Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 4: Baytul Muqaddas
Yiiqannd : I will fight the 'Arabs. I will not let them come near our lands. They will
see that I am not like the governors of Syria whom they had encountered until now.
YUhanna had studied the Gospel and the Psalms. His sole occupation was the
building of churches and monasteries and clothing and caring for the bishops, priests
and monks. When he heard that al-' Awa~im had been conquered by the sword and
Qinsarin by treaty and that the 'Arab cavalry was advancing towards the Euphrates
and al-Baqa', he went to his elder brother, Yuqanna, and said, "0 brother, I wish to
privately consult with you tonight to reveal my views and secrets and to learn yours."
Yuqanna agreed and so they met that night in a building within the fort which their
father used.
Yiiqannd : 0 brother, do you not see what is befalling us from these 'Arabs whose
stomachs are empty and bodies naked? Do you not see that the people of Syria are
being killed and their wealth plundered and that these people do not invade any city
except that they always conquer it and rule over its people? How should we deal with
them? It is as if they are already here.
Yuhanna : 0 brother, if you really seek my opinion then I will sincerely advise you
and will not deceive you if you accept my advice. I may be younger than you but I
have deeper insight then you. I swear by Christ and the Communion! If you accept
what I say your status will remain high and your life and wealth will be saved.
Yuqannd : 0 my brother, I know you only to be a well-wisher. What is your
opinion?
Yuhanna : Send an envoy to the 'Arabs. Give them whatever they want. Surrender
and fix an annual tribute which you will pay for as long as they have the upper hand.
Yiiqannd (angry) : May Christ disfigure you! What useless speech. Your mother only
gave birth to you as a monk and priest whom I cannot follow. Monks do not have
hearts because they only eat lentils, olive-oil and herbs and do not eat meat and know
no luxury. They have no insight into war and know nothing about encountering men.
As for me, I am a king and the son of a king. All they will get from me is war. The
kings of the world will not see me weak. Woe unto you! How can we surrender our
city to the 'Arabs without even putting up a fight?
yuh.anna (smiling) : 0 my brother, by Christ! I see your end coming for you are a .
tyrant who enjoys bloodshed. I do not think that you will ever be able to gather as
many troops as Heraclius did at al-Yarmuk or at Ajnadayn. These are such people
whom God helps against us. Fear God and do not run to your own death.
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