Important Events in Jumada al-Awwal: Battle of Mu’tah and the Conquest of Constantinople
Jumada al-Awwal (also called Jumada al-Ula) is the fifth month of the Islamic calendar. It includes the first major battle between the Muslims and the Byzantine Empire and, eight centuries later, the conquest of the Byzantine capital itself. Here are its key events.
Jumada al-Awwal events at a glance
| Date | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jumada al-Awwal | Battle of Mu’tah against the Byzantine army; Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) named “Sword of Allah” | 8 AH (629 CE) |
| Late Jumada al-Awwal (commonly) | Battle of Ajnadayn in Palestine under Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) | 13 AH (634 CE) |
| 20 Jumada al-Awwal | Conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) by Sultan Mehmed II | 857 AH (29 May 1453 CE) |
The Battle of Mu’tah (8 AH)
In Jumada al-Awwal 8 AH, a Muslim army of about 3,000 faced a far larger Byzantine force at Mu’tah, in today’s Jordan. The Prophet ﷺ had appointed three commanders in turn: Zayd ibn Harithah, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and Abdullah ibn Rawahah (RA). All three were martyred. In Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ told the companions of their deaths with tears in his eyes, and said that the banner was then taken by “one of the swords of Allah”, Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA), who brought the army back safely (Sahih al-Bukhari 4262).
20 Jumada al-Awwal 857 AH: the Conquest of Constantinople
On 29 May 1453 CE, after a siege of about 53 days, the young Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, known as al-Fatih (“the Conqueror”), entered Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire. He used giant cannons and famously had ships carried overland into the Golden Horn. The great church of Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, and the city, renamed Istanbul over time, became the Ottoman capital for nearly 470 years. For centuries before, Muslims had hoped to fulfil the Prophet’s ﷺ words about the conquest of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Khalid ibn al-Walid called the Sword of Allah?
At the Battle of Mu’tah in 8 AH, after three Muslim commanders were martyred, Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) took command and saved the army. The Prophet ﷺ called him “one of the swords of Allah” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4262).
When was Constantinople conquered?
Constantinople was conquered by Sultan Mehmed II on 20 Jumada al-Awwal 857 AH, which was Tuesday, 29 May 1453 CE.
Related: Events in Rabi ul-Akhir · Events in Jumada al-Akhirah · Islamic date today
Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 4262 (via sunnah.com); Ibn Hisham, Sirat Rasul Allah; Britannica – Fall of Constantinople. Some dates follow the most commonly accepted opinion.