Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futiihushdm
that we were Christian 'Arabs ofLakhm and Jutham until the guide brought us close
to the coast. He continued following the tracks until he found that they had come to
Antioch but had not entered. Confused, he went to a nearby village to question the
people. They replied that Caesar had been informed that Thomas and Herbius had
surrendered Damascus to the 'Arabs and was therefore angry at them. He did not
allow them to come to him because he had gathered great armies to be sent to al-
Yarmfik and feared that if the two of them spoke to the soldiers their hearts would
weaken when hearing of the bravery of the 'Arabs. He therefore sent them to
Constantinople.
Yfinus had separated from the Muslims to investigate.
Khiilid ~ had finished leading the Muslims in .s.aliih when Yfmus returned and said,
"0 commander! I have led you to a dead end."
Khdlid ~ : How is that?
yitnus : You sent me in their tracks to this place hoping to catch them, but Caesar
prohibited them from entering Antioch so that they do not scare his army. He has
ordered them to head for Constantinople; there is this great mountain between you
and them. You are by a mountain deep in Heraclius's territory and he is gathering an
army to fight you. I fear that if you cross the mountain you will be destroyed, but the
choice is yours. I have done whatever you have ordered me to.
52) Khilid's" dream
I!irar .• narrates:
I saw Khalid's ~ colour change to green out offear, a quality I did not associate with
him, so I said, "0 commander, what frightens you?"
Khdlid ~ : 0 Qiriir, by Alliih! I do not fear death nor being killed. What I fear is that
the Muslims will suffer due to me for I have seen a frightening dream before the
conquest of Damascus and await its interpretation. I hope that Allah will grant us
goodness and victory over the enemy.
!.2iriir ~ : Goodness! Allah willing, I only see goodness! What did you see?
Khdlid ~ : I saw us travelling in a barren land when we came across a herd of wild
donkeys, big-bodied but small-hoofed. Our spears could not wound them and they
were not concerned about our swords hitting them and hurting them, nor showed any
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