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The Battle of Yamama and Sword of Allah:
Musailima al-Kadhab Army was the largest and most fanatical enemy force Muslims had ever faced in the early years of Islam after the Prophet's (PBUH) death, and its commander [Musailima] was the most vicious and cunning of men.
The Battle of Yamama and Sword of Allah:
Musailima al-Kadhab Army was the largest and most fanatical enemy force Muslims had ever faced in the early years of Islam after the Prophet's (PBUH) death, and its commander [Musailima] was the most vicious and cunning of men.
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Before the main battle, there were series of events that went in favor of Musailima thus demoralizing Muslims before Khalid bin Waleed took command.
Abu Bakr (R.A) appointed Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl as the commander of one of the corps that would advance and make contact..
Before the main battle, there were series of events that went in favor of Musailima thus demoralizing Muslims before Khalid bin Waleed took command.
Abu Bakr (R.A) appointed Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl as the commander of one of the corps that would advance and make contact..
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..with the forces of Musailima at Yamamah, clear orders were given not to get involved in a battle with the Musailima.
Abu Bakr knew better than most of his generals the power and ability of Musailima and did not wish to risk fighting him with insufficient forces.
..with the forces of Musailima at Yamamah, clear orders were given not to get involved in a battle with the Musailima.
Abu Bakr knew better than most of his generals the power and ability of Musailima and did not wish to risk fighting him with insufficient forces.
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Since Khalid was his finest general, the Caliph had made up his mind to use him to deal with Musailima after he had finished with other military campaigns.
Abu Bakr's intention in giving Ikrimah this mission was to tie Musailima down at Yamamah.
Since Khalid was his finest general, the Caliph had made up his mind to use him to deal with Musailima after he had finished with other military campaigns.
Abu Bakr's intention in giving Ikrimah this mission was to tie Musailima down at Yamamah.
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Ikrimah advanced with his corps and established a camp somewhere in the region of Yamamah. In the meanwhile, Abu Bakr (R.A) ordered another Muslim commander Shurahhbil bin Hasanah to join Ikrimah, at this point Ikrimah made a strategic error by engaging Musailima army..
Ikrimah advanced with his corps and established a camp somewhere in the region of Yamamah. In the meanwhile, Abu Bakr (R.A) ordered another Muslim commander Shurahhbil bin Hasanah to join Ikrimah, at this point Ikrimah made a strategic error by engaging Musailima army..
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in a fight which he lost badly.
Abu Bakr(R.A) was both pained & angered by the rashness of Ikrimah & his disobedience of the orders given to him. He made no attempt to conceal his anger in the letter tht he wrote to Ikrimah. He was ordered to procced to Oman to assist Hudaifa.
in a fight which he lost badly.
Abu Bakr(R.A) was both pained & angered by the rashness of Ikrimah & his disobedience of the orders given to him. He made no attempt to conceal his anger in the letter tht he wrote to Ikrimah. He was ordered to procced to Oman to assist Hudaifa.
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Shurahbil remained in the region of Yamamah. To ensure that he did not fall into the error of Ikrimah, Abu Bakr wrote to him: "Stay where you are and await further instructions." and also ordered Khalid bin Waleed to move to Yamamah to destroy the forces of Musailima.
Shurahbil remained in the region of Yamamah. To ensure that he did not fall into the error of Ikrimah, Abu Bakr wrote to him: "Stay where you are and await further instructions." and also ordered Khalid bin Waleed to move to Yamamah to destroy the forces of Musailima.
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Khalid would have under command the corps of Shurahbil and other detachments of Ansars and Emigrants sent by Abu Bakr (R.A). The strength of Khalid's army amounted to 13000 men.
Khalid would have under command the corps of Shurahbil and other detachments of Ansars and Emigrants sent by Abu Bakr (R.A). The strength of Khalid's army amounted to 13000 men.
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A few days before Khalid's arrival Shurahbil had given in to the same temptation as Ikrimah, seeking glory, he had advanced and clashed with Musailima. Feeling sorry about the whole affair, Shurahbil expressed his regrets to Khalid, who rebuked him severely.
A few days before Khalid's arrival Shurahbil had given in to the same temptation as Ikrimah, seeking glory, he had advanced and clashed with Musailima. Feeling sorry about the whole affair, Shurahbil expressed his regrets to Khalid, who rebuked him severely.
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The two successful actions fought by Musailima against Ikrimah and Shurahbil, both of whom had recoiled from the blows of Musailima, had increased their
confidence in themselves and created an aura of invincibility around the Musailima.
