Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali

Matan ibn Uthman Bin Khalid (Somali: Mataan Ibnu Cismaan ibnu Khaalid, Arabic: متن بن عثمان بن خالد) born c. early 1490 – 28 October 1531, also known as Garad Matan, was a Somali military commander and Adalite general that served the Adal Sultanate. He led key and decisive battles, famously in charge of the Somali divisions. He was also the brother-in-law of Imam Ahmed and his right-hand man. Garad Matan played a very prominent role in the campaigns against the Abyssinians, killing the son of Lebna Dengel, Victor. Garad Matan hailed from the Geri Koombe clan. He was regarded as one of the most courageous military generals in East Africa well documented in the Futuh Al Habash
Born into the powerful Geri Koombe clan, a branch of the Darood, he was a key figure in the Muslim conquests in the Horn of Africa. He began his career as a knight, similar to his brother-in-law, Imam Ahmed, who also began as a knight. Both Garad Matan and Imam Ahmed were from the same clan, Geri koombe. Matan ascended up the ranks until becoming a military general, and was explicitly hailed as one of the greatest knight. Garad Mattan later married the sister of Imam Ahmed, her name was Fardowsa.
Garad Matan serving as a military general under the Adal Sultanate had a close and personal relationship with the Imam. Garad Matan was married to the sister of the Imam, Her name was Fardawsa. This shaped a close relationship with Imam Ahmed. Garad Matan also had a brother by the name Ali Garad who also particapated in the conquests of Abyssinia, notably praised for braverly fighting in Shimbre Kura.
Garad Matan, a talented horseman, commanded the Somali Adalite Division in combat. The Geri Koombe created a great big army of knights, horsemen, and foot warriors totaling 3,000 men, who were accompanied by their brethren clans Harti Koombe, Jairan Koombe, and Harla Koombe, all of whom were Darod.
Like previously mentioned Garaad Matan led key battles for the Adal sultanate, also famously leading the Somali Adalite Division. The Imam gathered all the Somali tribes and made them one unit entrusting the unit to his Brother In law Garad Matan.
The Imam then commanded Garad Matan along with Farasaham to conquer Andutna this place itself was considered to be the royal towns of the Abyssinian kings. according to historical scholars modern day Andutna is a settlement near north of Addis Abbaba known as Entotto. Nevertheless when Garad Matan and Farasaham arrived they conquered Andutna and arrived at its church and sacked, it. Arab faqih gives an explicit descriptive account of the sacking of the church.
Arab Faqih writes
Imam then reunited with Garad Matan after arriving back from Dukam, the Imam and Matan then arrived at the home of Lebna Dengel, Andutna was the home of Lebna Dengel, Matan and the imam entered the house and at first were amazed at it but they then subsequently burned it down, Arab Faqih gives an even more descriptive account Arab Faqih notes
After the imam and Garad matan laid siege to Andutna, the eldest son of Lebna Dengel named victor was captured and killed by Garad Matan, according to historians Victor was next in line to the throne.
Imam Ahmed's camp was a subject to surprise attacks from the Abyssinian stragglers. The Christians had descended from the highlands during the night while all the Adalite forces were asleep, they were famous for using poisoned spears. Garad Matan had then noticed the Abyssinian stragglers at his camp. the Abyssinians then shot their spears directly at Matan, Matan then galloped on his horse courageously pushed and chased the Abyssinian stragglers away.
In the Battle of Amba Sel the chieftain of Geri, Garad Matan ibn Uthman was martyred. When the imam heard of the news of the death of his brother in law he cried becoming emotional he said the Islamic Istirja "for verily we belong to Allah and we will return to him". The imam had prayed for him.