said, “By Allah, have you really told me the truth and not deceived me?”

Khalid answered, “By Allah, I have indeed told you the truth, and Allah is witness to what you asked.”

At that, Jirja turned his shield upside-down and went over to Khalid. “Teach me Islam,” he said. Khalid led him to his pavilion, poured (1) a skinful of water over him, and then performed two rakʿahs of prayer with him.

When the Romans saw Jirja move toward Khalid they imagined it was an attack and charged, pushing the Muslims from their positions—everyone except the two defenders who held their ground, Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl and al-Harith ibn Hisham. Khalid mounted, Jirja beside him, while the Romans were already mingled among the Muslims. The believers called out to one another and rallied; the Romans withdrew to their lines, and Khalid advanced until the swords met. Khalid and Jirja fought from mid-morning until the sun inclined toward setting. The Muslims performed the noon and afternoon prayers by mere gestures. Jirja—may Allah have mercy on him—was killed; he had offered to Allah nothing but those two rakʿahs with Khalid—may Allah be pleased with him. The Romans were shaken.

Khalid then charged at the head of the centre until he found himself in the midst of the Roman horse. Their cavalry fled (2) and sped (3) across the open plain, while the Muslim riders gave their mounts free rein until the enemy was gone. The army delayed the two evening prayers until victory was assured. Khalid now turned on the Roman baggage, where their infantry stood; he cut them down to the last man until they looked like a wall that had been pulled down. He then pursued the fleeing horsemen, vaulted their trench, and pressed on. In the darkness the Romans reached the ravine of al-Waqūsah; those who were chained together would all tumble whenever one of them fell.

Ibn Jarir (4) and others relate that one hundred and twenty thousand perished there, besides those killed in open battle. The Muslim women also fought that day and killed a great many Romans. They struck any Muslim who tried to flee, crying, “Where are you going, leaving us to the infidels?” Whenever they rebuked a man, he could not restrain himself until he returned to the fight.

He adds: al-Qayqilān and a number of Roman nobles wrapped themselves in their cloaks, saying, “If we are unable (5) to uphold the religion of Christianity, then let us at least die upon it.” The Muslims came and killed every last one of them.

They further report that three thousand Muslims fell that day, among them Ikrimah, his son Amr, and Salamah (6) ibn Hisham.