THE SITE OF THE TOMBS OF THE VENERABLE COMPANIONS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED AT THE BATTEL OF MU''TAH,AL-MAZAR

KERAK

The most significant and the fiercest battle fought during Prophet Mohammad's lifetime was the Battle of Mutah (629 A.D.) ?. It also took the lives of his closest companions, martyred fighting against a combined Byzantine/Ghassanid army. You can visit the tombs of the venerable companions Zaid bin Harithah ?, Ja'far bin Abi Talib ?and Abdullah bin Ruwahah ?in the town of Al-Mazar Al-Janubi near Karak.

THE TOMB OF THE VENERABLE COMPANION ZAID BIN HARITHA

Prophet Mohammad's adopted son, the venerable companion Zaid bin Harithah led the Muslim army during the Battle of Mutah. Zaid fought in matchless spirit of bravery until he fell, fatally stabbed. He is the only companion mentioned in the Holy Quran by name [Sura 33, verse 37]:

"Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, We
joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there
may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage
with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dis-
solved (their marriage) with them. And Allah's command must
be fulfilled."

THE MOSQUE OFTHE VENERABLE COMPANION ZAID BIN HARITHA

KERAK CASTLE

THE TOMB OF THE PROPHET NOAH NEAR KERAK

The deputy commander of the army the venerable companion Ja'far bin Abi Talib , cousin of Prophet Mohammad , then took the banner after Zaid . He is often known as "the flying Ja'far" because he lost his hands during the battle and continued to hold the banner. Ja'far was known to be similar to the Prophet both in features and in character. He was renowned for his kindness towards the needy and for narrating the hadiths directly from the Prophet . Ja'far was charged with heading a group of Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). The non-believers sent a delegation headed by Amr bin Al-'As to bring the Muslims back to Mecca. A debate took place in the presence of the King of Abyssinia where Ja'far t proved to be indomitable and unflinching in elaborating the Muslim view-point. When the King asked him about Prophet Mohammad's opinion of Jesus the son of Mary, Ja'far found himself in a delicate and embarrassing situation. Any fault in his response would entail serious consequences for the people he was in charge to protect. Wisely, Ja'far t answered: "I will tell you what Prophet Mohammad says about Jesus based on the words of God, 'Jesus is the spirit and word of God who revealed it to Mary the Pious Virgin'." Content with the reply, the King of Abyssinia allowed the Muslims to stay.

The venerable companion Abdullah bin Ruwahah , the third in charge of the army after Zaid and Ja'far , then assumed command. Abdullah was known among the companions for his piety, obedience and patience. Furthermore, he was a faithful and selflessly dedicated soldier. He was a famous poet of his time, and became the Prophet's poet. Before being martyred in the Battle of Mutah, Abdullah said the following lines as his army faced an overwhelming number of Byzantine and Ghassanid Arab troops:

"0 my soul! If you are not killed, you are bound to die anyway
This is the fate of death overtaking you
What you have wished for, you have been granted
If you do what they (Zaid and Ja'far) have done
Then you are rightly guided"

In and around Karak other shrines of significance to Islam are located. Famous for Noah's Arc, you can visit Prophet Nuh's (Noah) ?shrine in the city of Karak. God sent Noah to his people to warn them of divine punishment if they continued to worship idols. As stated in the Holy Quran in a Sura entitled Noah (Sura 71, verses 1-3):

"We sent Noah to his People (with the Command): "Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Chastisement." He said: "0 my People! I am to you a Warner, clear and open: That ye should worship Allah, fear Him and obey me:"

Credited with great wisdom and piety, the Prophet and King of Israel, Sulayman (Solomon) ?, has a shrine in Sarfah near Karak. Prophet Solomon had great powers that included control over the winds, over the Jinnis and understanding the language of birds and other animals. Islam regards Solomon as impeccable like his father Prophet and King David . Prophet Solomon u is mentioned in sixteen verses in the Holy Quran.

	THE SHRINE OF PROPHET SOLMON

Also in Karak is the shrine of Zaid bin Ali bin Al-Hussein ?. He was the great, great, grandson of Prophet Mohammad and a religious leader known for his righteous, majestic and knowledgeable ways. When describing Zaid , Al-Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq said: "Among us he was the best read in the Holy Quran, and the most knowledgeable about religion, and the most caring towards family and relatives."

While in the Karak vicinity, a visit to the Crusaders castle would be of interest. When Baldwin II, who signed a truce with Salahuddin (Saladin) died, Reynald de Chatillion succeeded him in the early 1180's. He had an unsurpassed reputation for treachery, betrayal and brutality. He defied the truce, prompting Saladin to return with a huge army that defeated the Crusader armies of Reynald and King Guy of Jerusalem. Reynald was taken prisoner and was the only Crusader king or lord to be executed by Saladin. Not far from Karak lies another Crusaders castle in the city of Shobak. Once called Mont Real, its exterior is impressive with a forbidding gate and encircling triple wall. Despite its formidable structure, the castle fell to Saladin seventy-five years after it was built.

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