Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 2: Him§.
The Muslims turned back as one man and surrounded the governor and his men on
all sides. Their encirclement was so complete as the white of the eye surrounds the
pupil. The Romans were now like a black dot on a white ox and began firing their
arrows at the Muslims. The Muslims pounced on them like hunting lions and
swooped upon them like eagles. They began hacking at them with their swords right
and left until the majority of Romans lay dead.
58) The governor is killed
'Apyab bin Fibr az-Zubaydi narrates:
When the Romans saw what we were doing to them, they assailed us. As the battle
heated Khalid s, appeared in the middle of the army mounted on a reddish horse and
wearing golden armour which the governor of Ba'labakk had gifted to him the day
Ba'labakk was conquered. He was also wearing the red turban which he always wore
in battle. Roaring like a lion he brandished his sword until sparks flew and shouted,
"May Allah have mercy on that man whose sword is naked, whose resolution is
strong and who fights his enemies." The Muslims responded by unsheathing their
swords and violently assaulting the enemy.
Abu 'Ubaydah es called out, "0 sons of' Arabs, defend your women, DIn and wealth.
Allah is watching you and is your Helper against your enemy." Mu'ath bin Jabal.
had separated with 500 men returning to the abandoned camp. The looting Christians
were so busy carrying off provisions, baggage and goods that they did not perceive
the coming ofthe Muslims and before they knew it were being pierced with spears
like tongues of a kindled fire. The announcer called out, "0 'Arab youth, get to the
gate before they get away with our goods and children!"
The Romans were weighed down with their plunder but once they saw Mu'ath ~
attacking them they threw down everything in order to escape. Some were killed and
others escaped.
~ubayb bin Sayf al-Fazari narrates:
By Allah! Only about 100 horsemen out of the 5,000 with the governor of Him~
managed to escape us. We chased the enemy to the gates and when we massacred
them that was the greatest disaster to befall Him~ because most of the refugees from
al-'Awasim and other places were inside the city (so those killed at the gates would
be people of Hims. - translator's note).
247