In 636 CE, before the Battle of Yarmuk, Roman forces of 800,000 led by King Bannes of Armenia set up a camp near al-Yarmuk about 13 km from Muslims, and avoided fighting for several days. Their vanguard, a 60,000-strong contingent of Christian Arabs under Jabalah bin al-Ayham, sought to negotiate peace with the Muslims by offering wealth and territory. Caesar’s envoy proposed an annual tribute and territorial concessions to avoid war. However, Abu Ubaydah, the Muslim commander, rejected the offer, standing firm in defense of Islam. Jabalah himself attempted to mediate, but Ubadah ibn al-Samit countered by inviting him to embrace Islam, emphasizing its clarity and honor. Despite these efforts, negotiations failed, paving the way for the decisive clash.
Jabalah tried to negotiate and threaten the Muslims, but they responded with only war. Bannes, seeing Jabalah’s fear, encouraged him to fight, assuring him that with 60,000 horsemen, they would easily defeat the 30,000 Muslim horsemen. He promised Jabalah great rewards, including shared control of conquered lands, which persuaded him to lead his 60,000-strong Christian Arab army, fully armed and ready for battle.
Khalid’s Bold Strategy
The Ansar returned to Abu Ubaydah and Khalid bin al-Walid to report that Jabalah was determined to fight them. Upon hearing this, Khalid declared, “May Allah destroy him! He will see what we are capable of.” He then addressed the Muslim army.
Khalid explained that their force of 30,000 horsemen would face Jabalah’s 60,000 Christian Arabs. He proposed sending only 30 elite warriors against the entire enemy force. Abu Sufyan bin Harb praised Khalid’s boldness but questioned the practicality of one Muslim fighting 2,000 enemies. Khalid assured him he was serious, arguing that the chosen warriors would rely on their faith and Allah’s help.
Abu Sufyan suggested increasing the number to 60, with each facing 1,000 opponents. Abu Ubaydah also agreed to Abu Sufyan’s suggestion, but Khalid explained his strategy: if the enemy fled and claimed they were defeated by only 30 men, it would strike terror into their hearts. Ultimately, Khalid agreed to select 60 warriors known for their steadfastness and devotion.
Selection of the Sixty
Khalid summoned 60 companions of the Prophet (ﷺ.), including:
- Amr at-Tamimi
- Shurahbil bin Hasanah
- Khalid bin Sa’id
- Yazid bin Abi Sufyan
- Safwan bin Umayyah
- Qays bin Sa’d
- Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
- Abdullah bin Umar
- Jabir bin Abdullah
- Rafi’ bin Umayrah
- Ka’b bin Malik
- Abu Lubabah bin al-Muthir
- Dhiraar bin al-Azwar
Khalid called out the names of Ansar more frequently than the Muhajirin. Some Ansar questioned why they were being chosen predominantly, suspecting Khalid either tested their loyalty or spared others. Khalid clarified that he trusted their faith and selected them for their unwavering belief.
The chosen warriors pledged their readiness to fight, trusting Allah’s support. Abu Ubaydah advised them to fight with swords and shields, avoid unreliable weapons like spears and arrows, and use fast horses for mobility. The group prepared themselves with determination to defeat Jabalah’s army.
Khalid’s Address to the Ansar
When Khalid bin al-Walid heard the murmurs among the Ansar, he rode to their midst and declared, “By Allah, O descendants of ‘Amir, I call upon you because of your noble qualities. I trust you firmly and have chosen you for your unwavering faith, anchored deeply in your hearts.”
The Ansar responded, “You speak the truth, O Abu Sulayman,” and shook his hands in agreement.
After selecting 60 warriors, each tasked with confronting an entire army, Khalid addressed them:
“O Helpers of Allah, will you join me in attacking this force that has come against you? With patience, Allah will grant you victory over these Christian Arabs. You have already defeated the Roman legions; defeating these Arabs will instill fear in their hearts and drive them to retreat.”
