Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra): The Legendary Military General | The Firsts | Sahaba | Dr. Omar Suleiman

Yaqeen Institute56 minutes read

The text details Khalid's journey from embracing Islam to becoming a respected military leader, showcasing his victories and strategic prowess in various battles. Khalid's military genius and unwavering faith led to numerous victories, earning him praise from historians and ensuring his tactics are still studied globally.

Insights

  • Khalid's strategic brilliance and military prowess led to over 100 victories despite being outnumbered in numerous campaigns, earning him the title of the greatest military genius of all time and praise from historians like John Keegan and Richard Gabriel.
  • Khalid's legacy as a respected leader and symbol of trust in Allah, his unwavering faith, meticulous planning, and humility in accepting positions without protest were crucial in his victories, showcasing not only his military genius but also his spiritual growth and ethical values.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • Who was Khalid ibn al-Walid?

    A military genius with numerous victories.

  • What was the Battle of Yarmouk?

    A significant victory led by Khalid against the Byzantine Empire.

  • How did Khalid plan for battles?

    By meticulous planning and strategic foresight.

  • What was Khalid's approach to military tactics?

    Unpredictable and strategic maneuvers.

  • What was Khalid's legacy in military history?

    A lasting impact on military strategy and tactics.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Khaled's Journey: Trust, Leadership, and Growth

  • The text discusses the return to the series after three months, focusing on the suffering of brothers and sisters in Gaza and seeking victory through trust in Allah.
  • Part two delves into the life of Khaled, detailing his journey to embracing Islam and gaining trust among Muslims.
  • Khaled rises in ranks during the Battle of Mut, becoming a respected leader and a symbol of trust in Allah.
  • Khaled's legacy as a military commander is highlighted, leading to the conquest of Mecca.
  • The conquest of Mecca involves a multi-pronged approach by the Prophet, with Khaled leading one battalion.
  • Khaled's quickness to resort to battle is noted, leading to an ambush by his brother-in-law, Saad.
  • Despite the ambush, the Prophet accepts the outcome as the judgment of Allah, marking a turning point in Mecca's conquest.
  • The destruction of idols in Mecca and surrounding areas signifies a shift towards monotheism and the removal of false deities.
  • Khaled's mistakes in the early days of Islam, particularly attacking a tribe with Muslim members, are addressed and rectified by the Prophet.
  • The Prophet's handling of Khaled's errors showcases a learning experience and growth, emphasizing the importance of purification and growth in faith.

17:24

Prophet's Companions: Growth, Trust, Victory, Strength

  • The Prophet emphasized the importance of respecting companions who embraced Islam later, showing growth in ethics and spirituality.
  • Mistakes made by early companions were outgrown, leading to higher ethical standards set by the Prophet.
  • The Prophet sent some of his hair to honor companions like Khad, building bonds and validating their faith.
  • Khad sought refuge in Allah's words when facing plots, showcasing spiritual growth and learning of supplication.
  • Khad returned stolen property to a Muslim after years, displaying new ethics and values learned.
  • Abu Bakr appointed Khad to lead the Muslim Army in the apostasy wars, showing trust in his abilities.
  • Khad led the Muslims to victory in the Battle of Yama, quelling rebellions and false prophets.
  • Abu Bakr redirected focus to the Persian Empire, engaging them strategically after the apostasy wars.
  • Khad's tactics in the Battle of the Chains exhausted and outsmarted the Persian Empire, leading to victory.
  • Khad's hand-to-hand combat victory over the Persian general was a significant blow to the Persian Empire, showcasing his strength and strategic prowess.

35:53

Khalid's Victorious Conquests and Strategic Brilliance

  • After Hermos' death, the Muslim army swiftly defeated their opponents at the Battle of the Chains, marking a significant victory.
  • The spoils from this battle included an elephant, which was the first time Medina witnessed such a creature.
  • Some Persian soldiers converted to Islam following these defeats, showing a shift in allegiance.
  • Khalid's strategic approach involved targeting Persian generals first, recognizing their importance to the enemy's morale.
  • Moving through Southern Iraq, Khalid's forces managed to eliminate up to 30,000 Persian soldiers at the Battle of the River.
  • Khalid's tactics at the Fort of Anbar involved blinding the enemy archers, leading to another successful conquest.
  • The unpredictability of Khalid's tactics left the Persian Empire perplexed, leading to a temporary truce between the Roman and Persian empires to focus on the Muslim threat.
  • Khalid's journey towards Greater Syria involved navigating challenging terrains with a focus on water sources for the army's survival.
  • Despite facing overwhelming odds, Khalid's forces engaged in the Battle of Alad against the Romans, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess.
  • Khalid's unwavering faith and fearlessness in the face of insults and challenges instilled a sense of awe and respect among his enemies, showcasing his spiritual growth alongside his military genius.

51:24

Strategic Genius: KH's Triumph Over Empires

  • KH plans to use the blood of the Romans in a strategic move, showcasing his military genius.
  • Spies are sent to scout the terrain and understand the enemy's movements before the battle.
  • KH strategically plans for contingencies 100 days ahead of the battle, showcasing his meticulous planning.
  • Skirmishes and scouting missions take place, with KH even disguising himself as a Roman soldier.
  • KH strategically takes smaller towns around Damascus before the main attack on Damascus itself.
  • KH's military strategy involves creating a thin layer of troops with a hidden deep layer for surprise attacks.
  • KH's victories over the Roman and Persian Empires lead to questions on how to deal with his success.
  • Abu Bak appoints KH as the new commander during the battle for Damascus, showing trust and respect.
  • KH's humility and obedience are highlighted when he accepts any position given to him without protest.
  • The Battle of Yarmouk in 636 is a turning point where Muslims, led by KH, overcome the Byzantine Empire despite being outnumbered.

01:07:59

Military genius Khalid ibn al-Walid's legacy

  • Khalid ibn al-Walid, known as the greatest military genius of all time, passed away in 642. Despite being outnumbered in over 100 campaigns, he achieved over 100 victories, earning praise from historians like John Keegan and Richard Gabriel. Khalid's tactics are still studied in military schools worldwide, with a legend stating that no man like him will ever be born again.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.