Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futu!:J.usham
already circling the pot waitingfor the meat to be cooked so that
we can eat it.
We call you to that Din which our Rabb, Most Honourable and
Majestic, is pleased with for us. If you accept then we will
depart from you and leave some men behind to teach you the
Din and whatever Allah Most High has ordained upon you. If
Islam is not acceptable to you then we willimpose Jizyah upon
you. If you refuse to accept Islam and refuse to pay Jizyah, then
come and battle us until Allah decides the outcome and He is the
best of all deciders.
He folded the letter and gave it to a Disbeliever who was under Muslim rule. He
knew both 'Arabic and Greek. AbU 'Ubaydah ~said to him, "Take this to Him~ and
return with a reply."
The messenger took it and went until he reached the city walls. The Romans wanted
to shoot arrows and fling rocks at him, so he shouted in Greek, "0 people, I am under
the protection of the 'Arabs. I have brought a message to you from them."
They extended a rope down to him which he tied around his waist. Theyhoisted him
up and took him to the governor. Standing humbly before the governor, he delivered
the letter to him.
Governor: Have you abandoned your faith for that of the 'Arabs?
Messenger: No, but I, my wife and children are under their rule and protection. I
have found them to be very good people. I sincerely advise you not to fight them,
because they are great warriors who do not fear death and do not flee from it. They
are steadfast upon their religion and prefer death to life. They have sworn that they
will not leave your city until either you surrender or God grants them victory. I take
oath in the name of my religion that you are more beloved unto me than them and I
hope that victory will go your way, not theirs, but I really fear for you once they
attack. So surrender to be safe or else you will live to regret your refusal.
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