The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 18.9

18.9

Rashid fell a martyr, and the command again fell to the lot of Sinan son of Salmah who, once more, became the leader: Yasir Khalidi is said to have related that when Rashid son of Umar became a martyr, Ziyad appointed Sinan son of Salmah general (of the army), and conferred other favours on him, as he had been born during the life-time of His Holiness the Prophet (may the blessing of God be on him and on his descendants!) (It is said that) when the happy news (of his birth) was carried to his father, the holy Prophet (on whom and on whose descendants be the blessings of God!) said to him: "O Salmah, I congratulate you on the birth of a son." In reply Salmah said: "If I could sacrifice him in the cause of the great God I should consider it better than having a thousand sons, dying in some other cause than God's." The holy Prophet (the blessings of God and peace be on him and his children) gave the name of Sinan to the child, and now when he was made the Commander-in-chief, and marched out with a drawn army, he saw in a dream the Prophet whom and on whose children be the blessings of God and peace!) who told him: “Your father used to be proud of your bravery; to-day it is your day; you are destined to conquer many countries.” Encouraged by these words, Sinán marched on, and conquered several places, till he arrived in the country of Kíkánán. Through whichever town he passed, he introduced good methods and laws therein.