Yazid’s Participation in the Jihad of Constantinople and Explanation of the Hadith
(Excerpt: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 484)
The Prophet ﷺ gave the glad tidings of Paradise for the army that would first attack Constantinople. When did this attack take place, and was Yazid ibn Amir Muʿāwiyah among those who participated?
Alḥamdulillāh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Vol. 1, p. 410, Ḥadīth No. 2924), the Prophet ﷺ said:
«اَوَّلُ جَيْشٍ مِّنْ أُمَّتِي يَغْزُوْنَ مَدِينَةَ قَيْصَرَ مَغْفُوْرٌ لَّهُمْ»
"The first army from my Ummah to attack the city of Caesar (Constantinople) will be granted forgiveness."
This authentic hadith indicates that Constantinople would be attacked multiple times, and the glad tidings apply specifically to the first attacking army.
① Attack by Sufyān ibn ʿAwf رضي الله عنه
② Attack by Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān رضي الله عنه
③ Attack by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Khālid ibn al-Walīd
During his caliphate, several summer (ṣayfī) and winter (shitāʾī) expeditions were launched against Constantinople:
Yazid ibn Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān did participate in these campaigns.
From the above details, it becomes clear that:
Allah knows best.
(Excerpt: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 484)
Question:
The Prophet ﷺ gave the glad tidings of Paradise for the army that would first attack Constantinople. When did this attack take place, and was Yazid ibn Amir Muʿāwiyah among those who participated?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Vol. 1, p. 410, Ḥadīth No. 2924), the Prophet ﷺ said:
«اَوَّلُ جَيْشٍ مِّنْ أُمَّتِي يَغْزُوْنَ مَدِينَةَ قَيْصَرَ مَغْفُوْرٌ لَّهُمْ»
"The first army from my Ummah to attack the city of Caesar (Constantinople) will be granted forgiveness."
This authentic hadith indicates that Constantinople would be attacked multiple times, and the glad tidings apply specifically to the first attacking army.
Major Attacks on Constantinople in the Era of the Companions:
① Attack by Sufyān ibn ʿAwf رضي الله عنه
- Al-Iṣābah, Vol. 2, p. 56
- Approximate date: 48 AH
- Muḥāḍarāt al-Umam al-Islāmiyyah, Vol. 2, p. 114
② Attack by Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān رضي الله عنه
- Date: 32 AH
- Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, Vol. 7, p. 166
③ Attack by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Khālid ibn al-Walīd
- Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth No. 2512 (authentic chain)
- Passed away: 46 AH
- Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, Vol. 8, p. 32
Multiple Attacks during the Caliphate of Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه:
During his caliphate, several summer (ṣayfī) and winter (shitāʾī) expeditions were launched against Constantinople:
- Duration: Shaʿbān 48 AH to Rabīʿ al-Thānī 52 AH
- Number: Approximately sixteen attacks
- Significant event: In the last expedition, Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī رضي الله عنه passed away.
Yazid ibn Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān did participate in these campaigns.
Yazid and the General Scope of the Hadith:
From the above details, it becomes clear that:
- Yazid ibn Muʿāwiyah was not part of the very first attacking army.
- Therefore, he does not fall under the specific glad tidings mentioned in the Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī hadith.
Allah knows best.
