Battle of Buzakha

Not to be confused with Battle of Ghamra.

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	35,000
Casualties and losses
low	heavy

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

Strength

Khalid had 6,000 men under his disposal while Tulayha had 35,000 men.

General engagement

Tuhlaya himself took up a position somewhere to the rear of his centre, under the pretext of seeking guidance from Allah whilst the battle raged, keeping a camel near him in case of retreat. The apostate army, much like the Muslims, was ranged with a centre and wings, with individual clans grouped together. The apostate army was commanded by one Uyaina, who also personally commanded the elite 700 Bani Hazari unit in the centre. Setting out of his camp, Khalid ordered a general attack along the whole line. The Muslims managed to dent the apostate front at several places, greatly pushing the wings back. Around this time, Uyaina rode to Tuhlaya and asked him if for God's advice, to which the former simply replied with encouragement. After some more time, Khalid managed to make dents into his foe's centre, although the ground was more bitterly given by Uyaina's Banu Hazari. After another two rounds of asking Tuhlaya's advice - to no avail - Uyaina suspected his master of falsehood, and immediately ordered the Banu Hazari to withdraw from the field. The remainder of the apostate army, already under pressure, soon broke under Muslims attacks. Some isolated groups continued resistance, until they saw Tuhlaya and his family flee the battlefield on camel-back, after which they too fled. Immediately after the rout, Khalid sent flying columns to pursue the remnants of the army. Some 30 miles southeast of the field, one Muslim column overtook some of the apostates, who immediately surrendered bloodlessly. Khalid personally led a column north, overtaking a largely intact part of the routed army 60 miles out at Ghamra, commanded by Uyaina and composed of his Banu Hazari. After some initial resistance, the rebels were overwhelmed and fled, and Uyaina was captured.

Aftermath

After the rebels of Banu Asad has been brought down, Khalid continues his march to complete his mission to the series of pacification of the nearby uprising in the area of Naqra, which happen to be incited by tribe of Banu Sulaym which led by Amr bin Abdul Uzza(Abu Shajara). After 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 Ukasha 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 later Persian campaign, especially in the Battle of Qadisiya and the Battle of Nihawand.

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.