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As in earlier encounters,
Dhiraar, naked above the waist, did the most damage and slew the
largest number of Romans, thrilling the spectators with his daredevilry.
When this had gone on for
an hour or so, Khalid decided that it was time for the 'heavy?weight
bout'! He called back the Muslim officers and rode forward himself.
As he got into the centre of the battlefield, he called:
I am the pillar of Islam!
I am the Companion of the Prophet!
I am the noble warrior,
Khalid bin Al Waleed! 1
Since he was the commander of the Muslim
army, his challenge had to be met by a top ranking Roman general.
Kulus had by now lost some of his zest for battle, because he had
been intimidated by the sad fate of all the Romans who had come
forward to duel with the Muslims this morning. It appears that he
was unwilling to accept the challenge of Khalid; but egged on by
the taunts of his rival, Azazeer, he rode out from the front of
the Roman army. On getting near Khalid he indicated that he wished
to talk; but Khalid paid no heed to his sign and attacked him with
his lance. Kulus parried the thrust, showing uncommon skill in doing
so. Khalid charged at him again, but the thrust was parried.
Khalid decided not to use the lance any
more. He came near his opponent, dropped his lance and grappled
with him with his bare hands. Catching Kulus by the collar he jerked
him off his horse, whereupon the Roman fell to the ground and made
no effort to rise. At this Khalid signalled for two Muslims to come
to him. When they came forward, he ordered them to take Kulus away
as a prisoner, which they did.
While the Romans were dismayed by the sight
of this encounter, Azazeer was secretly pleased and hoped that the
Muslims would kill Kulus. Now he came forward, and regarding himself
as a greater fighter than Kulus, had no doubt that he would soon
make short work of Khalid. But he would first amuse himself by making
fun of the Muslim commander. Azazeer stopped a few paces from Khalid
and said in Arabic, "O Arab brother, come near me so that
I can ask you some questions."
"O enemy of Allah" replied
Khalid. "Come near me yourself or I shall come and take
your head." Azazeer looked surprised, but urged his horse
forward and stopped at duelling distance. In a gentle, persuasive
tone he continued: "O Arab, brother, what makes you come
to fight in person? Do you not fear that if I kill you, your comrades
will be left without a commander?"
"O enemy of Allah, you have already
seen what a few of my comrades have done. If I were to give them
permission, they would destroy your entire army with Allah's help.
I have with me men who regard death as a blessing and this life
as an illusion. Anyway, who are you?"
"Do you not know me?" Azazeer
exclaimed. "I am the champion of Syria! I am the killer
of Persians! I am the breaker of Turkish armies!"
"What is your name?" asked
Khalid.
"I am named after the angel of death.
I am Israel!"
At this Khalid laughed. "I fear
that he after whom you are named seeks you ardently... to take you
to the abyss of hell!"
Azazeer ignored this remark and went on
in an unconcerned way: "What have you done with your prisoner,
Kulus?"
1. Waqidi: pp. 41, 48.
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