Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futuhushdm
where we will meet each other if Allah wills. Convey my saldm
to all Muslims.
Was-Saldmu 'Alayka.
Thereafter, he wrote similar instructions to all the above mentioned generals.
29) Paulus and his wife
Khalid • gave orders for marching, so the tents were loaded onto camels while the
sheep and booty were set aside. Khalid ~ said to AbU 'Ubaydah ~, "I intend to stay
at the rear-guard with the sheep, women and booty. You take the special Sahabah on
reconnaissance. "
AbU 'Ubaydah ~ : It is better if! take the rear-guard and you the vanguard so that if
you come across Warden, he will be terrified at the sight of you. Therefore do not
stay with the women and goods.
Khdlid ~ : Very well, 1 will not oppose you.
Before leaving he addressed the Muslims as follows, "0 people! You are going
towards a massive force, but be brave, love death and work towards whatever Allah
has decreed. He has promised victory and says in the Quran:
How often a small group overcame a mighty force with Allah s
leave? And Allah is with the patient ones. [2:249J
Thereafter, the army marched ahead, leaving AbU 'Ubaydah ~ stationed at
Damascus with 1,000 cavalry. The people of Damascus were overjoyed, thinking that
the Muslims were fleeing in terror of the Ajnadayn army. However some intelligent
ones cautioned that if they took the Ba'labakk route, then they intended to attack
Ba'labakk and Him~ and ifthey took the Marjash-Shahura and Rahi; Highway then
it meant that they were fleeing back to al-Hijiiz and abandoning whatever they had
conquered.
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