All the battles fought during Hazrat Umar's Regime- the second caliph (group presentation)

1. Battles fought in
Hazrat Umar's
regime

2. Introduction:
• Umar bin Khaṭṭāb ( 582/583 – 644) was the second Rashidun caliph,
ruling from August 634 until his assassination in 644.
• Converted to Islam in 616, he became the first Muslim to openly
pray at the Kaaba.
• Umar participated in almost all battles and expeditions under
Muhammad, who bestowed the title al-Fārūq (the Distinguisher)
upon Umar, for his judgements.
• After Muhammad's death Umar served as the closest adviser to Abu
Bakr until August 634, when the dying Abu Bakr nominated Umar as
his successor.
• Umar is generally viewed by historians to be one of the most
powerful and influential Muslim caliphs in history.

3. Overview of Caliph Umar's reign and his military
campaigns:
• Under Umar, the caliphate expanded
at an unprecedented rate.
• Historians estimate more than 4,050
cities were conquered during the reign
of Umar.
• Caliph Umar organized the army as a
State department.
• A register of all adults who could be
called to war was prepared, and a
scale of salaries was fixed. The pay
was paid in the beginning of the
month of Muharram.
• Promotions in the army were made on
the strength of the length of service or
exceptional merit.
• Officers were appointed to command
for the battle or the campaign; and
once the operation was concluded,
they could well find themselves in the
ranks again.
• Leave of absence was given to army
men at regular intervals.
• The troops stationed at far off places
were given leave after four months.
• Expeditions were undertaken
according to seasons.

4. Battle of Marj Rahit 634 CE
• Battle of Marj rahit is also
known battle of river, fought
on 24 April,( 634 ce) at Marj
rahit ,near modern adra Syria.
• It was fought between the
grassanid Arab allies of
byzantine empire lead the
Heraclius and Rashidun army
under the command of Khalid
ibn Al Walid lead the Muslims
army.
• After the battle of huwwarin ,
Khalid moved his army of 9000
toward Damascus.
• Rashidun caliphate Victory.
• Military strategies:
• The Rashidun forces,
renowned for their skilled
cavalry, heavily relied on their
mounted troops.
• They employed swift, mobile,
and highly maneuverable
horsemen to gain an
advantage over the Byzantine
forces.
• The cavalry played a crucial
role in disrupting enemy
formations, launching surprise
attacks, and encircling the
Byzantine army.
• The Rashidun forces were
adept at hit -and- run tactics,
exploiting the weakness in the
enemy lines and swiftly
retreating before a
counterattack could be
organized.
• The Rashidun forces frequently
utilized flanking maneuvers to
attack the Byzantine army
from the sides or rear.6. By
encircling the enemy, they
could disrupt their formations,
create confusion, and force the
Byzantines into disarray.

5. Battle of Marj rahit: Cont.
• Reasons:
• The Muslims forces aimed to establish their presence in the levant and spread the newly
emerging Islamic faith.
• The Muslims were driven by religious zeal and a desire to spread Islam. The Islamic faith
and it's teaching played a significant role in motivating the Muslim forces to engage in
battles against the byzantine and other non Muslim powers.
• Consequences and impact:
• Islamic Expansion.
• Weakening of Byzantine empire.
• Shift in regional power.
• Spread of İslam.
• Cultural and intellectual exchange.
• Historical significance.

6. Battle of Qadisiyah 636 CE
• The battle of Qadisiyah is
a historically significant
battle that took place in
636 AD between the Arab
Muslims force led by
Khalid Ibn al Walid and
the Saanian Persian
Empire.
• Background and
strategies of battle:
• Background
• Arab Muslims and Persian
strategy
• Here are some reasons of
this battle:
• Expansionist Ambitious
• Strategic Important
• Religious Motivation
• Sassanian - Persian threat
• Military consideration
• Influence of this battle
• Conquest of Persia
• Expansion of the Arab
Empire
• Defeat of a super power
• Spread of Islam
• Cultural and Intellectual
change
• Political and
administrative Impact
• Strategic Importance
• Symbolic victory
• Role of Hazrat Umar RA
in this Battle
• Military Strategy and
planning
• Reinforcement and
logistics
• Decision-making
guidance
• Leadership and unity

