Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhushdm
on the shoulder right down to the intestines. He fell off his horse and died. 'Amir ~
raced back with the Roman horse and handed it to his son. He then returned to attack
different groups of Romans.
He then targeted the Christian' Arabs. He killed one horseman and issued a challenge
for a duel. Jabalah himself responded. He was resplendent in brocade decorated with
gold. Beneath that he wore armour of the ancient Tubba' and wore a helmet which
glittered like the sun. Riding his horse which was descended from the horses of
ancient' Ad, he called out to 'Amir .;$h, "From which tribe are you?"
'Amir ~ : Daws.
Jabalah : Then you are a relative. Save yourself and return. Give up false hopes.
'Amir ~ : I have identified myself to you, so now you tell me what kind of an 'Arab
you are.
Jabalah : I am of Ghassan, I am chief of all of them. I am Jabalah bin al-Ayham al-
Ghassani; I came out to you when I saw you coming. You had killed that strong
patrician who was the equal to Bannes and George in bravery. I recognised you to be
my equal and came to kill you and enjoy the favour of Bannes and Heraclius for
killing you.
'Amir ~ : You mention these people's strength, but Allah is stronger than them and
destroys the tyrants. You want to enjoy the favour of created beings like yourself for
killing me, but I want to enjoy the favour of the Rabb of all the worlds for killing
you.
He then attacked but his blow was harmless. Jabalah however struck him on the head
right down to his shoulder. 'Amir ~ fell down martyred. Jabalah swelled with pride
and challenged the Muslims to duel him.
53) Martyrdom of Jundub bin 'Amir
The martyr's son, Jundub bin 'Amir, went to AbU 'Ubaydah ~ carrying his father's
flag and said, "0 commander, my father has been killed. I want to either avenge him
or be killed myself. So give his flag to whom you will from amongst the Daws."
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ handed the flag to a Dawsi and Jundub departed to kill Jabalah,
reciting this poem:
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