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concerning Abu Bakr's nomination as caliph and the consensus of allegiance given to him, he left his
work and set out for Al-Madiinah. He knew that Abu Bakr was an unmatched, righteous, and pious
believer. However, he thought that the caliphate was Bani Haashim's right. He believed that Al-'Abbaas
or `Aliy Ibn Abi Taalib should have been the caliph. He clung to his belief and did not take the oath of
allegiance to Abu Bakr. Notwithstanding that, Abu Bakr held no grudge against him. On the contrary, he
kept his love and appreciation for him. He did not compel him to give the oath nor hate him for refusing.
He was hardly mentioned among the Muslims without the great caliph justly praising him. In time,
Khaalid Ibn Sa'iid changed his viewpoint, and one day he broke through the lines of the Muslims in the
mosque while Abu Bakr was standing on the pulpit and gave the oath of allegiance to him. It was a true
and confident pledge to Abu Bakr.
Abu Bakr marched with his armies to Syria and assigned the command of a regiment to khaalid Ibn
Sa'iid. Thus, he became one of the commanders of the armies. But before the troops left Al Madiinah,
`Umar objected to Khaalid Ibn Sa'iid's command and prevailed on the caliph until he changed his
previous order. Khaalid heard what had happened, yet his only response was, "By Allah, I was not
overjoyed with being a commander, nor was I broken-hearted for being dismissed!"
As-Siddiiq (May Allah be pleased with him) hastened to Khaalid's house to offer him his sincere
apology and to explain his new decision. Then he asked Khaalid which of the commanders of the army
he would like to accompany to Syria. He asked him if he would like to be with his cousin, `Amr Ibn Al-
'Aas or with Shurahbiil Ibn Hasanah?
Khaalid's answered was highly revealing of his greatness and inner piety, for he answered, "My
cousin is closer to me due to the relation of blood and Shurahbiil is closer to me due to his excellent
piety." Then he chose to be a soldier in Shurahbiil Ibn Hasanah's regiment.
Abu Bakr summoned Shurahbill before the outbreak of the war and told him, "Take care of Khaalid
Ibn Sa'iid. Treat him as you would like to be treated if you were in his position. You well know his high
rank in Islam. You know that when the Prophet died, he was already his governor in Yemen. I myself
assigned him as a commander, then I rescinded my decision. I hope that this revoked order will make
him even more pious and righteous, for I think that command is a trial. I gave him the chance to choose
his commander and he preferred you to his cousin. If you need the opinion of a pious and true adviser,
you must resort to Abu Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarraah first; second, Mu'aadh Ibn Jabal; and third, Khaalid Ibn
Sa'iid. You will definitely find good advice with them. I warn you against acting upon your viewpoint
alone and without consulting them first."
The pioneer of those martyred and rewarded in the Battle of Marj As-Sufar, where the Muslims and
Romans met in terrible and deadly combat, was a glorious martyr who took a course in his life, from his
early youth to the moment of his martyrdom, characterized by true belief and courageous action.
When the Muslims were examining their wounded and martyred on the battlefield, he lay there as
he always was, a quiet young man with a discrete silence and strong determination. They all cried out,
"May Allah be pleased with Khaalid Ibn Sa'iid."