7. Battle of Yarmouk 636 CE
• The Battle of Yarmouk was a major battle
fought in 636 AD between the Byzantine
Empire and the Arab Muslim forces of the
Rashidun Caliphate. The battle took place in
Syria and is considered one of the most
significant battles in the early history of Islam.
The Muslim victory at Yarmouk paved the way
for the rapid expansion of the Islamic empire
into the Byzantine territories of the Middle
East.
• The battle was fought over control of the
Levant region, which included present-day
Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. It
is known for its rich history, diverse cultures,
and beautiful landscapes. The Byzantine forces
were led by the Emperor Heraclius, while the
Muslim forces were led by Khalid ibn al-Walid,
a renowned general of the Rashidun
Caliphate. The battle was fought because the
Byzantine Empire sought to maintain control
over the Levant region, while the Muslim
forces sought to expand their territory and
spread the Islamic faith. The battle was a
decisive victory for the Muslim forces, which
allowed them to gain control of the Levant
region and establish the foundations of the
Islamic empire.
• After the Battle of Yarmouk, the Byzantine
Empire was close to the end of its caliphate
due to the courageous victory of the Muslims.
This battle was a significant turning point in
Islamic history that changed the course of
Muslim history.

8. Battle of Yarmouk-Key events and strategies employed:
• Clash of Empires: The battle occurred between
the Arab Muslims, led by the Rashidun
Caliphate, and the Byzantine Empire, which
controlled the region at that time.
• Strategic Location: Yarmouk was a river valley
situated in modern-day Syria and Jordan.
• Arab-Muslim Advancement: The Muslim
forces, led by Khalid ibn al-Walid, a skilled
military commander, launched a series of
successful campaigns, defeating Byzantine
armies and capturing territories in the Levant.
• Arab Muslim Expansion: The Arab Muslims had
been rapidly expanding their territories, and
the Battle of Yarmouk was a crucial
confrontation in their conquest of the
Byzantine territories.
• Arab Muslim Strategy: Khalid ibn al-Walid
devised a brilliant strategy. He sent a
detachment of his forces to attack the
Byzantine rear, causing confusion and dividing
their attention.
• Arab Muslim Victory: The Arab Muslims
gradually gained the upper hand in the battle.
Their coordinated attacks, coupled with the
successful rear assault, weakened the
Byzantine defense.
• Retreat of the Byzantines: Realizing their
precarious situation, the Byzantine forces
began to retreat.

9. Battle of Jalula (637 CE)
• The city of Jalula(Present-day Iraq)
,strategically located on the banks of the
Diyala River.
• Battle was fought between Sassanid Empire
and Rashidun Caliphate.
• Umar appointed Hashim ibn Uthba to the
expedition to Jalula Muslims troops
• The battle begins with a frontal attack by the
Muslims. After engaging for some time, the
Muslims feint a retreat and fall back in an
organized manner.
• Mihran, sensing an opportunity, orders the
entrenchments to be bridged. Once the
Persian army attains their battle formation,
Mihran orders a general attack. Mihran
engages his troops in an open battlefield,
Hashim decides to carry out his maneuver.
Hashim dispatches a strong cavalry regiment,
led by Qaqa ibn Amr, to capture the bridge
over the entrenchments. The bridge is not
heavily guarded since most Persian troops are
used to assault the main body of the Muslim
forces. Qaqa maneuvers around the Persian
right flank and quickly captures the bridge
from their rear. The presence of a strong
Muslim cavalry detachment in their rear
significantly impacts Persian morale. Hashim
launches a frontal attack with the Muslim
infantry, while Qaqa strikes at the Persian rear
with his cavalry. Persian troops become
trapped between the Muslim army and the
natural barriers on the battlefield.

