Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalifahs/The Profession of el-Islam by the Persian prince

by Muhammad Diyab al-Atlidi

THE PROFESSION OF EL-ISLÁM BY THE
PERSIAN PRINCE HURMUZÂN.

TRANSLATOR'S PREFATORY NOTE.

According to most Oriental authors, the 15th year of the Hijrah was rendered famous by the battle of el-Kâdisiyyah, (so called from a city of that name bordering upon the deserts of ʾIrâk), wherein the Persians were signally defeated by the Arabs, and in consequence of which their capital city, and the greatest part of their dominions, fell into the hands of the latter. Hurmuzân, a noble Persian who had possessed himself of Khuzestân, after this complete defeat surrendered that province to the Khalîfah, and at his request embraced Muhammadism in the manner related below. Hurmuzân's dominions lay, says D'Herbelot, fifty leagues from el-Wâsit, on the Tigris, and eighty leagues from Isfahán.

HURMUZÂN was brought bound as a prisoner into the presence of the Commander of the Faithful, ʾOmar ibn-el-Khattâb, who called upon him to profess el-Islám. Upon his refusal so to do, ʾOmar gave the order for his execution. But he cried, "O Commander of the Faithful! before you kill me give me a draught of water, and do not slay me parched with thirst." So ʾOmar ordered some water for him, and so soon as Hurmuzân had the goblet in his hand he asked, "Am I safe until I shall have drank it?" To which ʾOmar replied, "Yes; safety is yours for that time." Then Hurmuzân flung the vessel away from him, and spilt the water, and cried, "Your promise, O Commander of the Faithful!" So ʾOmar said to the executioner, "Leave him, whilst I find out what is to be done with him."

And when the sword was removed from over him, Hurmuzân exclaimed, "I testify that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is the prophet of God!"

Then said ʾOmar, "Verily thou hast professed the best form of Muhammadan faith. What caused thy delay in doing it?"

"I feared," he replied, "that it might be reported I had professed el-Islám through dread of the sword."

"Of a truth, thou art wise in judgment," said ʾOmar, "and art worthy of the dominion thou hadst." And after that time ʾOmar consulted him about the going forth of his armies into Persia, and acted according to his advice.