The Conquest of al-Anbar and the Raid on Baghdad's Market

فتح الأنبار وغارة سوق بغداذ

c. 633 CE · c. 12 AH† †

† Hijri date derived by computation from the Gregorian/Julian date; it may differ from the transmitted date by a day or two.

الأنبار → Baghdad

In al-Baladhuri: Khalid marched to al-Anbar whose people fortified; a guide told him of Baghdad's market — the old market at Qarn al-Sarat — so he sent al-Muthanna ibn Haritha raiding on it and the Muslims filled their hands with gold, silver and light goods, then overnighted at al-Saylahin and came to al-Anbar where Khalid was; they besieged its people and burned through its outskirts — al-Anbar being named for the Persians' granaries there, from which al-Nu'man's retainers and clients drew their rations — so when they saw what befell them they made peace with Khalid on terms he accepted from them. It is also said Khalid sent al-Muthanna ahead to Baghdad then marched after and himself led the raid — not established. Via al-Sha'bi: Anbar's people have a covenant and contract. Shaykhs of Anbar told al-Baladhuri they were pacified in Umar's caliphate on their canals: four hundred thousand dirhams and a thousand Qatawani cloaks yearly, Jarir ibn Abdallah al-Bajali conducting the peace — or, it is said, on eighty thousand; God knows best.