Hazrat Amr Ibn Al Aas (R)

Another Great Muslim commander and sahabi was Amr Ibn Al Aas. Amr Ibn Al Aas was born born in the Banu Sahm clan of Quraish. He was a prominent merchant and one of the places he used to go to trade was Egypt, so he knew Egypt well. He converted to Islam and became one of the most prominent sahabi's and one of the most prominent hadith narrators. Amr Ibn Aas like Khalid was a commander in the Quraish force before becoming Muslim and like Khalid he participated in Uhud against the Muslims. Since Amr Ibn Al Aas knew egypt well he asked permission of the the Amir ul mumineen Umar Ibn Al Khattab to conquer it just as the Muslims had captured most of Sham. Umar gave him permission.

 

Amr Ibn Al aas is famed for his conquest of Egypt and establishing the Muslims in North Africa. It was the Byzantines who he was up against in Egypt. Amr Ibn Al Aas initially set about to conquer Egypt for the Muslims with four thousand men but Umar repeatedly sent him re-inforcements throughout the campaign. Amr Ibn al aas founded the capital of Egypt under the Muslims Al Fustat which is now part of Cairo. Amr Ibn Al Aas and some of his men locked themselves into a room at the fort of Alexandria when his contingent was practically wiped out during their assault on Alexandria. When they couldnt get to the Muslims, the Romans ordered that a duel be fought between on of their men and one of the Muslims. If the Muslim lost, they become prisoners, if the Muslims win they go join the rest of the army. Muslima Ibn Mukhlid fought the roman and won and the Byzantines kept to their word. The Muslims army then conquered Alexandria. Some of the battles of Amr:

Battle of Ain Shams
Amr defeated the Byzantines with a force of 10,000+ against 20,000.

Siege of Alexandria
Amr captures the city with 10,000+ against 50,000 roman soldiers.