Part 14

Abu Qatadah, Al-Harith Ibn Rib*yy Al-Ansaaryy, testified that the prisoners offered Salaah, while others said they neither gave Adhaan nor offered prayer. The prisoners retired for the night. At the dead of night, Khalid ordered that the night being cold, the prisoners should be kept warm, but this order was misunderstood to be an order for murder. Accordingly, Malik and his male companions were killed. It was Daraar Ibn

Al-Azwad who murdered Malik [bn Nuwayrah. Having seen the Malik and his companions killed, Khalid remarked, "If Allah wills that something should occur, it surely occurs.”

After the death of Malik, the entire tribe of Bani Tameem surrendered and professed faith in Islam. Khalid immediately married Layla, the beautiful widow of Malik Ibn Nuwayrah.

The campaign against the Bani Tameem was a masterstroke from the political point of view. It brought the entire tribe to the fold of Islam. From the military point of view the significance of the action at Bitaah was that the rear of Sajaah. the false Prophetess, was cut off, and she could no longer count on the support of Bani Tameem.

The episode, however, led to considerable scandal. In some quarters it was held that Malik was indeed a Muslim, and that he had been murdered merely because Khalid coveted his pretty wife. Some of the Ansaar in the army of Khalid led by Abu Qatadah refused to fight under the command of Khalid. Abu Qatadah along with Malik's brother set out for Madeenah to lodge a complaint against Khalid before the Caliph. MuTameem was a distinguished poet, and he composed an elegy mourning the death of his brother, and condemning Khalid as his murderer. These verses became popular in Madeenah and those who listened to them grieved at the murder of Malik.

Khalid was summoned to Madeenah and was asked to clarify his position. There were two charges against him: murdering a Muslim man and marrying his wife. Khalid's defense of himself was that if according to the Prophet, peace

and blessings be upon him, he was the "Sword of Allah", such sword could not fall on the neck of a Muslim.

On entering the Grand Mosque in his rusty armor with arrows stuck in his turban, Khalid was noticed by ~ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, who went up to him, pulled out the arrows and broke them into pieces. He said threateningly: "You have killed a Muslim in cold blood and taken his wife for yours! By Allah! You deserve to be stoned!" Nevertheless, when Khalid met the Caliph, he managed to defend himself and was excused, though he did not escape being criticized for his disgraceful marriage with Layla.

“Umar was of the view that Khalid was to be blamed, and he should be suitably punished. Abu Bakr felt that a military commander, Khalid was indispensable. His view was that even if it was held that Khalid was guilty of a lapse, such lapse could be passed over in the broader interest of Islam. Musaylamah in the Yamamah valley was posing a great threat to the Muslims. Two Muslim Generals sent against Musaylamah had suffered defeat. The position was critical, and at that stage a General of the caliber of Khalid alone could vindicate the honor of Islam. Abu Bakr decided to overlook the lapse of Khalid, and directed him to undertake operations against Musaylamah. As_ there were doubts whether Malik was or was not a Muslim, Abu Bakr decided that blood money should be paid out of the Baytul-Maal to the heirs of Malik for his murder.

“Umar did not feel happy at this decision of Abu Bakr. When ~Umar remonstrated, Abu Bakr observed: "Umar, I cannot sheathe the sword, which Allah has intended to be wielded against the non-Muslims."

Campaign Against Musaylamah Al-Khadhaab (The Liar):

Of all the imposters and false Prophet s who rose in Arabia after the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the most notorious and dangerous was Musaylamah Al-Khadhaab (the liar), who belonged to the Banu Haneefah tribe of Central Arabia.

Musaylamah visited Madeenah during the lifetime of the Prophet, and enjoyed the privilege of his company for some time. On return from Madeenah, Musaylamah, however, claimed himself to be a Prophet of Allah. He laid claim to a divine mission and formed a new creed, where he absolved his followers from the obligations of Siyaam and Zakaah, reduced the number of daily prayers, and made adultery and drinking lawful to the people. He also forbade his followers to cohabit with their wives once they had become mothers. In imitation of the Glorious Quran he recited rhythmical sentences and bits of doggerel, which he had himself composed, but gave out as having been revealed by Almighty Allah.

Musaylamah had an attractive personality and was endowed with a superb physique. He was a good speaker, and could sway the masses. He exploited these qualities, and succeeded in winning over a considerable following.

