Why did Hazrat Umar dismiss Khalid bin Walid?

updated on 23rd sep,2026

This is an article about Hazrat khalid bin Waleed dismiss from the seat commander of army. Why did Hazrat Umar dismiss Khalid bin Walid?

Why did Hazrat Umar dismiss Khalid bin Walid?

Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed's remarkable achievements in the conquest of Syria
are milestone in the history of Islam. After the conquest of Qansreen, Hazrat Umar said that Khalid bin Walid made himself commander by his achievements. May Allah have mercy on Hazrat Abu Bakr. He was more humane than me, so he gave Khalid bin Waleed his rightful place.
(Tarikh Mulat Volume 1 Page 261)

After conquest of  Yarmouk, Hazrat Umar removed Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed from the post of army commander.

And his place was given to Abu Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah, when the messenger heard the orders to dismiss.

So Hazrat Khalid demonstrated patience and perseverance.
And established the golden tradition of organization and discipline in the history of Islam.

Why did Hazrat Umar dismiss Khalid bin Walid? In Detail

The order to  dismiss was pronounced in the crowded assembly, and the cap was dismissed from the head as a symbol.
So Khalid bin Waleed said, I heard what you said" and I took it up.
Now I am ready to obey the orders of my officers and perform services.

Once Hazrat Umar said,
Khalid and Allah, you are dear to me and I respect you and wrote to the governor,
 
 "I did not dismiss Khalid bin Waleed because of any displeasure or betrayal, but because of his achievements, people were suffering from temptations.

I dismissed him so that it would be clear to the people that everything that happens is by the will of God "(History of Islam, Nadwi, Part I, Page 140).

 The dismissal of *Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (RA)* by *Hazrat Umar (RA)* is one of the most discussed decisions in early Islamic history. It was not due to anger, jealousy, or distrust, but a matter of state policy and protection of Islamic creed (Aqeedah).

Here is a detailed breakdown:

1. Background

Khalid bin Waleed was the supreme commander under Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) during the Ridda Wars and the conquest of Iraq and Syria. His military genius earned him the title *"Saifullah" (Sword of Allah)* given by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself.

When Umar became Khalifah in 634 AD (13 Hijri), Khalid was leading the Muslim army in Syria, besieging Damascus.

2. Main Reasons for Dismissal

*a) Fear of Shirk in the Concept of Victory (Tawheed):

This is the reason Umar himself gave. He said:

_"I did not dismiss Khalid because of anger or distrust, but because people had become so dependent on him that I feared they would attribute victory to a man rather than to Allah."_

Muslims had started saying, "As long as Khalid is with us, we cannot be defeated." Umar wanted to prove that victory comes from Allah, not from any general, no matter how great.

*b) Administrative Discipline and Accountability:

Khalid was a brilliant general but very generous and independent in financial matters. He once gave a poet, Ash'as bin Qais, 10,000 dirhams as a reward for his poetry/bravery.

Umar, who was extremely strict about Bait-ul-Mal (public treasury), ordered an inquiry. He asked Abu Ubaidah (the new commander) to question Khalid in public: Did you give this from your own wealth or from the Bait-ul-Mal? If from Bait-ul-Mal, it's misappropriation.

Khalid admitted it was from his own share of spoils, but Umar wanted to establish the principle that even the greatest commander is accountable.

*c) Difference in Leadership Style:

Abu Bakr was soft and trusted commanders with full autonomy. Umar was a strict administrator and centralizer. He wanted all governors and generals to follow strict state discipline. Khalid's independent decision-making style clashed with Umar's system of governance.

*d) The Incident of Malik bin Nuwayrah:

During the Ridda Wars, Khalid had ordered the execution of Malik bin Nuwayrah (a tribal chief) and then married his widow. Umar had strongly objected at that time and had asked Abu Bakr to dismiss Khalid even then. Abu Bakr refused, saying "I will not sheathe the sword that Allah has drawn against the disbelievers." When Umar got power, this old concern also played a role.

*e) To Prove the Institution is Bigger Than the Individual:

Umar replaced Khalid with Hazrat Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah (RA), who was known for his piety and humility, not military fame. The conquests continued successfully even after Khalid's dismissal (Yarmouk, Jerusalem etc.), which proved Umar's point that Islam does not depend on one man.

3. How the Dismissal Happened

Umar did not humiliate him. He dismissed him from the _overall command_ but allowed him to continue as a soldier and commander of a unit. Khalid accepted it without any rebellion and said:

_"I will fight for the sake of Allah, not for the sake of Umar."_

He continued to serve under Abu Ubaidah loyally.

4. Umar's Eulogy for Khalid

When Khalid died in 642 AD in Homs, Umar wept and said:

_"May Allah have mercy on Abu Sulaiman (Khalid). He was indeed as I thought he was."_

In short: It was not punishment, it was *protection of Tawheed, enforcement of accountability, and a lesson in Islamic leadership* that no personality is indispensable.