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.
Garad Matan played a very prominent role in the campaigns against the Abyssinians, killing the son of Lebna Dengel, Victor.
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.
The Imam then attached a crimson banner to a spear and gave it to his brother-in-law Garad Matan Bin Uthman ibn Khalid, their captain, knight, and the most daring, bravest of them all.
[2][5]Like previously mentioned Garaad Matan led key battles for the Adal sultanate, also famously leading the Somali Adalite Division.
[2] 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.
In Andutna was the house of the Abyssinian king, in which were paintings, images of lions, of human beings, of birds, depicted in red, yellow, green and white and other colours.
The Christians had descended from the highlands during the night while all the Adalite forces were asleep, they were famous for using poisoned spears.
[2] The storyteller, says: When a quarter of the night had passed, there was a surprise attack on the perimeter of the camp by the idol-worshippers who had fought the Muslims on the terrace of the mountain.
[2]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".