Then Hajjáj helped Muhammad Kásim to his horse, and gave offerings, and distributed vast sums of money among the troops, and sent them off to carry on the holy war in Hind and Sind. At their departure Hajjáj recited these verses:—

Hajjáj returned an answering shout to the cavalier Bazíl at the time when the enemy fell upon Bazíl.

He (Hajjáj) girt up his loins (literally lifted up his skirt) when he returned the answering shout.

(My brave soldiers!) do you also gird up your loins.

I have sacrificed treasure tenfold—treasure which cannot be counted or measured.

Hajjáj further instructed Muhammad Kásim to march viá Shíráz, and to go by easy stages, so that all the forces might join him and not be left behind.

At an auspicious hour, Muhammad Kásim halted at Shíráz, and encamped there, till all the detachments from Irák and Syria joined him. Here all the war appara­tus such as battering-rams and catapults, and coats of mail necessary for fighting against a fort, were put in boats, which he gave in charge to Abu Mughairah and Hazím.* He asked them to be very careful about the boats, as in case of any harm being done to the boats, they would be personally held responsible for it and would be punished.

Hajjáj wrote a letter to Muhammad Kásim in which he said “I have sent Hazím and Abu Mughairah, and have ordered them to join you in the vicinity of Debal. At that place you must make a halt till the arrival of the boats. Proceed under the protection and security of God. May Alláh watch over you and help you!”

It is related by Ishák Ayyúb and Halwán Kalbí that the preparations for the expedition and the arrangements for supplies were made by Hajjáj in the best way possible. He even endeavoured to provide more than what was required, in regard to the number of men and weapons of war.

Hajjáj said in a letter to Muhammad Kásim: “You have got everything ready, and now let every four horsemen take one camel with them. I give you strong loading camels to carry (each) a heavy load (of provisions) so that you may not stand in want of them. You ought to fear the great God, and consider patience as an ornament. When you arrive in the country of the enemy, encamp in plains and open fields that your movements may be free and exten­sive. At the time of battle, divide yourselves into detached columns, and then rush in from different direc­tions, as you shall have to fight with veteran heroes. And when they make an assault, do you make a stand, and shower arrows at them. You must make such coats of mail for horses as to give them the appearance of wild beasts, like the lion and the elephant.” He ordered tailors and armourers to prepare several coats of mail in the shape of lions and elephants, and he forwarded them. These letters of Hajjáj, together with 6,000 horsemen, 6,000 camelmen, and 3,000 loading camels (duly) arrived at Shíráz, and Muhammad Kásim read the letters. That was in the year 72 after the Hijrah.

The writers of histories and the recorders of events state that Abdurrahmán son of Abdulláh has related the following on the authority of Abdul Malik son of Kais, who said: “I was with Muhammad Kásim when he arriv­ed in Makrán and had an interview with Muhammad Hárún. Muhammad Hárún first went with Muhammad Kásim on foot (out of respect to him), but Muhammad Kásim made him ride a horse and then they went together to their camp. When they alighted Muhammad Hárún sent many presents and provisions to his distin­guished guest, and he spoke very courteously and respect­fully of the Arab general, saying, “with such an army and magnificence, and with such wisdom and skill and rectitude and ability, he is sure to conquer Hind and Sind.”

It is related by Baní Mustir Bahrí that from there Muhammad Kásim started in the direction of Armanbelah,* and Muhammad Hárún also went along with him. Though he was not quite well he willingly joined Muhammad Kásim in his under­taking. But on account of the troubles of the journey, and repeated attacks of illness, he grew worse. When they arrived at the camp of Armanbelah, his life came to its close, and he gave up his precious soul to God. His body was buried at that place.

* This is again a mistake for 92 (=710 A. D.) as given in the Táríkh Maasúmí, according to which there were 3,000 foot soldiers and not loading camels as here, and 3,000 dirams (coins) are said to have been given to them for travelling expenses.

From there, Muhammad Kásim started with his army for Debal. At that time Jaisiah son of Dáhar was at Nerún. He wrote a letter to his father informing him that Muhammad Kásim had come from the Arab empire, with an army, and had arrived in the vicinity of Debal, and asking for orders to go and battle with him. Dáhar called the Aláfís, and made enquiries from them (about the Arab general). The Aláfís told him “Muhammad Kásim is a cousin to Hajjáj. He has a very large army with him, consisting of famous warriors, sons of nobles and chiefs, brave soldiers and horses, all well equipped and quite prepared to fight with you. Do not oppose them at all, for, a man from the family of Samah has just arrived and states that every horseman in this Arab army is come determined to take revenge against Dáhar.” Hearing this Dáhar forbade his son to fight with the Arabs.

