Factors Compelling Hazrat Umar (ra) to Conquer Iran

Regarding the factors that compelled Hazrat Umar (ra) to conquer Iran, it has been mentioned that it was Hazrat Umar’s (ra) heartfelt desire that it would be better if the Battles of Iraq and Ahwaz would bring an end to this deadly fighting as there was no benefit to be acquired from fighting. Since the enemy was attacking them, if they were able to stop them and weaken their power, then the fighting could stop once and for all.

Hazrat Umar (ra) repeatedly expressed his desire of having a barrier between them and the Iranians so that they could not come to them and nor could they go there. However, the continuous military operations of the Iranians did not allow this desire of his to be fulfilled.

In 17 AH, a delegation consisting of the commanders of the Muslim army came from the battlefield and appeared before Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) asked the delegation why there was repeated violation of treaties and rebellion in conquered lands. Hazrat Umar (ra) expressed the notion that perhaps the Muslims were causing hardship for the people in those areas, which is why they kept violating their treaties. The delegation denied this notion and stated that according to their knowledge, the Muslims were working with true sincerity and excellent administration.

Upon this, Hazrat Umar (ra) enquired as to what then was the reason for the disorder. The other members of the delegation could not provide a satisfactory answer; however, Ahnaf bin Qais submitted:

“O Leader of the Faithful! Allow me to inform you of the true state of affairs. The fact is that you have forbidden us from carrying out any further military action and engaging in any further warfare. And you have instructed us to remain in the lands which have already been conquered. However, the King of Iran is still alive and so long as he lives, the Iranians will continue to fight against us. And it is not possible for two governments to coexist in one country. One will ultimately expel the other. Thus, either the Iranians will remain, or we will.”

He further stated, “You are aware of the fact that we have not seized any land but only acquired it as a result of the enemy instigating an attack.”

They had not initiated the fighting, and this was the instruction of Hazrat Umar (ra). The enemy would launch an attack against them, and they would be left with no other choice but to fight them. Consequently, those lands were conquered.

In any case, this has made it evidently clear for those amongst the Muslims who unnecessarily seek to justify their own wars. It also answers those critics who raise allegations against Islam: Muslims never fought battles in order to acquire lands or to conquer countries. In fact, they would be attacked first, and they would only engage in battle in order to establish peace and subsequently they would achieve victories as well.

Nonetheless, they said that these armies came from their king and their conduct would continue until Hazrat Umar (ra) permitted them to take steps to attack and expel the king from Iran. In this way, the Persians’ hopes of another victory could be crushed. And this truly was the case.

(Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umar (ra), Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138 [2009], p. 162) (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012] pp. 502-503)

Considering this to be sound advice, Hazrat Umar (ra) realised that there was no other option than to advance further in Iran. It was otherwise not possible to establish peace, or else Muslims would continue to be killed and battles would be waged. However, Hazrat Umar (ra) officially decreed this after about two years, in 21 AH, after the Battle of Nahawand, when the Iranians marched forward with powerful forces and a ferocious battle ensued in Nahawand.

*(Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umar (ra), Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138) 2009], pp. 138-139) *