Khalid ibn al-Walid, who received the nickname Saifullah ("the sword of Allah"). Companions of the Prophet Muhammad

Khalid ibn Al-Walid was the only one who defeated the Prophet Muhammad, later becoming one of his most faithful companions, a great warrior and a brilliant strategist. The first of the Muslim military commanders who went beyond the borders of Arabia and put the great Byzantium on his knees.

short biography

Khalid ibn Al-Walid was born in the most famous city of the Islamic religion - Mecca, in 592, and was a native of the Quraysh tribe. He was the most fortunate commander in the history of Muslims, winning in 43 major battles and never having been defeated. He entered the world history as a genius of military strategies. Historians say that in him the cruelty of Genghis Khan, the wisdom of Tamerlane and the tactical abilities of Napoleon were mixed up. One of his favorite sayings is: "Cowardice will not prolong my life, and courage does not diminish it." In his army there was strict discipline, the soldiers were distinguished by fearlessness and the ability to drastically change positions without prolonged sieges.

Originally was an opponent of Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad, fought on the side of the Quraysh and even then showed his ability to lead the soldiers, defeating the Muslims in the battle of Uhud.

Islam took in the year 7 on the account of the Hijra, and already in the year 8 fought for the prophet, showing his remarkable strength and resourcefulness. At the 10th year of the Hijrah with his help, a large part of the population in the Najran region converted to Islam, and in 13 won a famous victory at Yarmuk, when almost all of Syria took the side of the Muslims.

He was a very disciplined and thinking warrior, but at the same time he sometimes did unexpected things: somehow, being at the front, he left the army on his own and left for Hajj. For this he was removed from the post of commander of the front. But, taking into account his services, he still did not dare to punish the entire army from the post of military commander strictly - his mind, the skill of tactical combat and his assertiveness were well known. Subsequently, the Caliph Omar nevertheless removed him and transferred him to the civil service.

Khalid ibn Al-Walid died at 58, in 643 (in the 21st in the Hijra) from illness in the city of Homs, in Syria, where he was buried.

For what Saifulullah so nicknamed?

Saifullah - in Arabic means "the sword of Allah". Why is a wise general received such a nickname?

In the battle with the Byzantines, which took place in Muta, Khalid first participated on the side of the Prophet Muhammad. The battle was very fierce, in it all the commanders of units were killed, and the fearless Khalid took command of himself. He chose a special retreat tactics to prevent the defeat and not lose the soldiers. For the courage and ingenuity shown, the prophet himself called him Saifullah. Since then, so respected and called.

Military exploits

On account of Khalid, dozens of major victories and no fewer small fights. He was known to be quick on decisions and sharp with enemies, in a fight showing monstrous cruelty, not regretting anyone who stood in his way. The most significant in the history of the formation of Islam are:

• The battle against Byzantium under Muta (Khalid's first under the flags of the Prophet);
• The conquest of Mecca;
• The battle of Hunain (where the brave warrior was seriously wounded);
• The siege of Taif;
• The battle with the false prophet Khuwailid in Buzach and the complete rout of the enemy;
• A trek to Yamamu and victory there;
• Battle of Valadzha, one of his best battles;
• War with Sassanid Iran in Iraq (two months of brutal fighting - and victory in the hands of Saifulah);
• The battle near Ajnadin, by which one can understand the magnitude of Khalid's skill;
• The greatest victory at Yarmuk, during which about 40 thousand Byzantine soldiers were defeated.

The Parable of the Great Warrior

Saifullah on his deathbed visited by a close friend. The great warrior showed him his foot and asked:

- Do you see here a place larger than the palm of your hand that would not have been covered with scars and wounds?

A friend looked at his leg and said:

- No, I do not.

Khalid ibn Al-Walid showed his second leg and asked the same. And again he received a negative answer. Then he asked to examine his hands and torso, asking the same thing.

- No, dear, the biggest distance between scars is much less than the palm of your hand! How could you survive after so many wounds?

Khalid replied with sadness:

"I've been dragging myself to death in thousands of battles, but why should I not die in battle?"

A wise friend replied:

"Oh, Khalid!" You can not die in battle - the great prophet gave you the name "Sword of Allah". But can the sword of Allah be broken on the battlefield from the hand of the unfaithful? It's impossible!

After a faithful friend left, Khalid ibn Al-Walid sadly said to his slave Hammam, reverently serving him:

"I'm dying like a camel in the desert." I'm dying in disgrace, lying in bed.

Khalid Mosque

The tomb of the genius-commander is in the city of Homs (Syria), above it was built a magnificent mosque for the glory of his exploits, but during the military operations in 2013 it was partially destroyed. After the settlement of the conflict, the President of Syria issued a decree on the restoration of the historical monument.

In Bashkortostan, in the city of Sterlitamak there is a mosque, also built for the glory of Al-Walid in 2010.

Ashab al-Kiram

Literally this means "the most faithful companions of the Prophet Muhammad", which were divided into three groups:

• Muhajirs (settlers to Mecca, who left families and all their property for the sake of faith);
• Ansara (Native inhabitants of Mecca);
• Sahaba (those who converted to Islam elsewhere).

The Muhajirs and Ansars occupied the leading positions of commanders, governors, and Sahaba were the transmitters of the hadith (narrations about the deeds of the great prophet, about his life, thoughts). Hadiths were the basis of ethical and legal teaching among Muslims. The continuers of this tradition still enjoy great prestige and respect among believers.

In the generalized sense, the Companions were those who had the honor of seeing the prophet Muhammad live, no matter how much - five minutes or all his life. The names of all these people are listed in a special dictionary listing all their deeds, exploits and great deeds. Muslim scholars claim that there were only about 12,000 associates of the Prophet Muhammad, among whom Khalid ibn Al-Walid was also.

More than 1400 years ago, the first steps of Islam on earth began - the spiritual support of those who are ready to bear the hardships of life on the road to Truth, and Khalid ibn Al-Walid in the history of Islam stands in the forefront, revered by all Muslims of the world.