The conquests of al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him)

It is narrated from Muhammad bin Ishaq that he said: Egypt was conquered in the year 20 AH, and in that same year the region of the Euphrates was conquered by force ('anwatan). It is also said that it was conquered by Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Utbah bin Ghazwan (may Allah be pleased with him) had appointed him as his deputy and had himself set out towards Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah as governor of Basrah and sent him his letter of appointment. Then what happened in the matter between him and Umm Jamil al-Qaysiyyah is (historically) well known.

It is narrated from Abd al-Rahman bin Sa'id al-Kindi that he said: We attended the funeral of Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him). When he was lowered into his grave, suddenly a rider came and stopped by us and asked: Who is this one being hidden beneath the earth? We said: This is the governor of Kufah, al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah. By Allah! That man did not hesitate in the least and began reciting these verses: "Do you recognise the traces of the dwellings of al-Mughirah, over which the adulteresses of the jinn and of mankind play music? If you have met Haman after us, and Pharaoh, then know that the Lord of the Throne gives just recompense." The narrator says: The people of the tribe of Thaqif turned towards that rider and began to abuse him. By Allah! I do not know which way he disappeared. And the governorship of Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) over Kufah lasted seven years.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) that at the funeral of Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) he said: "Seek forgiveness for your Amir, for he loved well-being ('afiyah)."

It is narrated from Zayd bin Aslam that a man came and called out, seeking permission: "May Abu Isa come in to the Commander of the Believers, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)?" Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "Who is this Abu Isa?" Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "It is I." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said (in amazement): "Did Isa have a father?! Was there no kunyah among the kunyahs of the Arabs that you could have adopted, such as Abu Abdullah or Abu Abd al-Rahman?" A man said: "I testify that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); it was he (peace and blessings be upon him) who gave al-Mughirah this kunyah 'Abu Isa'." At this Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Indeed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has had all his past and future sins forgiven, whereas we are in a state of anxiety and uncertainty; we do not know what will be done with us." Then he gave him the kunyah Abu Abdullah.