Masna Ibn Haris Al-Shybani of Banu Bakr tribe in Basracontributed to early rise of Islam in a manner worth noting in letters of gold.He remains the unsung hero of Islam, not as well known as Saifulah Khalid (RA)Hazrat Abu Obadiah (RA) or Hazrat Saad bin Waqas (RA). The exploits of Masnaibn Haris got woven into Islamic lore with a silken touch, so delicate was theart of the noble warrior in winning adherents to his cause. While as appeal tofriends and supporters was a heart to heart affair, the steel in his personaimed straight at the jugular of enemies. His effort orchestrated with otherheroes makes the song of Islam, a melody with soulful rendering.
The tribe of Banu Bakr in Bahrain bordered Iranian Empire.Masna started border skirmishes on his own without any word from Medina, thecapital of what was then the nascent Islamic republic. The forays were crossborder raids meant to announce the golden tiding on the horizon of equalitybetween the ruler and the ruled, and of governance by consensus. It was anappealing concept to the downtrodden masses groaning under the yoke ofautocratic order of Roman Caesars and Iranian Khosrows. Added to thisdiscomfort was almost a constant state of war between Romans and Iranians,superpowers of the 7th century.
Cross border forays of Masna ibn Haris had a dual purpose.The prime purpose was uniting the tribes of Bahrain, some of whom were halfhearted in accepting the message of Islam. Two, by providing them with apurpose to work for and carrying the massage further to people of Arab stockliving in the border areas of mighty Iranian Empire, which included Iraq. Thecapital was Madian (twin city in Arabic) across Tigris, with Greek cityCtesiphon on one bank and Iranian city of Bu-Shahr on the other, a short distanceaway from present day Baghdad. Masna¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ had initially great difficultyin convincing the tribes in Bahrain that Iran with all its might could be takenon in a combat and that given the effort, the faith in the Islamic order wouldwork.
History has seen very few instances of such a belief in themission impossible. Any geopolitical strategist would have been right incalling Masna a day dreamer. He went on belying forecasts, negating prophets ofdoom, and continued with his challenging cross-border raids. A day dawned whenMasna felt he had enough in his score card to make a passionate plea for helpto Hazrat Abu-Bakr (RA) in the seat of Caliphate located in Medina. He made theplea in person, answered tough queries regarding logistics. The Caliph hadproblems on various fronts. Forces were already engaged in Syrian province ofRoman Empire. In Medina not everyone wasinclined to open another front, nor could the moving plea of Masna-the bravewarrior with a statesman like demeanour be neglected. He carried a warning too.Iranians had to be met inside their border. No action would mean, Iranianscoming inside Islamic lands in trying to offset, what would sooner or later betaken as a serious threat to the Iranian Empire. Moreover Iranians and Romanshad to be taken on separately before they would ever think of uniting tocontain the resurgent Islamic forces.
Masna sounded convincing even to those, who were disinclinedto open another front. The Caliph weighed heavily in his favour. The Islamic Shoura,the consultative body was operational with Shoura-e-Baynahum (mutualconsultation) as its guiding principle. The Shoura finally decided to back theIranian campaign simultaneously with the Syrian campaign. Masna back with hissmall delegation was promised that the supporting contingent would follow,close on his heels. Soon he got wind that the most valuable sword in Islamicarmour–Saifulah next only to Al-Zulfqar of Hazrat Ali (RA) would lead hiscampaign. Saifulah Khalid ibn Waleed (RA) one of the greatest leaders of men inbattle asked for logistic details of fertile Al-Jazira, the operational areabetween rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Saifulah Khalid (RA) mastered detailsbefore he moved. And once he moved, there was no holding back. Speed was his essence,the surprising element of his command. Masna knew the operational area like thepalm of his hand. The twosome, the leader and his deputy complimented eachothers, moving on with neat surgical strikes, leaving the Iranian forces gasping for breath.
The day came, when the two had to part. Saifulah Khalid (RA)got a SOS from Medina to move to the Syrian front. Exchanging the tearful andtense last look, the famed Islamic warrior sped away to yet anotherbattlefield. The Iranian campaign continued. Hazrat Abu Obadiah (RA) namesakeof Hazrat Abu Obaidah ibn Al-Jarrah (RA) the famed commander of the Syrianfront was appointed as his commander. In a major battle, he insisted on goingagainst Masna’s advice by choosing to fight on a narrow front with little roomfor manoeuvre. Islamic forces faced a reverse, the commander lost his life.Masna reorganised his forces and dealt a huge blow to enemy forces in thebattle of ‘Buwaib’. By now fully alerted to the advancing Islamic forces,Iranian monarch Yazdegerd III collected a force of 100,000. Masna was forced tofall back and wait for reinforcements from Medina. As destiny would have it, hedid not see the end of Iranian campaign. While waiting, he lost his life to’Chaldean Fever’. Hazrat Saad bin Waqas(RA) the new commander took Masna’s widow–Silmi in his care by marrying her.He took Iranian campaign to its logical conclusion in decisive battles ofQadsia and Nahavand.
Yaar Zinda, SohbatBaqi [Reunion is subordinate to survival]