Rib'i ibn Amir at-Tamimi

The Envoy in the Gilded Court

Before the Battle of Qadisiyya, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas sent Rib’i ibn Amir to the court of the Persian commander Rustam. He rode his small horse over the gilded carpets, tethered it to a cushion, and walked through leaning on his spear, tearing the carpets as he came; bidden to disarm, he refused, saying he had come on invitation, not his own. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 238 — Kandhlawi — Rib'i rides into Rustam's court in his rough cloak, leans on his spear, refuses to disarm.

The Words

Asked his purpose, he answered:

Allah has sent us to bring out whom He wills from the worship of slaves to the worship of the Lord of slaves, from the narrowness of this world to its breadth, and from the tyranny of other religions to the justice of Islam.

When Rustam asked whether he was the commander, he said: “No — but the Muslims are as one body; the lowest of them may grant safe-conduct binding on the highest.” 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 239 — Kandhlawi — Rib'i's famous words to Rustam: 'to bring people from the worship of slaves to the worship of the Lord of slaves' and 'the lowest Muslim may grant safe-conduct.' 3 History of Islam · Vol 1 · pp. 341–342 — Najeebabadi — Rib'i's audience with Rustam and his declaration. At Qadisiyya itself he rode through the Muslim ranks, rousing them for the day of battle. 4 History of Islam · Vol 1 · pp. 343 — Najeebabadi — Rib'i ibn Amir rouses the Muslim ranks before Qadisiyya.