Aqdam أقدام

Companion of the Prophet ﷺ

خالد بن الوليد

رضي الله عنه

Khalid ibn al-Walid

Khalid ibn al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi al-Qurashi

Brilliant Qurashi cavalry commander who accepted Islam before the conquest of Makkah and was called a sword among the swords of Allah.

  • Sayf Allah (Sword of Allah)
A day in his footsteps
  • KunyaAbu Sulayman
  • Family and tribeQuraysh (Banu Makhzum)
  • Bornc. 585 CE (approx.)
  • Died642 CE / 21 AH
  • Resting placeHoms (Emesa), Syria
  • Counted amongMuhajirun

Introduction

Khalid ibn al-Walid came from the noble Makhzum clan of Quraysh. Before Islam he was a gifted cavalry commander and led the Quraysh horsemen against the Prophet on the road to Hudaybiyyah. Some time before the conquest of Makkah, he accepted Islam, and thereafter placed his skill entirely in the service of the Muslim community.

At the battle of Mu'tah, after three commanders had fallen, he took the standard and, though not formally appointed, Allah gave victory through him. The Prophet told the people about it with tears in his eyes and called Khalid a sword from among the swords of Allah. Under Abu Bakr and Umar he led armies in Arabia, Iraq and Syria.

He kept his weapons and armour dedicated to the path of Allah, and the Prophet defended him when he was accused of withholding zakat. He died in 21 AH at Homs.

The story

  1. 6 AH / 628 CE

    Led the Quraysh cavalry that threatened the Muslim column on the road to Hudaybiyyah.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 2731Sahih
    Arabic text

    … قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنِ الْمِسْوَرِ بْنِ مَخْرَمَةَ، وَمَرْوَانَ، يُصَدِّقُ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا حَدِيثَ صَاحِبِهِ قَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَمَنَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ، حَتَّى كَانُوا بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" إِنَّ خَالِدَ بْنَ الْوَلِيدِ بِالْغَمِيمِ فِي خَيْلٍ لِقُرَيْشٍ طَلِيعَةً فَخُذُوا ذَاتَ …

    “Khalid bin Al-Walid leading the cavalry of Quraish”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

  2. c. 8 AH

    Accepted Islam and joined the Muslims.

  3. 8 AH / 629 CE, Mu'tah

    Took the flag after three commanders fell, and Allah gave victory.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 3063Sahih
    Arabic text

    قَالَ خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَخَذَ الرَّايَةَ زَيْدٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا جَعْفَرٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ عَنْ غَيْرِ إِمْرَةٍ فَفُتِحَ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَسُرُّنِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ مَا يَسُرُّهُمْ ـ أَنَّهُمْ عِنْدَنَا". وَقَالَ وَإِنَّ عَيْنَيْهِ لَتَذْرِفَانِ.

    “Khalid bin Al-Walid took it without being appointed, and Allah gave him victory”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

  4. 11-13 AH

    Fought the Ridda wars and the first campaigns in Iraq under Abu Bakr.

  5. 13-15 AH / 634-636 CE

    Commanded in the conquest of Syria.

  6. 21 AH / 642 CE

    Died at Homs.

A day in their footsteps

4 small, repeatable practices from Khalid ibn al-Walid's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.

  1. Dedicating wealth and weapons to Allah's cause

    When collectors complained that Khalid had not paid zakat, the Prophet said they were being unfair to him, because he had set aside his armour and equipment for Allah's cause.

    Try this today

    Treat part of your wealth as already given for Allah's cause, and be generous without drawing attention.

    Sit with this

    What part of your wealth could you treat as already given for Allah?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 1468Sahih

    … خَالِدًا، قَدِ احْتَبَسَ أَدْرَاعَهُ وَأَعْتُدَهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، وَأَمَّا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَعَمُّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَهْىَ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ وَمِثْلُهَا مَعَهَا". تَابَعَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ. وَقَالَ ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ هِيَ عَلَيْهِ وَمِثْلُهَا مَعَهَا. وَقَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ حُدِّثْتُ عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ …

    “you are unfair in asking Zakat from Khalid as he is keeping his armor for Allah's Cause”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

  2. Asking before acting on a religious matter

    At Maymunah's house, Khalid saw the Prophet withdraw his hand from a roasted mastigure and asked immediately whether it was unlawful. Because he asked, the ruling became known to everyone.

    Try this today

    Do not leave a doubt about halal and haram unasked; ask the person who knows.

