Events Occurred on the Thirteenth of Ramadan

The thirteenth day of Ramadan has been marked by significant historical events, including the handover of Jerusalem to Umar ibn al-Khattab, the deaths of influential figures such as Muhammad ibn Tumart, Muhammad Ali Pasha, and Abdelkrim al-Khattabi, as well as the outbreak of a devastating plague in the Hijaz. Below are the details of these events:

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Umar ibn al-Khattab Receives the Keys to Jerusalem – 637 CE

On the thirteenth day of Ramadan in 15 AH, the second caliph of Islam, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), arrived in Jerusalem to receive the city’s keys from Patriarch Sophronius, marking the peaceful handover of the city to Muslim rule.

Background

After the decisive Muslim victory at the Battle of Yarmouk (13 AH), the Byzantine forces retreated, leaving their hold on the Levant weakened. Under the leadership of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, the Muslim forces laid siege to Jerusalem. The city’s patriarch agreed to surrender, but on the condition that the caliph himself would come to finalize the agreement.

The Covenant of Umar

Umar ibn al-Khattab traveled from Madinah to Jerusalem and personally negotiated the terms of surrender. The agreement, known as the Covenant of Umar, guaranteed the safety of the city’s Christian inhabitants, their lives, properties, and places of worship.

Significance

This event symbolized the peaceful nature of Islamic conquests and set a precedent for religious tolerance. After securing Jerusalem, Muslim forces continued their campaigns, eventually liberating the rest of the Levant and later Egypt.

The Plague of the Hijaz – 686 CE

In 67 AH, a devastating plague known as the Plague of al-Jarif struck the Hijaz region during the rule of Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr.

Impact

- The plague claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 people, including 80 sons and grandsons of the Companion Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him).

- It decimated the population of the Hijaz, creating social and economic turmoil.

The event remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by early Muslim communities during their formative years.

Death of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi – 714 CE

On the thirteenth day of Ramadan in 95 AH, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, the controversial governor of Iraq under the Umayyad Caliphate, passed away.

Legacy

- Al-Hajjaj played a crucial role in consolidating Umayyad rule by quelling rebellions, most notably defeating Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr in 692 CE.

- He was known for his administrative reforms, including standardizing Arabic as the official language and organizing the compilation of the Quran.

- Despite his contributions, he was infamous for his harsh and authoritarian governance, which led to widespread fear and resentment.

Death of Abdelkrim al-Khattabi – 1963 CE

On the thirteenth day of Ramadan in 1382 AH, Abdelkrim al-Khattabi, the leader of the Rif resistance against Spanish and French colonial forces in Morocco, passed away in Cairo.

Achievements

- Abdelkrim al-Khattabi led the resistance in northern Morocco during the 1920s. His forces achieved a stunning victory against the Spanish in the Battle of Annual (1921), establishing the short-lived Republic of the Rif.

- He drafted a constitution and founded a national assembly, aiming to build an independent state.

Exile and Later Life

After being defeated by combined French and Spanish forces, Abdelkrim surrendered and was exiled to an island in the Indian Ocean. He later moved to Cairo, where he chaired the Maghreb Liberation Committee, continuing his advocacy for the decolonization of North Africa until his death.

Other Notable Deaths

- Muhammad ibn Tumart (524 AH): The founder of the Almohad movement in North Africa, which overthrew the Almoravid dynasty.

- Muhammad Ali Pasha (1265 AH): The founder of modern Egypt, who implemented significant military, economic, and administrative reforms, transforming Egypt into a regional power.