the cities to which the Moslems resorted after making an invasion and leaving the frontier cities, and where they were safe and protected. The chief city of "al-ʿAwâṣim " he made Manbij [Hierapolis]. In this city ʿAbd-al-Malik ibn-Ṣâliḥ ibn-ʿAli lived in the year 173 and erected many buildings.
Al-Lâdhiḳîyah entered. Abu-Ḥafṣ ad-Dimashḳi from Saʿîd ibn-ʿAbd-al-ʿAzîz, and Mûsa ibn-Ibrâhîm at-Tanûkhi from certain sheikhs of Ḥimṣ:—Abu-ʿUbaidah appointed in his place over Ḥimṣ ʿUbâdah ibn-aṣ-Ṣâmit al-Anṣâri who left for al-Lâdhiḳîyah.[1] Its people resisted him and the city had a massive gate that could be opened only by a number of men. Seeing how difficult it was to reduce the city, ʿUbâdah encamped at a distance from it and ordered that trenches like canals be dug, each one large enough to conceal a man with his horse. The Moslems made special effort and got the work done. They then pretended to be returning to Ḥimṣ; but no sooner had the night fallen with its darkness, than they returned to their camp and trenches, while the people of al-Lâdhiḳîyah were negligent of them being under the impression that the Moslems had left them. Early in the morning, they opened their gate and drove forth their cattle; but how terrified they were to meet the Moslems and see them enter through the gate! Thus was the city taken by force. ʿUbâdah entered the fort and then climbed its wall and called "Allah is great" etc. Certain Christians of al-Lâdhiḳîyah fled to al-Yusaiyid, and later sought to surrender, agreeing to return to their lands. They were assigned to lands, and a fixed kharâj[2] was assessed to be paid by them every year whether they should increase or decrease in number. Their church was left for
