words all present lifted up their hands to heaven, and Ali said, “O God, I beseech thee, for the sake of this chosen apostle, in whose name Adam prayed, and thou answeredst his petition and forgavest his sins, that thou wouldst grant to Abdallah Ebn Kort a safe and speedy return, and assist the followers of thy prophet with help, O thou who alone art great and munificent!” Abdallah set out immediately, and afterward returned to the camp with such incredible speed that the Saracens were surprised.  But their admiration ceased when he informed them of Omar’s blessing and Ali’s prayers at Mahomet’s tomb.

Recruits were instantly raised in every part of Arabia to send to the army.  Said Ebn Amir commanded them, having received a flag of red silk at the hands of Omar, who told him that he gave him that commission in hopes of his behaving himself well in it; advising him, among other things, not to follow his appetites, and not forgetting to put him in hopes of further advancement if he should deserve it.  Said thanked him for his advice, adding that if he followed it he should be saved.  “And now,” said Said, “as you have advised me, so let me advise you.”  “Speak on,” said Omar.  “I bid you then [added the other] fear God more than men, and not the contrary; and love all the Mussulmans as yourself and your family, as well those at a distance as those near you.  And command that which is praiseworthy, and forbid that which is otherwise.”  Omar, all the while he spoke, stood looking steadfastly upon the ground, leaning his forehead upon his staff.  Then he lifted up his head, and the tears ran down his cheeks, and he said, “Who is able to do this without the divine assistance?” Ali bade Said make good use of the Caliph’s advice and dismissed him.  Said, as he marched toward the army, lost his way, which turned out very unfortunate for the Christians, for by that means he fell in with the prefect of Amman with five thousand men.  Said having cut all the foot to pieces, the prefect fled with the horse, but was intercepted by a party which had been sent out under Zobeir from the Saracen camp to forage.  Said at first thought they had fallen together by the ears, and were fighting among themselves, but when he came up and heard the techir, he was well satisfied.  Zobeir ran the prefect through with a lance; of the rest not a single man escaped.  The Saracens cut off all their heads, then flayed them, and so carried them upon the points of their lances, presenting a most horrible spectacle to all that part of the country, till they came to the army, which received fresh courage by the accession of this reinforcement, consisting of eight thousand men.