Khalid Ibn Al Walid is one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW and the greatest Warrior and General in Islam. In addition, He was the most significant and influential war general where he took part in almost 41 wars and has never been defeated. The wars were mostly against the great empires (Roman and Persian), where the Muslims were short-handed in the terms of numbers and equipment. He was well known for effectively applying the right strategy at the right time. When the Muslims were almost defeated, he quickly identified weaknesses, corrected them, and used different methods which were more effective and won the war or left without defeat. Besides, he would very fast in finding enemies' weaknesses and exploited them. Even the Prophet Muhammad recognized his quality by naming him the "Sword of Allah".
Background of Khalid Al Walid
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid was from the Quraish tribe, the same tribe as the Prophet Muhammad. SAW. He came from wealthy and reputable family background.
He was born in 592 AD and died in 642 AD. He embraced Islam in the 8th year after Hijrah (31st May 629 AD) at 37 years old. He and another Sahabah Uthman Ibn Talhah went to Medina to seek Prophet Muhamad. Lastly, they embraced Islam in the hand of Prophet Muhammad.
At the time of his death, his body has many marks of wounds from the sword, spears, and instruments.
Mutah War
The Mutah was a war between the Muslims with the Roman Empire. The Prophet decided to send 3000 warriors of Muslims to confront the Romans (who were about 10,000 soldiers) at Mutah.
At the time of the war, Khalid Al Walid was just three months into embracing Islam and it was his first battle as a Muslim. Before the group of warriors left Medina, the Prophet Muhammad SAW appointed Zaid Bin Harithah, as the Amir (Leader/General of War), and if he was dead, then Jaafar Abi Talib; and if he was dead, then Abdullah Bin Rawahah. It was the Prophet's practice to appoint one leader when a group of Muslims went to war or on any religious mission. But this time the prophet assigned three people in a sequence, and a possible something fierce battle could had happen.
The war was fought bravely without any fear from the Muslims. Based on the strength of the number, the Romans could easily sweep away the Muslims within one or two days. However, it did not happen to the plan of the Romans.
The prophet's instruction on the replacement of the Amir did happen in exact sequence.
On the battlefield, after the flag fell to earth (the death of Abdullah Ibn Rawahah). One of the sahabah took over the flag and passed it to Khalid Ibn Al Walid. Later, after all the Muslims decided that Khalid Al Walid should lead them in the war, he started to plan his strategy.
Khalid Al Walid decided that he must reposition his armies. The right flank was switched to the left, while the left to the right. Similarly, the soldiers at the front were switched to the back and from the back to the front. On the other side, some armies were located behind the hills of sand walking with palm tree leaves. They made smoke of sands to camouflage the Romans that they were many more Muslims behind the hill.
The Muslims started the war with a loud voice "Allahu Akbar" and they fiercely went to the enemy line. It was said that many Romans died during the first attack. After that Khalid Al Walid ordered the soldiers to left the battlefield and proceeded to Medina.
The Romans were very confused about the Muslims who ran and left the battlefield. They stood still not moving forward. afraid of backlash attacks. On the other hand, the Muslims left the battlefield and successfully avoided more casualties.
Conclusion
Khalid Al Walid's genius strategy successfully deceived the Roman from winning the war, even though they were more in number. These were a few of the strategies Khalid Ibn Al Walid applied during the war:
1. All warfare is based on deception
According to Sun Tzu:
When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Khalid Ibn Al Walid was good at deception. He repositioned his armies as if he had new groups of soldiers for support, which made the enemies baffled by the real strength of Muslims. He successfully deceived the Romans that they were many more Muslim soldiers. but in reality, they were the same soldiers.
2. Know your enemy as you know yourself
Khalid Ibn Al Walid knew very well about his enemy's minds and how they would react when he started his move. The Romans were not attacking the Muslims who left the battlefield was one of the acts that Khalid had expected. He knew that the Romans were afraid of the backlash and they would not take risk of attacking the Muslims.
3. Securely yourselves from defeat
After leading the Muslims, he decided to leave the battlefield was the best decision. With a large number of Romans, It could be more risk of casualties for the Muslims. He was able to manage and secure the Muslims from losing the battle.
In conclusion, the war of Mutah was the first war participated by Khalid as a Muslim and also as the Amir of Muslims. He had shown the qualities of a good general by applying many strategies from great leaders of wars.
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