threatened with disunity andchaos. Within a year, Abu Bakrwas strong
enough to attack the Persian Empire in the north-east and theByzantine
Empirein the north-west. There were legitimate purposes for this
conquest:
1- Along the borders betweenArabiaand these two great empires were
numerous Arab tribes leading a nomadic life and forming a buffer-like
state between the Persians and Romans. Abu Bakrhoped that these tribes
might accept Islam and help their brethren in spreading it.
2- The Persian and Roman taxation laws were arbitrary and oppressive;
Abu Bakrbelievedthat they might be persuaded to help the Muslims, who
sought to release them from injustice.
3- Two gigantic empires surroundedArabia, and it was unsafe to remain
passive with these two powers on its borders.Abu Bakr hoped that by
attackingIraqandSyriahe might remove the danger from the borders of
the Islamic State.
Conquest of thePersian Empire
We have mentioned that the Caliph Abu Bakrsent Al-Ala'a bin
Al-Hadhramito subdue the renegade tribes in Bahrain onthe Persian
Gulf. The Bahraini leader, Muthannaa, helped Al-Hadhrami to subdue his
own native apostates. Muthannaadid not feel that his contribution was
enough, so he marched northwards along the coast of the Gulf until he
reached the borders of `Iraq. In order to invade thePersian Empirehe
needed Abu Bakr's consent. Therefore, he traveled to Al-Madeenah
where, after taking his counselors' advice,)particularly that of
Khaalid bin Al-Waleed( Abu Bakrofficially appointed Muthannaa
commander in theArabian Gulfarea.
No sooner had Muthannaa left Al-Madeenah than he was joined by Khaalid
bin Al-Waleedat the head of a 10,000 strong army.When the two joined
forces at the borders near the delta, Khaalid sent a letter to Hormuz,
the Persian governor and leader, offering him three options: to
embrace Islam, to pay tribute or to fight.
Hormuz was an intolerable man. He was disliked by the 'Iraqis who used
to say of him: "There isno infidel more wicked than Hormuz." Yet,
inPersiahe was regarded as a nobleman of the highest rank.
Getting no reply, Khaalid divided his army into three regiments of
6,000 men each. The first day Muthannaa marched to Hafeer; the second
day 'Adiyy bin Haatimfollowed; and the third day Khaalid found Hormuz
occupying the water springs.
Hormuz wanted to cut the fight short by murdering Khaalid
treacherously. As soon as the twoarmies engaged in battle, he
challenged Khaalid to fight a duel. Khaalid at once dismountedand
before long, his opponent was killed and Khaalid cut off his head and
held it by the forelock. The Persians dashed up at full gallop to
prevent their captain's death, but the Muslims were ready for them.
The Persians tookto their heels and a massacre followed. Among the
spoils sent to Al-Madeenah were Hormuz's beret and an elephant. The
huge animal was publicly admired by old and young, and then returnedto
'Iraqto be made use of in the forthcoming campaign. This battle was
called "The Battle of the Chains" and it was one of the most important
battles, because of its effect on the morale of the Muslim troops.
Muslim forces gave blow after blow to the Persian armies. Many places
such as Al-Heerah, Al-Anbaar, 'Ayn At-Tamr, and Dawmat Al-Jandal
surrendered to the Muslims.
Conquest of theRoman Empire
The marvellous victories of Khaalid bin Al-Waleedin `Iraqencouraged
Abu Bakrto send armies to conquerSyria. Abu Bakr sent Khaalid bin
Sa'eedat the head of an army to Tayma', just near the Syrian border,
but he did not intend to invade the country; it was only a defensive
measure. However, when he received letters from Khaalid bin Sa'eed,
who longed for military glory inSyriaas great as that of Khaalid bin
Al-Waleed in `Iraq, asking for permission toproceed, he agreed and
gave the signal which started a new campaign. In his first engagement
with the Romans, Khaalid bin Sa'eed managed to win the battle and
occupy the Roman camps. Tasting victory against "the people of yellow
complexion", as they were usually described by the Arabs, Khaalid
pushed forward till he reached the shores of theDead Sea, where he
defeated another Roman regiment near Qastal.
