WITH HIS CRAFTY EFFORT

 FAJR REMINDER: WITH HIS CRAFTY EFFORT

By: Umm Affan

Jumādā al-Ākhirah 8, 1447 (29-November-2025)

In the Battle of Mu’tah, following the martyrdom of the three leaders chosen by the Prophet (ﷺ), Thābit Ibn ‘Arqam Ibn Tha’lab Al-Anṣārī (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) approached Khālid Ibn al-Walīd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) and said, “Take the flag, Abū Sulaymān.” However, Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) felt unworthy of taking the flag since he was still a recent convert to Islām and believed he had no right to lead an army that included the distinguished Anṣār and Muhājirūn who had embraced Islām before him.

This moment reveals Khālid Ibn al-Walīd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu)’s admirable qualities of decorum, modesty, and gratitude, reflecting his worthiness. In response to Thābit (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) stated, “I will not dare to hold it. Please go on, hold it, for you deserve it better than me. You are older, and you as well witnessed the Battle of Badr.” Thābit (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) insisted, “Come on, take it, you know the art of fighting far better than me. By Allāh, I only held it to give it to you.” He then called to the Muslims, asking, “Do you support Khālid’s command?” They responded eagerly, “Yes, we do!”

In that decisive moment, the great warrior Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) mounted his horse and extended the flag forward with his right hand, as though he were knocking on a long-closed door that was finally ready to be flung open. This action was to set him on a long but secure path that he would traverse during the Prophet’s life and after his passing (ﷺ) until he met his inevitable end.

Without hesitation, Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) plunged into the battlefield, his eyes as sharp as a hawk’s. His mind raced as he analyzed all potential scenarios during the fierce combat that ensued. He efficiently divided his army into groups, assigning each a specific task. Utilizing his exceptional skill and ingenuity, he managed to carve a pathway through the Roman forces, allowing the entire Muslim army to retreat intact. This narrow escape was attributed to Khālid’s tactical brilliance, and thus, the victory was achieved. Khālid returned to Makkah as one of the commanders of the Muslim army and the Muslim nation.

Let’s pause here and continue next week, Allāh willing.

I beseech Allāh to be especially merciful to Khālid Ibn al-Walīd.