Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: liim~
and priests and monks walking ahead, all close to each other, reciting from the Bible
and raising their voices with their words of Disbelief.
He came to greet Jabalah and found the S-abJibah ~ in front of him. Khalid ~ faced
him together with the other S-ahfLbah~ around him. Not knowing who they were, he
said, "Christ grant you peace. May the Cross grant you long lives!"
Khalid ~ retorted, "Woe unto you, we are not cross-worshippers. We are S-ahfLbahof
Rasulullah iltl, Muhammad, the beloved of Allah." He drew his sword proclaiming,
"There is no deity except Allah alone. I am Khalid bin al-Walid. I am the Makhzumi
S-ahfLbiof Rasulullah ~."
He then hit the patrician and pulled him out of his saddle.
The S-ahfLbah~ advanced, drawing their swords against his men. A tumult was
raised. The Christians called out their words of Disbelief and the Muslims
proclaimed the Oneness of Allah, Jabalah and the patrician of Amorium heard the
Muslims calling out, "La ilaha illallah! Allahu Akbar!" and felt uneasy. The
Christians saw the naked swords and pointed spears and so rushed to surround the
Muslims from all sides. Khalid ~ examined the situation that had befallen him and
his men. Luke was still being held prisoner, and Khalid feared that he would escape
or start fighting anew before he had a chance to kill him. He therefore raised his
sword to kill him, but saw him smiling.
Khdlid ~: Woe unto you! What makes you laugh?
Luke: You and your men are already dead but you still think of killing me. If you
spare me it will be better for you.
So Khalid ~ spared him and shouted, "0 S-ahfLbahof Rasulullah iltl, surround me to
defend me. Be patient at what befalls us. Do not be awed by the numbers that
surround you, for the worst that they can do to you is kill you. Death in the Path of
Allah is in fact Khalid's desire. By Allah! I have presented my life over and over
again hoping to be blessed with martyrdom. May Allah have mercy upon you. Know
that our proof is clear and leads to Allah as if we have already reached the Rabb and
live in an abode whose inhabitants do not die."
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