Khalid ibn al-Walid (592-642) was an Arab Muslim general who served the prophet Muhammad and the Rashidun caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar during the early 7th century AD. He played a leading role in the Ridda Wars, the Muslim conquest of Persia, and the Muslim conquest of the Levant.
Biography[]
The most successful commander of the early period of Arab expansion, Khalid ibn al-Walid made an effortless transition from tribal warfare to fighting major armies. He originally opposed the prophet Muhammad, but after converting to Islam, he became one of his trusted generals. After the Prophet's death in 632, Khalid served under Caliph Abu Bakr, suppressing an Arab revolt in the Ridda Wars. He then fought in Mesopotamia, trouncing the Persian Sassanids in a lightning campaign that ended in a resounding victory at Firaz in December 633. Ordered to the aid of Abu Bakr, who was fighting the Byzantines in southern Syria, Khalid led his army across the Syrian Desert and, after more victories, captured Damascus in 634.
During the siege of Damascus, Abu Bakr died and was replaced by Caliph Umar, who distrusted Khalid. Umar removed Khalid from high command, but he continued to play a leading role in Arab operations. In August 636, he achieved his greatest victory, routing a Byzantine army at the River Yarmuk. Umar finally dismissed Khalid in 638 after a religious dispute.