With his illness becoming serious, the Prophet , peace and blessings be upon him, asked Musaylamah to abandon his pretensions. However, Musaylamah sent an impudent letter to the Prophet, saying: "From Musylamah, the Prophet of Allah, to Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah. Surely Allah has made me your partner in Prophet hood. Let us divide the earth between ourselves." To this the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: "In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah, to

Musaylamah the Liar! Peace be upon those who follow the truth. Surely the earth belongs to Allah, and gives it asa heritage to such of His servants as He wishes; and the sequel is for the righteous.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, deputed Nahr Ar-Rajjaal Ibn ~Unfuwah, a Muslim convert from the tribe of Banu Haneefah, to go back to his people in order to propagate Islam and refute the claims of Musaylamah. On return to his tribe, Nahr Ar-Rajjaal fell a victim to the blandishments of Musaylamah, and falsely declared that he was witness to the fact that the Prophet had acknowledged Musaylamah as co-sharer in the divine mission. That established the credentials of Musaylamah, and the number of his followers increased considerably.

With the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Musaylamah gained in strength further. The general argument that prevailed with the people was that Muhammad, peace be upon him, was dead while Musaylamah was alive, and that a living Prophet was to be preferred to a dead one. Many tribes who were hostile to Islam joined his ranks.

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, originally entrusted the operations to crush Musaylamah to “Tkrimah Ibn Abi Jahl, Sharhabee! Ibn Hasanah was to advance with another column to the assistance of ~Ikrimah. Though strict orders were given to “Ikrimah by Abu Bakr not to engage in a battle with the impostor till reinforcements arrived, he was so anxious to get the better of him that he immediately started fighting Musaylamah, and the Muslims were beaten back with considerable losses. When the news of the defeat reached Madeenah, Abu Bakr felt very much sad and distressed. Some time later, Sharhabeel arrived in the Yamaamah valley with his

column. He also launched an attack against Musaylamah without waiting for help, and was also defeated.

Two successive defeats created an embarrassing situation for the Muslims. That raised the morale of the followers of Musaylamah who proudly declared that Musaylamah was indeed a Prophet and divine help was on their side.

It was at this critical juncture that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, commissioned Khalid Ibn al-Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him, to set off on a campaign against Musaylamah. Elaborate arrangements were made to reinforce the army of Khalid. Seasoned soldiers were included in the force under his command. Al-Baraa' Ibn Malik and Thabit Ibn Qays led the contingents of the Ansaar, while Abu Hadhayfah and Zayd led the contingent of the Muhajreen. Against his declared policy, Abu Bakr permitted the veterans of Badr to join the forces of Khalid. Among others, those who joined the force were “Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Abi Bakr, * Abdullaah Ibn ~Umar, and Abu Dujaanah the renowned warrior of Uhud, may Allah be pleased with them all.

The Battle of * Aqraba:

accompanied him to the battlefield. Khalid ordered him to care of her.

Musaylamah intercepted the advance of the Muslim army at the plain of ~ Aqraba. Here the two opposing armies arranged their ranks for the encounter. The battle that followed was hotly contested. The forces of Musaylamah numbered over 4,000, while the strength of the Muslim army did not exceed 13,000. Besides being outnumbered the Muslim forces suffered from certain disabilities. There were differences between the tribes, the Ansaar and the Muhajreen.

When the battle of *Agraba flared up there was Musaylamah's eloquent son, Sharhabeel, to egg the troops on and boost their morale. He reminded them of Khalid 's cruelty and warned them that unless they fought bravely their women would be taken captives.

A dust storm blew across the valley against the faces of the Muslims. Taking advantage of this, the forces of Musaylamah increased their pressure, and the Muslims had to fall back. Some men of the Banu Haneefah even reached the tent of Khalid where Majaa*ah was in chains guarded by Layla. These men wanted to kill Layla, and rescue Majaa*ah. Mujaa*ah called upon them to desist from raising their hands against a woman. He wanted them to go and kill some men. These men left the camp, and said that they would return after some time to rescue Majaa*ah. In the confusion that followed, the party could not come back, and in the meantime the Muslims were able to take precautionary measures.

When the battle for the first day ended, there was Jubilation in the camp of Musaylamah. Though Khalid had been forced to withdraw he refused to admit defeat. He regrouped his army in tribal commands and exhorted the various tribes to

show their valor on the battlefield. From within the Makkah and Madinite horsemen he created a reserve force of a thousand cavalrymen and kept them under his personal command.