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Islamiyat IGCSEPDF 162
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positions only when it suited them. After a few days, the Muslim leader met in a council of
war to decide a better course of action. It was decided that the cavalry would advance and
pretend to attack the trenches and then withdraw to lure the Persian from their positions.
However, their commander Nouman ibn Muqarrin kept the main Muslim army in check
until the day was almost over. they finally attacked the enemy, victory came quickly. The
Persians began to flee and surrender of the towns soon followed the military victory. The
victory at Nihawand came to be known as fath al Futuh the victory of victories.
Wars against Romans:
1. Siege of Damascus: Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed had laid siege to Damascus a few days
before Abu Bakr’s death, During Umar’s Caliphate he added Damascus, Jordan and
Emmessa one after the other to the Muslim Empire. Damascus was known for its wealth and
culture. Syrians were hoping reinforcements from Heraclius but it did not happen, instead
the Muslims swam across the moat and using rope ladders scaled the wars. When Syrian
panicked and threw open the gates to escape, the remaining Muslim force rushed in and
occupied the city.
2. Battle of the Fihl: Battle of the Fihl 635 AD resulted in the addition province of Jordan
in the Islamic Empire. The site was on the western side of Lake Tiberias where the water
channel separated the Muslims from the Christians, who were waiting for reinforcements
and offered negotiations hoping the Muslims would back down. Abu Ubaidah sent Muadh
ibn Jabal as his emissary. The Christians tried to impress the Muslims with their pomp and
ceremony, but Muadh was not be deflected. He offered the Christians an invitation to Islam
or else to become dhimmis by paying Jizya, or else to settle the matter through war. These
measures being fruitless, the Roman attacked the Muslims in small groups. Khalid saw
through this tactic and gradually retreated drawing the enemy forces further in; he then
surrounded them and launched a furious attack. The Roman suffered heavy casualties and
those who survived scattered and fled. Thus Jordan was secured and Hazrat Umar sent
specific instruction on how to deal with the conquered people and their land. 3. Battle of
Yarmuk: Fought in the summer of 636 the battle of Yarmuk was a major conflict between
the Byzantines and the Muslims. When the reports of the fall of Damascus, and defeat at Fihl
and Hims were given to Heraclius he was determined 7 to recover Palestine for Christian
rule. He issued orders to mobilize troops from all corners of his empire and it is believed that
the Roman emperor sent an army of 260,000 men against the Muslims who were 40000.
Khalid ibn al-Walid began to group his forces along the River Yarmuk. Hazrat Umar was in
contact with the commanders and he sent them the message of advice and encouragement.
Negotiations between the two armies were held in which the Romans tried to convince the
Muslims and even offered Muslims large amounts of money if they left Syria and returned to
Arabia. Khalid responded with reasons and declined the Roman’s offer. He elaborated on the
positive changes that Islam had brought about in the Arabs and invited the Romans to accept
Islam or else to get protection by payment of Jizya. But when he was met with a refusal he
returned to prepare his Army for the inevitable conflict. Khalid bin Waleed addressed his
men urging them to stick together and fight in union .Major battle was fought towards the
end of August 636AD when the Muslims pretending to retreat from their positions lured the
Byzantines into the rough terrain, where they were ambushed. During the battle the
Byzantines cavalry became separated from the infantry enabling the Muslim cavalry to inflict
great damage on them. Khalid had divided his cavalry into small squadrons to make them
appear numerous to the enemy. The Byzantines were also unsettled by a dust storm. Their
main army now driven west was trapped in rugged valleys with the cliffs of the Yarmuk gorge