MUSLIM CONQUERORS
Khalid Bin
Al-Waleed (RA): 592-642 AD
Khalid
Bin Al-Waleed (RA), by name Sayf Allah (“Sword of Allah”), one of the two generals
(with Amr ibn al-Aas) of the enormously successful Islamic expansion under the
leadership of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) and his immediate
successors, Abu Bakar (RA) and Umar (RA).
Although he fought against Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon
Him) at Uhud (625 AD), Khalid later converted to Islam and Joined Muhammad
(Peace be Upon Him) in the conquest of Makkah in 630 AD. He commanded a number
of conquests and missions in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Syria and Palestine.
He is noted for his military tactics, prowess and considered the most
accomplished military commander of his time.
Tariq
Ibn-Ziyad: 670-720 AD
Tariq Ibn-Ziyad, the general who led the Muslim conquest of
Spain. In May 711 AD Tariq landed on Gibraltar (Jabal Tariq) with an army of
7000 men, mostly Berbers, Syrians and Yemenis. In July 711AD he defeated the
forces of the King Roderick and then occupied Toledo, the capital of Spain. He
also conquered Cordoba. In 714 AD Tariq was summoned by the Caliph back to
Damascus, and died in obscurity.
Muhammad Bin Qasim:
695-715 AD
Muhammad bin Qasim was a 17 year old general when he
conquered Sindh and Punjab regions along the Indus River (now part of Pakistan)
for the Umayyad Caliphate. Qasim’s conquest enabled further Islamic expansion
into India. Due to his close relationship with Hajjaj, he was executed at the
age of 20 after the accession of Caliph Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik.
Salah Ad-Din
Ayubi: 1137-1193 AD
The leader of the Muslims against the Crusaders in Syria of
Kurdish descent, he obtained control over the Muslim lands in Egypt, (of which
he became Sultan in 1175 AD) and Syria. He then captured the Kingdom of
Jerusalem following his great victory over the Crusaders at the battle of
Hattin (1187 AD). The last year of his life was spent fighting the third
crusade during which he won his legendary reputation.
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