Battle of the Masts
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The Battle of the Masts (in Arabic known as That Al-Sawari) was a crucial naval battle fought in 655 between the Muslim Arabs and the Byzantine Empire.[3]
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[edit] Background
During the caliphate of Umar the Great, Muawiyah had sought the permission of Umar to undertake naval warfare. Umar consulted Amr ibn al-Aas who was then the Governor of Egypt. Amr ibn al-Aas reported unfavorably in the following terms:
| “ | O Commander of the Faithful, I have seen a numerous people going upon it overpowered by a few. When it is calm it tends the heart, and when it is in motion, it twists the brain. It weakens confidence and strengthens doubt. There is nothing there but sky and water. People at sea are like a worm in a log of wood. If their boat inclines they sink, and if they survive they are dazed. | ” |
Umar rejected the proposal of Muawiyah to undertake war on the sea in the following terms;
| “ | I have heard that the Syrian Sea rises higher than the highest thing on earth, and it seeks Allah's permission day and night to spread over the earth and drown it. So how can I send forces over this terrible Kafir. By Him Who sent Muhammad with the truth, I shall never send any Muslim upon it. | ” |
Under the Rashidun Caliph Uthman, the restriction of naval warfare was withdrawn. He permitted Muawiyah to invade the island of Cyprus. The island was captured by the Muslims. 'The success of the Cyprus campaign set the stage for the undertaking of naval activities by the Government of Egypt as well. Abdullah ibn Saad built a strong navy. He proved to be a great naval commander, and under him the Muslim navy won a number of naval victories including its first major naval battle. Abdullah bin Sa'ad bin Abi'l Sarh was made the Governor of Egypt by his foster brother Caliph Uthman replacing Amr ibn al-Aas who had opposed naval warfare.
[edit] The Battle
In 655, the Byzantine fleet, comprising, according to Arab chroniclers as many as 500 ships to a 1,000 ships, came to attack the Phoenician coast (Lebanon). Against this strength the Egyptian fleet had 200 vessels commanded by Muslim Admiral Abdullah bin Sa'ad bin Abi'l Sarh. The Byzantine fleet was commanded by the Byzantine Emperor Constans II in person. As the Emperor was preparing for battle, on the previous night he dreamed that he was in Thessalonica; awaking he related the dream to an interpreter of dreams who said: Emperor, would that you had not slept nor seen that dream for your presence in Thessalonica - according to the interpreter, victory inclined to the Emperor's foes.[citation needed] But the Emperor took no account of this and drew up his fleet in line of battle and challenged an engagement.
The battle started with the archers from each side shooting arrows at the other, which caused limited damage to either side. Then the two fleets moved closer, until their masts came to touch one another. Because of the proximity of the masts, the battle came to be known as That Al-Sawari or the Battle of the Masts. As the two fleets came to touch one another, a fierce hand to hand fight with swords and daggers took place on board the ships. In this type of warfare the Muslims had superiority. There were heavy casualties in the Byzantine camp, and the Byzantines suffered defeat. The sea was stained with the blood streams of the Romans. The Emperor changed garments with someone and was rescued by the son of a bucinator and taken to another vessel. So great was the remorse of the Byzantine Emperor Constans II at his defeat that he did not return to Constantinople, but sought refuge at Syracuse in Sicily. When Caliph Uthman came to know of this naval victory, he led a prayer of thanksgiving in the Prophet's Mosque at Medina.
[edit] Aftermath
The Battle of the Masts was a significant milestone in the history of the Mediterranean, Islam and the Byzantine Empire, as it established the superiority of the Muslims at sea as well as on land. For the next four centuries, the Mediterranean would be a battleground between Byzantines and Muslims. In the aftermath of this disaster, however, the Byzantines would be granted a respite due to the outbreak of a civil war among the Muslims. This gave Constans the time to reorganize the Byzantine defences, especially in the Western Mediterranean and the Exarchate of Africa.
[edit] References
- ^ Battle of That Al-Sawari altareekh.com
- ^ Battle of That Al-Sawari eqraa.com
- ^ Islamset - The Major Conquests and Spread of Islam
