الحمد لله و الصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعين ومن تبعهم باحسان الى يوم الدين اما بعد…
The Persian Commander Bahman gave the Muslims (under Abu Ubayd (رضي الله عنه)) the choice between crossing the bridge, or the Persians crossing over to them. Abu Ubayd decided to cross the bridge. The other commanders advised him not to cross the bridge but he refused their advice saying, “The Persians cannot be more daring in the face of death than us”, so the Muslims crossed over and a severe battle ensued.
Abu Ubayd forgot the advice of Umar (رضي الله عنه) that he is going to a land of treachery.
(The Muslims were attacked by elephants before they could complete the crossing.) The Persians had many elephants in their army which terrified the Muslim horses and the battle turned against the Muslims.
Abu Ubayd ordered: “Trap the elephants, cut off their girths and throw their riders off them!” Saying this, Abu Ubayd went to jump onto a white elephant to go about what he had just commanded but the elephant struck him with its front foot and he fell to the ground and was trampled to death.
His second in command went to take the flag from him, fighting to defend himself until he was able to take the flag. He was then killed. Seven people from the tribe of Thaqif took the flag and were killed one
after the other. Muthanna bin Harithah Ash-Shaibani (رضي الله عنه) then took the flag and retreated, the battle ended in a defeat for the Muslims.
(Summarized from ‘The History of The Four Caliphs’ By Shaikh Muhammad Al-Khudari Bak Al-Bajuri Rahimahullah.)
Saheehus-Seerah 