Sagacity and Moral Superiority of the Muslims in the Conquest of Bilbeis

During this battle, an incident took place that is a testament to the sagacity and moral superiority of the Muslims. When Allah the Almighty granted Muslims victory in Bilbeis, the daughter of Muqawqis was imprisoned, whose name was Armanoosah. She was his favourite and beloved daughter whom he planned to marry off to Constantine, the son of Heraclius. She was not content with this marriage and took an excursion to Bilbeis with her maid. When the Muslims had imprisoned her, Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas gathered the noble Companions (ra) and recited the following words of Allah the Almighty:

هَلۡ‭ ‬جَزَآءُ‭ ‬الۡاِحۡسَانِ‭ ‬اِلَّا‭ ‬الۡاِحۡسَانُ

“Is the reward of goodness anything but goodness?” (Ch.55: V.61)

Then, in reference to this verse, he reminded them by stating, “Muqawqis sent a gift to our Holy Prophet (sa). I am of the opinion that his daughter should be returned to him along with her entourage and servants and all the wealth that was seized.”

Everyone was in agreement with Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas. Accordingly, Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas sent Armanoosah to her father with great honour and dignity; along with all her jewellery and accompanying women and servants. On their journey back, one of Armanoosah’s maids remarked that they were protected in every direction by Arabs. Armanoosah replied to her, saying that she felt safe for her life and honour in the tents of the Arabs, but did not consider her life to be safe in her father’s fortress. When she reached her father, he was very pleased with how the Muslims had treated her.

*(Al-Salabi, Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (ra) translated [Khangarh, Pakistan: Al-Furqan Trust], pp. 758-759) *