The Origins of the Islamic State/Part 9/Chapter 3
CHAPTER III
The Battle of Ḳuss an-Nâṭif, or the Battle of al-Jisr
Dhu-l-Ḥâjib. Hearing that the Arabs were massing their forces, the Persians sent dhu-l-Ḥâjib [the eye-browed] Mardânshâh who was nicknamed by Anûshirwân "Bahman" [potent, endowed with great means] because he augured good from him.[1] He was called dhu-l-Ḥâjib because, in his pride, he tied up his brows, to lift them above his eyes. His name, it is said, was Rustam.[2]
The elephant. Abu-ʿUbaid ordered that the bridge [on the Euphrates] be erected; and it was, the people of Bâniḳiya helping in the construction. It is said that this bridge once belonged to the people of al-Ḥîrah on which they crossed over to their farms. Being in ruins, abu-ʿUbaid ordered it repaired. Over this bridge, abu-ʿUbaid and the Moslems crossed from al-Marwaḥah[3] and met dhu-l-Ḥâjib who was accompanied by 4,000 men armed from head to foot, and one elephant—others say many elephants. A fierce fight ensued, in the course of which many wounds were inflicted on the Moslems. At this, Salîṭ ibn-Ḳais said to abu-ʿUbaid, "I have warned thee against crossing this bridge and advised thee to withdraw to some quarter and write for reinforcements to the 'Commander of the Believers'; but thou hast refused." Salîṭ fought until he was killed. Abu-ʿUbaid asked, "Which is the vulnerable point in this creature?" and he was told that it was its trunk, upon which he made a rush and struck the trunk of the elephant Abu-Miḥjan ibn-Ḥabîb ath-Thaḳafi also charged the elephant and struck and broke its leg. The "polytheists", thereupon, made an attack which resulted in the death of abu-ʿUbaid. Others say that the elephant threw its weight upon him and crushed him.[4]
The Moslems who fell. After abu-ʿUbaid, the flag was carried by his brother, al-Ḥakam, who was then killed, and the flag passed to the hands of his son, Jabr, who also fell. Al-Muthanna[5] ibn-Ḥârithah carried it for one hour, after which he withdrew his men as some of them defended the others. On this occasion, ʿUrwah ibn-Zaid al-Khail fought so fiercely that his action was estimated to be equivalent to that of a whole group of men.
Among those who took part in the defense of the Moslems on the west bank of the river, was the poet abu-Zubaid aṭ-Ṭâʾi, who happened to be at al-Ḥîrah on some personal business. Abu-Zubaid was a Christian.
Al-Muthanna came and occupied Ullais and communicated the news in a letter to ʿUmar ibn-al-Khaṭṭâb sent with ʿUrwah ibn-Zaid.
Among those killed in the battle of al-Jisr [the bridge], according to abu-Mikhnaf, was abu-Zaid al-Anṣâri, one of those who compiled the Koran in the days of the Prophet.
The battle of al-Jisr was fought on Saturday at the end of Ramaḍân, year 13.
Abu-ʿUbaid al-Ḳâsim ibn-Sallâm from Ḳais ibn-abi-Ḥâzim:—As abu-ʿUbaid was crossing Bâniḳiya with a band of followers, the "polytheists" cut the bridge and many of his men lost their lives. Ismâʿîl ibn-abi-Khâlid adds that abu-ʿAmr ash-Shaibâni stated that the battle of Mihrân was fought at the beginning of the year, and al-Ḳâdisîyah at the end of it.