Reflections From the Age of Bliss

Salama bin Qays (Radiyallahu Anh)

There is no information in our sources on the birth and death dates of Salama bin Qays (radiyallahu anh). He was a member of the Ashja’ tribe. He lived in Kufa and narrated three hadiths from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

He was assigned as the commander of the army that was sent to conquer Persia (today’s Iran) during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh).

We detail here an event that transpired between him and Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anhuma).

Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) was walking through the market in Medinah. In the meantime, he was trying to decide who he should choose as commander of the army of Islam he was going to send to Ahvaz, a highly mountainous region in today’s Iran. The name of Salama bin Qays suddenly began to resound forcefully in his heart, and so he assigned him as the commander.

He summoned him and advised him with the following words:

“I have assigned you as the commander of the army set to march on Ahvaz. Walk with the name of Allah. Fight against mushriks and unbelievers for Allah.

When you meet the mushrik army, let your first action be to invite them to Islam. If they accept Islam offer them two options: They can either stay in their own lands and not join the Muslim army—in which case we only take zakat from them but do not give them any shares from the spoils of war—or they can embark on jihad together with you and have an equal share of the spoils of war as you do.

If they reject Islam, offer them the option to give jizyah. If they accept this, let them be. Protect them and watch over them in exchange for the jizyah they pay. Don’t ask for sums they will not be able to afford either.

If they refuse to pay jizyah as well, the only option left in this case is to wage war. Fight with the name of Allah. May Allah help you.

If you emerge victorious after the battle, do not waste the spoils. Do not persecute the local people. Do not torture the prisoners. Do not harm the children.”

Salama (radiyallahu anh) said, “As you wish, O Amir al-Muminin,” and set out for the campaign.

Salama (radiyallahu anh) marched into the Ahvaz region with the Muslim army. From the very first day, the rugged terrain was visibly eroding the army’s strength. They had to contend with an inhospitable terrain that wasn’t suitable for camping, as well as poisonous snakes and scorpions in the area. So they fought in a battle of attrition against the forces of nature before even encountering the enemy forces.

Despite these challenging conditions, the Muslim army reached their target and met with the Persians. Per the command of Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh), they invited the Persians to Islam, which they refused. They then demanded that they pay jizyah instead. This was also rejected. Now the only option was war.

As strongholds were captured, Salama (radiyallahu anh) continued distributing the gains of their success to the Muslim army. A particularly precious ornamental item among the spoils caught his attention. He found it rather fanciable and wanted to make a gift of it to Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh). After acquiring the soldiers’ consent as well, he sent this ornate item to Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) via a messenger.

When the messenger arrived in Medinah, he saw Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) giving lunch to the Muslims. After lunch, Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) asked the messenger:

– Where are you coming from?

– I bring news from Salama bin Qays and the army of Islam.

– Welcome. How fares the army?

– O Amir al-Muminin, the army of Islam is safe and sound as you wish them to be. They have gained victory against their enemies.

– Praise be to Allah who granted Muslims this victory. Have you stopped by Basra?

– Yes, O Amir al-Muminin.

– How are the Muslims there?

– They are fine, by the will of Allah.

– How are the prices at the market?

– Very cheap. The people are pleased.

– How about meat? Arabs can’t make do without eating meat.

– Alhamdulillah, the meat is plenty as well.

Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) saw the box the messenger was holding:

– What is it that you’re holding?

–After Allah granted us victory, we gathered the spoils. This ornamental item was also among them. When Salama saw this item, he gathered the soldiers and said: “If I share this out between you, the share each of you gets will mean very little. If you are pleased with it, I say we send this to Amir al-Muminin.” When the soldiers accepted Salama’s offer, he sent this to you.

Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) grabbed the box from the messenger’s hand. His face turned a furious red as soon as he saw the precious gems that were red, yellow, and green in color inside. He flung the box at the ground. When the gems inside the box scattered all over the floor, he ordered the messenger to collect them. Meanwhile, as the messenger was collecting the gems, he told his aide to beat the messenger. Then he turned to the messenger and said:

– Go to Salama at once! Divide this among the soldiers. This spoil rightfully belongs to the soldiers. If Allah doesn’t bless the army of Islam with victory until you make it back because of this injustice, I will punish both you and Salama!

The messenger returned to Salama (radiyallahu anh) and explained the situation. Salama (radiyallahu anh) ordered the treasure pieces to be divided equally among the Muslims. The Muslims returned from their campaign with a decisive victory.