Permission for the Conquest of Alexandria

As for the conquest of Alexandria, it is stated that after the conquest of Fustat, Hazrat Umar (ra) granted permission for the conquest of Alexandria. There was a large battle with the Byzantines at a place between Alexandria and Fustat called Kiryon, which the Muslims eventually won. After that, the Byzantines did not come forward until Alexandria. Muqawqis wished to pay the jizya and establish peace; however, the Byzantines pressured him, as a result of which Muqawqis sent a message to Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas saying that he and the Copts would not be taking part in the battle, and so they should be left unharmed. The Copts remained separate from this and instead supported the Muslim army and began clearing paths and fixing bridges for the Muslims. During the siege of Alexandria, the Copts would provide the Muslims with provisions.