Conquest of Island of Cyprus

Muawiyah's proposal

When Muawiyah became the Governor of Syria, he suggested to Umar the desirability of undertaking a naval expedition and conquering the island of Cypress in the Mediterranean. He argued that in any campaign against Constantinople. Cypress could serve as base.

Umar's decision

On receiving the proposal of Muawiyah, Umar asked the opinion of 'Amr b Al 'Aas the Governor of Egypt on the point. He was particularly asked to express his view about naval warfare on the sea.

In figurative language, 'Amr b Al 'Aas described naval action on the sea in the following terms:

"Verily, I saw a huge creature floating on the sea, on which men seemed to be diminutive things. Huge billows as high as mountains rise. If the sea is still it rends the heart. If it swells it terrifies the senses. With it the faculties become numb, and the calamities augment. Those inside it are like worms in a log. If it inclines to one side, they are drowned, if it escapes they are confounded." On receiving this reply from 'Amr b Al 'Aas , Umar turned down the proposal of Muawiyah. He wrote to Amir Muawiyah:

"Let the sea remain a barrier between us and the enemy. BY Allah I will not set a true believer upon it."

Amir Muawiyah did not agree with the logic of fear from the sea. He had, however, no option but to remain quiet.

Conquest of Cypress

When Uthman became the Caliph, Amir Muawiyah reported his proposal to undertake a naval expedition and conquer Cypress. Muawiyah advanced detailed arguments in favor of his proposal. Uthman agreed to the proposal, but laid down the condition that only such persons should participate in the naval expedition who volunteered themselves, and no person should be forced to join the expedition against his will.

Muawiyah fitted a strong naval fleet under the command of Abdullah b Qais. Another fleet was sent by Abdullah b Abi Sarah from Egypt. Muawiyah raised a force of volunteers. Among other persons, the volunteers included eminent companions like Abu Dhar Ghifari, Ubadah b Samit, his wife Umm Haraam, Abu Darda and Shaddad b Aus.

The Muslim force landed on Cypress in 649 C.E. There was only a small Byzantine garrison on the island which was overpowered without any difficulty. The islanders submitted to the Muslims, and agreed to pay a tribute of 7,000 dinars per year.

The conquest of Cypress was the first naval conquest of the Muslims. When the conquest of the island was reported to Uthman he felt satisfied with the result of the first naval expedition. That made Uthman feel that the fears of Umar about naval warfare were unfounded, ano that in future the Muslims would have to conduct campaigns on the sea as well as the land. He accordingly permitted Muawiyah as well as Abdullah b Abi Sarah to build up strong navies in Syria and Egypt.

Umm Harsam

Among the persons who landed on the soil of Cypress was Umm Haraam. She was a venerable Ansar lady, the wife of an Ansar chief Ubadah b Samit. In the Hadith it is related that the Holy Prophet frequently visited the house of Ubadah b Samit. It is related that one day the Holy Prophet visited the house of Ubadah, and had his noon sleep there. As he woke up, there was a smile on his face. Umm Haraam inquired of the Holy Prophet the reason for his smile. The Holy Prophet said that in a dream he had seen some of his followers floating on the Mediterranean, and they looked like kings. Umm Haraam inquired, "Holy Prophet, will I be one of them". The Holy Prophet said, "Yes, you will be one of them, but you will be martyred and would die in the distant land". True to the prophesy of the Holy Prophet Umm Haraam was one of the persons who landed on the island of Cypress. After landing on the island, she proceeded inland on a pony. She fell from the pony on the way and died. She was buried on the island. Her tomb on the island became a seat of pilgrimage for the Muslims.

Abu Darda

In this campaign the Muslims captured a large number of war prisoners. As Abu Darda saw these prisoners, Abu Darda wept bitterly. Some one asked Abu Darda as to why he was weeping when it was an occasion for the Muslims to rejoice. Abu Darda said, "I am weeping at the fate of people who disobey God. When they disobey God they come to grief like these people. I fear for the Muslims, lest by disobeying God they may also invite such a grim fate for themselves. "

Abdullah b Qais

After the conquest of Cypress, Abdullah b Qais the commander of the Muslim naval forces continued his cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. He is accredited with having fought fifty naval battles in all of which he was victorious. In all these battles not a single Muslim was killed or drowned. The details of these battles have not been preserved in history. Presumably most of these naval actions took place along the coast of Asia Minor. Because of these victories the exploits of Abdullah b Qais came to acquire the character of a legend. As a result of his victories he won great booties. He was known for making large bounties. Even the enemy profited from his charities.

He was a terror for the naval forces of the enemy, but on account of his beneficent activities he enjoyed popularity among the common men even in the enemy territory.

Once he landed with a few companions at Forma in the enemy territory. A few persons gathered around him, and he gave them large bounties. Among these persons was a beggar woman. Returning home she told the authorities that Abdullah b Qais had landed on their territory, and they could take him captive. A force was sent to apprehend Abdullah b Qais. 1hey failed to take him captive. They could only take hold of his dead body. The beggar woman was asked, "How did she know that he was Abdullah b Qais?"

She said, "He looked like a merchant but he gave bounties like a king, and from what I had heard about Abdullah b Qais, I felt convinced that such a liberal person could not be any one but Abdullah b Qais. the Commander of the Seas. "