The two successful actions fought by Musailima against Ikrimah and Shurahbil, both of whom had recoiled from the blows of Musailima, had increased their
confidence in themselves and created an aura of invincibility around the Musailima.
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On the following morning, the two armies deployed for battle. Musailima organized his 40000 men into a center, a left-wing and a right-wing. Musailima decided to await the attack of Khalid. He would fight on the defensive initially, and go on to the offensive..
On the following morning, the two armies deployed for battle. Musailima organized his 40000 men into a center, a left-wing and a right-wing. Musailima decided to await the attack of Khalid. He would fight on the defensive initially, and go on to the offensive..
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..when he had blunted the attack of his adversary and thrown him off balance.
For this battle, Khalid formed his men not in tribal groups, as had been the custom, but in regiments and wings as required for battle, with tribal contingents intermingled.
..when he had blunted the attack of his adversary and thrown him off balance.
For this battle, Khalid formed his men not in tribal groups, as had been the custom, but in regiments and wings as required for battle, with tribal contingents intermingled.
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The rebels had a numerical superiority of 3-to-1. Early on a cold morning in the third week of December 632 began the Battle of Yamamah.
Khalid ordered a general attack, and the entire Muslim front surged forward with cries of Allah-o-Akbar.
The rebels had a numerical superiority of 3-to-1. Early on a cold morning in the third week of December 632 began the Battle of Yamamah.
Khalid ordered a general attack, and the entire Muslim front surged forward with cries of Allah-o-Akbar.
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The two armies clashed and the air was filled with shouts and screams as strong men slashed and thrust at each other. Khalid cut down every man who came before him.
The two armies clashed and the air was filled with shouts and screams as strong men slashed and thrust at each other. Khalid cut down every man who came before him.
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Then Musailima, realizing that if he remained on the defensive much longer the chances of a Muslim break-through would increase, ordered a general counter-attack all along the front.
Gradually the numerical superiority of the Musailima army began to tell.
Then Musailima, realizing that if he remained on the defensive much longer the chances of a Muslim break-through would increase, ordered a general counter-attack all along the front.
Gradually the numerical superiority of the Musailima army began to tell.
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Fighting in massed, compact bodies against the thinner muslin ranks, they increased their pressure. The Muslims proceeded to fall back steadily. Then the pace of withdrawal became faster. The Muslim withdrawal turned into a confused retreat.
Fighting in massed, compact bodies against the thinner muslin ranks, they increased their pressure. The Muslims proceeded to fall back steadily. Then the pace of withdrawal became faster. The Muslim withdrawal turned into a confused retreat.
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Musailima's soldiers gained an early advantage to the degree that they were able to enter Khalid's command post.
Khalid bin Waleed could see what had gone wrong Khalid saw that forming regiments out of mixed tribal contingents had been a mistake..
Musailima's soldiers gained an early advantage to the degree that they were able to enter Khalid's command post.
Khalid bin Waleed could see what had gone wrong Khalid saw that forming regiments out of mixed tribal contingents had been a mistake..
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..for the clan feeling was still very strong among the Arabs. It added another pillar of strength to the Islamic zeal and the individual courage and skill which distinguished the Muslim army.
..for the clan feeling was still very strong among the Arabs. It added another pillar of strength to the Islamic zeal and the individual courage and skill which distinguished the Muslim army.
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In face of the three-to-one superiority of the enemy and the blind, fanatical determination ofMusailima's followers, the absence of tribal loyalty had resulted in a weakening of cohesion in the Muslim regiments. Khalid corrected this mistake and regrouped the army.
In face of the three-to-one superiority of the enemy and the blind, fanatical determination ofMusailima's followers, the absence of tribal loyalty had resulted in a weakening of cohesion in the Muslim regiments. Khalid corrected this mistake and regrouped the army.
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He deployed it in the same battle formation with the same commanders, but the soldiers were now formed into the clan and tribal units. Thus every man would fight not only for Islam but also for the honor of his clan. There would be healthy rivalry among the clans.
He deployed it in the same battle formation with the same commanders, but the soldiers were now formed into the clan and tribal units. Thus every man would fight not only for Islam but also for the honor of his clan. There would be healthy rivalry among the clans.
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Thus reorganized and reformed into orderly ranks, the Muslims once again advanced to the plain of Aqraba. They returned to battle, not like lions, but like hungry lions!
Khalid now realized that with their fanatical faith in their false prophet..
Thus reorganized and reformed into orderly ranks, the Muslims once again advanced to the plain of Aqraba. They returned to battle, not like lions, but like hungry lions!
