Chapter 8: Formation of the Navy
Formation of the Navy:
Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan was praised for organising a powerful naval force as this was something the Arabs had not been known for previously.
Allah SWT says in the Quran: …and that ships may sail by His command, and that you may seek His bounty, and perhaps you will be grateful. (Quran, 30:46)
It is your Lord Who steers the ships for you through the sea, so that you may seek His bounty. Surely He is ever Merciful to you. (Quran, 17:66)
At first, the Khalifah at the time, Umar ibn Al-Khattab was hesitant to send Muslim armies by sea, fearing it might be too dangerous.
However, this caution did not last, as the Muslims needed to secure the coasts of Syria and Egypt against the Roman navy.
The Muslims knew that if the Romans controlled the sea, the coastal populations of Syria, Palestine and Egypt would remain vulnerable to sudden attacks.