Now, the Romans realized that the Muslims were not merely indulging in
temporary raids as they used to do before, but that they intended to
conquer and stay. So, they sent a huge army led by Bahan, who was well
known for his clever military tactics. He withdrew intentionallybefore
Khaalid, who forgot Abu Bakr's piece of advice to be always wary in
his war with the Romans. Bahan's retreat stoppedwhen he was in the
vicinity of Tiberias. There he managed to trap the Muslims and kill
Khaalid's son, Sa'eed, who was lagging behind with a group of his men.
TheBattleof Yarmook:
The circumstances, which befell Ibn Sa'eed, did not make Abu Bakr
despair. He ordered the recruitment of new troops and immediately sent
aid to 'Ikrimahwho was waiting near the Roman border. The total aid
which `Ikrimah received amounted to 30,000 men. `Amr bin Al-'Aas had
to proceed toPalestine, Abu `Ubaydah bin Al-Jarraah toDamascus,
Sharhabeel bin Hasnah to Jordan and Yazeed bin Abu Sufyaan to Basrah.
When Heraclius, the Roman emperor, heard the news, he mustered about
240,000 troops. Theodore, his brother, led the huge army and proceeded
to Waqusah, some 40 miles to the south of Yarmook, a tributary of
theJordan. He camped beside the left bank of the river on a spacious
plateau which was surrounded on three sides by high mountains.
Later, both armies were locked together in a fierce fight. Although
the Muslim army was deficient in number, it was more than a match for
the Romans in courage and vitality. Their enthusiasm was so high that
even women plunged into the battlefield to prove their bravery as
fighters for Islam. Abu Sufyaanencouraged the Muslim soldiers with
martial cries. The brave Muslim warriors performed such deeds of valor
that have never been witnessed before. From morning to evening swords
and daggers, arrows and spears remained in action. Exhausted by the
daylong operations and frustrated with failure after failure, the
Romans lost heart and began to retreat till they had the mountains at
their backs, while the Muslims kept advancingand pushing them back
till they started to flee.
The morning sun rose with the message of Muslim victory and the Roman
soldiers were nowhere to be seen.Theodore, the Roman commander and
brother of Heraclius was killed along with a few other generals. An
estimated 3000 Muslims were honored with martyrdom.
When Heraclius heard of his brother's defeat at Yarmook he leftHoms,
the imperial headquarters, and moved northwards. There he mustered
anew army, which was met by the Muslims and defeated.
It was not long beforeDamascusopened two of its gates to the Muslims,
one forced by Khaalid bin Al-Waleed, and the other opened peacefully
by Abu `Ubaydah. With the capital in the hands of the Muslims, and
with the Romans driven out forever,Syriabecame an Islamic country.
The End
Abu Bakrdied in the year 13 AH )634 AD( after suffering from fever for
fifteen days during which he gave instructions that 'Umar bin
al-Khattaabshould lead the prayers. During his suffering he was
thinking of Islam and its future stability. After much meditation he
decided to confer the Caliphate on 'Umar bin al-Khattaab. He consulted
many of the well-known companions of the Prophet,. Most of them
approved of the choice, though they pointed out that 'Umar bin
al-Khattaabwas rather rough. He called 'Uthmaanand put in writing his
desire to choose 'Umar as his successor. While he was dictating, he
fainted but 'Uthmaan completed the will on his own. When Abu
Bakrrecovered he was pleased with 'Uthmaan's initiative and approved
the will. Then he let it be read to the congregation, who accepted it
and swore allegiance to 'Umarin the Prophet's Mosque. He watched what
was going on from inside his house, being helped by his wife, Asmaa'
bint 'Umays.
Then he called 'Umar and advised him on how to lead his people, ending
with these words: "If you follow my advice, nothing unknown will be
more acceptable to you than death; butif you reject it, nothing
unknown will be more frightening than death." Before he died, Abu
Bakrgave back everything he had taken from the public treasury during
his Caliphate. It is said that he did not bequeath any money at all.
He left only a servant, a camel and a garment. His orders were that
after his death the garment should be delivered to his successor. On
seeing it 'Umar wept and said:"Abu Bakr has made the task of his
successor very difficult."
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