Dismissal and death of Khalid ibn al-Walid

The dismissal and death of Khalid ibn al-Walid refer to the removal of the prominent Muslim commander Khalid ibn al-Walid from the army by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab around 17 AH (638 CE) and his death in 21 AH (642 CE). Known as one of the companions of Muhammad and for his victories in the Ridda Wars and the early Muslim conquests of the Levant and Iraq, Khalid was dismissed, according to most historians, due to concerns about his handling of war spoils and fears that the Muslim community might rely too heavily on his leadership rather than on Allah. Umar and the women of Banu Makhzum mourned his death, which was attributed to illness. The location of his death remains disputed among historians, with some placing it in Homs and others in Medina.

By the time of his death, the Rashidun Caliphate under Umar had begun shifting from rapid territorial expansion toward consolidation, emphasizing siege warfare, structured governance, and the institutional development of the military. Historians generally regard Khalid as one of the most skilled and successful commanders in Islam, with his strategies, including rapid maneuvers and key victories like Yarmouk, drawing comparisons to figures like Alexander the Great. Scholars emphasize his role in shaping Islamic warfare, and his contributions to the early expansion of Islam have established him as a notable figure and a hero in Arab and Islamic history.