The Battle of Junday Sabur
Accounts from the life of Hazrat Umar (ra) were previously being mentioned, including the various battles that were fought. One of those battles is the Battle of Junday Sabur.
After Hazrat Abu Sabrah bin Ruhum had conquered the Sasanian cities, he advanced with his army and set up camp in Junday Sabur, which is a city in Khuzestan. Skirmishes took place with the enemy day and night but the enemy firmly stood their ground. This continued until one of the Muslims made a proposal of granting them protection. The enemy was in their fortress and whenever the opportunity presented itself, they would come out and attack.
When one of the Muslims, who was not one of the chiefs, but an ordinary individual, made this proposal, they immediately opened the doors of their fortress. Their animals came out, the markets were opened and people could be seen everywhere. The Muslims asked them what had happened to them. They replied, “You granted us protection and we have accepted it. We will pay the jizya [tax for non-Muslim citizens] and you will protect us.”
The Muslims said that they had not done anything of the sort. They replied that they were not lying. Following this, the Muslims asked each other and enquired about the matter, upon which it came to light that this was done by a slave called Miqnaf. When Hazrat Umar (ra) was asked about him, he said, “Allah the Almighty has given great importance to honouring one’s pledge. You cannot be truly sincere until you fulfil this pact that has been made”, even though it was made by a slave. “Give them respite for as long as you remain in doubt and treat them with sincerity.” Hence, the Muslims acknowledged this pact and returned.
(Ali Muhammad al-Salabi, Sirat Amir al-Momineen Umar bin al-Khattab (ra) [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ma‘rifah, 2007] p. 425) (Syed Umar Khattab (ra), Shakhsiyyat kar namay, p. 689, Maktabah al-Furqan, Khangarh, Pakistan) (Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2, p. 19)
This battle marked the end of the conquest of Khuzestan.
(Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umar (ra), Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 135)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has also mentioned a similar incident, stating:
“During the time of Hazrat Umar (ra), an Abyssinian slave formed a treaty with a nation that such and such provisions will be given to them. When the Muslim army approached them, the people of that nation said that such and such pact had been made with them. The commanding officer of the army was hesitant to accept this treaty. The matter reached Hazrat Umar (ra) and he said that the words of a Muslim should be free of falsehood, irrespective if one was a slave.”
(Baz Zururi Umur, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 12, 405)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:
“During the time of Hazrat Umar (ra), an opposing army was besieged and they believed that they could no longer be saved.” Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) is elaborating on the aforementioned incident in his own words. “The people thought that the commander of the Muslims was intent on conquering their fortress and if he succeeded in doing so, they would be treated as other conquered nations were treated. Every Muslim understood the difference between being conquered and entering into a treaty. In the case of a conquest, the general Islamic law would be implemented and in the case of a treaty, they could make conditions or seek as many additional rights as they pleased”, i.e. the other party could do so. “They thought that they should adopt an approach through which reconciliation would be achieved with lenient conditions.
“Hence, one day, an Abyssinian Muslim was collecting water. They went to him and said, ‘In your opinion, is it not better to reconcile rather than fighting?’ He replied: ‘Yes, it is better.’” This Abyssinian man was of a simple disposition. “They said, ‘Why not reconcile on the condition that we are left to live freely in our country, without anyone troubling us. Our wealth will remain with us and your wealth will remain with you.’
“Upon this, he said that this was perfectly fine. Following this, they opened the doors of their fortress. Subsequently, the Muslim army approached and the enemy said that they had already made a treaty with them. The Muslims asked, ‘Where was the pact made and which officer made it.’ They said: ‘We are unaware of who it was, as we do not know who your officers are. A man was collecting water here. We spoke to him and he said this to us.’ The Muslims said that a slave had set out from here, ask him what happened. They mentioned this to the Abyssinian slave and he replied, ‘Yes, I said this.’
“Upon this, the Muslims said that he was merely a slave. Nobody had given him the authority to make this decision. Hearing this, the enemy said, ‘How are we to know whether he is your officer or not? We are people of a foreign land and we believed him to be your general.’” The people acted shrewdly. “The officer said, ‘I cannot accept this. However, I will write the incident to Hazrat Umar (ra).’ When Hazrat Umar (ra) received this letter, he said, ‘Make an announcement for future, that no pact can be made other than with the commander-in-chief. However, it is not possible that a Muslim gives his word and I go against it. You must now accept whatever pact this Abyssinian man has made. However, make this announcement for future reference that no one besides the commander-in-chief can form any kind of treaty.’”
(Sair-e-Ruhani (7), Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 24, pp. 293-294)