Battle of Yamama

The Battle of Yamama was the most costly and significant engagement of the Ridda Wars. Musaylima ibn Habib, mockingly called al-Kadhdhab (the Liar) by Muslims, had claimed prophethood in the Yamama region and commanded a large and well-organised following from the powerful Banu Hanifa tribe. The Muslim force under Khalid ibn al-Walid initially struggled against the determined resistance; the battle fluctuated severely, with the Muslim right and left wings temporarily pushed back. Wahshi ibn Harb, who had killed Hamza at Uhud and later embraced Islam, slew Musaylima, fulfilling his vow to use his skill only for Islam after his conversion. The death of Musaylima broke the resistance, though the victory came at immense cost: approximately 1,200 Muslims were martyred, including around 360-700 companions who had memorised the Quran. This catastrophic loss of Quran memorisers prompted Abu Bakr to commission the first written compilation of the Quran.