Chapter 14: Invasion Attempt on Constantinople (Istanbul)
Naval Attack on the Romans:
Many battles were fought against the Romans in which the Muslims prevailed.
In the 49th year AH, Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan felt it was necessary to launch a naval attack on the Roman capital, Constantinople.
A number companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ took part in this campaign, including Abdullah ibn Umar, Abdullah ibn Zubayr, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Husayn ibn Ali and Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari.
As mentioned in previous episodes, Mu’awiyah was fully aware of the advantage the Muslims could gain through naval warfare.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab had refused to create a navy, but during Uthman ibn Affan’s caliphate, Mu’awiyah was finally allowed to do so.
Attempt to Capture Constantinople:
In the 49th year AH, a fleet of Muslim ships sailed and the soldiers landed about eleven kilometres from Constantinople, which was protected by towering fortifications.
One of the Byzantines’ greatest strengths was their use of Greek fire, a liquid fire-starting device, and they particularly used it in naval warfare, as it burned even on water.
Because of this Greek fire, the Byzantines enjoyed many military successes.
The exact composition of this substance remains unknown to this day and only Allah SWT knows best what it consists of.
The Byzantines launched the Greek fire at the Muslim fleet, which ignited in the air and set the ships on fire.
The burning ships forced the Muslims to withdraw and because of this, their attempt to conquer Constantinople was unsuccessful.
Some Muslim soldiers were even martyred, and among them was one of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari.
Abu Ayyub was about eighty years old when he passed away and he was buried in Constantinople, at the Eyup Sultan Mosque.
Even though the Muslims did not capture Constantinople, the Roman emperor and his army knew they had narrowly escaped defeat.
They became reluctant to confront the Muslims again and risk being involved in another intense battle.