Part 31

He waited for a long time for a reply, but none was forthcoming. Finally he decided to go to Al-Madinah himself to personally speak to the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq . He was very upset to see that he was bedridden, and the shadows of death were lengthening over him. When he saw Mathna his eyes lit up. He listened attentively to that entire Mathna bin Harithah < had to say and agreed with his views. He then sent for ‘Umar Faroog - and instructed him. He said:

Abu Bakr Siddiq passed away; and even before the early dawn prayers, ‘Umar Farooq % had ordered the army, under the Command

“We have broken the power of the Iranians; they have lost heart and are totally demoralised. They do not have the same courage as before. You are the lions of Allah Almighty and are the heroes of the battlefield, and victory is impatiently waiting for you. Your power and majestic grandeur is making the foe quiver from head to foot. They tremble helplessly in their homes when they think of facing you in the battlefield. Rise and determine to crush their pomp and grandeur and erase it from the history. Get ready to accompany me and annihilate their powerful tyranny!”

The Mujahideen on their fast Arab steeds raced on the right and left banks of the rivers Dajlah and Farath. One after another important regions such as Namaraq, Saqatiyah, Jasr and Buyab were conquered.

When the Iranians suffered a dishonourable defeat at Namariq, the Iranian Commander, Rustum, told the cousin of the Iranian Empire, Narshi (the ruler of Kashkar) to take heroic measures to ensure the safety of his lands which were spread far and wide. He said their common enemy was preparing to take over that region as well. The kingdom of Kashkar was fertile and had numerous orchards of a special and expensive variety of date palms.

Again the Muslims gained a large booty of the spoils of war ~ excellent dates and other food. And they gained control over the wealthy treasury of Narshi, who. In order to save his skin fled leaving his kingdom and his treasures behind.

“Allah Almighty has given to us the delicious food which the Iranian Empire used to eat. I am sending some of it to you, so that you personally experience the bounties and blessings of Allah Almighty.”

The engagement at Wassat came to be remembered as the Battle of Saqatiyah. The losses suffered by the Muslims at Jassr were unparalleled. What happened was? When the Iranians returned after encountering a terrible defeat at Sagatiyah. Rustum asked them, who

would be the strongest person to challenge the Arabs in the battlefield.

“Everyone answered simultaneously that Bahman Jathwiyah would be the best man. He was also known as the Leader with the Eyebrows.”

This was because he was very proud of his physical strength and he arrogantly and haughtily turned his eyebrows upwards from his eyes, so that anyone who saw his fierce looks would be terrified from the very outset. The Iranian General, Rustum, sent the Iranian army under the Bahman Jathwiyah to fight against the Muslims at Mada’n. He gave him dangerous elephants so that he could battle fiercely, and he handed him the Iranian flag - a symbol of national love - so that they would be moved to fight valiantly to protect its honour,

The Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim army in this battle was Abu “Ubaid bin Mas‘ood -2, and with him were fearless and experienced generals and heroes such as Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani <4. The Muslim army encamped on the shores of the river Euphrates. The Iranian General, Bahman Jathyiah descended on the other side of the river and sent the following message to the Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim army, Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Mas’ood -@.

We invite you to cross the river Euphrates and face us or invite us to cross over and oppose you. Lets us know which option you prefer.”

The entire Muslim army voiced their unanimous opinion that they should not cross the river, as they would then have to face irreparable damage. Saleet bin Qais and some of the other Mujahideen told Abu ’Ubaid bin Mas’ood - that when attacking the enemy a general should always remember to have a secure route by which he could retreat just in case of necessity. They added that the Iranians were a very tough people and extra precautionary measures were necessary when facing them; if they crossed the river it would not be advantageous for them.

at the cowardice of Saleet bin Qais.

The first one to obey the command and descend into the waters of the river Euphrates was Saleet bin Qais. Dr. Haikal, writes in his book:

“Umar Farooq #8’, that the in this particular battle the Muslim army numbered a little less than ten thousand. Yet, in spite of this they faced problems in the battlefield. This was because the enemy forces were positioned on the very edge of the riverbank. The Muslim army had absolutely no space to fall into rank formations and attack the enemy. The Iranian General was wearing bracelets with bells to advance with his army. Hearing the jangling of the bracelets, the Arabian steeds of the Muslim army were disturbed and retreated ina mad stampede. Thus the Muslim forces incurred heavy irreparable losses.”

The Mujahideen got down from their horses and a hand to hand combat ensued. The Iranian army’s elephants started trampling on the Mujahideen who were on foot. The Commander-in-Chief, Abu ‘Ubaid bin Mas‘ood -, commanded the Mujahideen to cut off the ropes of the elephants and turn the how dahs upside down, and topple down their riders. This was now their only hope of success. The Mujahideen tried to do their best as commanded; Abu ‘Ubaid bin Mas’ood #% himself advanced and attacked the tusk of a white elephant with his sword. But the elephant, Ina fit of rage, turned and attacked him. Asa result he fell down and _ his soul soared to heaven as the elephant trampled him down. The Mujahideen were disturbed on seeing this, but instead of retreating they advanced forward. Attacking the elephant, in one gigantic effort they killed it. The elephant fell like a huge mountain, kissing the earth. One of the young Mujahideen stepped forward to take the standard from the grasp of the fallen commander and moved forward between the ranks, waving it. But he was soon martyred. Thus the flag was passed from one Mujahid to another, as seven of them were martyred, one after another. Then Mathna <2, a picture of grief and regret for the irreparable losses suffered by the army of

Islam, moved forward and took up the flag. Planning to save the rest of the survivors and working on a strategy for an honourable retreat, he comrnanded the army to cross the river by way of the bridge. Wisdom necessitated this move to prevent further loss of life.

The mark ofa successful General is that he always advises his men to use different tactics and adopt varying moves in accordance with the needs of the changing conditions in the battlefield. If it is profitable to move forward, he orders his men to advanee, if it is advantageous to withdraw and disengage, he commands them to retreat, without feeling chagrined or embarrassed.

The bridge on the river Euphrates had been damaged; however Mathna bin Harithah 2 succeeded in taking the surviving Mujahideen back to safety after repairing the bridge. He was injured, but did not retreat until the last man had crossed the bridge to safety.