Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhushdm
"There are five generals," I replied, "Caesar's nephew, Theodorus, Trajan, Canter
and George. These four are under the supreme command of Bannes, King of
Armenia. Jabalah bin al-Ayham al-Ghassani leads the vanguard of 60,000 horsemen
who are all Christian 'Arabs.
'Umar • : Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we return. There is no power to do
good or ability to avoid evil except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Mighty.
They desire to extinguish the Light of Allah with their mouths,
but Allah will complete His Light even if the Disbelievers
dislike it. [61:8]
o Muslims, what is your counsel to me? May Allah have mercy upon you.
'Ali. :Glad tidings! May Allah have mercy upon you all. This battle will be a sign
from amongst Allah's signs. He is testing His believing slaves to see their actions and
their patience. He will confirm the patient one who expects due reward as truly
patient. Remember that Rasulullah ~ has mentioned to me that this battle will be
remembered for as long as this perishing world remains.
Al-'Abbas. :0 my nephew, against whom will this battle go?
'Ali. : 0 Uncle, against those who deny Allah and ascribe a son unto Him. Be
certain of victory from Allah. 0 Commander of the Believers, write to your governor,
AbU 'Ubaydah, and tell him that Allah's help is better for him than our help and
reinforcements. He will soon find himself in a momentous situation.
'Urnar ss mounted the mimbar and delivered such a sermon about the virtues of Jihad
that it shook the listener's hearts and moved them to tears. He then dismounted and
led the Muslims in Salah. After the Salah he wrote the following response to AbU
'Ubaydah ss:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
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