only to the sincere, truthful believer. Have you not heard the words of Allah—Exalted is He—:
“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds…” (al-Nūr, 24:55) to the end of the verse?
So be ashamed—may Allah have mercy on you—before your Lord should He see you fleeing from your enemy while you are in His grasp, for you have no refuge apart from Him.
ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ then made his way through the ranks, calling out:
“O Muslims! Cast down your eyes, drop to your knees, and level your spears. If they charge, give them a moment; then, when their chests strike the spear-points, leap up like a lion! By the One who loves truth and rewards it, who detests falsehood and recompenses kindness with kindness, I have heard that the Muslims will conquer this land hamlet by hamlet and fortress by fortress. Let not their masses nor their numbers terrify you. If you meet their onslaught with real resolve they will scatter (1) like startled partridge chicks.”
Abu Sufyān next spoke, excelling in eloquence and urging the men to fight at length. When the two forces finally faced one another he cried:
“O people of Islam, the hour you see has come. The Messenger of Allah and Paradise lie before you; Satan and the Fire are behind you.”
He also exhorted the women, saying:
“If you see anyone (2) turning his back, strike him with these stones and sticks until he returns!”
Khālid signalled that Saʿīd ibn Zayd should stand in the centre and that Abu ʿUbaydah remain at the rear to turn back any who might break. Khālid then split the cavalry into two detachments, stationing one behind the right wing and the other behind the left, so no one could flee and that they might serve as a shield from the rear.
His companions said to him, “Do what Allah has shown you,” and they carried out Khālid’s plan—may Allah be pleased with him.
The Romans advanced, (3) raising their crosses and roaring like thunder, while priests and bishops egged them on to fight. They possessed a host of men and equipment (4) the like of which had never been seen. Allah’s help alone is sought, and upon Him we rely.
Among those present at Yarmūk was al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām, the foremost Companion there and one of the bravest horsemen. That day a group of champions gathered around him and said, “Will you not charge, and we will charge with you?”
He replied, “You will not stand firm.”
They insisted, “Indeed we shall.”
So he charged and they charged, but when they reached the Roman lines they recoiled while he pressed on, cleaving through their ranks until he emerged from the far side and returned to his comrades. They came to him a second time, and he repeated what he had done the first time. That day he received two wounds between his shoulders—though in one narration only one. Al-Bukhārī has recorded the purport of this in his Ṣaḥīḥ (5).
Whenever Muʿādh ibn Jabal heard the clamour of the priests and monks he would say, “O Allah, shake…"