THE BATTLE OF FIRAAD
Although the Arab tribes were defeated many times, they did not stop plotting against Khalid. This forced him to march northwards to deal with their incessant plots and intrigues.
In the face of the Muslims, the Byzantine garrison decided to come to the aid of the Persian garrison. The united forces of the Persians, the Byzantines and the Christian Arab auxiliary numbered the Muslim force tenfold. Impressed by the imposing array of the coalition, the Byzantine General sent a haughty message to Khalid demanding an unconditional surrender. Khalid responded that he would reply on the battlefield.
Khalid gave the enemy the option to cross the Euphrates. As soon as the enemy had crossed the Euphrates, Khalid commanded the Muslim force to go into action. The united forces of the Persians and the Byzantines had the river at their back. As the front ranks of both the forces committed themselves in the fighting, Khalid fixed his enemy on either flank with the help of the rear wings. Moving swiftly, the Muslims dashed for the bridge on the river, and succeeded in occupying it. The enemy was thus held in a pincer movement. The Muslims intensified the attack and tightened the noose around the neck of the enemy. In the mortal conflict that ensued, the enemy soon lost the ground. The withdrawing forces of the Persians and the Byzantines either jumped into the river in a slate of horror or confusion or allowed themselves to be squeezed to death. It was a bloody battle, and over 100,000 enemy soldiers fell on the battleground. The battle was soon over and Firaad, the last stronghold of the Persians, fell to the Muslims. The battle of Firaad added further luster to the Muslim arms.
After the battle of Firaad, Khalid felt a great desire to perform Hajj to show gratitude to Allah. Yet he was afraid that during his absence from ‘ Iraq, the malicious tribes would seize the opportunity and rise against his deputies. So, he let the army march slowly back to AI-Heerah and, pretending all the time that he was in the rear, departed secretly to Makkah accompanied by a few of his attendants. Khalid managed to perform the pilgrimage and go back to Iraq and enter Al-Heerah with the returning army without being noticed by anyone. When the news of Khalid’s Hajj reached Abu Bakr, lie became furious and sent him a letter asking him not to indulge in such an adventure again and to march to Ash-Shaam.
(Source: Biographies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.)
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