Battle of Motta

The battle of Motta took place in the city of ‘ Syria ', in a place known as ‘Motta'.

Our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam had sent letters to all the rulers of the countries inviting them to embrace Islam. One of the rulers called ‘Sarabeel ibn Umar', made Hazrat Harith ibn Umair become a martyr, who our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam had sent in prison. “Sarabeel” was the ruler of Basra . Hazrat Harith got killed at the place of Motta. At that time, the Christians were not allowed to kill messengers.

Thus, our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam got an army of 3,000 ready and appointed (1) Zaid–ibn–Haritha the leader, and said to him that if you were to get martyred then (2) Hazarat Jaffar-ibn-Abi-Talib, would take charge. (3) If he is martyred then Hazrat Abdullah-ibn-e-Rawaha shall be in charge. If he is martyred too, then the army may appoint the commander amongst yourselves.

Nearby was a Jew, who had apparently overheard everything. The Jew said, “The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam's predictions are true… No doubt!”

To differentiate them, the Muslims had a white flag. Our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “Don't kill the monks, the great rabbies and the priests who take refuge, and busy themselves in worship in synagogues. Also do not kill the women and children”.

Hazrat Abdullah was crying because he was worried whether he would enter paradise or not, and said, “I wanted such a wound, that from it fountains of blood will pour out, thus I would be a martyr. I wished for such a wound from an arrow to hurt me, which would pierce my limbs and tear my guts apart”.

That was the kind of faith they had. They would give up anything just for their lord, and for a place in paradise.

Sharabeel got 100,000 people ready and help from the Romans with 100,000. Therefore, it was 200,000 against 3,000 Muslims.

Sharabeel's brother was killed, so he quickly hid and asked the Romans for more help. Therefore, Hercules sent another 200,000.

At this point, Hazrat Zaid was martyred. Hazrat Jaffar went forward, and he cut his horses feet, thus ensuring he could not run back now! He lifted the flag in his right hand and fought. His right arm was chopped off, so he shifted the flag to his left arm, then his left arm was chopped off, so he lifted the flag and laid it under his armpit. He put his sword in his mouth and he fought until his last… until someone attacked him from behind.

Now Hazrat Abdullah came forth. He was hungry and he had not eaten for three or four days. His nephew had just bought him some meat to eat. He was eating when the news came to him that Hazrat Jaffar had been martyred. Hazrat Abdullah said to himself, “Look at you engrossed in the world eating, and Hazrat Jaffar has been martyred of 35 years of age, with 90 injuries. With this, he strode forward, but due to Satan's evil whisperings, he did not feel bold. He said to himself “What are you backing off for?” “He said, “If it's because I'm missing my wife, then she has got three divorces. If it is because of my slaves then they are all free, and if it is because of my gardens then they are for the poor. Then with full zest, he fought. He got injured on his finger and it was hanging off. Therefore, he put his finger under his foot and pulled it off! All this time, he was saying, “I have spent my life with ease and comfort, at the end of it all, what am I created out of?” He then got martyred.

Now the Muslims had a choice of appointing their commander, so they chose Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed. He was an expert in battles. He sorted the rows out and laid a new position. He said to the people at the back that when everyone is fighting deeply, come charging to the front, so that the Christians think that the Muslims have received some extra help. That's exactly what happened. The Christians were afraid, and ran from the battlefield. Thus, the Muslims won the battle of Motta.

Our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam was in Madina. He heard the news and told the people of Madina. Our blessed and noble Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam was shedding tears.

Thereafter, our Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam would call Hazrat Jaffar's son “The son of the one with two wings.” The reason being was Hazrat Jaffar was gifted with a pair of wings in place of losing his arms. Whereupon, he could fly where-ever he wished to fly in paradise!”