The Conquest of Masebezan in the Lands of Iraq

When Hāshim b. ʿUtba completed the battle of Jalūlāʾ and returned to al-Madāʾin, Saʿd heard that Azīn b. Hurmuzān was gathering troops from among the Persians. He informed ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) of this situation by letter and asked for his opinion. In his reply, ʿUmar instructed him to send an army against Azīn b. Hurmuzān and to appoint Dirār b. Khaṭṭāb as the commander of this army. In accordance with this order, Dirār set out from al-Madāʾin at the head of the prepared army. At the head of the vanguard units was Ibn Huzayl al-Asadī. Before Dirār arrived, Ibn Huzayl reached the area and confronted Azīn. He broke the strength of the Persian soldiers, capturing Azīn b. Hurmuzān and his companions who had become tyrannical. He gave the order, and Azīn b. Hurmuzān was executed in his presence. Pursuing the fleeing Persian soldiers, he reached Masebezan, a large city. He took it by force. The people of Masebezan fled to the mountain tops and passes. He invited them to Islam, and they responded to his invitation. He imposed the jizya (poll tax) on those who did not become Muslim. He then took up residence there as governor. His stay continued until Saʿd moved from al-Madāʾin to Kūfa. Further explanation regarding this will be given later.