The Conquest of al-Anbar and the Raid on Baghdad's Market

فتح الأنبار وغارة سوق بغداذ

c. 633 CE · c. 12 AH† †

† Hijri date derived by computation from the Gregorian/Julian date; it may differ from the transmitted date by a day or two.

In al-Baladhuri: Khalid marched to al-Anbar whose people fortified; a guide told him of Baghdad's market — the old market at Qarn al-Sarat — so he sent al-Muthanna ibn Haritha raiding on it and the Muslims filled their hands with gold, silver and light goods, then overnighted at al-Saylahin and came to al-Anbar where Khalid was; they besieged its people and burned through its outskirts — al-Anbar being named for the Persians' granaries there, from which al-Nu'man's retainers and clients drew their rations — so when they saw what befell them they made peace with Khalid on terms he accepted from them. It is also said Khalid sent al-Muthanna ahead to Baghdad then marched after and himself led the raid — not established. Via al-Sha'bi: Anbar's people have a covenant and contract. Shaykhs of Anbar told al-Baladhuri they were pacified in Umar's caliphate on their canals: four hundred thousand dirhams and a thousand Qatawani cloaks yearly, Jarir ibn Abdallah al-Bajali conducting the peace — or, it is said, on eighty thousand; God knows best.

Overview

al-Baladhuri relates that Khalid marched to al-Anbar, and its people fortified themselves, and then made peace with him. ¹

The raid on the market of Baghdadh

A man guided him to the market of Baghdadh, the old market by the horn of the Sirat. al-Muthanna ibn Haritha was sent and raided it, and the Muslims took the gold and silver and light goods. Then they spent the night at al-Silhayn and came to al-Anbar. al-Baladhuri says that some relate that Khalid himself led the raid, and that this is not established. ¹

The treaty

They besieged the people of al-Anbar and burned its outskirts, and they made peace with Khalid. al-Anbar was so called because the granaries of the Persians were there. al-Baladhuri relates from al-Sha'bi that its people had a covenant and a pact. ¹

The elders of al-Anbar told al-Baladhuri that they were made peace with in the caliphate of Umar for four hundred thousand dirhams and a thousand Qatwani cloaks each year, and that Jarir ibn Abd Allah al-Bajali undertook the treaty. It is also said that it was for eighty thousand, and al-Baladhuri concludes: "God knows best." ¹

The Day of Mihran, Being the Day of al-Buwayb

In al-Baladhuri: the Muslims gathered at Dayr Hind in year 14, Shirawayh having perished and Buran daughter of Kisra ruling till Yazdgard ibn Shahriyar should come of age; she sent Mihran ibn Mihrbandadh al-Hamadhani against them in twelve thousand, and the Muslims gave him leave till he crossed the bridge to Dayr al-A'war's side. Sayf relates Mihran went on crossing to a place called al-Buwayb — where he was killed; al-Buwayb's flanks are said to have filled with bones till dust covered them in the civil-war time, and the stretch between al-Sakun and Banu Sulaym was the Euphrates' outflow into al-Jawf in the Khasraws' day. The Muslims camped at al-Nukhayla, Jarir ibn Abdallah over Bajila by some accounts and al-Muthanna over Rabi'a by others — or each over his own people. The armies met: Shurahbil ibn al-Simt al-Kindi fought well that day; Mas'ud ibn Haritha, al-Muthanna's brother, was killed, and al-Muthanna said 'let not my brother's fall dismay you — the falls of your best are such'; they charged as one man, steadfast, till God killed Mihran and routed the unbelievers, the Muslims pursuing with few escaping; Qurt ibn Jammakh al-Abdi fenced till his sword bent. Night fell and they crept back to camp, in year 14. Killing Mihran was claimed by Jarir ibn Abdallah and al-Mundhir ibn Hassan ibn Sirar al-Dabbi — each saying 'I killed him' — in a sharp dispute: al-Mundhir took his belt, Jarir the rest of his spoil; it is also said al-Husayn ibn Ma'bad ibn Zurara ibn Udas al-Tamimi was among his killers. Mihran and al-Qadisiyya are said to be eighteen months apart.

The Conquest of al-Anbar and the Raid on Baghdad's Market

At a glance

In time

In space

Overview

The raid on the market of Baghdadh

The treaty

Connections

People and things also explored

Sources

Time

The Day of Mihran, Being the Day of al-Buwayb