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This battle, which took place in Iraq in Ramadan AH 13,
is considered to be equivalent to the Battle of Al-Yarmuk in the Levant.
The Persian princes mobilized their troops under the leadership of
Mahran to meet the Muslims, who were led by Al-Muthanna ibn Harithah.
Both armies met in a place called Al-Buwayb, near
present-day Kufa, where the Euphrates River separated the two armies. It
was suggested then that one of the two armies should cross the river.
The Persians crossed and both parties were ready for fight.
Al-Muthanna pushed the Muslims not to fast, in order
that they have enough power to face their enemies. Then he mobilized his
army and went to each and every regiment, encouraging them to strive, be
patient, and be silence.
He also told them that he would cry out four loud takbirs
(the words “Allah Akbar”) and that they should get set on the
first three and attack on hearing the fourth.
However, when Al-Muthanna called out the first takbir,
the Persians attacked. A furious fight ensued, during which both sides
exerted tremendous effort.
Al-Muthanna and the Muslims prayed a lot to Allah,
asking Him to grant them victory. The fight continued without any sign
of change. Al-Muthanna gathered a number of his best men to cover him
while he launched a strong offensive on Mahran himself and finally
pushed him out his place, until he reached the right flank of the
Persian army.
Finally, Al-Mundhir ibn Hassan ibn Dirar Ad-Dabbi and
Jarir ibn `Abdullah Al-Bajali attacked the Persian leader and managed to
kill him.
Seeing this, the Persians started to escape and the
Muslims followed them. Al-Muthanna also went quickly to the bridge to
prevent the Persians from crossing back, to enable Muslims to get them.
Muslims pursued them for the rest of the day and even after dark had
fallen.
It was said that that around 100,000 were killed.
Although many Muslim leaders were killed, this battle forced the
Persians to surrender to the Muslims, enabling the Companions with them
to launch other attacks between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
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