Khalid Ibn al-Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) (Part-2)

“Khalid Ibn al-Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) is one of the Swords of Allaah that Allaah has unsheathed against the Mushrikeen.” – Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Women are incapable to give birth to the like of Khalid.”

Khalid’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) Heroic Activities in Iraq with the Persians
Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) demonstrated the utmost bravery and heroism against the Persians in the land of Iraq. He was a leader without a match in his warfare skills and courage; each combat was more surprising than the previous. Here we can shed light on only a few incidents of his victories.

The Battle of Kadhimah
Hormuz was a well-known Persian leader, to whom Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) sent a message with a man named Azadhibah, and the text of the letter read as follows:

‘Submit to Islam and be safe – or agree to the payment of the Jizyah, and you and your people will be under our protection. Otherwise, you will have no one but yourself to blame for the consequences, for I have come with men who desire death as ardently as you desire life!’

Hormuz however, refused to accept Islam and he prepared for war. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) used one of his best military tactics to defeat Hormuz with the least damage to the army of Islam. [The Sassanid army was one of the most powerful and best-equipped armies of the time. Its only weakness was lack of mobility. The heavily armed Persians were unable to move quickly enough. Any prolonged movement would tire them.

On the other hand, Khalid’s troops were mobile; they were mounted on camels and horses and were ready for cavalry attacks. Khalid planned to force the Persians to carry out marches and counter-marches until they were exhausted, and then his troops would strike them. Khalid’s strategy was to use his speed to exploit the lack of mobility of the Sassanid army.

Two routes lead to Uballa: one via Kadhimah and the other via Hufair. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) wrote a letter to the Persian leader Hormuz from Yamamah – which is closer to Kadhimah – so that he would expect Khalid to arrive via Kadhimah]. Hormuz did as Khalid expected, sending all his forces to Kadhimah, where they dug trenches. But Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) divided his troops in three and did not send them on the path where the enemy expected them. He sent his troops to Hufair at the north of Kadhimah and east of Ubulla.

When Hormuz did not find any traces of Khalid in Kadhimah and realized that they were approaching Hufair, he was enraged and instructed his battalions to march toward Hufair to combat the army of Khalid. Hormuz further instructed them to speed up so they would reach Hufair before Khalid. In doing so, Hormuz had acted exactly how Khalid wanted. Khalid wanted Hormuz to wear out his army psychologically and physically even before the battle began – and Khalid intentionally asked his troops to approach Hufair slowly so that the men of Hormuz would reach there first… and so it happened. Hormuz reached Hufair in a rush and ordered his army to dig trenches in Hufair in preparation to face Khalid.

But Khalid turned his army towards Kadhimah. When the news reached Hormuz, his anger knew no bounds and he became nervous. He ordered his army to go back to Kadhimah where they found Khalid and his army waiting for them. The Persian army was now weaker than the weak Muslims due to exhaustion and they were forced to fight in this state. Moreover, the army of Hormuz had landed at a place where the Muslims were between them and the river Furaat (Euphrates). The Muslims were prevented from reaching the water. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Land here and get down your loads, the water will be for the most patient team and the most honored soldiers.”  See Tareekh At-Tabari (3/349)

Hormuz deployed the army for battle in the normal formation of a center and wings. The men chained themselves to each other as a sign to the enemy that they were ready to die rather than to run away from the battlefield in case of defeat. Although this tactic enabled them to stand like a rock in the face of an enemy assault, the chains had one major drawback; in case of defeat, the men were incapable of withdrawal because the chains acted as fetters. It was the use of chains that gave this battle its name – the Battle of Chains (Dhatus-Salaasil). Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) deployed his army with the desert behind them so that they could retreat there in case of defeat.

