Battle of Mu'tah

The first major military encounter between Muslim forces and the Byzantine Empire, fought near Mu’tah in modern Jordan. Muhammad sent an army of 3,000 against a vastly larger Byzantine-allied force.

Zayd ibn Harithah led first and was killed. Ja’far ibn Abi Talib took the banner and fought until both his arms were severed; he held the banner with his stumps until martyred. Abdullah ibn Rawahah took the banner next and was also killed. Finally Khalid ibn al-Walid assumed command and skillfully withdrew the army. Tradition holds that Muhammad, receiving revelation in Medina, announced each commander’s death as it occurred, and that Ja’far was given wings in Paradise, earning his epithet “the Flyer” (al-Tayyar).