Destruction of all Idols in Arab Peninsula
On the 25th of Ramadan in the year 8 AH (January 15, 630 AD), following the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took significant steps to eliminate the remnants of idolatry in the Arabian Peninsula. He dispatched three of his trusted companions to destroy the major idols worshipped by various tribes.
- Khalid ibn al-Walid was sent to demolish Al-Uzza, a prominent idol worshipped by the Quraysh and other tribes. Al-Uzza was considered one of the most revered deities in pre-Islamic Arabia, and its destruction marked a pivotal moment in eradicating idol worship.
- Amr ibn al-As was tasked with destroying Suwa, an idol venerated by the Banu Hudhayl tribe. Amr successfully carried out his mission, further solidifying the message of monotheism.
- Saad ibn Zaid al-Ashhali was sent to destroy Manat, another significant idol worshipped by the tribes of Aws and Khazraj. Manat was associated with fate and destiny, and its destruction symbolized the end of such beliefs tied to idolatry.
Each of these missions was successfully accomplished, signifying the triumph of Islam over polytheism and reinforcing the principles of monotheism in the region. These actions were instrumental in unifying the Arabian Peninsula under the banner of Islam.
The Battle of Malazgirt
The Battle of Malazgirt, also known as the Battle of Manzikert, occurred on the 25th of Ramadan, 463 AH, (August 26, 1071 CE). It was a pivotal confrontation between the Seljuk Empire, led by Sultan Alp Arslan, and the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes. This battle took place near the town of Manzikert (modern-day Malazgirt, Turkey) in western Asia Minor, close to Ahlat.
Alp Arslan, a skilled military leader and devout Muslim, led the Seljuk forces in this historic encounter. The Seljuk army, though smaller in size compared to the Byzantine forces, was highly mobile and strategically adept. The Byzantine army, on the other hand, was a mix of professional soldiers, conscripts, and unreliable mercenaries, which weakened its cohesion.
The battle unfolded as Alp Arslan employed clever tactics, including feigned retreats, to lure the Byzantine forces into a vulnerable position. The Seljuk cavalry then launched a decisive counterattack, overwhelming the Byzantine army. Emperor Romanus IV was captured during the battle, marking a significant moment in history as it was rare for a Byzantine emperor to be taken prisoner.
Following his capture, Alp Arslan treated Romanus IV with respect and negotiated terms for his release. However, the defeat at Malazgirt had far-reaching consequences for the Byzantine Empire. It marked the beginning of the decline of Byzantine authority in Anatolia and paved the way for the gradual Turkification of the region. The victory also solidified the Seljuk Empire's dominance and is remembered as a turning point in Islamic and world history.
The Battle of Ain Jalut
The Battle of Ain Jalut, fought on Friday, the 25th of Ramadan, 658 AH (September 3, 1260 CE), was a landmark event in Islamic history. It marked the first major defeat of the Mongol Empire, halting their westward expansion and preserving the Islamic world from further devastation.
The battle took place near Ain Jalut, in the Jezreel Valley of modern-day Israel. The Mongols, under the command of Kitbuqa, had already devastated much of the Islamic world, including the sacking of Baghdad in 1258. Their forces were seen as nearly invincible, spreading fear across the region.
Sultan Al-Muẓaffar Sayf al-Din Qutuz, the leader of the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, recognized the existential threat posed by the Mongols. He rallied his forces and marched north to confront them. Qutuz was joined by his trusted general, Baybars, who played a crucial role in the battle's strategy.
The Mamluks employed clever tactics, including a feigned retreat orchestrated by Baybars, which lured the Mongols into a vulnerable position. Once the Mongols were exposed, the Mamluks launched a decisive counterattack. The Mongol commander Kitbuqa was killed in the battle, and his forces were routed.
This victory had profound consequences. It not only stopped the Mongol advance into the heart of the Islamic world but also solidified the Mamluk Sultanate's position as a dominant power in the region. The battle is celebrated as a turning point in history, demonstrating that the Mongols were not invincible and boosting the morale of the Muslim world.
The triumph at Ain Jalut is remembered as a testament to the resilience and strategic brilliance of the Mamluks, particularly Qutuz and Baybars, who safeguarded the Islamic civilization during one of its most perilous times.