Khalid annd Ubaadah narrate that Amr bin Al Aas رضي الله عنه marched to Egypt after Umar رضي الله عنه had returned to Madinah (from Shaam). Zubayr رضي الله عنه followed him (with another battalion) and the two joined up when Amr bin Al Aas رضي الله عنه reached a place called ilyoon. There they were met by the chief priest of Egypt Abu Maryam who was there whit another high priest and the Egyptian army. Maqoqis (the king of Egypt) had sent them to defend the country. When Amr arrived there, they immediately prepared to attack but sent a massage telling them that they should not be hasty and should first listen to their reason for coming, after which they could make a decision. The Egyptians were then called off and Amr send a massage stating, “I am coming forward (to talk), so send Abu Maryam and Abu Maryam should come forth. The Egyptians accepted and each party guaranteed the safety of the other.”
Amr رضي الله عنه said to the two men,”You two are senior priest of this country, so do listen. Allaah has sent Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم with the truth and commanded us to follow it. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has conveyed this commanded us together with every other command Allaah has issued. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم then passed on. May Allaah’s choicest blessings and mercies be showered on him.
However, he fulfilled his duty and left us on a clear path. Amongst his instructions to us was to wish people well and we therefore invite you to accept Islaam. Whoever accepts shall be one of us and whoever refuses to accept shall be given the option of paying Jizya. We shall then do everything in our capacity to provide protection. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has informed us that we shall certainly conquer you people and advised us to be good to you to maintain the family ties that exist between us (1). If you accepts this option (of paying jizya), you shall have in your favour another right (of being family) I addition to the right of protection (that we will be obliged to give you). Amongst the commands that out Ameer had given are his words, “Treat the Copts well because Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has advised that the Copts shoukd be treated well by virtue of the fact that they are relatives and deserve protection as well.”
To this, the Egytians said,”it is only the Ambiyaa who would maintain such distant relations. (Referring to Haajira the wife of Ibraheem, they said) She was a celebrated and honourable lady who was the daughter of our king. She belonged to the House of Manf who were the rulling family. However, the House of Aynush Shams attacked them, killed many of them, seized the kingdom and the rest of them were forced into exile. She then became the wife of Ibraheem. His coming was most welcome and a happy event for us. Do leave us in peace until we return to you (after consulting with the others). Amr bin Al Aas said,”You will be unable to fool the likes of me. You therefore have three days to ponder over the matter and to consult with your people. Otherwise (if you fail to return within three days) we shall have to attack you.” When the two priest requested an extension of time, Amr gave then an additional day. They then asked for more time and he added another day.
They then returned to Maqoqis who seriously considered the alternatives. However, a person called Artaboon(2) refused to submit and ordered an attack against the Muslims. The two priest said to the people,” We shall do our best to defend you without returning to the Muslims. However, there are still four days left in which we can hope for nothing but peace from them,”The people of Farqab launched a surprise attack against Amr an Zubayr at night but Amr was prepared for the attack. He engaged the enemy and killed the people of Farcab along white those with them (Artaboon was also killed with them), after which the rest of them fled. Amr and Zubayr then left for Aynush Shams(3)
Abu Haaritha and Abu Uthmaan narrate that when Amr رضي الله عنه set up camp at Aynush Shams, the Egyptian people said to their king,”What do you wish to do against people who have defeated Kisra and Caesar and occupied their lands? Enter into negotiations with them and draw up a treaty without yourself fighting them or leading us against them.”This took place on the fourth day. However, the king refused and the Egyptian attacked the Muslims. The Muslims repulsed the attack and Zubayr managed to climb the wall of their stronghold. When the Egyptians noticed this, they opened the gates for Amr رضي الله عنه and came out to enter into negotiations. Amr رضي الله عنه accepted their submissions and Zubayr رضي الله عنه descended the wall as conqueror (4)
1. Haajira the wife of Ibraheem was from Egypt as was Maariya the mother of Rasulullah son Ibraheem
2. Artaboon was A Roman general whom Amr bin Al Aas had defeated in Palestine and had then fled to Egypt
3. Ibn Jareer (Vol.4 page 227)
4. Ibn Jareer (Vol.4 page 228)
Amr رضي الله عنه said to the two men,”You two are senior priest of this country, so do listen. Allaah has sent Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم with the truth and commanded us to follow it. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has conveyed this commanded us together with every other command Allaah has issued. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم then passed on. May Allaah’s choicest blessings and mercies be showered on him.
However, he fulfilled his duty and left us on a clear path. Amongst his instructions to us was to wish people well and we therefore invite you to accept Islaam. Whoever accepts shall be one of us and whoever refuses to accept shall be given the option of paying Jizya. We shall then do everything in our capacity to provide protection. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has informed us that we shall certainly conquer you people and advised us to be good to you to maintain the family ties that exist between us (1). If you accepts this option (of paying jizya), you shall have in your favour another right (of being family) I addition to the right of protection (that we will be obliged to give you). Amongst the commands that out Ameer had given are his words, “Treat the Copts well because Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has advised that the Copts shoukd be treated well by virtue of the fact that they are relatives and deserve protection as well.”
To this, the Egytians said,”it is only the Ambiyaa who would maintain such distant relations. (Referring to Haajira the wife of Ibraheem, they said) She was a celebrated and honourable lady who was the daughter of our king. She belonged to the House of Manf who were the rulling family. However, the House of Aynush Shams attacked them, killed many of them, seized the kingdom and the rest of them were forced into exile. She then became the wife of Ibraheem. His coming was most welcome and a happy event for us. Do leave us in peace until we return to you (after consulting with the others). Amr bin Al Aas said,”You will be unable to fool the likes of me. You therefore have three days to ponder over the matter and to consult with your people. Otherwise (if you fail to return within three days) we shall have to attack you.” When the two priest requested an extension of time, Amr gave then an additional day. They then asked for more time and he added another day.
They then returned to Maqoqis who seriously considered the alternatives. However, a person called Artaboon(2) refused to submit and ordered an attack against the Muslims. The two priest said to the people,” We shall do our best to defend you without returning to the Muslims. However, there are still four days left in which we can hope for nothing but peace from them,”The people of Farqab launched a surprise attack against Amr an Zubayr at night but Amr was prepared for the attack. He engaged the enemy and killed the people of Farcab along white those with them (Artaboon was also killed with them), after which the rest of them fled. Amr and Zubayr then left for Aynush Shams(3)
Abu Haaritha and Abu Uthmaan narrate that when Amr رضي الله عنه set up camp at Aynush Shams, the Egyptian people said to their king,”What do you wish to do against people who have defeated Kisra and Caesar and occupied their lands? Enter into negotiations with them and draw up a treaty without yourself fighting them or leading us against them.”This took place on the fourth day. However, the king refused and the Egyptian attacked the Muslims. The Muslims repulsed the attack and Zubayr managed to climb the wall of their stronghold. When the Egyptians noticed this, they opened the gates for Amr رضي الله عنه and came out to enter into negotiations. Amr رضي الله عنه accepted their submissions and Zubayr رضي الله عنه descended the wall as conqueror (4)
1. Haajira the wife of Ibraheem was from Egypt as was Maariya the mother of Rasulullah son Ibraheem
2. Artaboon was A Roman general whom Amr bin Al Aas had defeated in Palestine and had then fled to Egypt
3. Ibn Jareer (Vol.4 page 227)
4. Ibn Jareer (Vol.4 page 228)
