Rashidun Army - Divisions in Battle

Divisions in Battle

The army was organized on the decimal system.

On the battlefield the army was divided into sections. These sections were:

1. Qalb (قلب) or The center
2. Maimanah (ميمنه) or The right wing
3. Maisarah (ميسرة) or The left wing

Each section was under a command of a commander and was at a distance of about 150 meter from each other. Every tribal unit had its leader called Arifs. In such units There were commanders of 10, 100 and 1,000 men, the latter corresponding to regiments. The grouping of regiments to form larger forces was flexible, varying with the situation. Arifs were grouped and each group was under a Commander called Amir-ul-Ashar and Amir-ul-Ashars were under the command of a section commander, who were under the command of the commander in chief, Amir-ul-jaish.

Other components of the army were:

1. Rijal (رجال) or the Infantry
2. Fursan (فرسان) or the cavalry
3. Rumat (رماة) or the Archers
4. Tali'ah (طليعة) or patrols to keep watch over the movements of the enemy
5. Rukban (ركبان) or the Camel corps
6. Nuhhab al-Mu'an (نهّاب المؤن) or Foraging parties