2020-08-26 Wed

The Battle of al-Harra was fought between the Syrian army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid I led by Muslim ibn Uqba and the local defenders of Medina, namely the Ansar and Muhajirun factions, who had rebelled against the caliph. The battle took place at the lava field of Harrat Waqim in the northeastern outskirts of Medina on 26 August 683.

Considered an evil figure by many Muslims, Yazid Ibn Muawiyah was the second Caliph (Khalifa) of the Umayyad dynasty. He was the first person in the history of the caliphate to be nominated as heir based on a blood relationship, and this became a tradition afterward.

He is considered a tyrant who was responsible for three major crimes during his caliphate. One of them is the killing of Muhammad's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali and his followers at the Battle of Karbala. The tragedy at Karbala is one of the saddest and most regrettable events of all Islamic history.

At the Battle of al-Harra Yazid, I's army kills 11,000 people of Medina including notable Sahabas.

Depicted above is a silver Drachma of Arab Sasanian style issued at the time of Yazid ibn Muawiya from Nihawand mint. The obverse of a coin imitating the bust of Khosrau II facing right, Bismillah, and four pellets depicted in the margin. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin represents the fire altar with ribbons and attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; date to left, mint name to right.

Image Source: Wikepdeia.org