Hormuz challenged Khalid Ibn al-Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to a duel. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) accepted the challenge and Hormuz was killed. When the battle commenced, the exhausted Persian army was unable to stand the attack for long and the Muslims successfully penetrated the Persian front in many places. Sensing defeat, the Persian generals ordered a withdrawal. Most of the Persians who were not chained managed to escape, but those who were chained together were unable to move fast, and thousands of them were slain. Thus, the Persians who were too proud of their well-equipped and well-trained army lost under the superb leadership of Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) awarded Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) the hood (hat) of Hormuz which cost one hundred thousand. [Salaah Al-Ummah 3/552-553]

The Battle of Ullais or River of Blood
After the defeat at the Battle of Walaja, Christian Arabs (survivors of the battle from the Taghlub and Bakr ibn Wa’il tribes) fled from the battlefield and crossed the River Khaseef (a tributary of the Euphrates) [Tabari Vol. 2, p.560] and moved between it and the Euphrates. Their flight ended at Ullais, about 10 miles from the location of the Battle of Walaja. Abdul-Aswad Al-Ujali was the leader of the Arabs. They asked for support from Khusro (Shirawaih) to supply them with a Persian army. Emperor Ardsheer meanwhile sent orders to Bahman to proceed to Ullais and take command of the Arab contingents there and stop the Muslims’ advance at Ullais.

Bahman sent his senior general Jaban with the imperial army to Ullais with orders to avoid battle until Bahman himself arrived.

The Christian Arab contingents were under the command of a tribal chief called “Abdul-Aswad”, who had lost his two sons in the Battle of Walaja against the Muslims. More reinforcements were raised from the Christian Arab tribes in the region between Al-Hirah and Ullais.

Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) arrived with his army a little before midday. It was mealtime and the Persian soldiers were about to take their meal. The Persians were arrogant because their army was 150,000 warriors and the army of Khalid was not more than 18,000 warriors. So the Persians did not give heed to the arrival of Khalid’s army and they started eating, while their leader Jaban told them to leave the food and be prepared for battle. However, they disobeyed him. Thereupon Jaban said: “The people (the Muslim army) will kill you before you eat your food and in fact, you have prepared the food for them to eat.” Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and his army attacked them and forced them to leave their food.

The fierce battle continued for hours; no signs of weakness were shown on either side. It is said in the Muslim chronicles that upon seeing no opening, no weakening of the Persian and Arab resistance, the Muslim commander in chief, Khalid Ibn Walid said: “I have never met people like the Persians, and I have never met Persian people like people of Ullais.” Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) vowed to Allaah to run rivers of their blood if Allaah would give him victory. He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) prayed to Allaah, saying: “O Lord! If You give us victory, I shall see that no enemy warrior is left alive until their river runs with their blood!”

The Muslim commander in chief, Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) killed the Christian Arab tribal chief, Abdul-Aswad in a duel. The fighting was heaviest on the bank of the Khaseef. It is mentioned in Muslim chronicles that: “If ever there was an army meant to fight it out to the last, it was the imperial army of Ullais.”

Early in the afternoon, the Sassanid Persian army and their Arab allies, unable to withstand the veteran Muslim army, finally retreated to the northwest in the direction of Al-Hirah. Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) launched his cavalry after it, with orders to capture them. [Tabari (Vol. 2, p.561)] The Muslim cavalry broke the desperate Persians and Arabs into several isolated groups, surrounding, overpowering, and disarming them. Then they drove them back to the battlefield, where every man was beheaded in the river or on its bank and his blood ran into the river.

The pursuit by the Muslim cavalry, the capture and return of the Persian and Arab warriors, and their killing in the river went on for the rest of that day and the whole of that night and the whole of the next day, and part of the next. [Ibid.]

Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) stopped the water flow by closing the dam on the river, hoping the river would flow with the blood of those who were captured. In the river Khaseef, the blood was still not flowing as Khalid had pledged. Then, one of the commanders of the Muslim army, Al-Qa’qa Ibn ‘Amr advised him: “If you killed all the people on the earth, their blood would not flow, but let the water of the river flow, and the river will flow with their blood and in this way, you will fulfill your vow.” Khalid ordered the dam on the river to be opened. The river then flowed with blood, and it became known as the River of Blood. [Ibid (Vol. 2, pgs. 561-2)]

And the Muslim army ate the food of the Persians after it’s having been prepared on the dining mats, after killing 70,000 Persians and Arab Christians, most of whom were people from Amghishia. The good news of the victory reached Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who testified that there is no peer equal to Khalid in his intelligence, courage, and military tactics. After the victory of Ullais, Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) gave a sermon to the people of Madinah saying: “O Quraish! Your lion (i.e., Khalid) attacked the lion (of Persia) and defeated him. Women are incapable to give birth to the like of Khalid.”

