The Captured Sahabah
When Khalid ibn Walid (Allah have Mercy on him) fought with 60,000 Arab Christians, five Muslims were captured by Christians while they retreated. The Sahabah of Rasulullah were deeply distressed by their capture and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarra, particularly grief-stricken, prayed constantly for their release. Bannes, the captor, belittled them and learned from Jabalah that Khalid bin al-Walid was the Muslim army’s key leader, renowned for his victories in battles and conquests. Bannes devised a plan to lure and kill Khalid along with the prisoners. He sent a Roman sage, Jarjah, to request a meeting, insisting Khalid be the envoy. Khalid, informed of the plan, decided to meet Bannes.
Khalid’s Preparations
Khalid dressed in his finest war gear and prepared his iconic red leather tent. Despite Abu Ubaydah’s suggestion, he chose to take only voluntary companions. A group of 100 elite Sahabah, including notable figures like al Mirqal bin ‘Utbah bin Abi Waqqas; Shurahbil bin Hasanah.; Sa’Id bin Zayd bin ‘Amr bin Nufayl al-‘ Adawi; Maysarah bin Masruq al-‘ Absi; Qays bin Hubayrah al Muradi; Sahl bin ‘Amr al-Amiri; Jarir bin ‘Abdillah al-Bujali; al-Qa’qa’ bin ‘Amr at Tamimi; Jabir bin ‘Abdillah al-Ansari; ‘Ubadah bin a-Samit al-Khazraji; al-Aswad bin Suwayd al-Mazini; Thul Kala’ al-Himyari; al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad al-Kindi and ‘Amr bin Madikarab az-Zubaydi, May Allah be pleased with them all. Khalid continued selecting such great personalities until the hundred were completed, each of them willing to take on an entire army on his own. Khalid and his group set out, reciting “La ilaha illallah” and “Allahu Akbar,” showcasing their faith and readiness for any outcome.
Abu Ubaydah’s Concern
Nasr bin Salim al-Mizini narrates that as Khalid and his companions departed, Abu Ubaydah recited a verse from the Quran and wept. When asked why, he replied that the companions were the defenders of Islam, and their loss would leave him accountable to Allah and the Caliph Umar.
Arrival at the Roman Camp
Khalid and his men fearlessly entered the Roman camp of 800,000 soldiers, spanning 27.4 km, and walked confidently through the ranks of attendants. Ignoring luxurious settings, they sat on the ground, citing their Prophet’s teaching about the purity of the earth.
Dialogue between Kalid and Bannes
Kalid offered Bannes to talk first. Bannes started the dialogue by praising Christ as God. Hearing that Khalid confronted Bannes and interrupted his speech. He rebuked him for his misguided praise, instead glorifying Allah for the guidance of all prophets, including Christ, and the unity of the Muslim Ummah under righteous leadership. Bannes, taken aback, remained silent.
Bannes addressed the gathering with a speech praising God for testing and granting dignity to his people while relieving them from hardship. He remarked on their generosity toward the Arabs, who, in his view, were destitute Bedouins reliant on Roman aid. He criticized the Arabs for invading Roman lands, killing, enslaving, and looting. Bannes warned them of Roman power and offered a proposal: peace in exchange for their withdrawal, with substantial monetary rewards for their leaders. Failure to comply, he vowed, would result in their annihilation. Bannes continued his speech, alternating between threats and offers of bribes. Khalid remained silent until Bannes finished speaking.
Khalid’s Response
Khalid began by praising Allah and testifying to the truth of Islam. When Bannes tells his skeptical of Muhammad’s prophethood, Khalid’s responds that “Every man prefers his own religion. The best moment is that wherein the Rabb (God) of all the worlds is recognized”. Hearing this Bannes but acknowledged his intelligence and asked why he brought 100 companions with him. Khalid told him he brought them to counsel and quoted prophetic wisdom (The Prophet (ﷺ.) said, “A man who recognizes his worth is not destroyed nor is a Muslim who consults destroyed.”) on intelligence and consultation, explaining that even a wise man seeks counsel, as instructed in the Quran. “Consult them in the affair and then when you have reached a decision place your reliance upon Allah.” [Quran 3: 159]
He declared that his army included over a thousand men as wise as himself, emphasizing the collective strength and intellect of the Muslim forces.
No Brotherhood with Christians
Bannes, attempting to mock the Muslims, claimed they were once an ignorant and greedy people who looted and fought among themselves. Khalid responded calmly, affirming this past but explaining that Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad, who guided them to understand the difference between good and evil. Impressed by Khalid’s wisdom & insight, Bannes expressed a desire for friendship, but Khalid clarified that true brotherhood could only come through embracing Islam. When Bannes refused, Khalid firmly stated that their religions would remain a barrier to such a bond.
Khalid’s Invitation to Islam
Khalid ibn al-Walid further provided the below response about Arabs and Islam:
“We already know of all that you have mentioned with regard to your people being wealthy, honoured, powerful, strong against enemies and established in the lands. We also know about the generosity you have mentioned which you show to your’ Arab neighbours. However, you have done all that simply to maintain your opulence with a view to protecting yourselves and children and ultimately to increase your wealth and prestige. So your empire increases and you impose your imperialist policies on whomever you please. As for your saying that we are poor and herd camels and sheep, what of it? Most of us do this and he who herds is of higher status amongst us than he who does not herd.”
