The first time I heard about Khalid bin al-Walid—the 7th century Muslim jihadi affectionately known in Islamic history as “The Sword of Allah”—was when I was in college researching for my MA thesis on the Battle of Yarmuk, when the Muslims, under Khalid’s generalship, defeated the Byzantines in 636, opening the way for the historic Islamic conquests.
Nearly a decade and a half later, Khalid, that jihadi par excellence, has come to personify a dichotomy for me—how the jihad is understood in the West and how it really is: officially, Western academia, media, and politicians portray it as defensive war to protect Muslim honor and territory; in reality, however, jihad is all too often little more than a byword to justify the most primitive and barbaric passions of its potential recruits and practitioners.
Based on the English language sources I perused in college, Khalid was a heroic, no-nonsense kind of jihadi—fierce but fair, stern but just. He was the champion of the Apostasy Wars, when he slaughtered countless Arabs for trying to leave Islam after the death of Muhammad.
Modern day Muslims writing about Khalid—see for example Pakistani army lieutenant-general A.I Akram’s The Sword of Allah—had naught but praise for him, the scourge of infidels and apostates.
But as years went by, I came across more arcane and Arabic sources telling of the “darker side” of The Sword—a depraved and sadistic side.
For example, only recently I came across a video of a modern-day Egyptian Salafi explaining how Khalid raped Layla, the wife of Malik bin Nuwayra—but only after he severed her husband’s head, lit it on fire, and cooked his dinner on it.
Khalid was recalled and questioned by the caliph—not because he killed and dined on an apostate’s head and “married” his wife, but because some believed that Malik was still Muslim, not an apostate to be treated so, and that Khalid killed him on the accusation of apostasy only as a pretext to take possession of his wife, whose beauty was renowned.
In the words of Ibn Kathir’s authoritative historical tome, The Beginning and the End (al-bidaya we al-nihaya), “And he [Khalid] ordered his [Malik’s] head and he combined it with two stones and cooked a pot over them. And Khalid ate from it that night to terrify the apostate Arab tribes and others. And it was said that Malik’s hair created such a blaze that the meat was so thoroughly cooked.”
More eye-opening is the way the videotaped Egyptian cleric recounts this whole narrative with awe and admiration… Keep reading
Brian C. Hoff says
Here is than better video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42xFVr-Ats&feature=related. When the Caph travel to Holy City to take it surrend he travel with no bodygraud or army it was himself and his personal slave with one camonl which they took turn rideing. The Caph wore than simple rodes with 27 patch in it to cover holes in it. He rode than donkey into the city.
Salah says
Thank you, Raymond. Very interesting info.
Same thing happened with Kinana; he was tortured and killed on the orders of Muhammad. That same night, the great “prohet” of Islam married Kinana’s beautiful wife Safia.
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/04/safiya-and-muhammad-safiya-et-mahomet.html
RodSerling says
Re Khalid bin Walid, Benjamin Walker wrote:
“A wine-lover and lustful debaucher, Khalid took sickly sadistic delight in beheading a defeated chieftain on the battle-field, selecting his wife (if young) or daughter and celebrating his nuptials with her on the spot soaked with the blood of the victim (father/husband of the bride).” [Benjamin Walker, Foundations of Islam, p. 316.]
Shane says
More evidence that Islam is a religion of war, and women are second-class Muslims. If the world knew the truth about Islam, Muhammad, and jihad no country would want Muslim immigrants. This guy sounds like the perfect psychopath to replace Muhammad as the leader of Islam.
Brian C. Hoff says
Here is than ranking of the 50th top general in history he rank #6 on the list. He never went to than military school.
shabeer says
Apostate ordered killing when they are fighting against Islam: committed murder and theft
Bukhari :: Book 9 :: Volume 83 :: Hadith 37
“By Allah, Allah’s Apostle never killed anyone except in one of the following three situations: (1) A person who killed somebody unjustly, was killed (in Qisas,) (2) a married person who committed illegal sexual intercourse and >>>>>>>>>>>>>(3) a man who fought against Allah and His Apostle<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>> one who wages war against Allah and His Apostle.<<<<<<<<<" …………..
Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 52 :: Hadith 261
Apostate not killed:
Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 56 :: Hadith 814
Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 30 :: Hadith 107,108
Muslim :: Book 31 : Hadith 6087 [not blindly kill innocent people]
Prophet allow Apostate to live
Muslim :: Book 20 : Hadith 4593
Muslim :: Book 20 : Hadith 4593
It has been narrated by Salama b. al-Akwa' that he visited al-Hajjaj who said to him: O son of al-Akwa', you have turned apostate and have come to live again in the desert with the Bedouins (after your migration). He said: No, but the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) has permitted me to live in the desert.
Apostate killed wrong meaning: [actually it for adultery & killer, prophet used the word [li'l-jama'ah or al-jama'ah]
Muslim :: Book 16 : Hadith
Muslim :: Book 16 : Hadith 4152,4154
Allah will punish apostate:
3:86. How shall Allâh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers).
3:87. they are those whose recompense is that on them (rests) the Curse of Allâh, of the angels, and of all mankind.
3:88. they will abide therein (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened, nor will it be delayed or postponed (for a while).
3: 90. Verily, those who disbelieved after their Belief and then went on increasing in their disbelief (i.e. disbelief in the Qur'ân and in Prophet Muhammad SAW) – never will their repentance be accepted [because they repent only by their tongues and not from their hearts]. And they are those who are astray.
