Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 1: Damascus
tribe, "0 people of Himyar, the gates of Heaven are open. Paradise is adorned for
you. The virgin damsels of Paradise await you."
A Roman was encouraging his troops. Khalid .t;, recognised him to be the
commander because of his splendid armour and mount. He went towards him and
shouted threats so loudly that the enemy became frightened. Khalid .t;, said, "I am
avenging Sa'Id" and thrust his spear so hard that the Roman collapsed like an iron
wall. There was no soldier of Khalid .t;, who did not kill a Roman horseman.
We killed 320 horsemen while the rest fled in defeat, leaving behind money,
equipment, mules, Turkish horses and supplies, which we seized in accordance with
Allah's command. Khiilid.t;, fulfilled his promise and released the farmers. Taking
the booty, he returned to 'Arm bin al-'A~ .t;, who rejoiced at Khalid .t;, and the
Muslim's safe return with booty. He wrote a report on the battle to AbU 'Ubaydah es
and wrote also to AbU Bakr .t;, about the victories and all the intelligence gathered on
the Romans and sent it with AbU 'Amir ad-Dawsi,
When AbU 'Amir gave AbU Bakr .t;, the letter, he read it out loud. The Muslims were
overjoyed and shouted, "There is no deity but Allah! Allah is the greatest!"
AbU Bakr .t;, then asked about AbU 'Ubaydah .t;,. AbU 'Amir replied, "He is still
encamped at the border and has not entered Syria. He heard that Caesar Heraclius has
gathered a vast army at Ajniidayn and the Muslims fear defeat." From this AbU
Bakr.t;, understood that AbU 'Ubaydah .t;, was too soft to fight the Romans so he
consulted the Muslims about replacing him with Khalid bin al-Walid.t;,. When they
replied, "This is indeed more appropriate," he wrote the following letter of
appointment to Khalid .t;,:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
From: 'Abdullah al- 'Atiq bin AM Quh.afah
To : Khdlid bin al- Walid
As-Saldmu 'Alaykum
I praise Allah besides whom there is no other deity and send
salutations upon His Prophet. I appoint you as commander of
the Muslim armies and command you to fight the Romans.
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