Regarding the two arbitrators (Abu Musa and Amr Ibn As) and condemning the people of Syria, he said: They are hot-tempered, rascals and bastards who have been gathered from all sides and chosen from people of mixed descent. They are among those who, because of ignorance, deserve to be told something (about Islam) and to be taught modesty, to be taught (the teaching of good and evil) and to be practiced (in action) and to be left with a guardian over them, neither are they the emigrants, nor the Ansar, nor are they among those who settled in Madinah. Look! The people of Syria have chosen for themselves a person who is very close to their favorite goal and you have chosen a person who is very close to your disliked goal. You will remember the time yesterday of Abdullah Ibn Qays (Abu Musa). (That he used to say) that this paradise is a temptation. So break the shafts of your bows and sheathe your swords. If he was truthful in what he said, then he is guilty of standing (with us) while there is no coercion on him, and if he was a liar, then you should distrust him, so choose Abdullah ibn Abbas to be pushed by Amr ibn As. Seize the respite of these days and surround the Islamic borders (of the cities). Do you not see that your cities are being attacked and your strength is being targeted?