Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Rasidulldh ~ : I have to attend Abu Bakr's .s.ahltul Janazah,
Then he awoke.
Part 1: Damascus
I (al-Waqidi) have been informed that when AbU 'Ubaydah ~ entered the city of
Damascus through the al-Jabiyah Gate with his companions, the monks and priests
walked ahead of them, raising the Bible and burning incense of aloe-wood,
ambergis, musk and frankincense. Khalid ~ did not know because he was launching
an attack.
A Roman priest named Jonah, son of Murcius, lived a house attached to the city wall
joining the Eastern Gate where Khalid ~ was. Jonah possessed the Prophecies of
Daniel ~\ wherein it was written, "Allah Most High will conquer the lands through
the .s.abiibah and their Din will triumph over every other religion."
That night he dug a hole from his house (to the outside of the city) and unknown to
his family, went to the Muslim camp. He told Khalid ~, "I have come out of my
house and dug a hole (under the city wall). Iwant a guarantee of safety for myself,
my family and children."
Khalid ~ agreed and sent with him 100 men, mostly lIimyaris, and said, "When you
enter the city go to the gate, break the locks and remove the chains so that we can
enter if Allah wills." So they followed ~onah and entered his house via the hole where
they put on their armour and made preparations. Then they emerged and went to the
gate where they raised cries of "Allahu Akbar!" When the Christians heard, they
became alarmed. The .s.ahiibah ~ broke the locks and cut the chains. Khalid ~ and
the Muslims entered and began killing and capturing the Romans until they reached
the Church of Mary.
49) Surrender and Conquest
Khalid's ~ army met Abu 'Ubaydah's ~ army at the church. AbU 'Ubaydah's ~ men
were walking, with the monks walking in front of them. When Abu 'Ubaydah ~ saw
Khalid's ~ amazement at them having their swords sheathed, he said, "0 AbU
Sulayman, Allah has peacefully conquered the city through me. Allah suffices the
Muslims in battle. Peace has been made."
Khdlid ~ : What peace? May Allah never rectify their condition. How can they have
a peace agreement when I have conquered them by the sword and the Muslims'
swords drip with their blood and Ihave taken their children as slaves and seized their
wealth?
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