Their armies threatened states as far-flung as Western Europe and China. In just over a hundred years – from the death of Muhammad to the beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate – the followers of the Prophet swept across the whole of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. My audiobook recommendation today is In God’s Path: The Arab Conquests and the Creation of an Islamic Empire by Robert G. Learn more about Khalid Ibn al-Walid, the Sword of Allah, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. He was one of the greatest military leaders in history. He wasn’t a religious leader, and he wasn’t the head of the empire.
Springing forth from the Arabian Peninsula, within a matter of years, the Islamic Caliphate had become one of the largest empires on Earth. In the 7th century, the world saw the rise of one of the most important religious and political forces in history: Islam. 428.Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Player.FMĬastbox | Stitcher | Podcast Republic | RSS | Patreon Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, Dar Abi Hayyan, Cairo, 1st ed.The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns. The fiercest and most successful of the Arabian warriors.Lubabah As-Sagheer, mother of Khalid, eulogising him.(642 A.D).The unstoppable deluge flowing between mountains. Caliph Umar, at Khalid's death.(642 A.D).Let the women say what they will about Abu Sulaiman (Khalid), for they do not lie, Over the likes of Abu Sulaiman weep those who weep.Caliph Umar, at the news of Khalid's death.(642 A.D).Have women ever stopped mourning for anyone like Khalid?.I want them to know that it is Allah who does all things and there should be no mischief in the land. I have not dismissed Khalid because of my anger or because of any dishonesty on his part, but because people glorified him and were misled.You will not have cause to complain of me after this day. O Khalid! By Allah, you are honorable in my eyes, and you are dear to me.May Allah have mercy upon Abu Bakr, He was a better judge of men than I have been. He neither slept nor let others sleep, and nothing was concealed from him.Is the standard of this army a black one? Is the commander of this army a tall, powerfully built, broad shouldered man with a large beard and a few pock marks on his face? Then beware of fighting this army.By Allah, I shall destroy the Romans and the friends of Satan with Khalid bin Al Walid.No people face Khalid in battle, be they strong or weak, but are defeated. I know more about Khalid than anyone else, no man is luckier than he.Women will no longer be able to give birth to the likes of Khalid bin Al-Waleed.Women can no longer bear sons like Khalid. O People of Madinah ! Your lion has attacked another lion and overpowered him.I shall not sheathe the sword that God has drawn against the infidels. Amr ibn al A'as, an other famous general of 7th century Islamic conquest, said this during Ridda wars when Caliph Abu Bakr asked him about his opinion regarding Khalid.(632 A.D).He has the dash of a lion and the patience of a cat He is a master of war a friend of death.What an excellent servant of God: Khalid ibn Walid, one of the swords of Allah, unleashed against the unbelievers.So long as they pay the poll tax, nothing but good shall befall them. Thereunto we give to them the pact of Allah and the protection of His Prophet, the caliphs and the believers. Their city wall shall not be demolished, neither shall any Moslem be quartered in their houses. This is what Khalid ibn-al-Walid would grant to the inhabitants of Damascus if he enters therein: he promises to give them security for their lives, property and churches. In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.(History of the World, Volume IV, page 463, by John Clark Ridpath, LL.D. This letter was written by Khalid, from his head-quarters in Babylonia, to the Persian monarch Emperor Yazdegerd III before invading it.Or agree to the payment of the Jizya (tax), and you and your people will be under our protection, else you will have only yourself to blame for the consequences, for I bring the men who desire death as ardently as you desire life.