Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: Hims
After the conquest of Qinsarin, AbU 'Ubaydah es said to the Sahabah~, "Advise me
for Allah has commanded His Prophet ~ thus:
And consult them in the affair. Then when you have reached a
decision place your trust upon Allah. [3: 159]
So shall we go to Aleppo which is heavily fortified, or to Antioch which has many
slaves and soldiers or shall we return?"
Muslims: a commander, how can we go to Aleppo and Antioch when the truce is
expiring with Armin, Him~ and Jusiyah. Doubtless they have fortified themselves,
stocked up food and reinforced their men. We fear that they will attack us in the
territory which we have occupied, especially at Ba'labakk and its fort, for they are
strong and numerous.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ left Khalid ~ at Him~and proceeded to Ba'labakk. When he
neared it, he came across a caravan consisting of mules and other beasts carrying
different kinds of merchandise. Seeing this great caravan which had come from the
coast heading for Ba'labakk, AbU 'Ubaydah ~said, "What a great caravan this is."
Muslims: We do not know anything about it.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : Then go and find out.
Some horsemen went and returned to report that it was a Roman caravan carrying
much merchandise.
Shaddad bin 'Adi narrates:
Most of the caravan's load was sugar for Ba'Iabakk, Abu 'Ubaydah ~ said,
"Ba'Iabakk is at war with us, we have no agreement with them. Take what Allah has
sent to you for that is Allah's booty unto you."
So we captured the caravan which had 400 loads of sugar, olives, pistachios etc. and
took the people prisoner. AbU 'Ubaydah ~ declared, "Refrain from killing them and
seek ransoms from them."
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