Damascus mattered—the global financial nerve
center, with its money exchange outlets and places of barter deals.
International highway of bygone ages—Silk route remained linked to it. The
caravans from Yemen and Hejaz would make a regular appearance to unload their
merchandize. In exchange, they would load their beasts of burden with woven
textiles of varied fibers including expensive silk. Spices to provide taste to
their cuisine was an Indian item much relished. Here the Jew, the Christian,
the Hindu, the Confucian, the Zoroastrian, the pagan Arab interacted
freely. Though Syrian church is one of
the oldest of Christian orders, distinct in belief, Pauline Christianity—the
order of St. Paul remained the dominant
Christian narrative in Byzantine Empire. It
was orthodox and intolerant; however maintaining freedom to interact in the
city of Damascus
was a financial compulsion for Byzantine.
Byzantine
empire stretched from the east of Europe, to Eurasia and Asia minor, and then
closing on west of Asia as well as Afro-Asian lands, given the proximity of
Asia to Egypt [an Afro-Asian country] made governance of Byzantine Empire a
geopolitical challenge. Defending Damascus
thus had heavy stakes involved for Caesar Heracles. Reverse at Ajnadin however
jolted Romans; they feared battle in an open field. Historians agree that
Byzantines banked on a strategy of getting fortified, with the belief of winter
cold giving desert Arabs cold feet. This didn’t happen; Muslims forces were too
resilient to be upset by challenges of weather. The stalemate continued until
Caliph-ul-Awal (RA) departed for heavenly abode in the year 634 A.D and Hazrat
Omar Farooq (RA) assumed the charge of Caliphate, with momentous decisions
awaiting him. As the orderly change of Caliphate in Madinat-ul-Nabi [pbuh] was
taking place, Hazrat Saifullah Khalid [RA] was getting restless. He loved to
remain in action. Fortification was unknown to Arabs. Do or die in the
battlefield was all they were known for.
Hazrat Saifullah Khalid [RA] examining
openings constantly witnessed a point where he could cross to the wall of fort
from waterway intervening between Muslim positions and the wall. He made
maximum of a God given opportunity. In
the dead of night, he swam across the water filled moat around the rampant
guarding the city and getting over the wall caught the city guards unawares,
drunk as they were celebrating the birth of the son of Governor of Damascus. He
had the gates opened to let in his subordinate commanders from various gates.
Fearful of Hazrat Saifullah Khalid (RA) the enemy sought sanctuary by
negotiating surrender with mild mannered and soft hearted Hazrat Abu-Ubaidah
(RA). Even an ordinary soldier could provide sanctuary, here a close associate
of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was promising relief and Hazrat Saifullah Khalid
(RA) respected his decision. And with that the peace deal on the city of Damascus was concluded in
the month of Rajab, in 14thA.H/635-636 A.D.
Following
the conquest of Damascus, the cities of
Hims/Emessa, Jerusalem and Antioch
remained to be conquered, however the Muslims turned in the direction of Jordan, as the Romans had started collecting
another combative force at Baisan, an important town of Jordan. The chief town of Jordan was Tibriyah, which has a 12 km lake
to the east of it. The Islamic forces laid camp in town of Scylla (Arabic Fahl) now extinct except for a
few ruins near it. The Romans fearing an assault created a water barrier by
demolishing embankments of neighbouring canals and sued for peace, a ruse while
waiting for re-enforcements.
The
standard Muslim answer to peace pleas was to either accept Islam or pay
‘Jaziah’ for protection and in case of non-acceptance of these proposals, it
was left to the ensuing battle, as to
whose word prevails. Yet again in Fahl, the Muslim forces were
disproportionate to what the Romans put forth and as usual their valour carried
the day in the 14th. Year of Hijra [635/636 A.D]. The rest of the
towns of Jordan
were easily gained, the resistance melting away with advancement of Islamic
troops. As Shubli Numani notes in his book on ‘Syedena Omar Farooq [RA]’ the
terms of peace were that the lives, goods and chattels, lands, houses, churches
and temples would be under protection and only a few sites would be acquired
for mosques.
With
Jordan under control, the
Islamic forces turned back their attention to mainland Syria and in
the same year; 14th. Year of Hijra [635 A.D], the ancient city of
‘Emessa’ called ‘Hims’ by Arabs, known for its great ‘Sun temple’ of ancient
times fell after just a token resistance by the Romans. The city had a mixed
Christian and Jewish population. The Christian clergy had turned the heat on
Jews and the way, the Muslims treated them carried a highly favourable
impression. That is how the Jews behave, whenever they sound low. The World is
moved by their wail of despair. However, the movement they gain power, they are
a different people, impossible to contend with! That is precisely why a
philosopher has commented ‘World would always have the Jewish question’?
With
Jordan, Damascus
and Hems under control Caesar Heracles was alarmed and a great council was
convened in Antioch.
Initially disheartened and almost prepared to leave Syria, one Christian
delegation after another made him to change his mind in favour of the last
ditch effort. He dispatched orders to Constitanapole,
Armenia and
Jazirah. Jazirah is the fertile land between Tigris and Euphrates, the land
that belonged to the Iranian Empire but lay conquered by Islamic forces, under
command of Hazrat Saad bin Ibi Waqas [RA]. The area had nevertheless a Roman
enclave on the fringes, where border between the Iranians and Roman
Empire was located; besides having Arab Christian tribes. Before
the re-enforcement column could move, Hazrat Saad bin Ibi Waqas [RA] checkmated
the move. Still column after column of troops from provinces of Byzantine
Empire was collecting in the vicinity of Antioch
until a huge army convinced Hercules that Romans might carry the day.
We
are moving to battle of Yarmuk, which with Qadsia ranks as two of the greatest
battles Muslims fought to re-structure world order, the fascinating tale
continues.
Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi [Reunion
is subordinate to survival]
By Dr. Javid Iqbal
Feedback on:Iqbl.javid46@gmail.com
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