When Muhammad Kásim conquered Armanbelah, he received a letter from Hajjáj at that very place. It contained instructions in the following words: “When you arrive at stages, within the limits of Sind, and come with­in sight of Debal, be very careful about your camping places. When you arrive at Nerún, dig a ditch round your camp, that it may give you protection and safety. Be awake for the greater part of the night; and let those of you, who can read the Koran, be busy read­ing it, while the rest should devote their time to prayer and be watchful at the same time. Make taciturnity an ornament of yours. Be repeating the praises of the great and glorious God, and ask help of the divine grace that the most glorious and most high God may give you assistance. Seek His protection by often reciting the well-known religious saying: “There is no power nor virtue but in God, the great and glorious.”* When you come in the vicinity of Debal, make a ditch, 12 cubits wide and 6 cubits deep.* When you face the enemy, be silent; and (even) if the enemy shout at you, and use obscene language, and assault you, do not engage in (a pitched) battle, till I send orders to that effect. You will be constantly hearing from me, and you must make it a point to follow literally the instructions I may give you, and the plan I may suggest. By taking my opinion as the right one, and following it, you will be successful in your undertaking, if the great God wills it.

When the expedition marched out from Armanbelah, Muhammad Kásim appointed Sáhib son of Abdurrahmán to lead the van, and Jehm son o' Kais Jaafí to bring up the rear. He put Utbah son of Saad Aófí in charge of the right wing, and Músa son of Sinán son of Salmah Hazlí in charge of the left. The remaining warriors and swordsmen and selected soldiers, who formed the flower of the army, were put in the centre to go in front of him. In this order, the army marched on till, on Friday, the 10th of Muharram of the year 73,* they arrived in the vicinity of Debal. The boats containing the weapons and implements of war also arrived, the same day, under Hazím* son of Amrú, and Abu Mughairah, and despatches from Hajjáj were handed over to Muhammad Kásim, who had ordered a big ditch to be made in order to fight with the enemy at an advantage. The contents of these despatches were as follows: “I have appointed very respectable men in your service. One of them is Abdurrahmán son of Salm Kalbí whose bravery and prowess have been put to trial on several occasions, and whom no enemy will ever be able to oppose in a skirmish or a battle. Another is Safyán Abrad, who is famous for his wisdom and recti­tude, and is honest and righteous. There is also Kats son of Bark Kilábí, who is generous, honourable and true. In any task entrusted to him he will acquit himself credit­ably, and to your entire satisfaction. He is free from foibles, and has always been of great help to Hajjáj. Jarrah son of Abdulláh again is a man of vast experience, and has seen many battles. He is to be preferred to many a man of wisdom and learning. Then there is Mujashiah son of Naóbah Azdí. All these men are the pick of my personal staff. I have no others more trustworthy and righteous than these. I am sanguine that they will never go against your wishes, and will never take the side of your enemies. Out of the men, to whom I have refer­red above in my letter, I may particularly mention Hazím son of Amrú than whom there is none dearer to me, on account of his bravery and lion-heartedness. He is one of the selected few, who are very honourable, and is known for truthfulness and honesty, like his father and his fore­fathers When Hazím becomes your friend, I shall not entertain any fear, since he is gifted by nature, with virtuous habits and an approved character. He will never allow any creature to work against you or to harm you. Never keep him aloof from you When you read my letters, neither eat nor drink till you have written a reply to me communicating the state of affairs there in full detail.”*

Hajjáj was particularly fond of Amír Muhammad Kásim, and, owing to his excessive love, he, after Muham­mad Kásim's departure and in his absence, on several occasions, gave alms and offerings, and asked blessings for him Bakŕ son of Wájil, and Adíl son of Farah, were intimate friends of Muhammad Kásim. They sacrificed a camel for his safety and success, in his absence, and paid its price from the ornaments of their wives and daughters, in order that it should be a lawfully obtained property. Adíl read the following verses:—

Verses.—“They laid violent hands on the ornaments of their daughters,

Not leaving even their golden wristlets and necklets.

The girls, with their ears reft of pearls and rubies, almost lost their identity,

And could hardly be recognised when seen on their riding animals (donkeys).

The Amirul Mominín (Commander of the Faithful) sent the sacrificers an invitation (to take from him what they might need), but they did not accept the invitation and disobeyed the order.”