The Muslim army entered Persia under the command of Sa’d ibn Waqaas Radhi Allahu Anhu. The two armies were set for battle when the Persian king, Rustam, sent a message to Sa’d requesting for a representative intelligent enough to answer questions. Mughira ibn Shuba Radhi Allahu Anhu was sent. The following conversation then ensued:
Rustam : “You are our neighbours. We have a good relationship with you. We do not harm you. Go back home. We will not stop you from coming to our cities for trade purposes.”
Mughira : “We seek not this world. We seek the Hereafter. Allah has sent to us a prophet with His message : ‘I have sent you to rule over these men. Those who do not accept My religion, I will take them to task. Those who testify to the true religion I will grant them victory. The one who turns away from this religion will be disgraced. The one who respects it will be honoured.”
Rustam : “What is this religion of your prophet?”
Mughira : “The most important pillar of this faith is to bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammed is His messenger.”
Rustam : “This is fine. Anything else?”
Mughira : “To remove men from the slavery of men and to lead them towards the worship of Allah.”
Rustam : “This is fine. Anything else?”
Mughira : “The children of Adam are brothers to one another. They are the progeny of one pair of parents. In other words, the Arab and non-Arab, by virtue of being human, are all equal.”
Rustam : “This is fine also. But tell me : If we accept your religion will you leave our cites in peace?”
Mughira : “By the Oath of Allah, we will leave. We will not come to you again except for trade and necessities. ”
Thereafter, Rustam discussed the issue with his courtiers. He encouraged them to accept Islam. They adamantly refused.
Then on the request of Rustam, Sa’d sent Rab’i ibn Aamir Radhi Allahu Anhu as a messenger to Rustam. Rab’i entered his court which they had decorated with embroided cushions and rugs. Precious rubies, pearls and beautiful ornaments were on display. He had on him a crown and other valuable adornments. He was sitting on a throne made of gold. Rab’i entered with tattered clothing, a sword, a shield and a small horse. He continued riding it until it stepped onto a portion of the carpet. He then dismounted and tied it around one of the pillars. He stepped forward holding his sword and armour, his helmet still on his head.
The courtiers asked him to remove his sword but Rab’i refused saying : ‘I did not come of my own accord. I only came because you called me. You either leave me as I am or I will return.’
Rustam allowed him to come forward. He stepped onto the carpet leaning on his spear tearing most of it in the process.
The courtiers began to question him : ‘What has brought you?’
Rab’i : ‘Allah sent us to remove those who He has chosen from the worship of mankind to the worship of Allah, from the confines of the world to the expanses of the hereafter, from the oppression of other faiths to the justice of Islam. He sent us with His religion to His creation so that we may call them to Him. Whosoever accepts this we accept him and withdraw from him. Whosoever refuses we will continue fighting him until we lead him to the promise of Allah.’
The courtiers : ‘What is the promise if Allah?’
Rab’i : ‘ Paradise for those who die fighting the unfaithful and victory for those who survive.’
Rustam : ‘I have heard your message. Can you delay this matter long enough to allow us to ponder over it?’
Rab’i : ‘Yes. How long do you require, a day or two?’
Rustam : ‘No. We require time to correspond with the knowledgeable and leaders of our people.’
Rab’i : ‘The Prophet of Allah did not command us to give respite to our enemies for more than three days. So, see to your and their interests and choose one of these three options within this time period.’
Rustam : ‘Are you their leader?’
Rab’i : ‘No. But all Muslims are like one body. The lowest from them can give asylum to the most honourable.’
Rustam assembled with the leaders of his nation and said : ‘Have you ever heard words more respectable and superior than the words of this man?’
They replied : ‘God forbid that you incline to anything of this man and discard your religion in favour of this dog! Did you not see his clothes?’
Rustam replied : ‘Woe to you! Do not look at clothes. Look at the view, the words and the conduct. Arabs give no attention to clothing and food. They guard the nobility of their status.’ “
The next day the courtiers of Rustam requested another representative. Sa’d sent Huzaifah ibn Mahaz Radhi Allahu Anhu. He repeated what Rab’i had said. On the third day Mughira ibn Sh’uba was sent to them and he gave the same message as those before him.
Thereafter, Rustam took an oath upon the sun saying : “Tomorrow I will surely kill you.” Mughira replied : “That is left to be seen.”
Rustam also said : “I have commanded that each of you be given a pair of clothes and your leader be given a thousand dinars, a pair of clothes and a conveyance. Take these things and disperse!”
Mughira replied : “What! After we have tainted your status, can we leave you as you are. We will most certainly remain in your cities and we will take the jizya from you. You will pay the jizya in disgrace. You will become our slaves.”
This angered Rustam even more. A fierce battle ensued. The Muslims were seven thousand strong while the enemy was seventy thousand strong. The Persians were humiliated and suffered a crushing defeat. (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah Wa-Nihayah, vol. 7, p.39)
Lessons
1. The Sahabah were not affected by worldly wealth and riches. They remained dedicated to their mission of spreading the teachings of Islam.
2. Islam does not depend upon superiority of numbers and weapons. Muslims believe that victory hinges upon faith (Imaan) and the help of Allah Azza Wajal.
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