Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 3: Al - Yarmiik
satisfied and said, "0 commander, there is none amongst us except that he seeks
martyrdom. Allah Most High is now sending it to us."
22) Sa'id bin 'Amir and his army
,Amr bin 'Ala narrates from Majid who narrates from the reliable narrators:
'Abdullah bin Qurt ~ left al-Madinah on Friday. After performing Salatul Fajr with
'Umar bin al-Khajtab we were reciting from the Quran when suddenly we heard
shouts and terrifying sounds. Our hearts filled with fear and we rushed out of the
masjid to find 6,000 Yamanis from Sadwan, Saba and Hadramawt gathering for
Jihad. Jabir bin Khawal ar-Raba'r led them.
Their chiefs came walking and made salam to 'Umar bin al-Khagab who ordered
them to encamp at al-Madinah. That same night Sa'Id bin 'Amir arrived with 1,000
horsemen from Makkah, a!-Iaif, Wadi an-Nakhlah and Thafiq. They also made
salam to 'Umar ~ and camped opposite the Yamanis. On Sunday, 'Umar ~ came to
see to the weak ones and to equip the armies. He then tied a red flag onto a long spear
and gave it to Sa'td bin 'Amir.
Sa'id bin 'Amir narrates:
I intended departing but 'Umar ~ said, "Ibn 'Amir, wait until I have given you
advice."
When he returned on foot to give the advice, 'Uthman ~, al-' Abbas ~, 'All ~ and
'Abdurahman bin 'Awf ~ accompanied him. 'Umar ~ stood with the people around
him and said, "0 Sa'id, I appoint you over this army, but that does not mean you are
the best of them unless you fear Allah. When you go, be lenient upon them as far as
possible. Do not verbally disgrace them, do not consider the youngsters low, do not
give undue preference to the strong, do not follow your personal desires, do not
travel through the deserts but choose the level, soft ground instead. Do not encamp
with them at the main routes. I leave Allah Most High to watch over you on my
behalf and on behalf of your men."
'Ali ~ : Listen to the instructions of the Commander of the Believers through whom
Allah completed forty (i.e. 'Umar ~ was about the fortieth person to embrace Isldm
- translator 50 note) and through whom this Ummah is called Believers. He is that
man about whom Rasulullah $ said: "If you obey him you will be on guidance and
the correct way."
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