Battle of Harrah

Introduction

The battle of Harrah was a bitterly disastrous and painful event that took place in 63 A.H. (682 C.E.) during the reign of Yazīd b. Mu'āwiyah between the Syrian troops and the people of Medina.
In Arabic lexicon, Harrah means a rocky and rough terrain that is difficult to pass.[^1]4

This event has been named as such because the invasion of the state army of Shām (Syria) took place from the east of Medina, i.e., from the rocky region of the city.[^2]

It has also been called “The Battle of Harrahtu Wāqim” in some historical sources since the rocky terrains around Medina have been extensive and protracted, covering various sections of its surrounding among which only the rocky terrains of the east side have been called “Harrahtu Wāqim”.[^3]

The historians have recorded the distance between Harrahtu Wāqim and Masjid al-Nabī as to be one mīl.[^4]7

[^1]: Ibn Manzūr, Lisān al-‘Arab; Zubaydī, Tāj al-‘Arūs, Ibn ‘Abd al-Haq Baghdādī, Marāsid al-Ittilā‘, under Harar.

[^2]: Ibn Qutayba, ‘Uyūn al-Akhbār, vol. 1, p. 238; Al-Ma‘ārif, p. 240; Ibn Kathīr, Al-Nahāya, vol. 1, p. 365; Ibn Athīr, Jāmi‘ al-Usūl, vol. 10, p. 480.

[^3]: Samhūdī, Wafā’ al-Wafā’, vol. 1, p. 124; Ibn Khallikān, Wafayāt al-A‘yān, vol. 6, p. 276.

[^4]: According to astronomers one mīl has been calculated as three thousand dhirā‘ (cubit = ~ 50 cm) and according to traditionists as four thousand dhirā‘ which is equal to 2 km.