THE FIGHT AGAINST MŪSĀILIMAH

 FAJR REMINDER: THE FIGHT AGAINST MŪSĀILIMAH

By: Umm ‘Affān

Jumādā al-Ākhirah 28, 1447 (20-December-2025)

During the time of Abū Bakr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) as he engaged in battle against the apostates, he strategically divided the army into eleven sections, each designated for a specific role. Khālid Ibn al-Walīd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) was appointed as the leader of a significant division. Upon handing each commander their flag, the Khalīfah addressed Khālid, stating, “I heard the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) say: ‘What a good slave of Allāh and member of the tribe Khālid Ibn al-Walīd is! [He is] one of the swords of Allāh that Allāh, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has unsheathed against disbelievers and hypocrites.” [Musnad Aḥmad 43]

This led to the Battle of Al-Yamāmah, where Banu Hanīfah, along with allied Arab tribes, assembled one of the most formidable armies of apostasy, headed by Mūsāilimah the Liar. Several Muslim contingents attempted to vanquish his forces but were unsuccessful. 

Ultimately, Khalīfah Abū Bakr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) commanded Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) to advance toward the encampment of Banu Hanīfah. Upon learning that Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) was approaching, Mūsāilimah swiftly reorganized his troops into a fearsome and devastating combat force.

One night, a contingent led by Majā‘ah Ibn Marārah launched attacks into the ranks of the Muslims, but they were defeated, resulting in the death of many of Majā‘ah's companions.

Eventually, the forces of the Muslims and Mūsāilimah's army clashed fiercely at Aqrabāi, resulting in a battle of unprecedented ferocity. The Muslims found themselves under intense pressure, and Banu Hanīfah infiltrated Khālid's (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) tent. Nevertheless, the Muslims rallied and pushed them back.

Throughout the battle, Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) consistently urged his men with statements like ‘Allāh is the Greatest’ and ‘There is no god worthy of worship but Allāh.’ He maneuvered his troops in such a way that their swords became instruments of inevitable victory. He inspired them with the words: “O people, distinguish yourselves; we are well-acquainted with the affliction of the living and we are well-acquainted with where we are coming from.”

With a surge of enthusiasm akin to an electric current, Khālid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) instilled confidence within his soldiers. This was a demonstration of his remarkable strategic ability, shaping the most crucial and intense battle of apostasy.

Remarkably, within just a few moments, the Muslim forces shifted the tide against Mūsāilimah's army. Mūsāilimah's soldiers fell by the hundreds and even thousands. Ultimately, Mūsāilimah was slain, leaving his forces scattered across the battlefield. The Muslim army, comprised of thirteen thousand men, achieved a significant victory over Mūsāilimah’s approximately forty thousand troops.

In the end, the banner of the false prophet was buried forever. Upon receiving the joyful news, the Khalīfah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) expressed his gratitude to Allāh the Great and Most High for granting victory through this heroic figure.

I beseech Allāh to be Especially Merciful to Khālid Ibn al-Walīd. Aameen.,