Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Muslims :Do tell us.
Part 2: Hims
'Amir : Attack them when they are fully occupied with their buying, selling and
displaying of goods.
The Muslims all approved of this. They unsheathed their swords, tied their bowstrings
and made general preparations with Ibn Ja'far ~ in front, carrying the flag.
At sunrise he divided the Muslims into five squadrons of 100 each and said to each
squadron-commander, "Each hundred should attack a different sector of the market.
Do not become engrossed in loot and plunder, but place your swords in their heads
and shoulders."
He then went forward and saw the Romans spread out, numerous as ants. A great
crowd surrounded the monk's monastery. The monk had come out and was
admonishing the people, advising them and teaching them about their religion while
they attentively listened to him. The daughter of the patrician of Tripoli was in the
monastery. All the patricians and their sons wore brocade covered with gold. Their
upper bodies were covered with armour, glittering arm-guards and helmets. They
were looking around, guarding their front and rear.
8) The Muslims are trapped
When Ibn Ja'far ~ saw the monastery, the monk and all that was surrounding them,
be became afraid but called out, "0 S-ahabah of Rasulullah ~, attack! May Allah
bless you. Ifbooty, happiness, victory and safety are for us then it is at that gathering
by the monastery. If it is not to be, then we are promised Paradise and will meet each
other at the pond of Rasulullah ~ with his S-ahabah ~."
He targeted the crowd, striking them with his sword and stabbing them with his
spear, with the Muslims attacking behind him. When the Romans heard the Muslims
calling out, "La ilaha illalliih! Allahu Akbar!", they thought that the armies of the
Muslims had reached them. They were in fact expecting that and were alert against
any attack, so the mob rushed towards their weapons to protect their lives and
property. They.unsheathed their swords and turned to attack the Muslims like savage
lions. They searched for the flag, and finding only one, they surrounded those
Muslims around the flag from every side fighting fiercely and began throwing up
dust. The Muslims were so few that they were like a white spot on a black camel's
skin. The Sahabah of Rasulullah ~ could only find each other through the cries of
"La ilaha illallah" and "Alliihu Akbar!", but everyone was too busy with himself to
come to another's rescue.
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