3: 177. Verily, those who purchase disbelief at the price of Faith, not the least harm will they do to Allâh. For them, there is a painful torment.
4: 137. Verily, those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe (again), and (again) disbelieve, and go on increasing in disbelief; Allâh will not forgive them, nor guide them on the (Right) Way.
9: 74. They swear by Allâh that they said nothing (bad), but really they said the word of disbelief, and they disbelieved after accepting Islâm, and they resolved that (plot to murder Prophet Muhammad SAW) which they were unable to carry out, and they could not find any cause to do so except that Allâh and His Messenger had enriched them of His Bounty. If then they repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, Allâh will punish them with a painful torment in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And there is none for them on earth as a Walî (supporter, protector) or a helper.
16: 106. Whoever disbelieved in Allâh after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allâh, and theirs will be a great torment.
9: 101. And among the Bedouins round about you, some are hypocrites, and so are some among the people of Al-Madinah, they exaggerate and persist in hypocrisy, you (O Muhammad SAW) know them not, We know them. We shall punish them twice, and thereafter they shall be brought back to a great (horrible) torment.
Apostate Double face/lie:
3: 72. And a party of the people of the Scripture say: "Believe in the morning in that which is revealed to the believers (Muslims), and reject it at the end of the day, so that they may turn back.
47: 25. Verily, those who have turned back (have apostate) as disbelievers after the guidance has been manifested to them, Shaitân (Satan) has beautified for them (their false hopes), and (Allâh) prolonged their term (age).
26. This is because they said to those who hate what Allâh has sent down: "We will obey you in part of the matter," but Allâh knows their secrets.
Apostate heart sealed:
63: 3. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not.
4: 137. Verily, those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe (again), and (again) disbelieve, and go on increasing in disbelief; Allâh will not forgive them, nor guide them on the (Right) Way.
Apostate talking kind manner [with lie]
63: 4. And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allâh curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path.
Apostate with pride:
63: 5. And when it is said to them: "Come, so that the Messenger of Allâh may ask forgiveness from Allâh for you", they turn aside their heads, and you would see them turning away their faces in pride.
Apostate going on the way of evil:
47: 25. Verily, those who have turned back (have apostated) as disbelievers after the guidance has been manifested to them, Shaitân (Satan) has beautified for them (their false hopes), and (Allâh) prolonged their term (age).
No use for the advice of truth:
63: 6. It is equal to them whether you (Muhammad SAW) ask forgiveness or ask not forgiveness for them. Verily, Allâh guides not the people who are the Fâsiqîn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh) .
Immoral behavior of apostate:
63: 7. They are the ones who say: "Spend not on those who are with Allâh's Messenger, until they desert him." And to Allâh belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites comprehend not.
8. They (hypocrites) say: "If we return to Al-Madinah, indeed the more honorable ('Abdûllah bin Ubai bin Salul, the chief of hyprocrites at Al¬Madinah) will expel there from the meaner (i.e. Allah’s Messenger SAW)." But honor, power and glory belong to Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.
Character of apostate
3: 167. And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the Way of Allâh or (at least) defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allâh has full knowledge of what they conceal.
9: 107. And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harming and disbelief, and to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who warned against Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allâh bears witness that they are certainly liars.
33: 14. And if the enemy had entered from all sides (of the city), and they had been exhorted to Al¬Fitnah (i.e. to renegade from Islâm to polytheism) they would surely have committed it and would have hesitated thereupon but little.
9: 75. And of them are some who made a covenant with Allâh (saying): "If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqâh (Zakât and voluntary charity in Allâh's Cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous."
76. Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqâh (Zakât or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse.
77. So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allâh) which they had promised Him and because they used to tell lies.
79. Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allâh's Cause) voluntarily, and those who could not find to give charity (in Allâh's Cause) except what is available to them, so they mock at them (believers), Allâh will throw back their mockery on them, and they shall have a painful torment.
People have right to hide their belief in public, no punishment when they published it:
Bukhari :: Book 9 :: Volume 83 :: Hadith 5
Thouba[forgiveness] for apostate:
3: 89. Except for those who repent after that and do righteous deeds. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
5: 34. Except for those who (having fled away and then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power; in that case, know that Allâh is Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful.
9: 11. But if they repent, perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, then they are your brethren in religion. (In this way) We explain the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for a people who know.
49: 14. The Bedouins say: "We believe." Say: "You believe not but you only say, 'We have surrendered (in Islâm),' for Faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), He will not decrease anything in reward for your deeds. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Malik :: Book 36 : Hadith 36.18.16
Prophet pray for apostate
9: 80. Whether you (O Muhammad SAW) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites) or ask not forgiveness for them … (and even) if you ask seventy times for their forgiveness … Allâh will not forgive them, because they have disbelieved in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW). And Allâh guides not those people who are Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).
Malik :: Book 36 : Hadith 36.18.15
Peer Zulqarnain Shah says
Mr. Raymond; its time to face collectively the horror of terrorism because it is dangerous for humanity not only for one region. Terrorism has become cross border issue, its a faceless and jolting the socio economic and political structure of international community. As u have a grip on Middle East Issues u understand better the Arabian Terrorist organizations and individuals reaction and hostile behavior due to Regino-political conflicts with Far and Near Enemies. Mr. Raymond u and we all know that Terrorists organizations use the cover of ideologies and religion to cover their motives and mobilize the masses but basically they have political vested interests. Robert Spencers like minded Scholars understand the core issue but they don’t reveal the truth.
Regards; Peer Zulqarnain Shah, NARC, FL, USA