By M-Rabiu Muhammod
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid Ibn Al-Mughira Al-Makhzumi (Arabic: خالد بن الوليد بن المغيرة المخزومي, romanized: (died 642) was an Arab Muslim commander in the service of the Prophet Muhammad and the caliphs Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) and Umar (r. 634–644) who played a leading role in the Ridda wars against rebel tribes in Arabia in 632–633 and the early Muslim conquests of Sasanian Iraq in 633–634 and Byzantine Syria in 634–638
Here are facts you should know about him:
~He was from a noble background, A son of the chieftain of Banu Makhzoom ‘ *Waleed bn Mughira* ‘ and everyone favorites.
~Historians recorded that he fought close to 30 battles in which he was a commander in more than 20 and never faced defeat.
~A strong stature, broad shoulders, eagle-eyed with a brilliant intellect, noble thought and firm determination.
~He was a steady rider,an expert swordman that the prophet gave him the title Saifullah(Sword of Allah) and also good with other weapons
~He accepted Islam with 1 other great commander whose name can’t be forgotten in the Golden book of war { *Amr bn Aas* } and Uthman bn Talhah.
~When he accepted Islam:The Prophet (S. A. W) said;”Khalid bin Waleed! On the basis of your intelligence, understanding and foresight I was very sure that one day you would finally accept Islam”.
~Battle of Moatah was the first battle in which he took part as a Muslim and as an ordinary soilder after his conversion to Islam. The Mujahideen were just 3,000 with over 200,000 well equipped enemy. The 3 commanders appointed by the prophet were martyred and the flag has fallen with their morale at the lowest. The battle was very tough and the flag has almost fallen into the hands of the enemy when Abdullah bn Rawaha took the flag and hand it over to Khalid bn Waleed. He rejected it at first because many Muslims who accepted Islam before him were present and even Abdullah was present at badr(Which shows his superiority in Islam over him). They all agreed that he was the best man that could lead the battle before he accepted. While bring experience and technical strategy, he changed the formation of the army and fought like a warlord to boost the Mujahideen morale and broke many swords. This critical circumstances cannot be forgotten in the annals of military history.
~He fought against the apostate during the time of Abu Bakr Siddiq. He was sent to conquer Taleelah bin Khawaled and Malik bin Naweerah(Who were claiming prophethood) . After he conquered them, he was sent to lead a battalion to fight against Musailamah Khaththab who had also gained a lot of followers then.The battle was tough but the Muslims won with his great tactics and Allah’s mercy.
~The enemy trembled whenever they heard him coming because of his war tactics, strategies, victories and conquest.
~He was among the commanders whose names were written with the ink of Gold for the conquest of the great palaces of Rome and Persia and also among the Commanders whose name were written in the golden book of Islamic history for the conquest of the land of Moatah,Hunnain,Tabuk,Damascus,Syria,Iraq, Alees, Haira, Alees, Yarmook, Hammas and many more.
~When he died, his mother said “Her son was more braver than a lion and bountiful than a river”. Some historian recorded that some Mujahideen said “We lost a commander who will never be born in the history of men again “.
~He died on his deathbed with different marks of sword,arrow and other war injuries all over his body(Some historians recorded that mark was fond in all part and joint in his body) . Some people said because he was the sword of Allah and can never be broken that’s why he wasn’t granted martyrdom.
~He died on the 21st year of Hijrah during the time of Caliph Umar bn Khattab and was buried in hamas.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (Amin)
By M-Rabiu Muhammod
