Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: Him,£
Envoy : I have come to obtain a guarantee of safety for our governor and a
guarantee that you will not break your word with us.
Sa 'id ~ : It is not of the conduct of leaders and generals of armies to violate their
guarantees of safety. We, praise be to Allah, do not break our word. I will grant
amnesty to your governor and all those with him who lay down their arms, surrender
and seek amnesty.
Envoy: We want this guarantee from your superiors and your subordinates.
Sa 'id ~ : Granted.
The envoy returned to inform the governor and then said, "Go, but beware of
deception for the deceiver is always destroyed. These 'Arabs do not betray their
trusts and word."
39) The Romans come out
I (al- Waqidi) have been informed that Herbius stripped off whatever he was wearing,
including the brocade and laid down his arms. He was dressed in wool and emerged
bare-headed, bare-footed and humiliated. His men accompanied him. They came
before Sa'id ~ who fell prostrate before Allah, saying, "All praise be to Allah Who
has removed the tyrants from us and made us masters over their princes and kings."
Then he turned to the governor and said, "Come closer." When he came to sit at his
side, Sa'id ~ asked him, "Do you always wear this or something else?"
Governor : By Christ and the Communion, never! I have never worn wool before,
only silk and brocade. I am wearing this now because I have not come to fight you.
Will you grant amnesty to my men and people?
Sa 'id ~ : As for those men here, they will be granted safety if they enter Islam and
then they will enjoy the same rights as we do. If they wish to remain on their old
religion they will have to promise to never again carry arms against us. As for the
city, Abu 'Ubaydah, my commander, is attacking it and I expect that Allah has
already granted him victory over it. I want to take you to him so that he can hear you
out and make peace with your people. Come with me under my protection. If peace
is not achieved I will bring you and those of your men who so wish, back to this place
and then Allah will decide between us. Indeed He is the best of deciders.
Governor : I will do that.
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