The Day of the Bridge

يوم الجسر

c. 30 Ramadan 13 AH

بانقيا

In al-Baladhuri: the Day of Quss al-Natif, being the Day of the Bridge; the Persians sent against the Arabs Dhu al-Hajib Mardanshah — Anushirwan had named him Bahman for blessing, called Dhu al-Hajib for tying his brows up over his eyes in pride, though his name is said to be Rustam. Abu Ubayd ordered the bridge tied — Baniqya's people helping its knotting; it is said the bridge was old for Hira's people crossing to their estates, Abu Ubayd repairing it for it was broken. He and the Muslims crossed from al-Muzawwaha over the bridge and met Dhu al-Hajib in four thousand mailed men with an elephant — or several; they fought fiercely, wounds spreading through the Muslims. Salit ibn Qays said 'Abu Ubayd, I had forbidden you cutting this bridge to them and counselled withdrawing to some quarter and writing the Commander of the Faithful for reinforcement — you refused'; Salit fought till killed. Abu Ubayd asked where this beast's kill-spot was — 'its trunk' — charged and struck the elephant's trunk while Abu Muhjan ibn Habib al-Thaqafi struck its leg and hamstrung it; the polytheists charged and killed Abu Ubayd — or the elephant knelt on him and he died under it. His brother al-Hakam took the banner — killed; his son Jabr — killed; then al-Muthanna ibn Haritha held it a while and withdrew the people, each guarding another. Urwa ibn Zayd al-Khayl fought that day a fight worth a company's; Abu Zubayd al-Ta'i the poet fought hayya for the Muslims with the westerners — a Christian come to Hira on some affair. Al-Muthanna reached Ulays and wrote Umar the news with Urwa ibn Zayd. Killed at the Bridge per Abu Mikhnaf: Abu Zayd al-Ansari, one of those who collected the Qur'an in the Prophet's time. The Bridge battle was on Saturday at Ramadan's end, year 13.