The relations between the muslims and Romans were characterized by tension .
The Romans and the Syrians used to bother the Muslims and irritate them in all the ways , the most outstanding of which was attacking their passing trade caravans and looting them . Their harm was culminated when the prophet (P.B.U.H) sent Al-Harith Bin Umair Al-Azdi as a messenger to the King of Busra in Syria asking him to convert to Islam .Busra King , Shurhabeel Bin Amro Al-shani , Killed the prophet's messanger . The killing of ambassadors and messengers was considered as a serious crime equal to , and even worse than the declaration of a war because the habit run that messengers were protected and treated with generosity . When the news reached the prophet (P.B.U.H) , he sent a great army of 3000 men , which was the biggest army ever , under the leadership of Zaid Bin Haritha and he said : " if Zaid gets Killed , lets Ja'far be in charge , and ig ja'far qets killed , let Abdullah Bin Rawaha be the leader " .The Muslims stopped at the city of Mu'ta and a great fight took place where three thousands Muslims faced 200000 Roman fighters and their Arab allies . The three Muslim leaders got killed , nine of their fighters as well as many Romans and their allies .
Khalid Bin A-Waleed became in charge and he changed the position and arrangement of the army and followed a deceptive plan and psychological war .
Thus , the Romans did not chase the retreated Muslim army , thinking that a great support had reached them . The Muslim army safely came back to Al- Madina with a relatively little loss in comparison to the big army of their foes . The prophet (P.B.U.H) met the retreated soldiers and said " Not deserters , but attackers by God's will" for people accused them of being deserters . This battle had a deep effect on and great dimensions for the Muslims . It was a forerunner to open many Roman countries and served as an introduction to the Islamic invasion outside the Arabian peninsula . It strengthened the Muslim's moral spirit for a little army had faced a great power in its homeland and hinted at revenge and discipline . |