The chosen 60 replied, “O Abu Sulayman, do as you will! We will fight in support of Allah’s cause. We place our trust in Allah Most High, seeking only the Hereafter.”
Khalid and Abu Ubaydah both thanked them. Abu Ubaydah advised, “Prepare your weapons and gear. Fight with swords and shields alone; avoid spears and arrows, as they are unreliable. Mount swift horses to aid you in battle. Promise to meet again at the grave of the Prophet (ﷺ.).”
The Warriors’ Preparations
The 60 warriors departed to prepare and bid farewell to their families. Dhiraar bin al-Azwar went to his tent, greeted his sister, Khawlah bint al-Azwar, and donned his armor. Seeing his resolve, she said, “O my brother, it seems you are departing with no intention of returning. What are you planning?”
When Dhiraar explained, Khawlah wept and replied, “Do what you must, for you are firm in faith. Allah will aid you, and your enemies will neither approach you nor escape. If anything happens to you, I swear by Allah that Khawlah will not rest until she avenges you.”
Moved by her words, Dhiraar wept but continued preparing. The other 60 companions did the same, spending the night bidding farewell to their families and praying for Allah’s help against the enemy.
Departure at Dawn
At dawn, Abu Ubaydah led the Fajr prayer. Afterward, Khalid was the first to rush out, reciting:
“O my brethren, all of you give up your life,
Toward the enemy we go seeking strife.
In that way we hope for triumph and success,
When for that we give our lives in sacrifice.
Allah will grant us goodness,
Morning and evening He will help us.”
As the Muslims recited prayers and prepared to leave, the chosen 60 warriors gathered one by one behind Khalid, who stood at the center, resembling a lion leading his pride. The last to emerge was Az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam, accompanied by his wife, Asma bint Abu Bakr.
Asma approached her brother, Abdurahman bin Abu Bakr, and advised, “Stay close to Az-Zubayr, the cousin of the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the battle, follow his lead and do not let doubters sway you from the path of Allah.”
With Khalid in the center, the 60 warriors set out as a formidable force, riding until they confronted the Christian Arabs, ready for battle.
The Encounter Between Jabalah and Khalid
When the Christian Arabs saw the small group of Muslims, they assumed these were mere messengers seeking peace. Jabalah, confident and dismissive, commanded his men to intimidate the “messengers.” Raising his voice to rally his forces, he shouted, “O family of Ghassan, hasten to the aid of the Cross! Fight those who deny it!”
The Christians, heavily armed, donned their gear, raised their crosses, and formed tight battle rows. The blazing sun reflected off their iron armor and helmets, making it seem as though they were engulfed in flames. As the Muslims approached the crosses, Khalid called out fiercely, “O worshippers of the Cross, O enemies of the Most Merciful, come to the battlefield and meet your cutting!”
Realizing now that these were warriors, not messengers, Jabalah, clad in full armor, marched forward, reciting:
“We are for those who worship the Crucifix,
Those who blame us for our actions soon we will fix.
We are victorious through Christ and His Mother,
War knows us to be the only inheritor.
We come, and the Cross we do employ,
With our swords, we will destroy.”
Jabalah then taunted, “Who dares to challenge us?”
Khalid responded immediately, “I do,” and advanced directly toward their army.
Jabalah mocked him, saying, “We are prepared to fight. Await our attack. By Christ, I will never accept peace with you! Return to your people and tell them we are determined to fight you.”
Khalid, astonished at Jabalah’s arrogance, replied, “You think we came as messengers? Never assume that! By Allah, we have come solely to fight you. You may think we are few, but we have the support of Allah against you.”
Jabalah sneered, “You are deluded, boy! We are the chiefs of Ghassan, Lakhm, and Jutham. You and your men have no chance.”
