The Sword of Allah (Khalid bin Waleed RA)
16-04-2008
The story of how a fearless enemy of Islam came to be known as Saifullah...
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) was the son of the chieftain of the tribe of Banu
Makhzoom, Waleed bin Mughaira. In his youth, the qualities of foresight and
planning bloomed to perfection and he occupied an enviable position among the
youths of Banu Makhzoom. He was blessed with a graceful physique and had a
dignified bearing. Before he accepted Islam, in every battle, he used to enter
the battlefield challenging the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But each time the
Prophet (pbuh)'s majesty and nobility seemed to spread an aura which entered the
heart of Khalid bin Waleed (ra).
On one occasion when the Prophet (pbuh) was leading the afternoon prayers (Zohr)
in the battlefield, with his army behind him, Khalid bin Waleed (ra) was tempted
to take advantage of this opportunity and attack the Muslims who would thereby
suffer irrevocable losses. But some invisible force seemed to hold him back and
he could not muster up enough courage to do it. The same episode happened during
the early evening prayer (Asr) and Khalid bin Waleed (ra) realised that some
unseen power was protecting the Prophet (pbuh) and surely one day he would
conquer not only the whole of Arabia but the entire world.
When the Prophet (pbuh) signed the peace treaty of Hudaybiyah, Khalid bin Waleed
(ra) wondered what would follow next and thought about his own future. He could
not seem to decide whether he wanted to give up his warrior's life or not. At
this moment, he got a letter from his brother who had converted to Islam. He
wrote in very affectionate terms that the Prophet (pbuh) had asked him where
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) was. He had answered respectfully that Allah Almighty
would surely one day bring Khalid bin Waleed (ra) to the Prophet (pbuh) to
embrace Islam. It was not possible, he told him that his intelligent,
perspective and able brother should be deprived of the blessings of Allah
Almighty and Islam. This inclined the mind of Khalid bin Waleed (ra) more
towards Islam and he felt very elated and proud that the Prophet (pbuh) had
asked about him.
During this time, he dreamt that he was moving out of a tiny, dark and dingy
place into a vast green fertile field. When he woke up he felt extremely
pleasant and made up his mind to go to Madinah. When Khalid bin Waleed met the
Prophet (pbuh), he respectfully greeted him and was greeted back with a smile.
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) then took the pledge of allegiance, swearing on the palm
of the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) affectionately told Khalid bin Waleed
(ra) "I was sure, taking into consideration your brilliance, your wisdom and
foresight that surely one day you would accept Islam as your religion".
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) then requested him to pray to Allah Almighty to forgive
him for all the sins he had committed with the might of his sword against Islam
and for the problems he had created for the Muslims. The Prophet (pbuh) assured
him that all that he had done in his days of ignorance would be automatically
erased.
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) had converted to Islam not out of fear or greed but
because he was influenced by the attractive and magnetic personality of the
Prophet (pbuh). Khalid bin Waleed (ra) fought great many battles for Islam and
his military abilities and strategic thinking held even the enemies in awe. He
was a great commader who gave his mind, body and soul for Islam. He greatly
inspired the men whom he commanded and during the Battle of Yarmook against the
Romans he addressed them thus: "O Mujahideen! This is a memorable day. It is the
day on which our faith will be tested and tried. Today we should avoid every
kind of arrogance, pride and not contend for individual glory or egoistic
bragging. O Mujahid of Islam! Fight only to gain the Goodwill of Allah Almighty.
In the Muslim army today there are many great generals; each of them is worthy
and can be entrusted with the permanent command of this army. Today you have
assigned to me this honour of commanding the Muslim army. So I hope that for the
honour and victory of Islam, today we will enter the battlefield as one. Allah
will be our Supporter and Defender."
Khalid bin Waleed (ra) had been one of the worst enemies of Islam and Allah
Almighty had inclined his heart towards Islam. The Prophet(pbuh) had said: "Khalid,
you are the sword of Allah Almighty which has been made to annihilate the kuffar."
Thus, he came to be known as Saifullah (the Sword of Allah).
When he lay on his deathbed Khalid bin Waleed (ra) wept copiously and said that
he always wanted a martyr's death. There was no joint in his body which did not
carry a scar of an arrow or of a stab given by the enemy's sword. He defended
the Ummah the way a lion protects its cubs. On his death, his mother prayed that
the Mercy of Allah should always shelter him. He had given her happiness and she
prayed that he should get happiness in the Hereafter.
When the body of Khalid bin Waleed (ra) was lowered into the grave, all the
Companions had become silent with grief. The weeping of his horse, Ashqar, whose
tears were rolling down his cheeks, broke this silence. The Companions were
amazed at this expression of grief. Khalid bin Waleed (ra), the great General of
Islam died in Hammas and was buried there.
Submitted by a Mujahid