10. Battle of Jalula- Significance
• Aftermath:- The Persians suffered heavy casualties and the battle ended in a
complete Muslim victory. After the battle Hashim laid siege to Jalula. Persian
emperor Yazdegerd III was in no position to set a relief force to Jalula and the
fortress surrendered to Muslims seven months later on the terms of annual
payment of Jizya. The Sassanian Empire was a major power in the region, and
their defeat would weaken their hold over the conquered territories and pave
the way for Arab Muslim dominance
• Arab Muslim Expansion-Jalula was a strategically important city.
• The Battle of Jalula was a crucial engagement in the broader Muslim conquest
of Persia.
• The fall of Jalula opened up the eastern frontiers of Persia, allowing the Muslim
forces to penetrate deeper into the Sassanian heartland. These victories paved
the way for the eventual conquest of other major Persian cities leading to the
ultimate collapse of the Sassanian Empire and the establishment of Islamic rule
in Persia.

11. Conquest of Persia 637-651 CE
• Arab Muslims first attacked
Sasanian territory in 633,
when Khalid ibn al-Walid
invaded Mesopotamia (then
known as the Sasanian
province of Asōristān; roughly
corresponding to modern-day
Iraq), which was the political
and economic Centre of the
Sasanian state. Following the
transfer of Khalid to the
Byzantine front in the Levant,
the Muslims eventually lost
their holdings to Sasanian
counterattacks.
• The second Muslim invasion
began in 636, under Sa'd ibn
Abi Waqas, when a key victory
at the Battle of Al-Qadisiyah
led to the permanent end of
Sasanian control west of
modern-day Iran. For the next
six years, the Zagros
Mountains, a natural barrier,
marked the border between
the Rashidun Caliphate and
the Sasanian Empire.
• In 642, Umar ibn al-Khattab,
then-Caliph of the Muslims,
ordered a full-scale invasion
of Persia by the Rashidun
army, which led to the
complete conquest of the
Sasanian Empire by 651.
Directing from Medina, a few
thousand kilometers away,
Umar's quick conquest of
Persia in a series of well-
coordinated, multi-pronged
attacks became his greatest
triumph, contributing to his
reputation as a great military
and political strategist.
• In 644, prior to the complete
annexation of Persia by the
Arab Muslims, Umar was
assassinated by Abu Lu'lu'a
Firuz, a Persian craftsman who
was captured in battle and
brought to Arabia as a slave.

12. Conquest of Persia- Major campaigns and
battles:
• Battle of Bridge: Abu Ubaydah and Muhanna raised an army against
the 4000 strong Persian army. They built a bridge of boats across the
river but were overrun when they crossed to the other side because
of the Persian elephant cavalry. The Muslims were trapped when the
bridge collapsed Muthanna managed to bring back the remaining
army after the death of Abu Ubaydah.
• Battle of Buwaib: Muthanna encouraged his men to fight despite
their previous defeat. The 12,000 strong Persian army was in chaos
when their leader was killed. The Muslims blocked the access to the
bridge, thus trapping the runaway soldiers. The Muslims, therefore,
were able to win and end the fear and awe the Arabs had for the
Persians.

13. Conquest of Persia
-Political Impacts
• Establishment
of a new
empire
• Spread of Islam
• Centralization
of power
• Increased trade
and commerce.
• Conflict
between Sunni
and Shia
Muslims
conquest
Conquest of Persia
-Cultural Impacts
• Spread of Arabic
language and the
adoption of Islam as the
dominant religion
• Persian arts and
literature
• Architecture (such as the
Imam Khomeini Mosque
in Isfahan, are
characterized by fusion of
Persian and Islamic
architectural styles.

14. Conquest of Jerusalem (638 CE):
• The conquest of Jerusalem took place
during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-
Khattab, the second caliph of the
Rashidun Caliphate.
• The Muslim forces, led by Caliph
Umar's appointed commander, Khalid
ibn al-Walid, aimed to expand the
Islamic empire and bring the region
under Muslim control.
• The Byzantine Empire, which had
previously controlled Jerusalem, was
weakened by internal conflicts and
was unable to effectively defend the
city.
• The Muslim forces arrived at
Jerusalem in 638 CE and laid siege to
the city.
• The siege lasted for several months,
during which the Muslim army
surrounded the city, cutting off its
supplies and preventing
reinforcements from reaching the
Byzantine garrison.
• The defenders of Jerusalem, led by
Patriarch Sophronius, initially resisted,
but the dire circumstances eventually
led to negotiations for surrender.
• A peace treaty was negotiated,
allowing the city to surrender
peacefully. Caliph Umar traveled to
Jerusalem to accept the city's
surrender and sign the treaty.

