Sīf (1) relates that on that day Saʿd was suffering from sciatica, yet he addressed the army and recited the Almighty’s words: “Indeed, We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous servants” (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:105). He then led the men in the noon prayer, pronounced the takbīr four times, and ordered them to say (2) la hawla wa la quwwata illā billāh (There is no power and no strength except through Allah) as they drove the enemy back and struck them down. They posted themselves at every lookout, hemmed some of the Persians in until they were reduced to eating dogs and cats, and pursued the fugitives all the way to Nahāwand. Most of the enemy sought refuge in al-Madāʾin, and the Muslims followed them to its very gates.
Saʿd had earlier dispatched a party of his companions to Chosroes, inviting him to the worship of Allah before the battle. They requested permission to enter, and he granted it. The townspeople came out to stare at their appearance—their cloaks flung over their shoulders, whips in their hands, sandals on their feet, and their lean horses striking the ground with their hooves. They were utterly astonished (3) that men like these could vanquish armies so numerous and well equipped.
When they sought an audience with King Yazdegerd he admitted them and seated them before him. He was arrogant and ill-mannered. He began to ask about their clothing—“What do you call these?”—their cloaks, sandals, and whips; each time they answered he tried to take it as a favorable omen, but Allah turned the omen back upon his own head.
He then said, “What has brought you to these lands? Do you imagine that because we were occupied with our own affairs you have dared to attack us?”
Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin replied, “Allah showed mercy to us and sent a Messenger who points us to what is good and commands it, shows us what is evil and forbids it, and promised us the blessings of this world and the next if we obey him. No tribe was called to his message without dividing into two camps: one that accepted him and one that distanced itself; only a select few entered his religion. He remained in that state as long as Allah willed, then he commanded us to rise against those Arabs who opposed him, beginning with them. We did so, and they all entered—some under compulsion and, when they tasted its benefit, they rejoiced; others willingly, and their joy increased. We all recognized the excellence of what he had brought over the enmity and constriction we had lived in, and he ordered us to begin with the nations nearest us, calling them to justice. Thus we invite you to our religion—the religion of Islam—which approves all that is good and condemns every evil. If you refuse, then there is another course, less severe than one even worse: the jizyah. Should you refuse that, then open combat. If you accept our religion, we will leave with you the Book of Allah, establish you upon it, allow you to judge according to it, and withdraw, leaving you to your affairs and your land. If you bring us the jizyah (6) we will accept it and grant you protection; otherwise, we will fight you.”
Yazdegerd said, “I know of no nation on earth that was more wretched, fewer in number, or more divided than you. We used to assign the frontier villages to deal with you—Persia never even marched out against you, nor did you dare imagine that you could stand up to them. For if