Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhusham
AbU 'Ubaydah ss : Then get your gear. May AIHih have mercy on you.
Less than a month remained for the truce between the Muslims and Qinsarin to
expire, so AbU 'Ubaydah • waited for the expiry eagerly.
22) Slaves and firewood
It was discovered that the 'Arabs' slaves were cutting olive-, pomegranate- and other
fruit-bearing trees. AbU 'Ubaydah • became angry and asked them, "What is this
wickedness?"
Slaves : 0 commander, the firewood trees are far off while these are near.
AbU 'Ubaydah es : I resolve to punish whoever cuts a fruit-bearing tree, whether he
is a freeman or slave.
Thereafter they would fetch firewood from far off places.
Sa'id bin 'Amir" narrates:
I had with me an excellent slave called Muhji' who had participated with me in all
the battles. He was brave-hearted and when he went on a raid or in search of firewood
he would go far out.
One day he went in search of firewood with such slaves who had participated in the
battles. For a long time I had no news of him, so I mounted my horse to go in search
of him. Suddenly I came across the man with blood flowing down his face, soaking
his entire body. He was hardly able to take a single step without almost falling flat
on his face.
I dismounted to go to him and said, "What has happened to you?"
He said, "Death and destruction, 0 my master."
I said, "Tell me what has happened, 0 son of a black man?"
However, he could not remain standing and fell flat on his face.
I sprinkled water on his face. He calmed down and said, "0 master, save yourself
before they do to you what they have done to me."
I asked him, "Who did this to you?"
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