As the Muslim army marched toward Mu'tah in Jumada al-Awwal, 8 AH, it reached Ma'an, in what is now Jordan. There news came that the Ghassanids, alarmed at their approach, had gathered a much larger force than expected. They had called on their Christian Arab allies, the tribes of Lakhm, Judham, al-Qayn, Bahra and Bali, and the Romans had also sent a contingent.
The army halted at Ma'an for two days, debating what to do. Some wanted to send a messenger back to the Prophet ﷺ for further orders. Others wanted to turn back altogether. In the end, a speech by Abdullah ibn Rawahah RA persuaded them to press on and meet the enemy, whatever the odds.
The halt and debate at Ma'an set the army on its course to Mu'tah despite being badly outnumbered, foreshadowing the martyrdoms of the battle's three successive commanders.
Other events recorded in 8 AH. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.
Nothing recorded for this event yet.