Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Today the truthful one will attain his goal
He is not afraid when death snatches his soul.
My spear s thirst quench will I
With blood flowing from the eye.
I will pierce both shield and helmet
And get that which yesterday the predecessors did get.
Part 1: Damascus
While he was reciting this poem, he suddenly saw a tall, short-necked fawn horse
upon which sat a rider carrying a glittering spear. The rider's behaviour and
appearance projected a kind of wisdom and the riding-style showed bravery. The
warrior held the bridle loosely but sat firmly in the saddle and wore armour covered
in black cloth. A green girdle tied at the waist was spread over both his chest and
back. Thus this rider rode ahead of the army like a blazing flame.
Khalid ~ said, "I wonder who this horseman is. By Allah! He appears to be quite
daring and brave."
He continued behind the stranger heading towards the Christian camp. Rafi' bin
'Umayrah was steadfastly holding out against the Romans when he saw Khalid's ~
reinforcements. The mysterious warrior pounced on the enemy like a mighty hawk
on a tiny sparrow in an attack that wreaked havoc in the Roman lines and by
perpetrating a massacre penetrated to their very centre. It was like lightning striking
the heads of two or four youths, then burning to ashes another five or seven and then
flashing yet again. Reaching the centre, the warrior displayed clear signs of
frustration and anxiety and then began attacking again, ripping the Christian lines
apart and advancing until the Muslims lost sight of this champion who all the while
was growing ever more anxious.
Rafi' bin 'Umayrah and his men thought that that could only be Khalid es, Rafi' then
saw him with his men so he called out, "0 brave one, who is this horseman who risks
his life in Allah's Path and slays the enemy without hesitation?"
Khdlid ~ : By Allah! I do not know. I am myself astonished at his daring and
bravery.
Raft' : What an amazing man who penetrates the Roman ranks and kills them left,
right and centre.
Khdlid ~ : 0 Muslims, rise for the defence of Islam and attack together.
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