A.H. 15.
writers in a few short lines; while the pen of the Christian annalist refused, as well it might, to write the sad story of cowardice and shame.
Contract of ʿOmar.The following is the tenor of the treaty made at Al-Jābiya by which Jerusalem was ceded to the Muslims, as it is handed down by a number of traditionists:—
"In the name of the most merciful God.
"This is the treaty for the people of Aelia. This is the favour which the servant of God, the Commander of the Faithful, grants to the people of Aelia. He gives them the assurance of the preservation of their lives and properties, their churches and crosses, of those who set up, who display and who honour these crosses. Your churches will not be transformed into dwellings nor destroyed, nor will any one confiscate anything belonging to them, nor the crosses or belongings of the inhabitants. There will be no constraint in the matter of religion, nor the least annoyance. The Jews will inhabit Aelia conjointly with the Christians, and those who live there will require to pay the poll-tax, like the inhabitants of other towns. Greeks and robbers are to leave the town, but will have a safe-conduct until they reach a place of security. Still, those who prefer to remain may do so on condition of paying the same poll-tax as the rest. If any of the people of Aelia desire to leave with the Greeks, taking their goods, but abandoning their chapels and crosses, they will be granted personal safety, until they arrive at a sure place. The strangers in the town may remain on the same condition of paying the tax, or, if they wish, they may leave also with the Greeks, and return to their own land. They will have nothing to pay until one harvest shall have been gathered in. All that this treaty contains is placed under the alliance and protection of God, and of His Apostle (peace upon him!), and of his successors, and of the Faithful, so long as they pay the tax.
"Witnessed by Khālid ibn al-Welīd, ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān ibn ʿAuf, and Muʿawiya ibn abi Sufyān."[1]
ʿOmar, who had defeated two Emperors upon their own territory, entered Jerusalem riding on a camel, and wearing
- ↑ Khālid recalled from Emesa, went to Medīna, and now seems to have returned with ʿOmar to Syria. It is curious that Abu ʿObeida is not a witness.