15. Significance of the Conquest:
• The conquest of Jerusalem held
significant cultural and religious
importance for Muslims, Christians,
and Jews.
• For Muslims, the capture of Jerusalem
symbolized the expansion of the
Islamic empire and the spread of
Islam. It also marked the
establishment of Islamic rule over the
city, which is considered one of the
holiest sites in Islam.
• Christians regarded Jerusalem as a
significant religious center due to its
association with Jesus Christ. The
peaceful surrender allowed Christians
to continue practicing their faith and
ensured the protection of Christian
holy sites.
• Jews also consider Jerusalem as a
sacred city, and the conquest by the
Muslims ended centuries of Byzantine
rule and provided a new era of
religious tolerance in the region.
• The conquest had a lasting impact on
the cultural and architectural
landscape of Jerusalem. Islamic
architecture, such as the construction
of the Dome of the Rock and the Al-
Aqsa Mosque, added significant
landmarks to the city.

16. Conquest of Egypt 639-641 CE
Conquest of Egypt motives and reasons behind the conquest
Reasons for the Arab Invasion: Many factors were responsible for the Arab invasion of Egypt and
later, the Maghreb. These included following:
Population Pressure: The homeland of the Arabs, Arabia was overpopulated. This was majorly
because the greater of their land was desert.
The theory of adversity: historical developments support the fact that adverse geographical regions
such as swamps, deserts, cold regions, and mountains tend scare away human settlements.
Religion Motivation: Jihad – a holy war in the name of Allah. The prophet’s message on jihad,
encouraged the invasion of the neighboring countries and beyond.
Fertile Soil: We noted earlier that the greater part of Arabia was desert. Egypt too had its share of
desert environment but its environment is ameliorated by the Nile.
Lust for power: The Arabs loved conquest for its own sake, and their new religion, Islam tended to
encourage it. Many scholars have posited that the love for conquest was the primary reason for the
Arab invasion.

17. Conquest of Egypt 639-641 CE
During the campaign of Hazrat Umar
ibn al-Khattab's period, the conquest
of Egypt took place between 639
and 641 CE. Here are some of the
major battles and events that
occurred during this campaign:
• Battle of Heliopolis (640 CE): After
the Muslim forces, led by Amr ibn
al-As, crossed the eastern border
of Egypt, they faced Byzantine
resistance near Heliopolis. The
battle resulted in a Muslim victory,
allowing them to advance further
into Egypt.
• Siege of Babylon (641 CE): The
city of Babylon, located near
present-day Cairo, was a strategic
stronghold held by the Byzantines.
The Muslim forces, under the
command of Amr ibn al-As,
besieged the city for several
months. Eventually, due to
scarcity of supplies and
continuous Muslim pressure, the
Byzantines surrendered, leading
to the fall of Babylon.
• Battle of Nikiou (641 CE): After
the capture of Babylon, the
Muslim forces proceeded to the
city of Nikiou, located in the Nile
Delta. The Byzantine army, led by
General Theodore, confronted the
Muslims in a major battle. The
battle ended in a decisive Muslim
victory, further weakening
Byzantine resistance in Egypt.
• Surrender of Alexandria (641 CE):
After the Battle of Nikiou, the
Muslim forces advanced towards
the city of Alexandria, which was
the capital and economic center
of Egypt at the time. The city was
well-fortified and heavily
defended by the Byzantines.
However, after a prolonged siege,
the Byzantine governor, Cyrus,
negotiated a surrender with Amr
ibn al-As. The city of Alexandria,
with its vast wealth and strategic
importance, fell into Muslim
hands.
• Consolidation of Islamic Rule:
Following the capture of
Alexandria, the Muslim forces
established a new administration
to govern Egypt under Islamic
rule. This included the
implementation of Islamic law and
the appointment of Muslim
governors to oversee the affairs of
the region.

