Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: liim~
lead to enemies getting ideas and attacking you (with their help). Be good to
whoever helps you and command with justice. Be as one with them. Order your men
and companions to refrain from corruption and oppression against the citizens. Allah
is watching you on my behalf. Was-salam 'Alayka."
43) The price of greed
AbU 'Ubaydahes intended heading for Him§ when the governor of 'Ayn al-Jawz
arrived to offer his surrender. His war-fine was fixed at halfthat which Ba'labakk had
paid and Salim bin Thuayb as-Sulami was appointed as governor over them. AbU
'Ubaydah ~advised him as he had advised Rafi' bin 'Abdillah and then departed for
Him§. Midway betweenar-Ras and al-Kafilah he met the governor of Jusiyah who
offered many gifts and terms of surrender. He then continued until he reached Him§.
Habban bin Tamim atb..Tbaqafi narrates:
I was amongst those who remained behind with Rafi' bin 'Abdillah, We erected tents
of camel hair with pillars outside the city. None of us would enter Ba'labakk. We
continued raiding the coastal Romans and Christian 'Arabs who had not entered into
a treaty with us. After every expedition we would sell our booty to the Ba'Iabakkis
who were very pleased with our buying and selling and earned an enormous profit in
a short period. They discovered that we are a people who do not deceive or lie or
desire to wrong anybody and thus they were pleased with us.
When their patrician, Herbius.sew the great profit they were making from us and the
low price they were buying at, he gathered them in the Ba' labakk Cathedral which is
today the Jami' Masjid. When they gathered at the appointed time he said to all the
traders, businessmen and marketers; "You know that I have made great effort for
your sake and anxiously desire your well-being, as well as your wives' and children's
welfare. You also know what money I have lost. Today I am but one of you. I
surrendered my wealth and weapons and most of my slaves, men and cousins were
killed, whereas you people have gained so much from the' Arabs through your trade.
I had to pay a full quarter of the fine all on my own.
Ba'labakkis : You have spoken the truth. We accept all that you have described, but
what do you want now?
Patrician: I will not trouble you to give me your wealth or of what is in your homes.
However, you can render me a one-tenth share of your trade.
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