Part 30

The well-known intellectual of Vabr, Qais bin ‘Asim Tamimi records his impressions of Mathna % thus:

“Mathna_ bin Harithah was not a Commoner; he was, in fact, a young chieftain of the Banu Sheeban tribe and a famous warrior of Arabia.”

Mathna <% was attacking Iraq again and again in quick succession. He requested the court of the Caliph for assistance so that he could speed up his enterprise. He did not want to give time to the enemy to

“From Khalid bin Waleed to Hormuz

“Peace be on him who accepts the Path of Righteousness. Accept Islam; it will be to your advantage. Pay the taxes for yourself and for your peoples and in exchange come under our protection. If you do not accept our demand you will repent it. I have come into your territory with an army of soldiers who love death as much as you love life.”

The Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi army, Hormuz, looked at the letter contemptuously and proceeded arrogantly towards the famous town of Kadhmiah, near Basrah, in Shatal Al-Arab Leading his Iranian army in all its pomp and glory he stepped out into the battlefield. Khalid bin Waleed .# had divided his army into three divisions; one of these he placed under the command of Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani 4, and sent them out to fight against the Iranian army. The warriors of Banu Sheeban, under the leadership of Mathna , attacked the Iranians so forcefully that they were uprooted and fled the battlefield. The army of Islam won a glorious victory and also gained rich spoils of war. Each Mujahid got weapons and one thousand dirhams. Mathna accepted the weapons of war, but did not show any interest in the monetary reward; it held no importance for him, since he was very elated by the fact that Allah Almighty had blessed the Islamic army with a glorious victory.

After their ignominious defeat in the Battle of Al-salasal, the Iranian army retreated to the region of Mazar, and started regrouping on the banks of the river Thani. They wished to rest and refresh themselves before launching another offensive against the army of Islam.

Mathna_ bin Harithah , with his brother, Ma‘ni bin Harithah <&&, was on a reconnaissance of the area and happened to come across the Iranian army encamped on the river banks. He realised that they could pose a threat to the armies of Islam any time. Taking into consideration their critical position, they returned post-haste and reported their findings to Khalid bin Waleed . The latter ordered the army, which included these two brothers, to immediately launch an attack on the Iranians, who could not repulse this sudden attack. And thus they faced humiliation and defeat a second time.

As the Muslim army advanced into the region of Heerah, the great General, Khalid bin Waleed +, was surprised to see that the whole area was completely deserted. He then came to know that the whole nation had taken refuge in the palaces, of which there were many. He selected a few generals from his army and ordered them to besiege the palaces. Dharar bin Azwar besieged the White Palace and Dharar bin Khattab besieged the Arba‘ain Palace. Similarly, the Muslim forces also surrounded all other palaces. Mathna % encircled the palace of ‘Amr bin Bageelah, and ‘Amr bin ‘Abdul-Masih was also present there.

Khalid bin Waleed % ordered all the Generals to invite the besieged people to the path of Islam. If they accepted, well and good, if not they were to be given time to ponder over the matter. If they still did not accept Islam, they were to be attacked and decimated. When the enemy realised they were ina vice like grip and there was no way out, they agreed to pay a tax of a hundred and ninety thousand dirhams

annually, in return for protection of life and property. Khalid bin Waleed sent a messenger post-haste to Al-Madinah to get the consent of the Caliph. Abu Bakr Siddiq .# agreed to the terms and advised him to accept the tax and use it to strengthen his companions.

After gaining the consent of the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq -, Khalid bin Waleed - signed a treaty with the people of Heera. Worthy of note among these were ‘Adi bin ‘Adi, ‘Amr bin ‘Adi, ‘Amr bin ‘Abdul-Masih and Ayas bin Qbeesah.

All the Generals signed the document and also noted it down that the people of Heerah had unanimously accepted the terms willingly, without any force or duress. Thus, Heerah came under the rule of the Islamic State.

The Roman General, Herculius thought that this would be a golden opportunity to attack the Muslim army since they were already engaged with the Iranians. He ordered his troops to prepare for war. When this news reached the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq %, in AlMadinah, he exclaimed passionately:

“T swear by Allah, through Khalid bin Waleed #e, I will set right the minds of these Romans who are going berserk effectively.”

“O Abu Sulaiman, may Allah bless your sincerity of purpose and good intentions. Spend your energy and strength to gain acceptance from Allah Almighty, and He will shower you with His Blessings; never ever stray into egoistic narcissism or selflove, for it will harm you enormously. Remember that arrogant people always have to face disgrace and notoriety. Allah Almighty has been good to us and He will give the best reward. Take half the army with you and let the other half remain there. Entrust them to the command of Mathna -4%.”

When Khilid bin Waleed # got these orders from the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq -, he glanced at the men in the army. He selected for his army

all the most respected Companions, and entrusted the other obedient soldiers to the Command of Mathna bin Harithah 4. The latter was extremely upset when he saw this state of affairs. He swore by Allah Almighty that he did not approve of this division of the army. He said an attempt was being made to deprive him of the blessed services of the most respected Companions, and this was not acceptable to him. He appealed to Khalid bin Waleed <4 to obey the orders of the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddigq and divide the army justly down the ranks of the Companions as well as the other obedient soldiers.

Khalid bin Waleed 4s, without questioning the desire of Mathna 2%, which was_based on good intentions, organised the army on the lines desired by him. Seeing that he was satisfied, he spoke these words in bidding farewell to him.

“May Allah Almighty protect you and Bless you. May He retain your leadership and Bless you with greater strength.”

He sent the weak and worn-out men back to Al-Madinah and commanding his division of the army, he himself set out for Yarmook.

When the Iranian Empire learnt that the Islamic army had been split up into two divisions, he tried to take advantage of the opportunity and ordered that a fierce and powerful army should be readied under his General, Hormuz Jathwiyah, to engage the Muslim forces. He then sent the following threatening letter to Mathna <.

“In order to oppose you I have sent a terrible, fearful and bloodthirsty army, which is composed of herdsmen of pigs and hens. I will wage war against you, using them.”

Mathna bin Harithah -#, in reply, wrote a letter, which is a model of intelligence, wisdom and farsightedness:

“Received your letter and learnt of the situation. I realise from the contents that you are either rebellious or defiant or a liar. This state of affairs is bad for you and good for us. You should be aware that when a ruler speaks lies, he is disgraced and humiliated among his people, and the wrath of Allah Almighty overtakes him. Our understanding and experience tells us that your death has brought you to oppose us. When a serpent is

about to die it comes out into the open inhabited places. We thank Allah, the Most Revered for giving you the understanding to bring the herdsman of your sheep, wolves, pigs and hens to war against us. Please bring these ignorant empty-headed men of yours against us. We feel like grieving for your intelligence and wisdom:

“Come let us test our skills, you can test your arrows we test our courage! (Poetry)

When the Iranian army came out to oppose them, Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani %, leading the Muslim forces Jaunched such a strong offensive, that they could not establish any stable position in the battlefield. He pursued them, pushing them right up to Madayan. The Iranians faced a resounding defeat and the Muslim army wona glorious victory. Their General, Mathna bin Harithah <8, sent a letter carrying the good news to Caliph. He also requested that the plea for forgiveness of those among the apostates who had returned to the fold of Islam should be accepted to be sincere and honest. He further asked for permission to induct them into the Muslim army so that their experience and skills could be used to advantage