Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

"I'
Futuhushdm
The priest returned to Luke and, telling him what transpired, handed him the
document. Luke rejoiced and planned to erect a huge pillar with a statue of Caesar
Heraclius sitting on his Imperial throne on it.
The Muslim horsemen would raid to the farthest extents of Aleppo, al-'Amq and
Antioch, but would desist from the borders of Qinsarin and al-'Awas.im.
'Umar bin 'AbdilHih narrates from Salim bin Qays who narrates from his
ancestor, Sa'd bin 'Ubadah":
The Muslims agreed to the truce with the people of Qinsarin and al-' Awas.im upon
receiving payment of 4,000 Imperial dinar, 100 Uqiyah (12.2 kg) of silver, 1,000
robes of Aleppo and 1,000 Wasaq (192.7 t) of food.
20) The statue
'Amir narrates:
We were out raiding when we saw the pillar with Caesar Heraclius's statue thereon.
We circled the pillar with our horses going back and forth to inspect it. AbU Jandalah
was carrying a long spear in his hand with which he pierced the statue's eyes when
his horse suddenly trotted forward without his command. There were some Romans
at the statue. They were the slaves of the governor of Qinsarin sent to guard the
pillar. They returned and informed him. He was enraged. He presented a golden cross
to one of his men, putting him in charge of 1,000 Christian horsemen who wore
Roman brocade and sword-belts. Then ordering Stacher to go with them, he said,
"Tell the commander of the' Arabs - You have betrayed us and have not fulfilled your
duty unto us. He who betrays will be brought to the ground."
The priest took the cross and went to AbU 'Ubaydah ~. When the Muslims saw the
raised cross they rushed to him and lowered the cross. Abu 'Ubaydah ~ then came
out and asked, "Who are you?"
Priest: I am Qinsarin's governor's messenger to you. He says that you have been
treacherous and broken the treaty between us.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : How have we broken it?
Priest: By piercing the eyes of Caesar's statue.
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