Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 4: Baytul Muqaddas
They informed the patriarch who came and stood on the city wall and said, "Tell him
to come forward so that we can see him."
When Khalid • came forward he said, "By Christ! This looks like it is him but some
signs are missing. I implore you in the name of your religion, tell me the truth - who
are you really?
Khalid. : I am one of his companions.
Patriarch : You 'Arab boys, this is treachery'. By Christ! Until we do not see the
described man we will neither open the gates nor will any of us speak to you even if
you besiege us for twenty years.
He left without saying anything further, so the Muslims said, "Write to the Commander
of the Believers. Perhaps he will come and grace this place."
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ then wrote:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
To : Allah s slave, the Commander of the Believers, 'Umar bin
ol-Khatjdb
From : His governor, AbU 'Ubaydah 'Amir bin al-Jarrd];
As-Salamu 'alayka
I praise Allah besides Whom there is no other deity and convey
salutations upon His Prophet Mul!.ammad.
Know, 0 Commander of the Believers, that we arrived at Baytul
Muqaddas and have been fighting now for four months. Every
day we attack each other. The Muslims greatly suffer because of
the snow, cold and rain but they are patient for the sake of Allah,
their RaM.
A day prior to me writing this letter, their patriarch whom they
greatly honour said that they find in their scriptures that none
shall conquer the city except for a Sal!.abi of our Prophet JSj
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