Khalid now realized that with their fanatical faith in their false prophet..
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his army would not give in. It was evident that only the death of Musailima could break the spirit of his men, it would be a moral setback, which would lead quickly to physical defeat.
But Musailima was not dueling in front like Khalid.
his army would not give in. It was evident that only the death of Musailima could break the spirit of his men, it would be a moral setback, which would lead quickly to physical defeat.
But Musailima was not dueling in front like Khalid.
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He would have to be drawn out of the safety of the apostate ranks in which he stood surrounded by his faithful followers.
Then Khalid stepped out towards the enemy center and threw a challenge to single combat: "I am the son of Al Waleed! Will anyone duel?"
He would have to be drawn out of the safety of the apostate ranks in which he stood surrounded by his faithful followers.
Then Khalid stepped out towards the enemy center and threw a challenge to single combat: "I am the son of Al Waleed! Will anyone duel?"
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Several champions came out of the apostate ranks to accept the challenge of Khalid and advanced towards him one by one. Khalid took perhaps a minute to dispose of each opponent.
Several champions came out of the apostate ranks to accept the challenge of Khalid and advanced towards him one by one. Khalid took perhaps a minute to dispose of each opponent.
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After each duel he would recite his own extemporized verses:
I am the son of many chiefs.
My sword is sharp and terrible.
It is the mightiest of things
When the pot of war boils fiercely.
Slowly and steadily Khalid advanced towards Musailima, killing champion after champion
After each duel he would recite his own extemporized verses:
I am the son of many chiefs.
My sword is sharp and terrible.
It is the mightiest of things
When the pot of war boils fiercely.
Slowly and steadily Khalid advanced towards Musailima, killing champion after champion
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and became close enough to Musailima to talk to him without shouting. Khalid had already determined to kill Musailima. The talks were only baiting to draw him close enough. Khalid sprang at him,
Khalid was fast. But Musailima was faster.
and became close enough to Musailima to talk to him without shouting. Khalid had already determined to kill Musailima. The talks were only baiting to draw him close enough. Khalid sprang at him,
Khalid was fast. But Musailima was faster.
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In a flash, he had turned on his heels and was gone! But in that moment of flight, something meaningful happened to the spirit of the two armies, depressing one and exalting the other. The flight of their 'prophet' and commander from Khalid was a disgraceful sight..
In a flash, he had turned on his heels and was gone! But in that moment of flight, something meaningful happened to the spirit of the two armies, depressing one and exalting the other. The flight of their 'prophet' and commander from Khalid was a disgraceful sight..
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in the eyes of the apostates, the Muslims rejoiced. To exploit the psychological opportunity which now presented itself, Khalid ordered an immediate renewal of the offensive. Musailima and his army retreated to a walled Garden while the bulk of his army broke and fled..
in the eyes of the apostates, the Muslims rejoiced. To exploit the psychological opportunity which now presented itself, Khalid ordered an immediate renewal of the offensive. Musailima and his army retreated to a walled Garden while the bulk of his army broke and fled..
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..scattering in all directions.
The fighting became more vicious. But Musaylimah was still fighting: he had no intention of giving up. As the front moved closer to him, he joined in the combat.
..scattering in all directions.
The fighting became more vicious. But Musaylimah was still fighting: he had no intention of giving up. As the front moved closer to him, he joined in the combat.
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The last phase of the battle now entered its climax. Musaylimah became the target of Wahshy ibn Harb (the same man who killed Hamza (RA), the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the Battle of Uhud).
The last phase of the battle now entered its climax. Musaylimah became the target of Wahshy ibn Harb (the same man who killed Hamza (RA), the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the Battle of Uhud).
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He threw the javelin and struck Musaylimah in the stomach; the next moment Abu Dujana cut off Musaylimah's head. The news of the death of Musaylimah brought about the rout of his forces.
He threw the javelin and struck Musaylimah in the stomach; the next moment Abu Dujana cut off Musaylimah's head. The news of the death of Musaylimah brought about the rout of his forces.
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The garden where this last phase of the battle took place became known as the "Garden of Death", as the approximately 7000 rebels within it were slaughtered.
The garden where this last phase of the battle took place became known as the "Garden of Death", as the approximately 7000 rebels within it were slaughtered.
Reference:
Sword of Allah -- Khalid bin Al-Waleed by Lt-General A.I. Akram
Sword of Allah -- Khalid bin Al-Waleed by Lt-General A.I. Akram
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