    Sit with this

    What doubt about halal and haram could you ask about today?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 5391Sahih

    … اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا قَدَّمْتُنَّ لَهُ، هُوَ الضَّبُّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. فَرَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ عَنِ الضَّبِّ، فَقَالَ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ أَحَرَامٌ الضَّبُّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " لاَ وَلَكِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِأَرْضِ قَوْمِي فَأَجِدُنِي أَعَافُهُ". قَالَ خَالِدٌ فَاجْتَرَرْتُهُ فَأَكَلْتُهُ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْظُرُ …

    “O Allah's Messenger! Is this unlawful to eat?”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

  3. Taking responsibility in a crisis

    When Zayd, Ja'far and Ibn Rawahah fell at Mu'tah, Khalid took the flag without being appointed and Allah gave the Muslims victory through him. The Prophet narrated what happened to the Muslims in Madinah before the news arrived.

    Try this today

    Step forward when a need is clear and nobody is leading, and then report back honestly.

    Sit with this

    Where is a clear need with nobody leading, and could you step forward?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3063Sahih

    قَالَ خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَخَذَ الرَّايَةَ زَيْدٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا جَعْفَرٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ عَنْ غَيْرِ إِمْرَةٍ فَفُتِحَ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَسُرُّنِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ مَا يَسُرُّهُمْ ـ أَنَّهُمْ عِنْدَنَا". وَقَالَ وَإِنَّ عَيْنَيْهِ لَتَذْرِفَانِ.

    “Khalid bin Al-Walid took it without being appointed, and Allah gave him victory”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

  4. Returning what belongs to others, even in war

    As commander in Syria, Khalid recovered a slave and a horse that had defected or been taken by the enemy and returned them to Abdullah ibn Umar.

    Try this today

    Return property to its owner, whoever you are and whatever your position.

    Sit with this

    Is there something in your keeping that belongs to someone else?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3068Sahih

    أَنَّ عَبْدًا، لاِبْنِ عُمَرَ أَبَقَ فَلَحِقَ بِالرُّومِ، فَظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، فَرَدَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، وَأَنَّ فَرَسًا لاِبْنِ عُمَرَ عَارَ فَلَحِقَ بِالرُّومِ، فَظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدُّوهُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ. قَالَ أَبُو عَبْد اللَّهِ عَارَ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ الْعَيْرِ وَهُوَ حِمَارُ وَحْشٍ أَيْ هَرَبَ

    “Khalid bin Al-Walid got him back and returned him to `Abdullah (bin `Umar)”

    Grade: Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Virtues

  • The Prophet called him an excellent servant of Allah and a sword from among the swords of Allah.

    “What an excellent slave of Allah is Khalid bin Al-Walid, a sword from among the swords of Allah”

    Arabic text

    … عَبْدُ اللَّهِ هَذَا". حَتَّى مَرَّ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ فَقَالَ" مَنْ هَذَا". فَقُلْتُ هَذَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ. فَقَالَ" نِعْمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ سَيْفٌ مِنْ سُيُوفِ اللَّهِ". قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ وَلاَ نَعْرِفُ لِزَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ سَمَاعًا مِنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَهُوَ عِنْدِي حَدِيثٌ مُرْسَلٌ. وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ …

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 3846Sahih

  • Ibn Abbas called him 'the Sword of Allah' when narrating his visit to Maymunah with the Prophet.

    “Khalid b. Walid who is called the Sword of Allah”

    Arabic text

    … يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ بْنِ سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ خَالِدَ بْنَ الْوَلِيدِ الَّذِي يُقَالُ لَهُ سَيْفُ اللَّهِ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، دَخَلَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى مَيْمُونَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهِيَ خَالَتُهُ وَخَالَةُ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَوَجَدَ …

    Sahih Muslim 1946Sahih

Words on this page

Halal and haramحلال وحرام
What is permitted (halal) and what is forbidden (haram) in Islamic law.
Madinahالمدينة
The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
Makkahمكة
The city of the Ka'bah, where the Prophet ﷺ was born and revelation began.
Qurayshقريش
The leading tribe of Makkah, to which the Prophet ﷺ belonged, and which opposed him for most of his mission.
Zakatالزكاة
The obligatory annual alms on wealth above a threshold, one of the five pillars of Islam.

The full glossary

Sources and review

Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.

This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.

Suggest a correction

← All companions