Please share stories and anecdotes of his lifetime based on what you know. I would love to know more because I'm already so impressed.
I read somewhere that he never lost a war and this created a feeling among the Muslims that victory would be theirs whenever he commanded the army. So Khalifa removed him from commanding the army in order to restore believers' tawakal in ALLAH..
And in a battle, he broke 9 swords.
Its a good thread and I suggest we should start one thread for each of Sahaba, have a thorough discussion and then move on to next.
I know Hazrat Khalid bin waleed was given the title of 'Saif-ullah'. Does anyone know why and when?
That is a good idea Sid. We can all gain some insight from the lives of Sahaba. Let's try to put factual info in bullets so that it is easier for everyone to read.
He was also accused of murdering a fellow muslim chief Malik bin Nuwayrah and marrying his wife the same night he was murdered.
Note the references are from Tabari for this story
He was given the title of Saifullah (sword of Allah) because he never lost a battle. He was born into Banu Makhzoom - a tribe known for its excellent war equipment. He must have had exposure to warfare techniques. However, the tactics he used to win wars were so complex that they require extensive, detailed study of warfare (i.e not guesswork). Allah enlightened him of the unknown which points to his title Saifullah. Game of Thrones used some of these tactics but that’s an entirely different tangent.
Mu’tah Battle took place shortly after he converted to Islam. He was a soldier in this battle. Three commanders were consecutively appointed, each as a replacement for the prior in case of death during battle.
- Zayed Bin Haritha
- Jafar Bin Abi Talib
- Abdullah Bin Rawahah
All three leaders were martyred in battlefield. Khalid Bin Walid was declared commander and he took on the role of leadership.
He passed away in Syria due to disease but I heard it was due to a plaque (similar to black death) that spread throughout Syria and nearby lands. Before passing away, he was extremely saddened to know he would die in bed, just like an ordinary civilian. He wanted what we call “poetic justice” in literature - to die doing what you spent your life doing. On the battlefield. Fighting. But certainly Allah is the best of planners and the sword only gets put away into its scabbard by the owner when its purpose is accomplished - An enemy in the battlefield could not have overtaken Saifullah.
Khalid Bin Walid had light complexion
Tall, muscular build; a physique like Umar Bin Khattab
[quote=““Pakistani Prince””]
I read somewhere that he never lost a war and this created a feeling among the Muslims that victory would be theirs whenever he commanded the army. So Khalifa removed him from commanding the army in order to restore believers’ tawakal on ALLAH..
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Although some would criticise the Caliph for removing Khalid Bin Walid from command and letting him serve as an ordinary soldier, it was necessary for the reason you mentioned above. To restore believers’ tawakkal in their Lord. I also heard there were differences between the Caliph and Khalid Bin Walid because both were strong willed and strict. Previously, Caliph Abu Bakr and Khalid Bin Walid (as a commander) were a good match because their personalities complemented one another i.e soft + harsh to create a balance.
Let’s also emphasize Khalid Bin Walid’s attitude, manners and love for the army (i.e ikhlaas) did not change even after demotion from leadership to soldier hood. Leader or not, their mutual purpose remained one and the same.
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The poet Ash'as who praised him after sacking Marash and he was given 10,000 dirhams!
1) Yarmouk my favorite battle - the best of Khalid (PBUH)
2) After Khalid (PBUH) next on my list is An-Nasir Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub aka Saladin.
We have a few Saladins in our times but its for another thread.
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His famous last words were:
And here I am, dying in my bed, like cattle died. May the eyes of cowards never sleep.
Khalid bin Waleed always wanted a martyr's death but ended up dying of natural cause at home. He was survived by his mother.
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More quotes:
***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 ill-Allah, than a night that I spent with a shield in my hand and it rained until morning, in preparation for raiding the kuffaar. If I die, then look at my weapons and my horse, and give them (for jihad) for the sake of Allah. ***
It is said that at the time of his death all he had was his horse and weapons.