Khalid ibn Sa'id ibn al-As

Khalid ibn Sa'id ibn al-As (died 13 AH / 634 CE) was among the very earliest converts to Islam, believed to have been the fourth or fifth person to embrace the faith. He was from the prestigious Umayyad clan of Quraysh and a son of Sa'id ibn al-As, one of the tribal leaders. His early conversion placed him in constant conflict with his family, who pressured him severely to renounce Islam.

He emigrated with a group of early Muslims to Abyssinia during the first migration, seeking the protection of the Negus. He later returned to Mecca and eventually made the Hijra to Medina. His administrative ability led the Prophet ﷺ to employ him as a secretary, and he served as a writer of some of the prophetic correspondence and administrative documents — a position reflecting high trust.

After the Prophet's death, Khalid ibn Sa'id was initially reluctant to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr, being among those who felt Ali ibn Abi Talib had a stronger claim. He eventually pledged and served the new caliphate. He was appointed as a commander in the early Syrian campaigns, fighting in the battles at the outskirts of Byzantine-controlled territory.

He was killed in the Battle of Marj al-Saffar near Damascus in 13 AH / 634 CE, one of the significant early engagements of the Syrian conquest. He died as a martyr in battle, which ended the life of one of the oldest and most distinguished early converts. His position in Islamic history is secured both by his very early conversion and his service from the first years of the Prophet's call.