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Then from the west appeared
a fourth Muslim regiment which charged at a gallop at the Roman
mass. From the battle cry of its leader, the Romans knew who was
the commander of this last group:
I am the noble warrior,
Khalid bin Al Waleed!
There was much slaughter-in the usual manner
of Khalid. Khalid himself killed Thomas and Harbees in single combat,
and at one time got so deep into the Roman army that he was separated
from his comrades and surrounded by his enemies. He would not have
come out alive but for Abdur-Rahman, who broke through with a party
of horsemen and rescued him.
After some more fighting, Roman resistance
collapsed. Since the Muslims were too few to completely surround
the Roman army and the fighting had become confused as it increased
in violence, thousands of Romans were able to escape and make their
way to safety. But all the booty and a large number of captives,
both male and female, fell to the Muslims. Jonah found his beloved.
He moved towards her to take her by force; but she saw him coming,
and drawing a dagger from the folds of her dress, plunged it into
her breast. As she lay dying, Jonah sat beside her with silent tears
running down his cheeks. He swore that he would remain true to the
memory of the bride he was not destined to possess, and would not
look at another girl.
When Khalid came to know of the loss suffered
by Jonah, he sent for him and offered him another young woman who
stood nearby-one who was both beautiful and rich, judging by the
clothes and the jewellery which she wore. His first look at the
young woman left Jonah dumbfounded. When he found his speech again,
he informed Khalid that this woman was none other than the daughter
of Heraclius, widow of Thomas. He could not possibly take her, for
soon Heraclius would send either an army to get her back by force
or envoys to arrange for her ransom.
The Muslims now marched back with spoils
and captives enough to delight any conquering army. Their return
route also is not recorded, but there was no mishap on the journey.
When a day's march from Damascus, they saw a small cloud of dust
approaching along the road from Antioch. As this cloud got nearer,
it revealed a small party of riders, obviously not intending battle,
since they were too few for such a purpose. From this party a Roman
noble rode forth and approached Khalid. "I am the ambassador
of Heraclius", he said. "He says to you, 'I have
come to know what you have done to my army. You have killed my son-in-law
and captured my daughter. You have won and got away safely. I now
ask you for my daughter. Either return her to me on payment of ransom
or give her to me as a gift, for honour is a strong element in your
character'. This is what Heraclius says."
Honour was indeed a strong element in the
make-up of Khalid. So was gallantry and so was generosity. Throughout
his fife he had been generous in giving-a generosity which later
would get him into serious trouble. Now he decided to be generous
to Emperor of Roman. "Take her as a gift", he said
grandly. "There shall be no, ransom." The ambassador
took the daughter of Heraclius, and with profuse thanks, returned
to Antioch.
Jonah remained inconsolable. Nothing would
cheer him up. Khalid offered him a large reward from his own share
of the spoils, with which he could procure another wife, by purchase
if necessary; but Jonah declined. He would remain true to his promise
of celibacy. He also remained true to his new faith and fought under
the banner of Islam for two years until the Battle of Yarmuk, where
he fell a martyr.
The return of the Mobile Guard loaded with spoils was greeted with
joy by the Muslims at Damascus. The Sword of Allah had done it again!
The force had been absent for about 10 days, and the Muslims had
been seriously perturbed; but now all was well. Khalid at once sent
off a letter to Madinah, addressed to Abu Bakr, informing him of
the conquest of Damascus and how Abu Ubaidah had been 'deceived
by the Romans'; of his pursuit of the Roman convoy, the killing
of Thomas and Harbees, the capture of the spoils and captives; of
the daughter of
Heraclius and her release. This letter was written on October 1,
634 (the 2nd of Shaban, 13 Hijri). 2
The messenger carrying this letter had not
gone many hours when Abu Ubaidah called Khalid aside and told him
that Abu Bakr was dead and Umar was now Caliph. He held out a letter
which the new Caliph had written him (i.e. Abu Ubaidah). Hesitantly
Khalid took the letter and began to read. The most important line
seemed to stand out mockingly: "I appoint you commander
of the army of Khalid bin Al Waleed..."
Khalid looked up from the letter ...
1. Waqidi: p. 58.
2. For an explanation of the dates of the
siege and conquest of Damascus, see Note 11 in Appendix B.
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