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While he was reciting this poem, he suddenly saw a tall, short-necked fawn horse upon which sat a rider carrying a glittering spear. The rider's behaviour and appearance projected a kind of wisdom and the riding-style showed bravery. The warrior held the bridle loosely but sat firmly in the saddle and wore armour covered in black cloth. A green girdle tied at the waist was spread over both his chest and back. Thus this rider rode ahead of the army like a blazing flame.

Khalid ~ said, "I wonder who this horseman is. By Allah! He appears to be quite daring and brave."

He continued behind the stranger heading towards the Christian camp. Rafi' bin 'Umayrah was steadfastly holding out against the Romans when he saw Khalid's ~ reinforcements. The mysterious warrior pounced on the enemy like a mighty hawk on a tiny sparrow in an attack that wreaked havoc in the Roman lines and by perpetrating a massacre penetrated to their very centre. It was like lightning striking the heads of two or four youths, then burning to ashes another five or seven and then flashing yet again. Reaching the centre, the warrior displayed clear signs of frustration and anxiety and then began attacking again, ripping the Christian lines apart and advancing until the Muslims lost sight of this champion who all the while was growing ever more anxious.

Rafi' bin 'Umayrah and his men thought that that could only be Khalid es, Rafi' then saw him with his men so he called out, "0 brave one, who is this horseman who risks his life in Allah's Path and slays the enemy without hesitation?"

Khdlid ~ : By Allah! I do not know. I am myself astonished at his daring and bravery.

Raft' : What an amazing man who penetrates the Roman ranks and kills them left, right and centre.

Khdlid ~ : 0 Muslims, rise for the defence of Islam and attack together.

Futiihushdm

The Muslims straightened their bridles, readied their spears and advanced in battle- formation with Khiilid ~ in front. They were about to attack when they saw the stranger flashing at the heart of the Roman army soaked in blood and mounted on a horse drowning in perspiration. Despite trying to tum away from the approaching Romans, the Mujiihid was still single-handedly facing several Romans at the same time. Khiilid ~ and his men attacked them until they managed to bring the stranger to the Muslim ranks.

The Muslims gazed at the visible top part ofthe stranger's face and found it to be like a crimson rose-petal dipped in blood. Khiilid ~ said, "You have offered your life in the Path of Allah and vented your anger upon the enemies - may Allah reward you well. Now remove your mouth-cover so that we can see who you are."

The mysterious warrior ignored him and went into the crowd. The crowd grabbed him and said, "0 slave of Allah, the commander of the Islamic armies speaks to you and you dare to ignore him. Go to him and tell him your name and lineage so that he can promote you."

They too received no reply, so Khiilid ~ personally went and said, "How very sad that I and in fact all the Muslims wish to know about you but you could not care. Who are you?"

He repeatedly insisted until eventually a feminine voice replied, "0 commander, I have not avoided you out of disobedience, but out of modesty for I am of those who seclude themselves behind the veil. My sorrow and broken heart forced me here."

Khdlid ~ : Who are you?

Stranger: The captive I2iriir's sister, Khawlah bint al-Azwar. I was sitting with the women of the Mathhij tribe when I heard of I2iriir's capture. So I immediately mounted and came here. The rest you already know.

Hearing this, Khiilid's ~ heart was struck with wonder and tears welled out profusely.

Khdlid ~ : We will attack together. I have firm conviction that Allah will let us reach your brother and free him.

25) Search for Dirdr •

'Amir bin aE[ufayl'"

narrates:

I was on Khalid bin al- Walid's ~ right side and Khawlah was in front of him attacking. All the Muslims followed the attack. Khawlah put them to such difficulty that they started saying to each other, "If all the' Arabs are as brave as this one then we will never be able to overcome them."

When Khalid ~ attacked, the Romans lost their wits and trembled. They were close to being dislodged but Warden started shouting, "My people, be careful and stand firm. If you stand firm, they will flee and the Damascenes will help us. So the Romans started putting up stiff resistance. But when Khalid and his men attacked, their feet could not remain firm and they scattered in disorder.

Khalid ~ attempted to reach Warden but a group of brave warriors who circled their leader prevented him. The Muslims also spread out with Muslim and Christian engaged in single combat. Riifi' bin 'Umayrah displayed exceptional bravery while Khawlah broke through several ranks to reach the centre striking out in all directions. She was searching for her brother everywhere while loudly reciting this poem:

Where isDiran

him I do not see