Ibn Saʿd relates:

Abu Musa al-Ashʿarī sent Hurmuzān to ʿUmar, accompanied by twelve Persian dignitaries. They were dressed in silk brocade, with gold-embroidered belts and gold bracelets. When they reached Madinah the townspeople marvelled at their appearance. They entered the mosque and found ʿUmar asleep, his cloak serving as a pillow.

Hurmuzān asked, “Is this your king?”
They replied, “Yes.”
He said, “Has he no chamberlain, no guard?”
They answered, “Allah guards him until his appointed time comes.”
Hurmuzān remarked, “This is truly a carefree sovereignty.”

ʿUmar said, “Praise be to Allah who has humbled this man and his followers through Islam.” Then he turned to the delegation and told them, “Speak.”

Anas ibn Mālik said, “Praise be to Allah who has fulfilled His promise, strengthened His religion, disgraced those who opposed it, handed over to us their lands and homes, and granted us their children and wealth.”

ʿUmar wept and then asked Hurmuzān, “How have you found Allah’s dealing with you?”
Hurmuzān did not answer.
ʿUmar asked, “Why do you not speak?”
He replied, “Are we to converse as with the living, or as with the dead?”
ʿUmar said, “Are you not alive?”

Hurmuzān requested water. ʿUmar said, “We will not combine death and thirst for you.” Water was brought, but Hurmuzān merely held the cup. ʿUmar told him, “Drink; no harm shall touch you.” Hurmuzān threw the vessel aside and said, “People of Arabia, when you were without religion we enslaved and killed you, and you were in our eyes the worst of nations. Once Allah stood with you, none could withstand Him.”

ʿUmar ordered that he be executed. Hurmuzān protested, “Did you not grant me safety?”
ʿUmar asked, “In what sense?”
Hurmuzān replied, “You said to me, ‘Speak, no harm will come to you,’ and, ‘Drink—I will not kill you until you have drunk.’”
Al-Zubayr and Anas confirmed, “He speaks the truth.”
ʿUmar said, “May Allah fight him! He has obtained a pledge of security from me without my realising it.” He stripped Hurmuzān of what he wore and said to Suraqah ibn Mālik ibn Juʿsham—who was dark-skinned and slender—“Put on Hurmuzān’s two bracelets.” Suraqah put them on and donned his robe as well.

ʿUmar declared, “Praise be to Allah who has removed the ornaments and garments of Khusraw and his people and placed them upon Suraqah.” He then invited Hurmuzān to embrace Islam, but he refused. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib said, “Commander of the Believers, separate these men.” So ʿUmar put Hurmuzān, Jufaynah, and others on board a ship, praying, “O Allah, break them,” intending to send them on to