Early conquests · 634
Battle of Ajnadayn
The first major battle against Byzantium in Palestine, fought weeks before Abu Bakr died. It opened the road to Damascus.
Key facts
- When
- 634
- Where
- Near Beit Guvrin, Palestine
- Sides
- Rashidun Caliphate vs Byzantine Empire
- Commanders
- Khalid ibn al-Walid vs a Byzantine army sent by Heraclius
- Result
- Muslim victory
- Type
- Early conquests
- Chapter
- 1. The Rightly Guided Caliphs
Who led it
- Abu Bakr al-Siddiqc. 573 to 634
The Prophet's closest companion and father-in-law, and one of the first people to accept Islam.
- Khalid ibn al-Walidc. 585 to 642
Called Sayf Allah, the Sword of God.
The wider picture: Abu Bakr and Umar: the great conquests
Within twelve years the Muslims defeated both superpowers of the age. Byzantium lost Syria at Yarmouk and Egypt soon after. Persia lost Iraq at Qadisiyyah and its heartland at Nahavand. Jerusalem surrendered in 637 and Umar came in person to accept it.
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