The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

A.H. 13.
Troops sent
to 'Irak.
i. 12 A.II.
March
633 A.U.
Khalid joins
Muthanna in
'In-ik.
Mesopotamia
and the
Syrian
desert.
48 ABU BEKR [chap. VIII.
By the beginning of the twelfth year of the Hijra rebellion
had been put down throughout Arabia, excepting the south,
which was also in fair way of pacification. It became now
Abu Bekr's policy to turn his restless Arab columns to
similar work elsewhere. He despatched two armies to the
north. One, under command of Khalid joined by Al-
Muthanna, was to march on Ubulla, an ancient city near
the mouth of the Euphrates, and from thence, driving the
enemy up the western bank, to work its way towards Al-
Hlra the capital of Chald^ea. 'lyad, at the head of the other,
was directed to Duma (midway between the head of the
Red Sea and Persian Gulf) which had cast off its allegiance,
and thence to pass also on to Al-Hlra. Whichever first
reached that city was to be in command of the country.^
'lyad, hampered by his enemy, was long detained in the
neighbourhood of Duma. Khalid, meeting no such obstacle,
was joined on his march from Al-Yemama to Al-'Irak by
large bodies of BedawTn. These were of the greater service,
as his numbers had been thinned, not only by the carnage at
Al-Yemama, but also by the free permission given the army,
after that arduous campaign, to proceed on furlough to their
homes. Nevertheless, the expedition was so popular that
when, after a flying visit to the Caliph, Khalid rejoined his
camp by the Euphrates, he found himself at the head of
10,000 men ; and this besides the 8000 of Al-Muthanna, who
hastened loyally to place himself under the great leader's
command.
The country before them was in some of its features
familiar to the invading army, in others new and strange.
From the head of the Persian Gulf across to the Dead Sea
stretches a stony desert, trackless and bereft of water.
Advancing north, Nature relaxes ; the plain, still a wilderness,
is in season clothed with verdure, bright with flowers,
instinct with the song of birds and hum of winged life. Such
is the pasture-land which for hundreds of miles lies between
Damascus and the Tigris. Still farther north, the desert
gradually disappears, and about the latitude of Mosul blends
with the hills and vales of Asia Minor. Athwart the country
'
Tradition here probably anticipates the march of events. It is
doubtful whether the Caliph had the city of Al-Hira yet in view ; for
the aims of Khalid and his Master widened as victory led him onwards.