Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futiihushfim
Qujbah bin Suwayd narrates:
The Romans were informed that not one of the 'Amman garrison had survived.
26) Bannes's scheme
The Sahabah of Rasullullah ~ were greatly depressed at the capture of the five
Sahabah of Rasullullah ~ with AbU 'Ubaydah ~ being the most saddened of all. He
constantly wept and made du'a for their release. The five were brought before
Bannes, may Allah's curse and anger be upon him, who belittled them and said to
Jabalah, "Who are they?"
Jabalah : 0 King, they are from the Muslim army. They were a band of sixty, of
whom I killed the majority and captured these five. Now there remains none in the
army to be feared except one man who keeps them firm and launches their attacks.
He is the one who conquered Arakah, Palmyra, Hawran, Busra and Damascus. He is
the one who broke our ranks at Ajnadayn and chased Thomas and Herbius. He killed
them and captured Heraclius's daughter. He is Khalid bin al-Walid.
Hannes : I will devise some scheme to bring him to me and then I will kill him
together with these five prisoners.
Bannes summoned a Roman sage, Jarjah, who was fluent in 'Arabic and said to him,
"Jarjah, I am sending you to the 'Arabs. Tell them to send an envoy to us, but
stipulate that the man called Khalid must come."
He rode to the Muslim camp where he met Khalid ~.
Khdlid ~ : What do you want?
Jarjah : King Bannes has sent me to you to request that you send an envoy. It may
be that God stops the bloodshed between us.
Khdlid ~ : I will be the envoy.
He took him to AbU 'Ubaydah ~ and informed him of his intention to go to Bannes.
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : AbU Sulayman, go, may Allah keep you safe. Perhaps Allah will
guide them or perhaps he wants to surrender and pay Jizyah and then Allah will spare
bloodshed through you. The saving of one Muslim's blood is more beloved unto
Allah than all the Disbelievers put together.
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