Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futiihushdm
you who were stronger, more numerous, better armed and richer than you but we
always threw them out, unsuccessful, afraid and half-dead. We first did this to the
Emperor of Persia. God sent him back in disgrace. Similarly we dealt with the kings
of the Turks, the Jaramiqah and others.
As for you, there is no nation less significent or more despicable than you. You are
wretched, suffering bedouins who know nothing but poetry. Inspite of all that you
commit oppression not only in your own lands but now come to our lands as well,
whereas we are a mighty nation, powerful and strong enough to stop you. Now you
come from your rainless, famine-stricken country and what havoc you wreak. You
mount horses which do not belong to you. You wear clothing which does not belong
to you. You use the daughters of Rome, the young white girls, and enslave them. You
eat food which is not yours. You wrongfully fill your hands with our gold, silver and
fine goods.
Now we meet you in this state that you still have all that you have stolen from our
people and co-religionists. Keep it! We demand nothing back from you, nor do we
even rebuke you. All we ask is that you withdraw from our lands. If you refuse we
will wipe you out. If you are agreeable to peace we will give each of your soldiers
100 dinar and a robe. For AbU 'Ubaydah, your general, 1,000 dinar and for your
Khalifah, 'Umar, 10,000 dinar. This is on the condition that you vow never to return.
29) No brotherhood with Christians
Bannes thus sometimes threatened and sometimes bribed while Khalid 4 remained
silent until he had completed.
Khdlid 4 : The king has spoken and has spoken well while we listened. Now we will
speak while he listens.
All praise belongs to Allah besides whom there is no other deity.
Bannes (stretching his hands to the sky) : Yes, it is as you say, 0 'Arab.
Khdlid 4 : I bear witness that there is no deity besides Allah and that Muhammad is
His Slave and Messenger.
Bannes : I do not know if Muhammad is a messenger or not. It mayor may not be as
you claim.
Khdlid 4 : Every man prefers his own religion. The best moment is that wherein the
Rabb of all the worlds is recognised.
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