Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhusham
shaking their fists and swords. The women hurried towards each other and said,
"Death with honour is better than life with disgrace."
Peter expended great effort in fighting the women but achieved nothing except
frustration. He saw Khawlah like a fierce lion reciting the following poem:
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Himyar sand Tubba s daughters are we
For us to kill you is quite easy.
For we are thejlames of war
We have for you great trouble in store.
Peter listened to her. Her beauty enticed him. He said, "0 my 'Arab woman, stop this
now. I value you and will tell you my heart's secret which is sure to please you - will
it not please you that I be your master considering the fact that I am the object of
desire of every Christian woman. In addition, I have farms, orchards, wealth and
cattle and hold a prestigious position with Heraclius. All this will be yours if only you
stop destroying yourself with your own hands." Khawlah retorted, "You wretched
unbelieving son of an unchaste adulterer! By Allah! I will take this peg and gouge
your brains out. You are not even worthy of herding my camels and sheep let alone
claim to be my equal." Peter became enraged and said to the Christians, "What
greater shame can there be in all Syria and 'Arabia if a group of women manage to
overcome you. Fear Jesus Christ and Caesar Heraclius and kill them all."
The Christians became excited and attacked. The Muslim women patiently faced the
attack until they saw Khalid's ~ men kicking up dust, their swords glittering therein.
Khalid ~ stopped at a distance and said to his men, "Who will go and gather
information for me?"
Rafi' bin 'Umayrah volunteered and went and returned to report on the women
defending themselves.
Khdlid ~: It is amazing! These are the women of the tribes of'Amaliqah and Tubba.
Some are of Tubba' bin Aqran, some of Tubba' bin Abi Karb, some of Thu Ra'ln,
some of 'Abdul Kala'al-Mu'azhzham and some of Tubba' bin Hassan bin Tubba'.
Tubba' bin Hassan bin Tubba' was the man who bore witness to Muhammad ll\) being
a Prophet before he was born. He said in his poem:
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