Khalid Bin Walid

Salaam,

I have written some comments for most of the photos from Syria and iA will put them up, but thought would/should dedicate one entry to Khalid Bin Walid (RA) aka The Sword of Allah". The link attached is an excellent resource for learning about one of the greatest Islamic figures we've been blessed with. Below are some snippets and quotes:

"Khalid bin Al-Waleed was one of the greatest generals in history, and one of the greatest heroes of Islam. Besides him, Genghis Khan was the only other general to remain undefeated in his entire military life. A measure of Khalid's genius is that he was the only person to inflict a (temporary) defeat on the Prophet Muhammad, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)"

Khalid began the conquest of Iraq from the Persian Empire and led the Muslim armies in Syria against the Byzantine Empire. Under his leadership, Damascus was captured by the Muslim armies and at the Battle of Yarmuk, all of Syria was taken from the Byzantines. Following this battle, Khālid was extremely popular which worried the caliph Umar who did not want the popularity of his general to interfere with people's beliefs in Allah, so he recalled Khālid and removed him of his commander status. Despite Khālid's desire to continue leading his armies, he obliged. Rather than stay in Medina though, he returned to the field of battle as a regular soldier and fought admirably"


Khālid bin Walid (RA) died in 642 in Homms, Syria. He had wanted to die in the field of battle, and was disappointed when he knew that he would die in bed. And appropriately the last words attributed to Khalid bin Walid (RA): "I die even as a camel dies. I die in bed, in shame. May the eyes of cowards never find rest in sleep!"

Narrated Khalid bin Al-Walid (RA): "On the day of the Battle of Mu'tah, nine swords were broken in my hand, and nothing was left in my hand except a Yemenite sword of mine." [Bukhari]

Narrated Anas (RA): The Prophet had informed the people of the martyrdom of Zaid bin Haritha, Jafar bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet said, "Zaid took the flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Jafar took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (Khalid bin Al-Waleed) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious." [Bukhari]


Salaam