Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhushdm
Heraclius : How long is it since you left al-Madinah?
Lakhmf: Twenty-five days.
Heraclius : Who is the leader of the Muslims?
Lakhmi : His name is Abu Bakr, He has collected an army and has sent it against you.
I have examined them properly - they are energetic, cunning, prepared and firm.
Heraclius : Have you seen this Abu Bakr?
Lakhmf : Yes, in fact he purchased a shawl from me which he draped over his
shoulders. He is an ordinary looking man with nothing to distinguish him. He roams
the market wearing two cloths overseeing that the strong fulfil the rights of the weak.
He treats weak and strong equally.
Heraclius : Describe his features.
Lakhmf: Tall, wheat-coloured, light-cheeked, thin. His finger-joints are wide and his
teeth are beautiful.
Heraclius (smiling) : So that is Muhammad's Khalifah about whom we read in the
Scriptures. His successor will be black-eyed, tall, wheat-coloured like a lion. He shall
conquer and expel his enemies from their lands.
Lakhmf : I have seen such a person in his company who never separates from him.
Heraclius : I am now fully convinced. Previously, I tried to make the Romans
understand and invited them to salvation but none listened to me and they refused to
obey. Now the Romans will be expelled very quickly from Syria.
Heraclius had a golden cross made and handed it over to Rubius, the commander of
the army, saying, "I have appointed you as commander of all my forces. Hasten
towards the Islamic armies and prevent them from occupying Palestine because iris
a beautiful, prosperous territory. In fact, our prestige and power rests on it." Rubius
organised his troops and marched to Ajnadayn that same day.
8) War in Palestine
'Amr's ~ animals were weak and thin when he reached Palestine via the Aylah route.
He encamped at a very lush place letting the horses and camels graze and so they
recovered. One day the Muhajirin and Ansar gathered to consult each other on the
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