Allaah supported Khalid by casting fear on the day of Amghishia
Amghishia was greater and more important than Ullais, it was 40 kilometers away from Ullais. Out of their fear of Khalid, the people of Amghishia ran away from their city leaving everything behind them.

After this event, Al-Hirah surrendered and Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) conquered it in the Battle of Al-Maqarr. The inhabitants were given peace on the terms of an annual payment of Jizyah (tribute) which was 190,000 dirhams and agreed to provide intelligence for the Muslims. In this way, Al-Hirah, the second capital of Khosrau (the regional capital city of lower Mesopotamia) became under the control of the Muslims.

The Sword of Allaah drinks the poison and it doesn’t harm him
Ahmad reported in “Fadaa’il As-Sahaabah” and At-Tabarani in “Al-Kabeer” on the authority of Qais who said: “Poison was brought to Khalid. He said: ‘What is this?’ They said: ‘Poison.’ He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) drank it.”

In history books, it is reported that Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) once besieged the fort of Al-Hirah in Syria. When the total blockade had taken its toll upon the people inside, they sent their chief (‘Amr Ibn Baqilah) to Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to negotiate for peace. When this man came into the presence of Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), it was noticed that he was carrying a small bottle. Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) enquired of the emissary (envoy) as to what it contained. He replied that it was concentrated poison and that if the negotiations failed, he would drink it and die rather than return to his people with news of failure. Uppermost in the minds of the companions was the objective to preach Islam, so Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) found an ideal opportunity to further this aim.

He asked the emissary: “Are you sure that you will die instantly by swallowing the poison?” The emissary said: “I have no doubt whatsoever. This poison is so strong that no one has so far been able to describe its taste, for the moment anyone sips it, he dies. He does not even live long enough to describe how it tastes. There is no question I will die instantly once it enters my mouth.”

Khalid Ibn Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) asked for the bottle and taking it in his hands said: “Nothing in this world can hold any effect unless Allaah gives it efficacy.” He took the Name of Allaah and made this supplication: “In the Name of Allaah, the best of the Names, the Lord of the heavens and earth, and with the mention of His Name, not a thing in the heaven or on earth that can do harm. And He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” Then he drank the poison. The Companions hastened to stop him, but he drank it before they reached him. They waited for an hour for the poison to kill Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), but an hour passed, and the poison did not harm Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Hence, Ibn Baqilah said: “By Allaah, O you Arabs! You will take authority and power over what you want.”

Imaam Adh-Dhahabi (Rahimahullaah) said: “This is, by Allaah, a Karamah (miracle) and this is the courage.” [Siyar A’laam An-Nubalaa’]

Conquests of Shaam (Syria)
After the successful invasion of the Sassanid Persian province of Iraq, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) received a letter from Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) instructing him to proceed to the Byzantine front in Syria to assume the command of the Muslim armies with the intent of conquering Roman Syria. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) assigned Al-Muthanna Ibn Haritha as leader over Iraq and by Allaah’s Grace, he covered the distance from Iraq to Syria in only five nights. This was after the Muslim forces apparently were too small in numbers to counter the Byzantine threat. Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), the chief Muslim commander of the Syrian front, requested reinforcements from Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). The latter responded by sending reinforcements led by Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “By Allaah! I will make the Byzantines forget the Waswasa (whispers) of Shaytaan by Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed.” [At-Tabarai 2/602]

Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) prepared his army and divided it into units and put a new plan for defense and assault that suits (befits) the tactics of the Byzantines. By doing so, many cities and fortresses were conquered by Allaah’s leave. But while he was in that joyful state due to the victories that Allaah had honored the Muslims with, an urgent letter came with the news about the death of Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) the Caliph of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

The Death of Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and the appointment of ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) as Caliph and the dismissal of Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) from supreme command of the Muslim Forces
Umar’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) first move when he became the Caliph was to relieve Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) from supreme command of the Muslim Forces and appoint Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn al-Jarrah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) as the new commander in chief of the Islamic army. And that was at the time of siege which laid around Damascus. At-Tabari (2/595) and Ibn Al-Atheer (2/85) were of the opinion that the dismissal of Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was during the Battle of Al-Yarmouk.

Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) had become a trial of disbelief (because of his undefeated wars) for the Muslims as they had attributed the wins of battles to the personality and figure of Khalid; ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was reported as saying: “I did not fire Khalid Ibn al Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) because I am angry with him or because of betrayal of trust or responsibility, but the reason was just that I wanted people to know that it is Allaah who gives victory.” [Tareekh At-Tabari] This resulted in the dismissal of Khalid from the supreme command. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) gave a pledge of loyalty to the new Caliph and continued service as an ordinary commander under Abu ‘Ubaidah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). He is reported to have said: “If Abu Bakr is dead and ‘Umar is Caliph, then we hear and obey.”

Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) drinks from the blood of the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmouk
In this battle, the Byzantine army was around 200,000 led by the greatest leader of the Byzantines, Bahan or Mahan. And the number of the Muslim forces was 36,000, among them 1000 Companions of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and among them 100 Badri (who participated in the Battle of Badr).

When Abu ‘Ubaidah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) met with leaders of his army at Al-Jabiyah, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “I see that if we fight them with forces they are more than us in forces and we do not have the power against them. And if we fight them for Allaah and with Allaah’s Help, even if they were the fill of the earth in number, their number will avail them not in the slightest.” Then Khalid became angry and asked Abu ‘Ubaidah to give him the leadership of the army, saying: “Leave me with these people, I hope that Allaah gives me the victory against them.” In this way, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) took charge of the leadership of the Muslim army on the day of Al-Yarmouk.

Bahan gathered his soldiers, saying to them: “Today you are equal to the number of pebbles and dust and ants, let not the matter of these people terrify you; for their number is few and they are wretched people. Most of them are hungry and you are kings and sons of kings. You are the people of fortresses and forces and swords. So don’t leave the battlefield unless you are dead, or you kill them.”

At Yarmouk, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and Bahan, the leader of the Byzantines, met between the two armies. Bahan said: “In fact we know that nothing brought you out of your country except hunger and afflictions. What if I give each man of you ten dinars, clothes, and food and you go back to your country? And next year we will send the same to you.” Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “Actually what brought us out of our countries is not what you mentioned; rather, we are people who drink blood. And we are told that there is none more delicious than the blood of Byzantines; therefore, we came for that purpose.” The companions of Bahan (or Mahan) said: “This is exactly what we’ve been told about the Arabs.”

The Byzantine army came like a flood while drawing thorns and trees as a defense for them, carrying their crosses and accompanied by their monks and rabbis, and bishops. Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) prepared the Muslim army in a way that Arabs never did the like of it before. He arranged his army in thirty-six to forty corps. They carried the banner high declaring the war by saying “Allaahu Akbar.”

A very fierce fight began between the two armies and the Byzantines approached the corps-like mountains. Then it became apparent to them what they had not been reckoning (expecting).

The Muslims showed outstanding firmness and redemption that dazzled minds.

One of them came close to Abu ‘Ubaidah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) during the battle, telling him: “I am intending to get the Shahaadah (martyrdom), do you have a message for the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when I meet him?” Abu ‘Ubaidah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) replied: “Yes, tell him: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! We have indeed found true what our Lord had promised us.’”

Then the man broke out (hurled) like a shot arrow in the middle of the army, longing for martyrdom striking the enemy with his sword and being struck with thousands of swords till he fell as a martyr.

Ikrimah Ibn Abi Jahl (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) called out to the Muslims when the attack of the Byzantines against them became very heavy, saying: “So long I fought Allaah’s Messenger before Allaah guided me to Islam. Shall I flee from the enemies of Allaah today?” Then he shouted loudly: “Who will give the pledge till death?” A group of Muslims gave him the pledge for death, and they dashed altogether to the middle of the battle looking not only for victory but also for martyrdom. And they all were martyred and may Allaah accept their pledge and selling (their souls for Allaah). [Rijal Hawla Ar-Rasool (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), p.376-377]

After a long and fierce fight, Allaah granted the Muslims patience and descended victory upon them. Khalid killed the Byzantines in every valley, village, alley, and mountain. In this way, the story of the Byzantines ended in the land of Sham.

