Among other single combats, of which several were fought between the two armies, it chanced that Serjabil Ebn Shahhnah was engaged with an officer of the Christians, who was much too strong for him.  The reason which our author assigns for this is, because Serjabil was wholly given up to watching and fasting.  Derar, thinking he ought not to stand still and see the prophet’s secretary killed, drew his dagger, and while the combatants were over head and ears in dust, came behind the Christian and stabbed him to the heart.  The Saracens gave Derar thanks for his service, but he said that he would receive no thanks but from God alone.  Upon this a dispute arose between Serjabil and Derar concerning the spoil of this officer.  Derar claimed it as being the person that killed him; Serjabil as having engaged him and tired him out first.  The matter being referred to Abu Obeidah, he proposed the case to the Caliph, concealing the names of the persons concerned, who sent him word that the spoil of any enemy was due to him that killed him.  Upon which Abu Obeidah took it from Serjabil and adjudged it to Derar.

Another day the Christian archers did such execution that besides those Saracens which were killed and wounded in other parts there were seven hundred which lost each of them one or both of their eyes, upon which account the day in which that battle was fought is called Yaumo’ttewir, “The Day of Blinding.”  And if any of those who lost their eyes that day were afterward asked by what mischance he was blinded, he would answer that it was not a mischance, but a token of favor from God, for they gloried as much in those wounds they received in the defence of their superstition as our enthusiasts do in what they call persecution, and with much the same reason.  Abdallah Ebn Kort, who was present in all the wars in Syria, says that he never saw so hard a battle as that which was fought on that day at Yermouk; and though the generals fought most desperately, yet after all they would have been beaten if the fight had not been renewed by the women.  Caulah, Derar’s sister, being wounded, fell down; but Opheirah revenged her quarrel and struck off the man’s head that did it.  Upon Opheirah asking her how she did, she answered, “Very well with God, but a dying woman.”  However, she proved to be mistaken, for in the evening she was able to walk about as if nothing had happened, and to look after the wounded men.

In the night the Greeks had another calamity added to their misfortune of losing the victory in the day.  It was drawn upon them by their own inhuman barbarity.  There was at Yermouk a gentleman of a very ample fortune, who had removed thither from Hems for the sake of the sweet salubrity of its air.  When Mahan’s army came to Yermouk this gentleman used to entertain the officers and treat them nobly.  To requite him for his courtesy, while they were this day revelling at his house, they bade him bring out his wife to them, and upon his refusing they took her by force