Conquest of Jerusalem
The conquest of Jerusalem in 637 AD is an important episode within the broader military conflict between the Islamic Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire, which began in 16 AH (637 AD). The siege of Jerusalem began with the Muslim army, led by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and began in Shawwal, the fifteenth month of the Islamic calendar, corresponding to November 636 AD. After six months of siege, Patriarch Sophronius agreed to surrender on the condition that the Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate was present. After that, Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab traveled to Jerusalem in the year 16 AH to receive the keys to the city.
Islamic conquest and its repercussions:
The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem consolidated Muslim control over Palestine, which continued unchallenged until the Crusades in the late 11th century and throughout the 13th century. This conquest played a decisive role in determining the importance of Jerusalem in Islam, as well as in Christianity and Judaism. After the Islamic conquest, Jews were given the freedom to visit and practice their religion in Jerusalem by Caliph Omar, marking a reversal of their expulsion from the Holy Land by the Romans centuries earlier.
Historical context:
Jerusalem occupied strategic importance within the Byzantine province in the years preceding the Muslim conquest. In 614 AD, the city fell into the hands of the Sassanids led by Shahrbaraz during the Byzantine-Sasanian Wars. It is believed that the Persians received help from Jews persecuted under Roman rule. The True Cross was captured but later recovered by Emperor Heraclius after defeating the Persians.
Early Islamic expansion:
The Islamic conquest, which began expanding into Iraq, saw simultaneous invasions of Byzantine territory on the western front. After Abu Bakr's death, Caliph Umar succeeded him, and in May 636 AD, Emperor Heraclius launched a campaign to reclaim the lost lands. However, the Byzantine army faced a crushing defeat in the Battle of Yarmouk in August 636 AD.
Siege and surrender:
After the Battle of Yarmouk, Abu Ubaidah called a council to discuss the next objectives, including Jerusalem and Caesarea. Sophronius recognized the importance of the two cities and proposed peaceful surrender. Upon receiving instructions from Caliph Omar, Abu Ubaidah began the siege of Jerusalem. The city, fortified since its recapture from the Persians, faced isolation when Muslim forces took control of nearby strongholds.
Siege operation:
While the details of the siege remain unrecorded, it was clearly non-violent, as Sophronius refused negotiations until the caliph arrived. Abu Ubaidah reported the situation to Caliph Omar, urging him to come to Jerusalem and accept the surrender of the city. In response, the Caliph decided to travel to Jerusalem to oversee the peaceful surrender.
“The Surrender of Jerusalem (637 AD) and the Legacy of Caliph Omar
surrender:
In the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the year 16 AH, Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab arrived in Palestine. His first stop was in Al-Jabiya, where he was received by Abu Ubaida and Khalid bin Al-Walid, who traveled to receive him. Omar appointed Amr ibn al-Aas as commander of the Muslim army during the ongoing siege. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, the Omri Covenant was drawn up, setting out the terms of surrender.
Age era:
Under the terms of the Omri Covenant, the city surrendered with guarantees of civil and religious freedom for Christians in exchange for the payment of the jizya (tax). Caliph Omar signed the charter on behalf of the Muslims, and it was witnessed by Khalid bin Al-Walid, Amr bin Al-Aas, Abdul Rahman bin Awf, and Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan. In late April 637 AD, Jerusalem officially surrendered to the Muslims.
Covenant terms:
One of the notable conditions of the Omri Covenant was that Jews were prohibited from residing in Elijah (Jerusalem). Omar said in his speech to the people of Jerusalem: “O people of Elijah, you have rights over us and they have duties, and you have what you are obligated to and what you are obligated to give.” Patriarch Sophronius invited Omar to inspect the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Omar refused to pray inside for fear that Muslims would later claim it was a mosque.
Post-invasion measures:
After surrendering, Omar made his way to Caesarea following Omar's instructions. The military commanders Amr and Sharhabeel were left to complete the conquest of Palestine and Jordan, which was accomplished by the end of the year. Omar, Amr, and Sharhabeel later left for northern Syria. The Omari era laid the foundation for peaceful coexistence, and Omar's leadership reflected a commitment to religious tolerance and diplomacy.
Building bridges:
During his stay in Jerusalem, Omar discovered the rock from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey, according to Islamic tradition. Omar removed the rubble, prayed at the site, and then built a nearby mosque known as the Mosque of Omar. The Umayyad Caliphate maintained control over Jerusalem for four centuries until the First Crusade in 1099 AD.