In brief
One of the most decisive battles of this campaign was the Battle of Yarmouk. It marked the first great wave of early Muslim conquests after the death of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The Battle of Yarmouk was a major battle between the army of the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim forces in which the outnumbered Muslims defeated the much larger Byzantine army. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days near the Yarmouk River, along what are now the borders of Syria–Jordan. The result of the battle was a complete Muslim victory that ended the Byzantine rule in Syria. The Battle of Yarmouk is widely regarded to be Khalid Ibn al-Walid’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) greatest military victory and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest tacticians and cavalry commanders in history. The legacy of the Battle of Yarmouk was both far-reaching and profound. First, and most immediately, the defeat at Yarmouk led to the permanent loss of the entire East Byzantine (Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Egypt) to the Muslims.

A Wedding Night in the style of Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)
Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) had a great love of Jihaad in support of the religion of Allaah and to subdue the forces of evil, Kufr, and tyranny. Jihaad distracted him from all worldly preoccupations to such an extent that he used to say:  “A night in which I was given a bride that I love would not be dearer to me than a night of severe cold and ice on a campaign in which I attacked an enemy the following morning.” [Reported by Al-Haithami on the authority of Abu Ya‘la]

It’s Time to Leave…
After a long life filled with struggle and courage in the Path of Allaah, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) breathed his last on his bed, saddened because he desired to die as a martyr.

I (the author) say to you, ‘O Khalid! The Messenger of Allaah, who was the most truthful and did not speak of his desire said: “He who supplicates to Allaah sincerely for martyrdom, Allaah will elevate him to the station of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.” Reported by Muslim from Sahl Ibn Haneed. Saheeh Al-Jami’e (6276)

If this is the case of a common Muslim, then how about you O Khalid, through whom Allaah conquered land after land, and Muslims achieved victory after victory – with the Permission of Allaah. I sincerely hope that Allaah will bestow the rewards of a martyr upon you. You are an inspiration to all those who sacrifice either with their wealth, their blood, or their selves in the Path of Allaah.’

And he (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said when he was dying: “I sought to be killed in a place where death is usually expected (i.e., the battlefield) but it was decreed for me to die in my bed. There is no deed of mine that gave me greater hope, after [saying] La ilaaha illa-Allaah, than a night that I spent with a shield in my hand in preparation for raiding the Kuffaar, and it rained until morning.”

Abi Az-Zanaad narrated: “When death approached Khalid Ibn Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anu) and he realized it, he wept and said: “I witnessed such and such battles, and there is no place on my body the size of a hand span that has not received a blow from a sword or been pierced by an arrow or spear. But here I am, dying on my bed as a camel dies. May the cowards never prosper. I sought death in the places where it may be sought, but it was only decreed that I should die on my own bed.” [Siyar ‘Alaam An-Nubalaa’, 1/382]

Then he said: “If I die, then look at my weapons and my horse, and give them (for Jihaad) for the Sake of Allaah.”

When he (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) died, ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) prayed the funeral prayer for him and said: “Let the family of Al-Waleed cry for him so long as they do not put sand on their heads and raise their voices with crying.” [Al-Isaabah by Al-Hafith and authenticated by Al-Arna’oot]

And ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) also said concerning Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “A hole has developed in the structure of Islam that can never be patched.”

Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) died at the age of sixty and was buried in Homs, in Syria in 21 A.H.

[It is also believed that Khalid Ibn al-Waleed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) could not have been killed in any battlefield because the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called him, ‘A Sword of Allaah’ – and the Sword of Allaah cannot be broken! It can only be returned to the One, to Whom it belongs… and Khalid was returned back to his Lord on his death bed after a series of exceptional victories.] Note: The above text in the box brackets [ ] is by the translator.

Sources:
? As-haabur-Rasool (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) by Mahmoud Al-Masri
? Islamqa
? Tafseer Ibn Katheer

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