behind and fell dead. He was thirty-three at that time.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

"When we removed him from the battlefield, we counted as many as ninety wounds on his body—all on the front side."

When Hadhrat Ja`far (Radhiyallaho anho) was killed, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiyallaho anho) was eating a piece of meat in a corner of the battlefield. He had been hungry for three days. On hearing about Hadhrat ja`far's (Radhiyallaho anho) death, he threw away that piece of meat, saying to himself:

"Abdullah! You are busy in eating, while Ja`far has reached Paradise."

He took the flag and began to fight. His finger was severely injured and hung loose. He put the hanging finger under his foot and tore it off from, the hand, and then rushed for-ward. Knowing the Muslims were fighting against very overwhelming odds, and his own weakness, made him pause for a moment. He at once recovered from his despair and said to himself:

"O, Heart! what makes you tarry now? Is it for the love of wife? If so, then I divorce her this very moment. Is it for the slaves? Then I set them all free. Is it for the garden? I give it over in Sadaqah. He then recited a few couplets, which meant: 'O, Abdullah! You have to go down after all; whether you do it willingly or unwillingly. You have had enough of peace. O, you, who are only a drop of dirty fluid! See how the disbelievers are assaulting the Muslims. Why does Paradise not entice you? Even if you are not killed in this battle, remember, you have to die one day."

He then got down from his horse. Meanwhile his cousin brought him a slice of meat, saying, "You have had neither sleep nor food for so many days. Eat this and take a little rest before you fight." He held the slice and was about to eat it when he heard an uproar of the enemy's assault from one direction. He threw away the slice and jumped into the crowd, striking with his sword till he was killed.

The history of the Sahabah is full of episodes, which show that worldly pleasures were most insignificant in their eyes, and their only concern was to get success in the Hereafter.