I mentioned the Battle of Jisr [Bridge] a short while ago, but it is necessary to mention it here also. The Battle of Jisr also took place in 13 AH at the banks of the Euphrates River between the Muslims and the Iranians. The commander-in-chief of the Muslim army was Hazrat Abu Ubaid al-Thaqafi (ra) and the Iranian commander-in-chief was Bahman Jaduya. The Muslim army numbered 10,000 and the Iranian army consisted of 30,000 soldiers and 300 elephants. Since the Euphrates River ran between them, the two armies abstained from fighting for a while, to the extent that owing to mutual agreement, a “jisr”, i.e. a bridge, was made and hence it was known as the Battle of Jisr.
When the bridge was constructed, Bahman Jaduya sent a message to Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) asking whether the Muslims would cross the bridge or would they grant permission for them to cross over. Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) was of the opinion that the Muslims should cross over and fight the enemy, whereas Hazrat Salitra, one of the commanders of the Muslim army, was of an opinion contrary to this. However, Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) crossed the Euphrates River and launched an attack on the Iranians.
For a short while, the fight ensued; upon seeing his army scattering, Bahman Jaduya ordered the elephants to advance. Owing to the elephants charging, the ranks of the Muslim army broke and they began to scatter. Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) said to the Muslims, “O servants of Allah! Attack the elephants and cut off their trunks.” After this, Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) marched forward and attacked an elephant, cutting off its trunk. Seeing this, the rest of the Muslim army rushed forward and cut off the legs and trunks of the elephants and killed their riders. Inadvertently, Hazrat Abu Ubaid (ra) came in front of an elephant; he succeeded in cutting off its trunk; however, the elephant trampled over him as a result of which he was martyred.