“We do not deny when you say that we are poor, wretched and suffering. That is because AIlah has made us Arabs inhabit a waterless, treeless land wherein there is but little cultivation. In pre-Islamic times we were all ignorant. A man would own nothing except his horse, sword, camels and sheep. The strong would eat the weak. None were safe from each other except during the four sacred months. Instead of worshipping Allah we worshipped idols who neither hear, nor see, nor benefit. We would bow down to them and carry them. We were on the edge of a pit of fire. Whoever died amongst us died as a polytheist and would go to Hell. Those living denied their Rabb and broke family ties.”
“Then Allah sent unto us a Prophet as a guide, one who is guided and as a prophet and messenger. We all knew his worth and noble lineage. He was sent as a pious leader who proved Islam and refuted the Polytheist. He brought the clear Quran and the Straight Path and with him Allah brought the process of prophethood to an end. He ordered us to worship Allah and not to ascribe any partners unto Him. He forbade us from having any helper besides Allah and from ascribing any wife, son, partner or equal unto Allah. He taught us that we should not bow down to the sun, the moon, light, fire, cross or altar. We should bow down to none except Allah alone who has no partner and should acknowledge the Prophet (ﷺ.) , his Sahabah and family.”
“Allah revealed to him His speech through which our master guided us. We accepted and obeyed him. Amongst his orders is that we should wage Jihad against those who do not accept our religion, who do not say as we say, who deny Allah and who ascribe partners unto Him whereas He is too grand for such a thing and neither sleep nor slumber overtakes Him. Whoever follows us will be our brother and will have the same rights and obligations as the rest of us. Whoever refuses Islam will have to pay Jizyah, humbly with his own hand. Then his blood, children and wealth will be safe. Whoever refuses both Islam and Jizyah will face our swords until Allah decides the outcome, and He is the best decision-maker. We call you to these three options besides which there is no other choice. Either say, “We bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone Who has no partner and that Mujjammad is His Slave and Messenger,” or pay Jizyah. Adult males have to pay it annually. However, pre-adolescents, women and monks who seclude themselves in their monasteries are not liable to pay it”
Banees inquired is there any other obligation other than shahada, for that Khalid responded, “Yes. You must establish Salah, pay Zakah, perform Hajj to the Sacred House, wage Jihad against those who deny Allah, order the good, forbid the evil, befriend for the sake of Allah, and make enemies for the sake of Allah. If you refuse then there will be war between us until Allah grants the Earth to whomsoever He wishes, but the result is always in favor of those who fear Him.”
The Declaration of War
Bannes refused Khalid’s propositions, asserting that his people would neither abandon their religion nor pay Jizyah. He acknowledged the truth in Khalid’s statement about Allah granting the Earth to whomever He wills, but he declared war, saying the Roman land was won through previous conquest. Khalid confidently predicted Roman defeat, asserting that Bannes would be captured, dragged with a rope around his neck in disgrace, and executed by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab. Upon hearing this, Bannes got furious and threatened to execute five captured Muslim soldiers, to which Khalid warned of severe retaliation.
The Release of Prisoners
As tensions escalated, Khalid and his men prepared for battle, proclaiming the Shahada and demonstrating their readiness to die as martyrs. Their unwavering resolve struck fear into their opponents, emphasizing their commitment to faith and victory. Khalid and his 100 companions unsheathed their swords and were ready for battle. However, Bannes, realizing the Muslims’ resolve, called for a pause, stating he had tested Khalid’s response and would not seek revenge. He honored the envoys by releasing the prisoners, though still confident of Roman victory. Khalid, pleased, ordered their release.
Bannes Requests the Tent
As they prepared to part ways, Bannes requested a favor from Khalid, signaling a shift in his stance. Khalid, ready for any request, gave him permission to speak. Bannes admired Khalid’s red tent and requested it as a gift, offering anything in return. Khalid graciously agreed, stating he had no need for anything in exchange. Bannes, recognizing Khalid’s generosity, praised him. After releasing the prisoners, Bannes ordered his men to escort the Muslims back to their camp. Upon arrival, Khalid and his men greeted Abu Ubaydah, who rejoiced at the release of the Sahabah. Khalid explained that Bannes had freed the prisoners out of fear of their swords, and they agreed to confront the Romans the next day.
A Dialogue of Leadership and Honor
The dialogue between Khalid ibn al-Walid and Bannes reveals a profound interaction rooted in both military strategy and personal honor. Khalid’s steadfastness and wisdom in the face of threats earned Bannes’s respect, leading to the release of the prisoners. Despite Bannes’s initial hostility, Khalid maintained a strong sense of fairness and grace, exemplifying the principle of mercy in leadership. Bannes, recognizing the strength of the Muslim warriors, chose negotiation over further confrontation. Ultimately, the encounter reflects Khalid’s tactical acumen and deep faith, demonstrating the balance between strength and compassion in leadership.