18. After the conquest of Egypt during Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab's period (639-641
CE), several administrative and societal changes took place. These changes were
aimed at establishing Islamic governance and integrating the newly conquered
territory into the expanding Islamic state. Here are some of the significant
administrative and societal changes that occurred:
1.Implementation of Islamic Law (Sharia)
2.Appointment of Muslim Governors
3.Religious Freedom
4.Land and Tax Reforms
5.Arabization and Islamization
6.Infrastructure and Urban Development

19. Battle of Heliopolis 640 CE
• Date and place: March 20th, 1800 near the
ruins of Heliopolis, ten miles from Cairo at that
time, nowadays included into the city.
• Involved forces: French army (nearly 11,000
men) under the command of General Jean-
Baptiste Kléber Turkish army (40,000 to 80,000
men according to various sources) under Nassif
Pasha and Grand Vizier Kör Yusuf Ziyaüddin
Pasha.
• Losses: French army: 600 to 800 killed or
wounded. Turkish army: 8,000 to 9,000 killed,
wounded or prisoners. Heliopolis was the last
victory of the French army in Egypt.
• Background: Following the success over the
Byzantines in Syria, Muslim General Amr ibn al-
As suggested to Caliph Umar to invade Egypt.
The attack on Egypt took the Byzantines by
surprise who believed that the Arabs would
need at least a generation to deal with their
conquests before they attempt to invade new
territories. The invasion began towards the end
of 639, as Amr crossed the Sinai Peninsula with
3,500-4,000 men. They conquered Pelusium
after a two-month siege and then moved to the
fortress Bilbeis which they took after a one-
month siege. These sieges were difficult for
Amr and his horsemen, as they lacked siege
engines and overwhelming numbers. After
finally taking Bilbeis, Amr crossed the Nile to
Faiyum. On 6 June 640, a second army
dispatched by Umar arrived under the veteran
warlord Zubayr ibn al-Awam. Amr united his
forces with them and began to prepare for
movement towards Alexandria. They were
wondering whether it was feasible to waste
time in Heliopolis, but then the Byzantine army
marched outside Heliopolis to confront them in
open battle.

20. Battle of Heliopolis (cont.)
• Amr fought a brilliant battle at Heliopolis
while Byzantine generals who had failed
utterly in Syria, they failed equally
spectacularly in Egypt. When the Byzantine
army approached, Amr divided his army into
three separate units, one of which moved
abruptly east to near-by hills, where they hid.
The second detachment was sent to the south,
which would be the direction the Byzantines
would flee if the battle went badly. Once the
Byzantine forces initiated contact with Amr's
forces and commenced an attack, the hidden
third unit attacked the Byzantine rear, which
was completely unexpected by the Romans.
Theodore had not kept scouts out, or, if he
had, he ignored their warning of the
approaching Arab horsemen. This attack from
the rear created utter chaos among the
Byzantine ranks. As Theodore's troops
attempted to flee to the south, they were
attacked by the third detachment, which had
been placed there for this reason. This
completed the final break-down and defeat of
the Byzantine army, which fled in all
directions. Theodore survived, but with only a
tiny fragment of his army, while the remainder
was killed or captured. The capture of
Heliopolis, after this, was easy. At an
unguarded point of the wall, Zubayr and some
of his picked soldiers scaled the wall of the
city, and after overpowering the guards,
opened the gates for the main Muslim army to
enter the city.
• Aftermath: In the battle's aftermath, not only
Heliopolis but most of southern and central
Egypt fell to Amr's force. The defeat was the
beginning of the end for the Byzantine rule in
Egypt.

21. Effects of Arab conquest of Egypt:
• After successfully conquering Syria between 634 and 638, the Arabs turned their attention to
Egypt.
• In 639, less than a year after the complete fall of the Sassanid Empire, an army of some 4,000
commanded by Amr ibn al-A'as, under orders of Omar, began the invasion of the Diocese of
Egypt.
• That relatively tiny force marched from Syria through El-Arish, easily took Farama, and from there
proceeded to Bilbeis, where they were delayed for a month. They laid siege to the fortress of
Babylon near modern Cairo, which withstood Amr's siege for seven months.
• There, on 6 June 640, a second army dispatched by Omar arrived at Heliopolis (the modern Ain
Shams) and began to lay siege to it. Amr retraced his route across the Nile River, and united his
forces with those of the second army. They began to prepare for movement towards Alexandria.
• Amr fought a brilliant battle at Heliopolis. When the Byzantine army began approaching, Amr
divided his army into three separate units, with one detachment under the command of a trusted
commander, Kharija. This unit marched abruptly east to nearby hills, where they effectively hid.
This unit was to remain there until the Romans had begun the battle, at which point they were to
fall on the Roman flank or rear, whichever was more vulnerable.

