Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhushdm
We released them upon payment of gold, silver, robes and beasts. We used the sugar
to make a thick paste of flour and clarified butter and a sweet made of flour and
honey with butter and olives. Imagine how the Muslims ate! We spent the night at
the place where we had attacked the caravan andremained there until morning. Abu
'Ubaydah ~ then ordered us to advance to attack Ba'labakk, but some of the people
of the caravan had escaped and informed the Ba'Iabakkis of what had happened to
the caravan. The governor of Ba'labakk was another Herbius. When this warrior
heard of the coming of the Muslim army, he called his soldiers to get their weapons
and gear. He led his forces out of Ba'Iabakk, knowing that Abu 'Ubaydah ~ was
coming towards him with the Muslim army.
31) Battle of Ba'labakk
The two armies spotted each other at midday. The patrician had a cavalry of 7,000
plus the, mob which had followed him from his land. When the Muslims saw him
they called out, "To arms! To arms!"
The bravest Muslims rushed to the frontlines, pointing their spears and unsheathing
their swords. The patrician in the meantime was arranging military formation of his
men when one of his generals said, "What do you wish to do with the 'Arabs?"
Herbius : I will fight them to such an extent that they will never again entertain
desires against us and attack our city.
General : I opine that you should not fight them, but should return back safely, for
verily the people of Damascus could not overcome them, nor could the armies of
Ajnadayn and Palestine repulse them. You have heard enough of what they did
recently to the governors of Qinsarin and Amorium and the Christian' Arabs and how
they made them tum on their heels in defeat. The best thing for you to do is to return
to save yourself and those with you.
Herbius : I will neither return, nor will I be defeated. I have heard that most of their
army is stationed at Him§. with Khalid bin al-Walid. This is but a small number sent
to us as booty by Christ.
General: As for me, I will not fight them for I disagree with you.
The general lifted his horse's reins and returned to Ba'labakk, followed by many of
the Christians. As for the patrician, he continued his preparations, bent on battle. AbU
'Ubaydah ~ saw this, so he too arranged the Muslim ranks and said, "0 people, may
Allah have mercy upon you. Know that Allah has promised victory unto you and has
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