Khalid boldly retorted, “We are not as few as you believe. Each one of us will take on 1,000 of your men, and even then, we will have one fighter left over. I thirst for battle with you as one thirsts for cool water.”
Jabalah laughed dismissively, “O son of Banu Makhzum, I once thought you were wise and formidable. But now, hearing your foolish words, I see otherwise. Sixty of you against 60,000 of us? I will annihilate you with my horsemen!” Turning to his army, Jabalah commanded, “O Ghassan, charge!”
The Battle
The 60,000 Christian warriors surged forward like a tidal wave, yet Khalid and his 60 companions stood firm. The clash of swords on helmets and the roaring of warriors filled the air. The intensity of the battle was such that no one—Muslim or Christian—thought the companions of Rasulullah (peace be upon him) could survive.
In Medina, Muslims who heard of the confrontation wept and feared for their brothers. Some lamented, “Khalid has deceived and destroyed the companions of Rasulullah.”
Meanwhile, the Romans celebrated, convinced of their victory. They cried out, “Jabalah has destroyed them! These Arabs have no escape from our hands!”
The Battle’s Climax and Victory
The battle raged fiercely until noon, reaching a peak of intensity. ‘Ubadah bin Samit narrates:
“Praise be to Allah! Khalid, az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam, ‘Abdurahman bin Abi Bakr, al-Fadl bin al-‘Abbas, Dirar bin al-Azwad, and ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar fought with unmatched courage. I saw these six standing shoulder-to-shoulder, never separating even under the heaviest assault. The flames of war burned fiercely. Spears tore through the chests of our brave warriors, striking down some of the finest among us.
“As the violence escalated, I joined their charge, saying to myself, ‘That which has afflicted the martyrs will afflict me too.’ Khalid called out, ‘Sahabah of Rasulullah ﷺ, gather here!’ He then broke through to the center of the fray, leading the charge with Hisham and al-Mirqal.
“The Christians surrounded them, but the bravery of az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam and al-Fadl bin al-‘Abbas turned the tide. Al-Fadl, in particular, shouted, ‘Make space, you dogs! Leave our companions alone! That is az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam, and I am al-Fadl bin al-‘Abbas, the cousin of Rasulullah ﷺ!’
“I counted al-Fadl’s charges to defend Khalid—twenty times in total. After his relentless attacks, the Christians finally left Khalid. The Muslims then launched a massive counterattack, fighting fiercely until sunset.”
The Turning Point
As the day wore on, the Muslims became increasingly worried about their companions in the thick of the battle. Abu ‘Ubaydah rallied the Muslims, declaring, “O Sahabah of Rasulullah ﷺ, Khalid and his men must have been destroyed! The horsemen have fallen. Let us attack and find out what has become of our brothers. May Allah bless you.”
The Muslims responded to his call, except for Abu Sufyan, who cautioned, “O commander, do not attack. They will surely escape on their own. We shall soon see what has happened to them.”
Ignoring Abu Sufyan’s words, Abu ‘Ubaydah prepared to lead the charge when the tide suddenly turned. The Christian Arabs began fleeing in utter chaos, as though driven by a heavenly terror. Their unity shattered, they scattered in all directions.
Victory
Amid the retreating enemy, the voices of the Sahabah rose in triumph: “La ilaha illallah wa Allahu Akbar!” Each testified loudly, “I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone, He has no partner, and Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.”
The Christian Arabs fled in disarray, their resolve broken. Khalid emerged from the turmoil, visibly exhausted but victorious. The companions who fought alongside him bore similar signs of fatigue, their faces marked by the intensity of battle and the glory of their triumph.
Missing in Action
As the dust of battle settled, Khalid began searching for his companions among the fallen. To his dismay, he found only twenty of the sixty he had led into battle. Grief-stricken, he struck his face, lamenting:
“O Ibn al-Walid, you have destroyed the Muslims. What excuse will you offer tomorrow before the Most Merciful and the Commander of the Believers?”
