Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: Hims.
already helped you. He defeated most of these people already. This city to which you
are heading for lies in the centre of the area you have already conquered. The people
have stocked up on provisions, equipment and power, so beware of vanity, but seek
revenge and fight the enemies of the Din. Help Allah's Din and He will help you."
He then led the Muslims in attack.
'Amir bin Rabi'ah narrates:
I swear that we only fought them for a single round when they turned and fled,
heading for the city walls. The governor, wounded in seven places, entered the city
with his men'. The general who had advised him against fighting the' Arabs met him
and said, "So where is the booty of the 'Arabs which you captured?"
Patrician: MayChrist disfigure you! You dare to mock me? The 'Arabs have killed
my men and inflicted these wounds on me.
General: Did I not tell you that you will ruin yourself and your men?
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ reached the city and found it-to be formidable; built like a fortress.
The inhabitants had gathered all their wealth and animals and put them in the centre
of the city. The Muslims sawall this wealth spread out like a swarm of locusts. When
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ saw the city, its fortifications, its wealth, its many men and intense
cold - Ba'labakk remains cold, summer or winter - he said to the elite amongst the
Sahiibah ~, "What is your opinion on this city?"
They agreed on besieging the city.
Mu'dth. bin Jabal ~ : May Allahkeep the commander in a good state. The Romans
are overcrowded in the city and I think that it cannot hold them all. If we protract a
siege against,them we can hope for Allah's help and victory at our hands.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~: 0 Ibn Jabal, how do you know that they are crowded in the city?
Mu' 6th ~ : I was the first to charge against the enemy and upon reaching them I saw
the city and the White Fort. I tried to reach their front row so that the Muslims could
cut them off from the city (but no Muslim joined me). I saw them entering the city
like a flood from every gate and the city became filled with rural folk, villagers, cattle
and animals. The city became tight for them until their voices resembled the droning
of bees due to their great number.
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