Khalid Ibn Waleed
It is widely believed that Khalid ibn Waleed is among the most formidable warriors in history. His influence on the early Islamic period was enormous.
Thanks to his military wit and strategic acumen, he laid the groundwork for a string of crucial Islamic victories, which drastically altered the map of the Arabian Peninsula.
Conversion to Islam
Born into one of Mecca’s most respected clans, the Banu Makhzum, Khalid ibn Waleed was a part of the city’s ruling elite.
His father, Walid ibn al-Mughira, was a prominent figure in pre-Islamic Arabian society, known for his wealth and political clout. Raised in this influential environment, Khalid learned the craft of leadership, warfare, and diplomacy.
Khalid ibn Waleed was not initially a follower of Islam and initially resisted the new monotheistic religion, even fighting battles against Muslims. However, he embraced Islam around the seventh year of the Hijrah (Islamic calendar).
Khalid traveled to Medina, where he pledged his allegiance to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). Thus, he joined the growing community of Muslims and gave them strength.
‘Sword of Allah’
Once Khalid converted to Islam, he first took charge of the Muslim army at the Battle of Mu’tah.
Mu’tah is a place in present-day Jordan. This was the first time Muslims fought against a combined Byzantine and Ghassanid army during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) in the year 629 CE.
Khalid assumed command after the three original leaders appointed by the Prophet (PBUH) were martyred on the battlefield. Khalid ibn Waleed not only managed a successful protective retreat but was also a fierce fighter who broke nine swords during the combat.
His incredible bravery and skill on the battlefield earned him the prestigious title of ‘Saiyfullah‘, or the ‘Sword of Allah’ after this Battle.
Battle of Yarmouk
The Battle of Yarmouk was fought over the course of six days in August 636 CE.
Khalid ibn Waleed led the Muslim army, and Byzantine Emperor Heraclius commanded the Byzantine army.
Fighting took place near the Yarmouk River in the Jordan Valley, and the battle was an important victory for the heavily outnumbered Muslim forces.
When the two armies met, Heraclius intended to exercise caution and wear the Muslims down through a series of small encounters. But Khalid pulled them into a large-scale pitched battle.
The Byzantines were forced to retreat in disorder as the Arabs assaulted them from behind while blowing sand into their faces.
Many of the escaping Byzantine soldiers died after falling over a small ravine.
The Battle of Yarmouk was Khalid’s greatest victory, ending Byzantine rule in Syria. This victory permanently shifted control in the Mediterranean region (Modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey) from the Byzantine Empire to the Muslim Caliphate.
In short, Khalid ibn Waleed was one of history’s most effective military leaders.
He is renowned for his military skill, leading the Prophet’s (PBUH) forces and those of Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, the Prophet’s and Rashidun Caliphate’s immediate successors.
He was undefeated in almost a hundred fights against the numerically stronger troops of the Byzantine Roman Empire, the Sassanid Persian Empire, and their allies.
His greatest strategic accomplishments were his quick conquest of Iraq under the Persian Empire and his conquest of Roman Syria within three years, from 633 to 636 CE.