| When the Prophet summoned the nations the | | | | banner which the Prophet had entrusted to his hands, |
| message of Islam, one of his letters was addressed | | | | led the charge of the Muslims, plunging into the midst |
| to Shurahbil bin Amr, the ruler of Ghassan, and the | | | | of the enemy ranks until he fell transfixed by their |
| vassal of Caesar of Rome. The letter of the Prophet | | | | spears. Jafar Taiyar seized the banner from the dying |
| was carried by Harith bin Umayr, who was killed at a | | | | Zaid and raised it aloft to command the Muslim force. |
| place called Mauta, a village not far from Balka in | | | | The enemy closed in on the heroic Jafar, who was |
| Syria. The murder of the Muslim envoy by a | | | | soon covered with wounds. When both his hands |
| feudatory of the Roman empire was an outrage, | | | | were cut off gripping the banner, he still stood firm |
| which could not be passed over in silence. It would | | | | holding the staff between his two stumps, until the |
| have been unwise to allow the enemy any leisure to | | | | Byzantine soldiers struck him a mortal blow. |
| muster huge forces to fall upon the Muslims; | | | | Immediately, the banner was caught up by Abdullah |
| therefore, an army of 3000 strong was forthwith | | | | bin Rawaha, who also met death. Khalid bin Walid, |
| mustered at the command of Zaid bin Harith to | | | | newly converted to Islam, assumed control at this |
| avenge the blood of his envoy Harith bin Umayr | | | | moment of defeat. Then, by retiring methodically, the |
| against the Ghassanid ruler in 8/629. The Muslims | | | | survivors, under Khalid's leadership, withdrew from |
| suddenly found themselves in the presence of a | | | | the field. When the defeated Muslims approached |
| force several times more numerous than themselves, | | | | Medina, the Prophet and the people went out to |
| near the village of Mauta. Zaid bin Harith seizing the | | | | receive them. |