Narrated 'Umar that he sent the people (Muslims) to the big countries to fight Al-Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger (ﷺ) Muhammad (ﷺ)). When Al-Hurmuzân embraced Islâm, he (Umar) said to him." I would like to consult you regarding these countries which I intend to invade." Al-Hurmuzân said, "Yes, the example of these countries and their inhabitants who are the enemies of the Muslims, is like a bird with a head, two wings and two legs; if one of its wings got broken, it would get up over its two legs, with one wing and the head; and if the other wing got broken, it would get up with two legs and a head, but if its head got destroyed, then the two legs, two wings and the head would become useless. The head stands for Khosrau, and one wing stands for Caesar and the other wing stands for Fâris. So, order the Muslims to go towards Khosrau." So, 'Umar sent us (to Khosrau) appointing An-Nu'mân bin Muqarrin as our commander. When we reached the land of the enemy, the representative of Khosrau came out with forty thousand warriors, and an interpreter got up saying, Let one of you talk to me ! " Al-Mughîra replied, "Ask whatever you wish." The other asked, "Who are you?" Al-Mughîra replied, "We are some people from the Arabs; we led a hard miserable, disastrous life; we used to suck the hides and the date-stones from hunger; we used to wear clothes made up of fur of camels and hair of goats, and used to worship trees and stones. While we were in this state, the Lord of the heavens and the earths, be elevated His Remembrance and be Majestic His Highness, sent to us from among ourselves a Prophet (ﷺ) whose father and mother are known to us. Our Prophet (ﷺ) the Messenger of our Lord, has ordered us to fight you till you worship Allâh Alone or give Jizya (i.e. tribute); and our Prophet (ﷺ) has informed us that our Lord says: Whoever amongst us is killed (i.e. martyred), shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever amongst us remain alive, shall become your master ". An-Nu'mân said (to Al-Mughîra) " If you had participated in a similar battle, in the company of Allâh's Messenger (ﷺ) he would not have blamed you for waiting, nor would he have disgraced you. But I accompanied Allâh's Messenger (ﷺ) in many battles and it was his custom that if he did not fight early by daytime, he would wait till the wind had started blowing and the time for the Salât (prayer) was due (i.e. after midday)." [4:386-0.B]
