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Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

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<strong>Futuhusham</strong><br />

Musaylamah the Liar's armour, tied his turban around his waist while letting one side<br />

hang and called out, "0 people, may <strong>Al</strong>lah have mercy on you for this is a day which<br />

will never be repeated. <strong>The</strong> enemy cavalry and infantry have arrived, do not spare a<br />

single one <strong>of</strong> them. Do <strong>Al</strong>lah's work and He will help you if you are patient. Include<br />

yourselves amongst those whose lives <strong>Al</strong>lah has bought. He says:<br />

<strong>Al</strong>lah has bought the lives and property <strong>of</strong> the Believers in<br />

exchange for Paradise - they fight in the path <strong>of</strong> <strong>Al</strong>lah. ..<br />

[9:111]<br />

Remember that the army <strong>of</strong> your brother, Abu 'Ubaydah, is soon to join you."<br />

<strong>The</strong> Muslims mounted their horses and so the Romans, who had intended to attack<br />

now hesitated. Khalid ~ organised the army as follows: Rafi' bin 'Umayrah over the<br />

right-wing; Musayyib bin Najiyah al-Fazari over the left-wing; Shurahbil over the<br />

front's right; 'Abdurahman bin Abi Bakr over the front's left; Salim bin Nawfal ~<br />

over the rear-guard while he took charge <strong>of</strong> the centre. After appointing the generals,<br />

he said to .!2irar bin al-Azwar ss, "Wage Jihad in the manner <strong>of</strong> your father and tribe.<br />

Help <strong>Al</strong>lah's Din and He will help you. You will present yourself first for combat.<br />

Fight them with such bravery that their hearts become filled with terror and they<br />

flee."<br />

I2irar ~ wore dirty clothes and an old turban and mounted on a thin fast filly. He<br />

attacked so furiously that the enemy ranks were thrown into tumult. He slew their<br />

four top horsemen and then, turning to the infantry, killed six. Had the Romans not<br />

showered him with arrows and stones, he would not have returned. Khalid ~ and the<br />

Muslims thanked him.<br />

'Abdurahman ~ then donned his armour and advanced for a test <strong>of</strong> strength. Khalid<br />

~ said, "0 Ibn Abi Bakr, terrify the enemy with your attack. Stop only when you<br />

have tom their ranks apart. <strong>Al</strong>lah will bless your strength."<br />

So he attacked in the manner <strong>of</strong> I2irar ~ and slew enemies before returning. Khalid<br />

~ then attacked, displaying such exploits with his spear which utterly astonished the<br />

58

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