Who prepared the first naval fleet in Islamic history?

Explanation

Hazrat Uthman (R.A) was the first caliph to establish a naval force for the Muslim empire. He entrusted the governor of Syria, Hazrat Muawiya (R.A), with the task of building the fleet. This naval force played a crucial role in the conquest of Cyprus in 649 CE and later in the famous Battle of the Masts (Dhat al-Sawari) against the Byzantine navy, marking the emergence of Muslims as a maritime power.

Good to know

During the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (R.A), naval expeditions were discouraged due to the risks involved, and he famously advised against sea battles. However, recognizing the strategic need to counter the Byzantine naval threat, Hazrat Uthman (R.A) lifted this restriction and authorized the construction of the first Islamic naval fleet. The fleet was built in the shipyards of Egypt and Syria, and it successfully challenged Byzantine dominance in the Mediterranean.

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