Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

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Raft' bin 'Umayrah narrates:
Part 2: !1im~
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I am the son of 'Abdullah the one of elevation
And dignity, he was virtuous with perfection.
True in speech was my father of distinction,
I will act upon this Din with action.
Five Roman horses came against him. In every round of attack he killed one until all
five lay dead. The Romans then held back from him, so Jabalah came furiously out
against him. When he neared him he said, "0 boy, you have exceeded the limits
against us and gone overboard in fighting us."
'Abdurahmdn ~ : And how is that? How have I transgressed the limits?
Jabalah : You are filling the Earth with our corpses! I have not come out to fight you
but came because one of your companions came out to help you and this is against
the qualities of nobility and justice.
'Abdurahmdn ~ (smiling) : 0 Ibn al-Ayham, do you try to deceive me when 'Ali bin
Abi Iiilib trained me? I have participated with him in many battles and other
incidents.
Jabalah : I am not tricking you and speak nothing but the truth.
'Abdurahmdn ~ : If you are speaking the truth then send one of your men against
this supposed companion of mine for I am willing and equal to your challenge.
Jabalah : My lad, why do you not join us? I will baptise you in holy water from
which you will emerge purified of all sins just as you were when you came out of
your mother's womb. You will be of the party of the Cross and Bible, partake in the
Communion and receive great awards from Caesar. I will marry you to my daughter
and grant you my bounties. I will greatly honour and enrich you. I am he about whom
your Prophet's poet composed this poem:
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