Battle of Buzakha

The Battle of Buzakha took place between Khalid ibn al-Walid and Tulayha, in September 632.

Battle of Buzakha
Part of Ridda wars and Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid
Date September 632 Location Buzakha, 25 miles southwest of Ha'il, Saudi Arabia Result Rashidun Caliphate victory
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate	Pagan Arab tribes
Commanders and leaders
Khalid ibn al-Walid Adi ibn Hatim	Tulayha Hibal Uaina
Strength
6,000	15,000
Casualties and losses
low	heavy

Strength

Khalid had 6,000 men under his disposal while Tulayha had 15,000 men.

General Engagement

Khalid at the beginning of the battle challenged Tulayha for a duel. After a brief encounter with Khalid he ran for shelter towards his own army. The battle was a slogging contest in which victory was decided by individual skill rather than by brilliance of maneuver. Khalid emerged victorious.

Aftermath

Khalid from here went on to his next objective and almost a month later engaged salma at the battle of Zafar. Tulayha on the other hand had killed a veteran Companions of the Prophet of the Prophet by the name of Akasha Bin Mihsan faced a ban from joining in any war. He later asked for forgiveness from Caliph Abu Bakr, who forgave him but he was, along with his tribe, banned from joining in any external campaigns as they had indulged in apostasy and so couldn't be trusted. It would be in Caliph Umar's reign that they would be finally allowed to participate in battles. Tulayha served with great distinction in the Persian campaign, especially in the Battle of Qadisiya. It was in the Battle of Nihawand that he fell and was killed in Islamic army led by Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqās.

On-line Resources

A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns Lahore, 1969

References

• A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-7101-0104-X.