Sulayman ibn Khalid ibn al-Walid al-Makhzumi al-Qurashi (c. 612–642 CE) was a member of the Banu Makhzum clan of the Quraysh and the eldest son of the celebrated Muslim general Khalid ibn al-Walid. A warrior of the early Islamic conquests, he participated in the campaigns in Syria and Egypt during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab. He is noted in traditional sources for his death during the conquest of Egypt.Waqudi – Conquests of Syria, vol. 1, p. 49.
Lineage and early life Father: Khalid ibn al-Walid, the renowned military strategist known as Sayf Allah (the Sword of Allah). Mother: Kabsha bint Hawza ibn Abi Amr, a woman from the Banu Udhra tribe.Ibn Asakir - History of Damascus - vol. 33 - p. 463
According to the historian Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Sulayman was the eldest of Khalid's children and was named by his father after his own name. He is classified among the "younger companions" (shabab al-sahabah), those who met the Islamic prophet Muhammad while they were children or youths.al-Isabah - Ibn Hajar - vol. 3 - p. 201
Brothers Muhajir ibn Khalid: Fought in the Syrian conquests and later supported Ali ibn Abi Talib at the Battle of the Camel and Siffin, where he was killed.Asad al-Ghaba - Ibn al-Athir - vol. 4 - p. 423 Abd al-Rahman ibn Khalid: A high-ranking commander and governor of Homs under Muawiyah I.al-Isabah - Ibn Hajar - vol. 5 - p. 27 Abdullah al-Akbar ibn Khalid: Participated in the conquest of Iraq and was killed in 12 AH (633 CE).Nasab Quraysh - Al-Zubayr ibn Bakkar - p. 327 Ibn Hazm - Jamharat Ansab al-Arab - p. 147 Abdullah al-Asghar ibn Khalid: The youngest brother, often distinguished from his older brother of the same name.Khalid and Umar - Critical Study in Islamic Sources - Klaus Klair - p. 182
With the exception of Abdullah al-Asghar, all of Sulayman’s brothers are recorded as having seen Muhammad during their youth.Ibn Abd al-Barr - Al-Istiyab - vol. 4 - p. 1454
Military career and death Sulayman served as a combatant alongside his brothers and father during the expansion of the Caliphate into Iraq and Syria. During the conquest of Wardan in the Egyptian campaign, he was surrounded by Byzantine forces. Historical accounts describe a fierce engagement in which his right hand was severed; he continued to fight using his left hand until it was also severed. He was ultimately killed by a spear wound to the chest. 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:al-Waqidi, Conquests of Syria, vol. 2, p. 267
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