"Rejoice, for Allah has granted us the reins of their kingdom", he said

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

Prior to the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, the esteemed commander Sa^d ibnu ‘Abi Waqqas, may Allah accept his deeds, dispatched a delegation of distinguished leaders to the Persian monarch, Yazdegerd. The king, known for his arrogance and corruption, harboured a deep-seated disdain for both the Arabs and the Muslims.

The historians narrate: 'The Persians assembled, observing them as they arrived on their neighing horses, adorned in burud (a type of garment), and wielding whips in their hands.' Upon granting permission for the delegation to enter, Yazdegerd summoned the interpreter and then addressed him: "Ask them: 'What has brought you here, and what has compelled you to engage us in battle and invade our lands? Is it because we have been preoccupied with other affairs that you have dared to confront us?'"

Then An-Nu^man ibnu Muqarrin, may Allah accept his deeds, addressed his companions: “If you wish, I will speak on your behalf, or I can give priority to anyone who prefers to voice our thoughts.” They replied, “No, please speak.” He then said: “Indeed, Allah has bestowed His mercy upon us by sending a messenger who commands us to perform good deeds and forbids us from wrongdoing, promising us the blessings of this world and the Hereafter in return for our acknowledgment of him as His messenger, our adherence to his teachings, and our obedience to him. We all comprehended the significance of his message, particularly in light of the enmity and hardship we had previously endured. Subsequently, we were instructed to commence with the nations nearest to us, inviting them to fairness, and justice, which is embodied in Islam. We invite you to embrace our religion. It is a religion which enjoins goodness and forbids all that is vile. If you accept our religion, we shall leave you with the Book of Allah and we ensure that you govern in accordance with its principles, granting you autonomy over your affairs and your lands. Should you refuse but pay tribute, we will accept it and provide protection. Otherwise, we shall fight you.”

Yazdegerd replied in anger, saying: “I know of no nation on earth more wretched, fewer in number, or in worse condition than you. We used to delegate your affairs to our provincial governors, who insisted on your obedience to our sovereignty. Do not deceive yourselves into thinking you can stand against Persia. If anything has misled you, do not let it cloud your judgment. If hardship has driven you to seek us out, we will provide you with sustenance, honour you, clothe you, and appoint a king over you who will treat you with kindness.”

Then Al-Mughirah ibn Zurarah rose and said: “O King, these are the foremost leaders and nobility of the Arabs. It befits nobles to honour and acknowledge the rights of other nobles. Not everything they were sent to convey has been spoken, nor have they replied to all your words. Therefore, address me, and I shall relay your message to them while they bear witness to it.”

"As for what you mentioned about the miserable condition of the Arabs, it was indeed as you described, or even worse." He then recounted the hardships endured by the Arabs and how Allah sent the Prophet ﷺ to them, echoing the words of An-Nu^man. He continued, "If you refuse to accept Islam and agree to pay the tribute in submission, then the sword awaits you—unless you save yourself by embracing Islam.”

Yazdegerd, angered, responded: “Were it not for the fact that envoys are not to be killed, I would have slain you! You shall receive nothing from me.” He then summoned a large sack of earth and said, “Place it on the backs of noblest of them, and lead them out to the gate of Al-Mada’in[1]. Return to your leader and inform him that I am sending Rostam to bury him—and all of you with him—in the trench at al-Qadisiyyah. After that, I shall advance into your lands and keep you occupied with your own affairs

Yazdegerd, enraged, retorted: "Were it not for the custom that prohibits killing envoys, I would have had you slain! You will receive nothing from me." He then ordered a large sack of earth to be brought and commanded, "Load it onto the backs of the most distinguished among them, and escort them to the gate of Al-Mada’in. Return to your leader and inform him that I am sending Rostam to bury him—and all of you—in the trench at al-Qadisiyyah. After that, I shall march into your lands and keep you preoccupied with your own troubles."

Here, ^Asim ibnu ^Amr stepped forward to take the earth and said, “I am the noblest among them” He carried the earth on his shoulders, walked to his mount, then rode off with the earth. He said to Sa^d, “Rejoice, for by Allah, He has granted us the reins to their kingdom.”

This deeply unsettled the king’s courtiers, and the king said to Rostam, 'I never imagined that there could be people like these among the Arabs. Your response was no better than theirs, and they spoke with sincerity. They have surely been promised something they will either attain or perish in pursuit of. Yet, I found the best among them to be the most foolish, for he carried the earth upon his head.'

Rostam replied, "O King, he is the wisest among them." Being an astrologer and soothsayer, he added, "Their taking of our soil is a sign that they will come to conquer our lands and seize our territory." Interpreting this as a bad omen, he departed from the king's presence, angered and distressed.

Rostam then dispatched a messenger to pursue the delegation, saying, "If the messenger reaches them, we will have averted the loss of our land; but if he does not, then Allah will indeed deprive you of your land." The messenger returned from al-Hirah, having missed the delegation, and declared, "The people have surely seized your land."

Sources:

• Al-Kamil fi t-tarikh by Ibnu l-‘Athir
• Tarikhu t-Tabariyy by Ibnu Jarir At-Tabariyy

[1] The term " Al-Mada’in," (meaning "the cities" in Arabic), refers to a historical region located in present-day Iraq, also known as the "Cities of Ctesiphon." It comprised several cities, with the most prominent being Ctesiphon, renowned for its impressive architecture, including the famous ‘Iwan.