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Soon after the two forces
were arrayed for battle, Khalid launched an attack along the entire
front. For some time the apostates resisted stubbornly, especially
the Bani Fazara, but after a while the pressure of the Muslims began
to tell and dents appeared in the apostate front line. Uyaina, alarmed
at the severity of the Muslim attack, rode to Tulaiha's tent, hoping
that divine guidance would come to their aid. "Has Jibril
come to you?" he enquired. "No", replied
the impostor with a solemn expression. Uyaina returned to battle.
Some more time passed. Then Khalid was able
to drive a wedge into the infidel centre, but it still held, and
the fighting became more intense with every inch of ground hotly
contested. Uyaina again rode to Tulaiha and asked, "Has
Jibril come to you?" "No, by Allah!" replied
the impostor. Again Uyaina returned to battle.
Scenting victory, the Muslims now attacked
more fiercely and gained some more ground. It was all the apostates
could do to prevent a complete rupture of their position. Seeing
the situation turn hopeless Uyaina went for the third time to Tulaiha.
There was a nervous impatience in his voice as he asked the familiar
question: "Has Jibril come to you?" The impostor
answered, "Yes." "What did he say?" asked
Uyaina.
Calmly Tulaiha replied, "He said
'You have a handmill just like his, and this is a day that you will
not forget!'" "By Allah!" Uyaina exploded as
the scales fell from his eyes, "This is a day that you
shall certainly not forget." He then dashed to his clan.
"O Bani Fazara!" he shouted. "This man
is an impostor. Turn away from the fight!"1
The Bani Fazara, the hard core of Tulaiha's
centre, turned and rode away. With their departure the entire front
gave way and the apostate opposition collapsed. Groups of infidels
raced from the battlefield in all directions. The victorious Muslims
cut those who resisted to pieces. Some hapless fugitives rushed
to Tulaiha and asked, "What are your commands?"
Tulaiha replied, "Let those who can, do as I do and save
themselves and their families." 2
With this parting instruction Tulaiha placed
his wife on a fast camel, which he had kept ready saddled for just
this eventuality. He himself sprang on to his horse, and man and
wife disappeared in a cloud of dust.
The Battle of Buzakha was over. Khalid had
been victorious. The second most powerful enemy of Islam had been
defeated and his forces scattered.
Tulaiha fled to the border of Syria, where
he took up residence among the Kalb. His imposturing days were over.
But he had not been long with this tribe when he heard that the
Bani Asad had re-entered Islam. Consequently he too became a Muslim
and rejoined his tribe. He even visited Makkah for the pilgrimage
during the time of Abu Bakr, but the Caliph, though informed of
his visit, took no notice of him.
About two years later he visited Madinah
and came to see Umar, who did not forgive easily. On seeing Tulaiha,
Umar said to him, "You killed two noble Muslims, including
Ukasha bin Mihsan. By Allah, I shall never love you."
Tulaiha had a subtle wit. He replied, "Allah
blessed them with paradise by my hand, while I did not benefit by
theirs. I seek forgiveness from Allah."
Umar, unrelenting, tried again. "You
lied when you said that Allah would do you no harm."
"That", replied Tulaiha,
"arose from the mischief of disbelief which Allah has destroyed.
I cannot now be blamed for it."
Umar saw that he was not getting far with
this exchange and made a last attempt. "O trickster! What
remains of your clairvoyance?"
"Nothing but a gust or two from
the bellows!" 3
1. Tabari: Vol. 2, p. 485.
2. Ibid
3. Tabari: Vol. 2, p. 489; Balazuri: pp.
105-6.
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