Battle of Fahl
Fahl is a city in Syria. Having conquered Damascus, the Muslims advanced ahead. They learnt that the Byzantine forces had gathered at Baisan and were preparing to launch an attack on the Muslims. The Muslim army set up camp in Fahl. The Byzantine army sent an emissary to Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) in order to settle into a peace treaty.
When he reached the Muslim camp, he saw that all the soldiers and commanders were seated together without any distinction between the ranks. Eventually he had to ask someone who was the commander of the army. They pointed to a modest and humble man who was seated on the floor.
The emissary approached him and asked, “Are you the commander of the army?” Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) replied in the affirmative. The emissary said, “Turn back with your army and in return each soldier will be given two gold coins, the commanders will receive 1,000 dinars and your Caliph will be given 2,000 dinars.”
Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) refused the proposal saying, “We are not here to collect money nor are we here to accumulate wealth. We have come here to raise aloft the Word of God.” The emissary left while threatening the Muslims. Seeing the behaviour of the emissary, Hazrat Abu ‘Ubaidah (ra) ordered the army to make preparations.
The next morning both armies engaged in battle. Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) was positioned in the middle of the army and would guide the army with wisdom. Despite being outnumbered, the Muslims defeated the Byzantine army, resulting in the Muslims capturing most of the land in Jordan.
(Asharah Mubasharah, Bashir Sajid, p. 807-808, al-Badr Publications Urdu Bazar, Lahore, 2000) (Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Karachi, Pakistan: Dar al-Isha‘ah Urdu Bazar] 128)