The Conquest of Khuzestan
In the accounts regarding the conquest of Khuzestan, it is mentioned that Khuzestan was a province of Persia. Prior to accepting Islam, Hormuzan was the governor of this province. This area and the people residing therein were known as Khuz; i.e. those residing in the mountainous area on the outskirts of Ahvaz, Fars, Basra, Wasit, and Isfahan.
In 14 AH, owing to certain military advantages, Hazrat Umar (ra) decided to open up a small front in Iraq and sent a small army under the command of Utbah bin Ghazwan to this frontier. Initially, Basrah was used as a garrison town for the army. This army not only captured neighbouring enemy lands, but was beneficial in the military campaign in Iraq in that the Persians, who were engaged in bigger battles on the outskirts, were receiving constant news that their comrades were being defeated and were unable to go to assist them. It seems that the main objective of occupying this front and placing an army here was to stop the reinforcements and the aid reaching the Persians and also to stop them from attacking the Muslims. The commander of this army went to Hijaz in order to perform Hajj and to meet with Hazrat Umar (ra). In his absence, Hazrat Umar (ra) assigned the command of the army to Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bah (ra). Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bah was accused of committing a moral offence, as a result of which Hazrat Umar (ra) deposed him and called him to Medina for an investigation. Hazrat Umar (ra) appointed Hazrat Abu Musa (ra) as the commander of the army in his place. Nonetheless, after investigation it was concluded that the allegation levelled against Hazrat Mughirah (ra) was false.
(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1987], pp. 442-438) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-i-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 116) (Yaqut Ibn Abd Allah al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi], pp. 259-260)
There are differing opinions as to whether it was in 16 AH or 17 AH that the Muslim army continued to increase its military operations, in which the Muslims captured Ahwaz, a famous city in Khuzestan.
The historian Tabari has mentioned this conquest to have taken place in 17 AH, whereas some other narrations state this year as 16 AH. Regarding this conquest, Tabari has stated that the commander at the time of the conquest was Utbah bin Ghazwan, whereas Baladhuri has mentioned that Ahwaz was conquered prior to the return of Utbah bin Ghazwan and this battle took place under the command of Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bah and Hazrat Abu Musa Ash‘ari. It is mentioned that Hazrat Mughirah conquered Ahwaz; initially the chief of Ahwaz Bahrooz fought against the Muslims, but later formed a treaty. After a short while, Hazrat Abu Musa Ash‘ari was appointed as the commander of the Muslim army covering the area of Basrah instead of Hazrat Mughirah. Bahrooz broke the agreement and rebelled against the Muslim army. Subsequently, Hazrat Abu Musa Ash‘ari set forth against him and after the battle, he captured the city. This took place in 17 AH.
During the conquest of Ahwaz, the Muslim army took many prisoners, but under the orders of Hazrat Umar (ra) they were all freed; as no one was to be made into a slave.
In Al-Tabari it is written that the Persians would launch raids against the Muslims using two routes; the two centres used for the raids along these routes were Nehrtira and Manazir. The Muslims captured both of these centres. We find in most instances that from where Muslims were constantly troubled and attacked, later the Muslims attacked these very places and captured them. Baladhuri has written that Abu Musa Ash‘ari captured Nehrtira during the conquest of Ahwaz. After the capture of Ahwaz, he advanced towards the other centre, Manazir, and after laying a siege around the city, an intense battle took place.
During this siege, one day, a brave Muslim by the name of Muhajir bin Ziyad was fasting and with the intention of sacrificing his life for the sake of God Almighty, he headed towards the enemy. Rabi‘, the brother of Muhajir told Abu Musa – who was the commander of the army – that his brother was entering the battlefield while in a state of fasting. Abu Musa made an announcement that whoever is fasting should break their fast or not enter the battlefield. When Muhajir heard this announcement, he took a sip of water to break his fast and said that he had done this solely out of obedience to the commander, otherwise he was not thirsty. Saying this, he took his weapons and attacked the enemy and attained martyrdom in this battle. The people of the city severed his head and placed it on the parapet of the palace. The siege became prolonged; perhaps on the instructions of Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Abu Musa left one contingent of the army under the command of Muhajir’s brother, Rabi‘, to continue the siege of Manazir and himself left for Sus. Rabi‘ continued fighting and eventually captured the city. Many people were taken captive; however, in light of the instructions of Hazrat Umar (ra), all the prisoners were released.
Hazrat Abu Musa (ra) advanced towards Sus. Initially the people of Sus fought back, but soon after they confined themselves to the city. Eventually when they ran out of food provisions, they laid down their arms.
Regarding the details of the events leading to these conquests, Mir Mahmood Ahmad Sahib has presented his research and analyses in his thesis. He writes:
“Tabari and Baladhuri contain many differing viewpoints, and perhaps the reason for these differences is that the Persian chiefs of these areas broke their promises and rebelled. This resulted in the Muslim army having to mobilise for battle once again and the narrations regarding the first conquest became confused with these events.”
(Maqalah ‘Tarikh Islam bi ahd Hazrat Umar (ra), Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, pp. 124-127) (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1987], p. 494) (Futuh al-Buldan, Allamah Baladhari, pp. 225-226, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)
The campaigns that were launched for a second time were to restore peace. Nonetheless, this is a point he presented.