The Conquest of Egypt
639 CE: Amr ibn al-As led approximately 4,000 soldiers into Egypt with the approval of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab — though Umar reportedly sent a message saying: if Amr had not yet crossed into Egypt when the message arrived, he should turn back; Amr made sure to have already crossed before reading the letter.
The conquest proceeded in stages:
- Battle of Heliopolis (640 CE): decisive defeat of Byzantine forces
- Siege of Babylon fortress (640-641 CE): the key fortification, fell after months
- Alexandria (641 CE): the negotiations resulted in surrender and an agreement to evacuate the Byzantine garrison
Egypt was incorporated into the Islamic state. Amr founded Fustat — the first Islamic city in Africa, predecessor of Cairo — establishing it as the capital and administrative center. He governed Egypt twice, becoming one of the wealthiest men of his era through the province’s enormous agricultural revenue.
The Arbitration at Siffin
The Battle of Siffin (657 CE) between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan ended in stalemate when Muawiya’s forces raised copies of the Quran on their spears. Many in Ali’s army demanded arbitration rather than continued battle.
Amr ibn al-As was chosen as Muawiya’s arbitrator; Abu Musa al-Ashari (see Seerah Abu Musa Al Ashari) as Ali’s. The arbitration’s outcome remains disputed: according to Alid sources, Amr outmaneuvered Abu Musa — Abu Musa agreed to “depose” both contenders, but when Abu Musa deposed Ali first, Amr then named Muawiya rather than deposing him. This resulted in the split of the community and the emergence of the Kharijite movement (which killed Ali’s supporters who had forced the arbitration).
The Conversion and Character
Amr converted late — one of the three major strategic converts alongside Khalid ibn al-Walid and Uthman ibn Talha in 630 CE, just before Mecca. He was sixty when he converted. The Prophet remarked that his intelligence was remarkable. He was known for diplomatic cunning as much as military skill — the proverb: “The Arabs have not produced a cleverer man than Muawiya, unless it be Amr ibn al-As.”
See also: Seerah Umar Ibn Khattab, Seerah Ali, Seerah Abu Musa Al Ashari, Seerah Muadh Ibn Jabal, Karbala, Seerah Abu Sufyan