The Conquest of Masabzan

How did the conquest of Masabzan take place? Regarding this battle, it is mentioned that Hazrat Hashim bin Utbah, who was the commander-in-chief of the army at Jalula, returned to Madain whilst Hazrat Saad (ra) was residing there. They received news that a Persian army under the command of Azeen, son of Hormuzan, was heading towards open plains to confront the Muslims. Hazrat Saad (ra) reported this to Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) ordered for an army to be sent under the command of Dirrar bin Khattab, with Ibn Hudhail to be sent as an advance guard and Abdullah bin Wahab Rasibi and Mudarib bin Fulana Ijli as commanders of the flanks. The Muslim army left to confront the Iranians and met the enemy near the plains of Masabzan. The battle took place at a place called Handaf and the Iranians were defeated; the Muslims advanced ahead and captured Masabzan. The residents of Masabzan began fleeing the city, but Dirrar bin Khattab invited them to live in peace within their city. They accepted the invitation and returned to their homes.

(Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 475, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1987)

Baladhuri has stated a different narration with regard to the conquest of Masabzan; in one narration it is stated that Abu Musa Ash‘ari captured the city on the return from the Battle of Nahavand without fighting.

(Maqalah ‘Tarikh Islam bi ahd Hazrat Umar (ra), Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 120) (Futuh al-Buldan, Allamah Baladhari, p. 185, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)