While he anguished, Abu ‘Ubaydah returned with a group of Muslim warriors after pursuing the fleeing enemy. Witnessing Khalid’s despair, he intervened:
Abu ‘Ubaydah: “O Abu Sulayman, praise be to Allah for granting us victory over the Christians.”
Khalid: “O Commander, I know Allah granted us victory, but grief follows joy. I have lost forty men, including az-Zubayr, the cousin of Rasulullah ﷺ, and al-Fadl bin al-‘Abbas.”
Khalid named each of the missing men, his voice heavy with sorrow. Abu ‘Ubaydah responded with solemnity:
“Verily, we belong to Allah, and to Him we return. There is no power to avoid harm nor ability to do good except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Mighty. Khalid, your zeal has caused this hardship upon the Muslims.”
Searching for the Missing
Salamah bin al-Ahwas as-Sulami offered a suggestion:
“O Commander, search the battlefield. I saw some Sahabah either captured by the enemy or pursuing them.”
Abu ‘Ubaydah ordered fires to be lit, dispelling the darkness. As the Muslims searched the battlefield, they found 5,000 Christian ‘Arabs dead, including their chiefs Rifa’ah bin Mut’im al-Ghassani and Shaddad bin al-Aws. Ten Muslim martyrs were also discovered, including two Ansar, Amir al-Awsi and Salamah al-Khazraji.
Abu ‘Ubaydah prayed fervently:
“O Allah, grant us relief soon. Spare us the loss of the son of the aunt of Rasulullah ﷺ, az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam, and the son of the uncle of Rasulullah, al-Fadl bin al-‘Abbas. O Muslims, who will go after the enemy to locate the missing Sahabah? His reward will be from Allah.”
Khalid was the first to volunteer, but Abu ‘Ubaydah protested:
“Do not do this, Abu Sulayman. You are exhausted from battle.”
Khalid insisted:
“By Allah! None except me shall go in search of them.”
Khalid exchanged his horse for a fresh mount and rode out with a troop of Muslim horsemen. Shortly after setting out, they heard cries of “La ilaha illallah wa Allahu Akbar!” Khalid responded, and soon the missing companions appeared, led by az-Zubayr, al-Fadl, Hashim, and al-Mirqal.
The Reunion
Khalid embraced them with joy, asking al-Fadl:
“O cousin of Rasulullah, what happened to you?”
Al-Fadl: “O Abu Sulayman, Allah defeated the Christians and turned them back. We pursued them, but some of our men were captured. We searched for them but found no trace. They are likely killed.”
Khalid: “No, they are held as prisoners. We found only ten bodies. There are twenty of us here and twenty-five with you, meaning five are missing.”
The missing five were identified as Rafi’ bin ‘Umayrah, Rabi’ah bin ‘Amir, Dhiraar bin al-Azwar, Amr bin ‘Amr, and Yazid bin Abi Sufyan. The news was a heavy blow to the Muslims.
Gratitude and Resolve
Upon returning to Abu ‘Ubaydah with az-Zubayr, al-Fadl, and others, the Muslims rejoiced. Abu ‘Ubaydah prostrated on his saddle-bow, thanking Allah. Khalid, still yearning for martyrdom, said:
“O Muslims, I offered my life but was not blessed with martyrdom. Those who were killed met their appointed time. If Allah wills, I will free the prisoners.”
The battle showcased the unwavering courage and resilience of Khalid ibn al-Walid and his companions, who, despite overwhelming odds, triumphed through faith and unity. Their victory against the Christian Arabs not only demonstrated their strategic brilliance but also highlighted their deep reliance on Allah’s aid. Though the loss of their comrades weighed heavily, their determination to recover the captured and honor the fallen remained unshaken, embodying the spirit of sacrifice and trust in divine decree that defined the Sahabah of Rasulullah ﷺ
Reference:
Futuhusham: The Islamic Conquest of Syria by Al-Waqidi
