The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

AD. 634-5] I'ERSIAXS ADVANXE 83
he is the first to rally round the Prophet? Rut now ye
are backward
;
)-e come not to the help of the Lord. Such
as be forward to bear the burden, whether light or whether
heavy, have the better claim. Verily I will give the
command to none other but to him that first came forth."
Then turning to Abu 'Obeid "
: I appoint thee over this
force, because thou wast the first to offer ;
and
in eagerness
for battle is the Arab's glory." With this emphatic declaration,
he presented to him the standard ; but, at the same
time, earnestly enjoined upon him ever to
take counsel with
the other Companions and associate them with himself in
the conduct of affairs. So the force started for Al-'Ir;lk.
Now also 'Omar removed the ban against the employment
of the once Apostate tribes, and bade Abu 'Obcid to summon
to his standard all, without distinction, who since their
apostasy had made a good profession, Al-Muthanna, with
lightened heart, hastened back in advance of Abu 'Obeid,
and re-entered Al-IIlra after the absence of a month.
During this period further changes were transpiring at
the unhappy Court of Persia. Prince and Princess succeeded
one another amidst bloodshed and rebellion, till at last a
ro}'al lad)', Ruran, summoned the famous Rustem from
Khorasan, and by his aid established herself upon the
throne. Proclaimed supreme, the energy of Rustem was
soon felt. The nobles rallied round him great landholders
;
rose against the invaders, and the whole country speedily
cast off the Arabian yoke. Two columns were despatched
from Al-Medain, one under Jaban to cross the Euphrates
and advance on Al-I.lira; the other under Narsa to occup\-
Kaskar on the nearer side. The people flocked to their
standard, and the position of the Muslims grew precaritnis.
Al-Muthanna called in his forces, still all too few,
abandoned Al-I.Iira to the enemy, and falling back on the
desert road to Medina, there awaited Abu 'Obeifl. lUit he
had some time to wait. Swelled by Redawi tribes on the
way, and burdened by their families, it was a month before
he came up. After a few days' repose, Abu 'Obeid took
command of the combined force, and attacking Jaban, put
him to flight. Then crossing the Euphrates, he surprised
Narsa, strongly posted by a royal date-grove near Kaskar,
routed his army and took his camp, in which, with much
A.H. 13-14.
Abu Obeid
appointed
commander.
Rustem
rouses Persia
against the
invaders.
Abu 'Obeid's
victory over
the Persians,
viii. 13 A.H,
Oct. 634 A.ti.