Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futu!lushdm
12irar ~ : I have strong hope of getting them.
38) Fruits of treachery
They left the camp with swords drawn, bidding the Muslims salam and making du'a.
Their departure was when a quarter of the night had passed . .!2irar ~ walked in front
reciting this poem:
In the darkness even the Jinn are afraid of me
In this work there is nothing new to me.
Regrets to them who deceive us in ambush they are laying
Whereas we are the very roots of planning and scheming.
When it comes to pleasing his Master
A brave man does not fear or falter.
When they approached the hill, 12irar ~ ordered them to halt and said, "Wait here
until I bring back news of the Romans." He disrobed and went slowly under the
cover of the mountain and sand-hill with sword in hand. When he reached the
Romans, he found them exhausted from the battle and thus all were sleeping and
were not expecting an attack. He wanted to make their sleep more permanent but
then thought, "Perhaps they will awaken each other during the chaos."
So he returned to his men and said, "Glad tidings! That which you hoped for is here
and that which you feared is not. Unsheathe your swords and when you reach them
kill them in any way you please. Each one will select one Roman and then everyone
must kill his victim simultaneously. Also, avoid any noise as far as possible."
They replied, "Very well," took off their armour, unsheathed their swords and
followed 12irar~.
When they reached the enemy they readied their weapons, spread out and stood one
each by each Roman. They raised their swords and then instead of awakening them,
minced their necks, faces and stomachs. After the Muslims took all their weapons
and goods, 12irar ~ said, "Congratulations! This is the first victory and if Allah wills
more will follow."
The ten spent the whole night praising and thanking Allah until the sky began
brightening with dawn. They then undressed and put on the Romans' clothing and
covered their faces with cloth, lest Warden should send someone who would
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