The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

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A.D. 637-41] I'ERSKPOLIS ATTACKED 169
to disperse the gathering enemy, and turning as a last
the Persians, and then retired on Al-Basra. The troops of
'Otba gained a great name in this affair, and the special
thanks of 'Omar. This expedition of Al-'Ala is known as
" the First Istakhar."
to the Muslims, was placed by 'Otba in the hands of his
Bedawi allies. After one of his victories, the girdle of the
defeated Marzuban, (jr Persian warden of the marches, was
sent as a trophy to the Caliph. The envoy, pressed by
'Omar, confessed ;— that the Muslims were becoming luxurious
in foreign parts " The love of this present life," he said,
" increaseth upon them, gold and silver dazzling their sight."
Concerned at the unwelcome avowal, 'Omar summoned
'Otba, who came, leaving a Bedawi chief in charge at Al-
Basra. The arrangement was highly distasteful to 'Omar,
!
" What " he cried, " hast thou put a man of the Desert over
the Companions of the Prophet ? That may never be !
enemy from their ships. After a severe engagement, unable A.H. 16-20.
Meg"^"
resource towards Al-Basra, they found the road in that check, but is
direction barred. Messengers were hurried to Medina, and Basra^
^°"^
'Omar, incensed with Al-'Ala for his foolhardiness, despatched
an urgent command to 'Otba to relieve the beleaguered army.
A force of 12,000 men set out immediately; and forming,
not without difficulty, a junction with Al-'Ala, beat back
But the retreat, conducted with whatever skill and Campaign in
bravery, put heart into the hostile border. Al-Hormuzan, ija.h.
'
a Persian satrap, had escaped from Al-Kadisiya to his own 638 a.d.
province of Al-Ahwaz, on the lower mountain range, at no
great distance from Al-Basra. He began now to make raids
upon the Arab outposts, and 'Otba resolved to attack him.
Reinforcements were obtained from Al-Kufa, and 'Otba was
fortunate enough to gain over a Bedawi tribe, which, though
long settled near Al-Ahwaz, was by blood and sympathy
allied to the garrison of Al-Basra. Thus strengthened, he
dislodged the enemy from Al-Ahwaz, and drove him across
the Karun River. A truce was called ;
and Al-Ahwaz, ceded
So Al-Moghira was placed in charge ; and
—
'Otba dying on
his journey back from pilgrimage, Al-Moghira became Moghira
Governor in his stead. Thus early do we see the spirit of *q^J^"|,*
antagonism rapidly breeding between the Bedawi chiefs and Ba^ru.
the men of JMecca and Mednia.