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Having made up his mind
about Islam, Khalid met Ikrimah and some others and said, "It
is evident to the intelligent mind that Muhammad is neither a poet
nor a sorcerer, as the Quraish allege. His message is truly divine.
It is incumbent on all sensible men to follow him."
Ikrimah was stunned by the words of Khalid.
"Are you abandoning our faith?" he asked incredulously.
"I have come to believe in the true
Allah."
"It is strange that of all the Quraish
you should say so."
"Why?"
"Because the Muslims have killed
so many of your dear ones in battle. I for one shall certainly not
accept Muhammad, nor shall I ever speak to you again unless you
give up this absurd idea. Do you not see that the Quraish seek the
blood of Muhammad?"
"That is a matter of Ignorance",
replied Khalid.
When Abu Sufyan heard from Ikrimah of Khalid's
change of heart, he sent for both the stalwarts. "Is it
true what I hear?" he asked Khalid.
"And what do you hear?"
"That you wish to join Muhammad."
"Yes. And why not? After all Muhammad
is one of us. He is a kinsman."
Abu Sufyan flew into a rage and threatened
Khalid with dire consequences, but was restrained by Ikrimah. "Steady,
O Abu Sufyan!" said Ikrimah. "Your anger may well
lead me also to join Muhammad. Khalid is free to follow whatever
religion he chooses." 1 Ikrimah,
the nephew and bosom friend, had stood up for Khalid in spite of
their religious differences.
That night Khalid took his armour, his weapons
and his horse, and set out for Madinah. On the way he met two others
travelling in the same direction: Amr bin Al Aas and Uthman bin
Talha (son of the Quraish standard bearer at Uhud) and there was
mutual astonishment when they found that each was travelling to
Madinah with the same purpose, for each had regarded the other two
as bitter enemies of Islam! The three seekers arrived at Madinah
on May 31, 629 (the 1st of Safar, 8 Hijri), and went to the house
of the Prophet. Khalid entered first and made his submission. He
was followed by Amr and then Uthman. All three were warmly welcomed
by the Prophet; their past hostility was forgiven, so that they
could now start with a clean sheet. Khalid and Amr bin Al Aas were
the finest military minds of the time and their entry into Islam
would spell victory for Muslim arms in the following decades.
Khalid, now 43 and in the prime of life,
was glad to be in Madinah. He met old friends and found that he
was welcomed by all. The old feuds were forgotten. There was a new
spirit in Madinah-the spirit of the pioneer. There was activity,
anticipation, enthusiasm, optimism, and this atmosphere entered
the heart of Khalid. He breathed the clear air of the new faith
and was happy.
He also met Umar and they were friends again.
There remained a little of the old rivalry between the two, but
this existed as a subconscious undercurrent rather than a deliberate
feeling or intention. Khalid now realised that in his rivalry with
Umar he was at a disadvantage, for he was a new convert while Umar
was an emigrant who had left his home in Makkah. Umar had been the
fortieth person to become a Muslim. While the Muslims were at Makkah
he could take no great pride in having this position, for then the
Muslims were few in number; but now thousands had entered Islam
and with this large number, being the fortieth amounted to having
a very important position. Now Khalid was competing not only against
a man of equal strength, will and ability, but also against Muslim
No. 40!
1. Waqidi: Maghazi, p. 321.
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