Khālid ibn al-Walīd Radia Allah Anhu (Arabic: خالد بن الوليد‎; 592-642) also known as Sayfu l-Lāhi l-Maslūl (or Sayfullah, the “Drawn Sword of God”, “God’s Drawn Sword” or simply “Sword of God”), was one of the most successful commanders in military history. He is noted for his military prowess, commanding the forces of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and those of his immediate successors of the Rashidun Caliphate; Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (Umar ibn al-Khattab – RA). He has the distinction of being undefeated in over a hundred battles, against the numerically superior forces of the Byzantine Roman Empire, Sassanid Persian Empire, and their allies. His strategic achievements include the conquest of Persian Mesopotamia and Roman Syria within three years from 633 to 636. He is also remembered for his decisive victories at Yamamah, Walaja, Ullais, Firaz and Yarmouk.

Khaled ibn Walid RA was from the Meccan tribe of Quraysh, who initially opposed Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He played a vital role in Qurayshi victory at the Battle of Uhud. He converted to Islam, however, and joined Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and participated in various expeditions for him, such as the Battle of Mu’tah. After Muhammad’s death (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). he played a key role in commanding Medinan forces for Abu Bakr (RA) in the Ridda wars, the capture of the Sassanid Arab client Kingdom of Al-Hirah, and the defeat of the Sassanid Persian forces during his conquest of Mesopotamia (Iraq). He then crossed the desert to capture the Byzantine Arab client state of the Ghassanids during his conquest of Roman Syria. Even though Umar (RA) later relieved him of high command, he remained the effective leader of the forces arrayed against the Byzantines during the early stages of the Byzantine–Arab Wars. Under his command, Damascus was captured in 634 and the key Arab victory against the Roman Byzantine forces was achieved at the Battle of Yarmouk (636), which led to the conquest of the Bilad al-Sham (Levant).

Upon his death, he bequeathed his property to Umar RA and made him the executor of his will and estate.

Within less than four years of his dismissal, Khalid RA died and was buried in 642 in Emesa, where he lived since his dismissal from military services. His tomb is now part of a Masjid called Khalid ibn al-Walid Masjid in Syria. Khalid’s tombstone depicts a list of over 50 victorious battles that he commanded without defeat (not including small battles). It is said that he had wanted to die a martyr in the field of battle, and was apparently disappointed when he knew that he would die in bed. Khalid RA put all the torment of his soul into one last, anguished sentence:

“I fought in so many battles seeking martyrdom that there is no place in my body but have a stabbing scar by a spear, a sword or a dagger, and yet here I am, dying on my bed like an old camel dies. May the eyes of the cowards never sleep.” ~Khalid ibn Walid~