The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER XXIII
ADVANCE ON THE SOUTH OF PERSIA.
TAKEN PRISONER
AL-HORMUZAN
16-20 A.H. 637-641 A.D.
Barrier fixed
by 'Omar
eastward.
Situation in
Lower 'Irak.
Governor
of Bahrein
attacks
Persepolis.
Turning once more to the eastern provinces of the
Caliphate, we find the cautious policy of 'Omar still tending
to restrain the Muslim arms within the limits of the Arabian
'Irak, or the country bounded by the western slopes of the
Persian range. But they were soon, by the force of events,
to burst the barrier.
To the north of Al-Medain, the Muslim border was
securely defended by Holwan and other
strongholds planted
along the hilly range. In Lower 'Irak, 'Otba had, after
repeated encounters, established himself at Al-Basra, from
whence he held securely the country at the head of the
Gulf. But the Persian satraps were still in strength at
Al-Ahwaz and Ram Hormuz, within a hundred miles of him.
Hostilities in this direction were precipitated b}' a rash
and unsuccessful raid upon Istakhr (Persepolis). Al-'Ala,
who had distinguished himself by crushing the rebellion in
Al-Bahrein, saw with jealous eye the conquests in Al-'Irak
of Sa'd and 'Otba. Tempted by the nearness of the Persian
shore across the narrow strait, he set on foot an expedition
to seize the district lying opposite. This was done, not only
without permission, but against the known unwillingness
of 'Omar to trust the treacherous element. Success might
have justified the project ; but it fell out otherwise. The
troops, landing on the Persian coast, met for a time with no
check in their advance upon Istakhr. But before long
they were drawn into a trap. Advancing altogether, they
had neglected to secure their base, and were cut off by the
168