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For the whole of the next
day the two armies remained in their respective camps, keeping each
other under observation, while commanders and other officers carried
out reconnaissances and made preparations for the morrow. The following
morning the armies deployed for battle, each with a centre and wings.
The Muslims armies were again commanded by Asim bin Amr and Adi
bin Hatim.
The battlefield consisted of an even plain
stretching between two low, flat ridges which were about 2 miles
apart and 20 to 30 feet in height. The north-eastern part of the
plain ran into a barren desert. A short distance beyond the north-eastern
ridge flowed a branch of the Euphrates now known as the River Khasif.
The Persians deployed in the centre of this plain, facing east-south-east,
with the western ridge behind them and their left resting on the
north-eastern ridge. Khalid formed up his army just forward of the
north-eastern ridge, facing the Persians. The centre of the battlefield,
i.e. the mid-point between the two armies, was about 2 miles south-east
of the present Ain-ul-Muhari and 6 miles south of the present Shinafiya.
Andarzaghar was surprised at the strength of the Muslim army. Only
about 10,000 he guessed. From what he had heard, Andarzaghar had
expected Khalid's army to be much larger. And where was the dreaded
Muslim cavalry? Most of these men were on foot! Perhaps the Persian
survivors of Kazima and the River had exaggerated the enemy's strength,
as defeated soldiers are wont to do. Or perhaps the cavalry was
fighting dismounted. Andarzaghar did not know that the Muslims who
faced him were also surprised at their numbers, for they did not
seem to be as many as they had been the day before. But the matter
did not worry them. The Sword of Allah knew best!
The situation put Andarzaghar in high spirits.
He would make mincemeat of this small force and clear the land of
Iraq of these insolent desert-dwellers. He would at first await
the Muslim attack. He would hold the attack and wear down the Muslims;
then he would launch a counter-attack and crush the enemy.
When Khalid's army advanced for a general
attack, Andarzaghar was overjoyed. This was just what he wanted.
The two armies met with a clash of steel, and the men lost all count
of time as they struggled mightily in combat.
For some time the battle raged with unabated
fury. The agile, skilful Muslims struck at the heavily armed Persians,
but the Persians stood their ground, repulsing all attacks. After
an hour or so both sides began to feel tired-the Muslims more so
because they were fewer in number and each of them faced several
Persians in combat. The Persians had reserves which they employed
to replace their men in the front line. However, the example of
Khalid kept Muslim spirits undaunted. He was fighting in the front
rank.
In particular, during this first phase of
the battle, the Muslims gained further confidence from the thrilling
spectacle of Khalid's duel with a Persian champion of gigantic proportions
known as Hazar Mard, who was said to have been the equal of a thousand
warriors. 1 This giant of a man stepped
forward and extended a general challenge which was accepted by Khalid.
After a few minutes of duelling, Khalid found an opening and felled
the man with his sword. When the Persian's body lay quite still,
Khalid sat down on his great chest and called out to his slave to
bring him his food. Then, seated on this grisly bench, Khalid ate
a hearty lunch! 2
The first phase was over. The second phase
of the battle began with the counter-attack of the Persians. The
experienced eye of Andarzaghar could see clear signs of fatigue
on the faces of the Muslims. He judged that this was the right moment
for his counter-stroke; and in this he was right. At this command
the Persians surged forward and struck at the Muslims. The Muslims
were able to hold them for some time, but the Herculean efforts
that they were called upon to make placed an almost unbearable strain
on their nerves and limbs. Slowly they fell back, though in good
order. The Persians launched furious charges, and the Muslims looked
to Khalid for any sign of a change in plan or anything to relieve
the tension. But from Khalid they got no such sign. He was fighting
like a lion and urged his men to do likewise. And his men did likewise.
1. In Persian, Hazar Mard means a
thousand men, and this was an appellation given to especially formidable
warriors in recognition of their prowess and strength.
2. Tabari: Vol. 2, p. 560. Abu Yusuf: p.
142.
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