Sulayman ibn Khalid

Sulayman ibn Khalid ibn al-Walid al-Makhzumi al-Qurashi was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He was the eldest son of Khalid ibn al-Walid and was known by his father’s name. He was a warrior who participated in the Islamic conquests during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab and was killed in the conquest of Upper Egypt in 21 AH.

Biography

Lineage

Father: Khalid ibn al-Walid ibn al-Mughira ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Makhzum ibn Yaqza ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ay ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr ibn Malik ibn Quraysh.
Mother: Kabsha bint Hawza ibn Abi Amr ibn Adi ibn Umayya ibn Abdullah ibn Rizah ibn Rabi'ah ibn Haram ibn Dinnah ibn Abd ibn Kathir ibn Adhrah ibn Sa'd Hudhaym ibn Zayd ibn Layth ibn Sawd ibn Aslam ibn al-Haf ibn Quda'a.

Early life

Sulayman was raised in Mecca as the eldest son of Khalid ibn al-Walid, one of the greatest Arab military leaders, who converted to Islam in the 7th year of Hijra and played a key role in the battles alongside the Prophet Muhammad, who gave him the title "Sword of Allah". Sulayman had four brothers – all half-brothers – as follows:

Al-Muhajir ibn Khalid ibn al-Walid: a companion and among the youth of the Sahabah. He fought in the Syrian conquests under his father and participated in Ali ibn Abi Talib’s battles, losing his eye at the Battle of Jamal and killed at the Battle of Siffin.
Abdullah al-Akbar ibn Khalid: companion, participated in the conquests with his father, killed during the conquest of Iraq in 12 AH.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Khalid ibn al-Walid: met the Prophet Muhammad and witnessed the Syrian conquests with his father. Served under Muawiyah in the Roman campaigns during Umar’s caliphate.
Abdullah al-Asghar ibn Khalid: youngest brother, named after his deceased brother Abdullah al-Akbar.

All of Sulayman’s brothers, except Abdullah al-Asghar, saw the Prophet Muhammad while still youths. Sulayman’s status as the eldest is confirmed by Ibn Hajar:

Sulayman ibn Khalid ibn al-Walid al-Makhzumi: His father named him after himself and he was the eldest of his children.

Death

Sulayman fought alongside his brothers and father in the conquests of Iraq and Syria. During the conquest of Wardan, he was surrounded by Romans. His right hand was cut off, so he wielded the sword with his left hand until it too was severed. He was then stabbed in the chest and killed. The poet ‘Amr ibn Yasir composed verses in his honor:
When news of his death reached Khalid ibn al-Walid, he wept deeply and recited an elegy for his son: