CHAPTER XIII
Cyprus
The first conquest of Cyprus. According to al-Wâḳidi and others, the first expedition against Cyprus was led in sea by Muʿâwiyah ibn-abi-Sufyân. This was the first time the Moslems sailed in the Mediterranean. Muʿâwiyah had asked ʿUmar's permission to lead a naval expedition, but ʿUmar refused.[1] When ʿUthmân ibn-ʿAffân became caliph, Muʿâwiyah wrote again asking permission to invade Cyprus, informing him about its proximity and the ease of acquiring it. In answer to this, ʿUthmân wrote, "I have seen the answer ʿUmar gave when thou madest the request from him to lead a sea-expedition." In the year 27, Muʿâwiyah again wrote to ʿUthmân, referring to the ease with which the sea could be crossed to Cyprus. ʿUthmân wrote back this time saying, "If thou sailest with thy wife, we allow thee to do so; otherwise, not." Accordingly, Muʿâwiyah embarked from Acre with a large number of ships, accompanied by his wife Fâkhitah daughter of Ḳaraẓah[2] ibn-ʿAbd-ʿAmr ibn-Naufal ibn-ʿAbd-Manâf ibn-Ḳuṣai. Likewise, ʿUbâdah ibn-aṣ-Ṣâmit took his wife umm-Ḥarâm of the Anṣâr, daughter of Milhan. This took place in the year 28, after the cessation of the rainy season; others say, in the year 29. When the Moslems arrived in Cyprus and landed on its shore (Cyprus being an island 80x80 parasangs), its
