Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futit!lushiim
yitnus : I hear and obey.
He went and returned to report, "0 commander, did I not tell you that Heraclius
would not neglect to go in search of his daughter? He has sent this cavalry to retrieve
the booty from the Muslims, but now that you are close to Damascus, they are
sending a messenger to ask you to either sell the girl or to gift her back. Khalid began
discussing the matter with the Muslims until an old man wearing the garb of a
travelling priest came to the Muslims, who brought him before Khalid ~.
Khdlid ss. : Say what you have got to say.
Priest : I am the messenger of Heraclius Caesar. He says to you, "I have been
informed of what you have done to my men and of your killing of Thomas, my sonin-law,
and violating my sanctity. You have attained victory and safety, so do not
over-step the bounds with my daughter who is with you. So now either sell my
daughter or gift her back to me, for indeed generosity is in your nation's character
and nature. Remember that he who does not show mercy is not shown mercy. I also
hope to reach a peace settlement with you.
Khalid ss. : Tell your master that I shall not leave him and the Christians until I have
his throne and the very ground under his feet. (0 Heraclius), you know this. If you
knew a way to come against us you would not have hesitated. As for your daughter
take her as a present from us.
Khalid • then handed her over to the old man without taking anything as ransom.
When the messenger informed Heraclius, he said to the Roman leaders, "This is what
I was telling you about, but you did not want to accept it and wanted to kill me. Soon
things will get even more serious, but this is not from you but from the Lord of
Heaven."
The Romans wept bitterly at this.
56) The martyr
Khalid • reached Damascus where AbU 'Ubaydah ss and the Muslims had lost hope
over him and were greatly depressed. When Khiilid • arrived they came out to
welcome him and the Muslims began greeting each other. Khiilid • found 'Amr bin
Ma'dlkarab es, Miilik bin al-Ashtar ss and their men in Damascus. He went to AbU
'Ubaydah • who, upon being told of the expedition, was highly impressed by his
exploits. He then took out the state's one-fifth share of the booty and distributed the
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