Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

...Peace be upon him who follows guidance. It has been
revealed to us that punishment isfor those who deny and turn
away. [20:48}
Part 2: liim:i.
He folded the letter and gave it to a subject Disbeliever ordering him to deliver it to
the people of Ba'labakk and to return with a reply. When the messenger reached the
city walls he called out, "I am a messenger unto you from the' Arabs." They dropped
a rope which he tied around his waist. They lifted him up to them and took him to
the governor to whom he delivered the letter.
Herbius gathered the soldiers and generals, read out the letter to them and said,
"Present your views on this matter."
A patrician from amongst his advisors said, "Personally I feel that we should not
fight them. We have no power to fight them and once peace is attained we will be
safe, calm and prosperous just as the people of Arakah, Palmyra, Hawnln, Busra and
Damascus have become. If we fight them they will defeat us, kill our men, enslave
us and take our women. Peace is therefore better than war."
Herbius : May Christ have no mercy upon you. I have never seen a greater coward
or less enduring man than you. How can you talk of handing our city over to this
'Arab waste especially now that you have been acquainted with their war tactics and
fighting and have tested them in battle? Had I attacked their left wing I would have
defeated them.
Patrician: 0 really? I am sure that they and even their centre were quite terrified of
you.
The two ended up arguing and swearing at each other with the populace split into two
camps - one wanting to fight and the other wanting to surrender. The governor
shredded the letter, threw the pieces at the messenger and ordered his men to lower
him out of the city.
The messenger reached the Muslim camp where he reported to AbU 'Ubaydah ~
what had happened and said, "0 commander, the majority of them are intent on
fighting."
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ called out to the Muslims, "Be severe against them and bear in
mind that this city is in the centre of all that you have conquered. If it remains
unconquered, it will be a nuisance to those whom you have made peace with and you'
will not be able to travel unhindered."
211
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