Strategic Dimension of Battlefield Location Selection during the Caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (13–23 AH): An Analytical Study

Abstract

^Abstrac

^{This study analyzes the strategic dimension of site selection for battles during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) (13–23 AH), viewing it as a central element in the military planning of the Islamic state. It focuses on applied models such as the battles of al-Yarmūk, al-Qādisiyyah, and Nahāwand, considering timing, terrain, and proximity to supply lines.}

^{The research also examines ʿUmar’s post-conquest policies, highlighting his geographical awareness in establishing military settlements and managing the relationship between soldiers and local populations. It further discusses his cautious approach toward naval expansion and his strategy of linking battlefronts to the central command in Medina. The study concludes that the spatial dimension was not merely supportive, but a core component of the Islamic conquest doctrine—reflecting advanced awareness in managing time, space, resources, and adversaries within a comprehensive vision of conquest and consolidation.}