Before the battle of Qadissiyyah the commander of the Persian army, Rustam sent words to the Muslim Commander sa’d bin abu Waggas to depute one of his trusted men for negotiations.
Sa’d sent rib’i bin Amir. Rustam adorned his court with unwanted splendor and pomp to prepare for the audience with the Muslim ambassador. The entire court was carpeted with cloth of gold, the pillows were of rich silk, while gem bedecked throne was placed in the center.
Rib’i came right up to the richly carpeted floor and dismounting from his horse, attached the reins to a pillow. He then moved on supported by a spear piercing in to the carpet and cutting it and making holes in it with its point and sat beside Rustam. The courtiers made an attempt to pull him down from the throne and disarm him. Thereupon Rib’i thundered. “I have come on invitation and not of my own. Our religion strictly forbids anybody sitting like God and the rest standing before him with their hands folded. Now Rustam intervened and asked them not to do anything against the will of envoy.
However, on second thought rib’i dismounted from the throne, slit a portion of the carpet with his dagger and sat on the earth and said addressing Rustam, “We are not at all need of your carpet. The earth spread by Allah the Almighty is enough for us. Rustam then asked Rib’i through the interpreter, “What is your object in waging war against us.” Rib’i replied, “We intend to bring the slaves of Allah the Almighty to the expanse of the next world from the narrowness of this world and promote justice and Islam in place of atrocities and false religion. Any one who adopts justice and Islam will find us non –interfering in regard to his wealth, property and country. But we shall fight with whoever stands in our way until we go either to paradise or attain victory. If you seek to pay jizyah we shall accept it and will cease to go against you and you will find us standing by you if and when you need us for the safety of your life and property. "
Having heard this Rustam asked,”are you the chief of the Muslims. Rib’i replied “No, I am an ordinary soldier. But each one of us even the most ordinary can speak on behalf of the most powerful person and every person have full power in every matter".
The utterance of Rib’i left Rustam and courtiers dumb founded. Rustam then said,” the scabbard of your sword is quite rotten.” Ribi drew his sword out of the sheath and said “it has been tempered very recently”. Rustam again said, “The blade of your spear is very small. How can it be any use in battles? “ Rib’i replied “ this blade pierces deep in to the chest of the enemy and goes across it. Have you not seen that a spark is enough to burn down an entire city? “Well I shall ponder over your utterance and hold consultation with my men of sound judgment”. Rib’i got up and rode to Sa’d bin abu Waggas.
Source: History of Islam (part 1) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
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