Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

avoid troubling us and wronging us for it will only return to you
to kill you. Otherwise we will come out to .fight you in the
morning and God will 'help whoever is on the Truth from
amongst us.
47) 'Ala's'" scheme
Part 2: Hims..
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ consulted the Muslims with regards to the letter. A chief of
Khath'am, 'A!ii bin 'Amr al-Kath'ami ~ was also present. He was advanced in age;
had performed the Migration to al-Madinah at an early stage; was intelligent; and had
led and organised many armies. He sprang to his feet upon hearing the contents of
the letter and said, "Listen to me carefully for what I say will benefit the Muslims.
Allah has always guided what I say."
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : Speak, 0 Ibn 'Amr. We recognise you to be a well-wisher of the
Muslims.
'Mii ~ went to him and whispered, "May Allah keep the commander in a good state!
These people have had intelligence on your coming long before and their governor
is braver and more cunning than his predecessors. They knew of the conquest of
Ba'Iabakk and deduced that you would definitely besiege them next. They therefore
stocked up with food, fodder, equipment and men, not leaving behind a scrap of food
in the villages and countryside. They have enough to survive on for years. If we
besiege them it will be protracted just as in the case of Damascus. I believe that you
should trick them with a strategy. If this strategy works we will conquer this city
quickly, if Allah wills."
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : 0 Ibn 'Amr, what is your strategy?
'Ala ~ : We should write to them asking them for supplies and fodder in exchange
for us leaving them to conquer other cities. With their supplies thus depleted they will
have to spread out in the cities to trade. That is when we will raid whoever comes out
resulting in their numbers becoming fewer and weaker and a decrease in their
supplies and fodder.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ :Your opinion is correct. I will do as you have mentioned and hope
for Allah's guidance and help.
He called for ink and paper and replied to the letter as follows :
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