22. Effects of Arab conquest of Egypt: cont.
• During 'Umar's stay in Jerusalem, 'Amr bin Al-'Aas had obtained his consent for launching
an attack on Egypt. 'Amr marched to Egypt at the head of 4000 troops. In his dispatch
from Al-Madinah, the Caliph of Islam put before Muqawqis, the king of Egypt, three
conditions: accept Islam or pay Jizya (poll protection tax as a sign of their surrender to
Muslims) or prepare for battle. The Roman general Artabun along with his entire army
was in Egypt at that time. First Artabun moved forward and then fled the battlefield after
experiencing a decisive defeat.
• Afterwards the Muslim army advanced further and laid siege around 'Ayn ash-Shams and
from there dispatched two squadrons to besiege Farama and Alexandria. Both the cities
fell to the Muslim troops. 'Amr bin Al-'Aas then sent Az-Zubayr bin Al-Awwam to Fustaat
as a commander; he conquered the fortified citadel after a heavy encounter. 'Amr bin Al-
'Aas attacked Alexandria, which fell after a siege of three months.
• Effects : The next year and a half were spent on more maneuvers, skirmishes, and sieges
before the formal surrender of the capital, Alexandria, took place on 4 November
641.The permanent loss of the Egypt left the Byzantine Empire without an irreplaceable
source of food and money.

23. Battle of Nihawand 642 CE
• The battle is known to Muslims, as the "Victory of Victories." William Durant in his book The
Age of Faith reported that the Persian King Yazdegerd III had about 150,000 men, versus a
Muslim army about one fifth that in number. The Persians were outmaneuvered, trapped in a
narrow mountain valley, and lost approximately 100,000 men in the ensuing rout. Yazdegerd
hurriedly fled to the Merv area, but was unable to raise another substantial army. It was a
decisive victory for the Rashidun Caliphate and the Persians consequently lost the surrounding
cities including Sephahan (renamed Isfahan)
• After the Battle of Jalula, peace was concluded with the Persians and there was no fighting for a
few months. But the Persians soon broke the treaty and Muslims were compelled to fight them
again. The Persian Emperor led an army of sixty thousand while the Muslims were 30,000 in
number. The two armies met at Nahawand. For two days, they fought without a clear gain to
either side. On the third day, Persians took refuge in their forts. The Muslims did not want to
prolong the fighting so by a clever strategy, the enemy was forced to come out into the open.
Hand to hand fighting took place. Persians were defeated and their power was completely
shattered. Yazdgard, the Persian King, fled to Isfahan, then to Kirmah and from there to Balkh
where he was killed during the Khilafat of Hazrat Usman. This battle was one of the decisive
wars of history that sealed the fate of the Persian Empire and paved the way for the Muslims to
rise as a world power. It proved to be a gateway to Persia. This was the last great battle of
fought between the Persian and the Muslim.

24. Importance of battles during Caliph Umar's Era
in shaping Islamic history:
• During Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab's reign, which lasted from 634 to
644 CE, several significant battles took place that played a crucial role
in shaping Islamic history. These battles marked important milestones
in the expansion of the Islamic state and the establishment of Islam as
a dominant force in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
• These battles during Caliph Umar's reign were instrumental in
expanding the territories under Muslim control, establishing the
political authority of the Islamic state, and spreading the teachings of
Islam. They shaped the course of Islamic history by laying the
foundations for the Arab-Islamic conquests, contributing to the
growth and influence of the Islamic civilization, and influencing
subsequent events and developments within the Muslim world.

25. Thank You
Presented by:
Raheela Naz
Rahmat Bano
Sheeba Imtiaz
Mohammad Talha
Aiman Khan
Anusha Kanwal
Aqsa keerio
Nahidan Dars
Mahnoor Khan
Rana Maryam
Ayza Naveed
Maryam Baig
Humna Batool
Maham Fatima
Areeba Muskan
Mahnoor Hussain