The correct answer is Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab (Muselama Kazab). The Battle of Yamama, which took place in December 632 CE, remains one of the most significant military confrontations in early Islamic history. It was the climax of the Ridda Wars (Wars of...
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The correct answer is Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab (Muselama Kazab). The Battle of Yamama, which took place in December 632 CE, remains one of the most significant military confrontations in early Islamic history. It was the climax of the Ridda Wars (Wars of Apostasy), fought during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A). The primary antagonist was Musaylimah, a leader of the Banu Hanifa tribe in the region of Al-Yamama (present-day Saudi Arabia), who had infamously declared himself a prophet during the final years of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) life.
Musaylimah’s claim to prophethood was not merely a spiritual delusion but a calculated political move to gain control over the Arabian Peninsula. He went so far as to send a letter to the Prophet (PBUH), suggesting that the earth be divided between the two of them. It was in response to this arrogance that the Prophet (PBUH) labeled him "Al-Kadhdhab" (The Arch-Liar). After the Prophet's (PBUH) passing, Musaylimah’s influence grew, as he managed to gather a massive army of nearly 40,000 soldiers, posing a direct existential threat to the young Islamic state in Madinah.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) dispatched several expeditions. After initial setbacks by other commanders, the Caliph appointed the "Sword of Allah," Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (R.A), to lead the main body of the Muslim forces. The Muslim army, numbering around 13,000, consisted of both the Muhajireen and the Ansar.
The battle was exceptionally fierce. Musaylimah’s forces were well-entrenched and fought with a desperation born of tribal loyalty. Initially, the Muslim lines were pushed back, but through the heroic rallying cries of senior Sahaba, the tide began to turn. The battlefield moved toward a large walled garden, which would later be known in history as the "Garden of Death" (Hadiqat al-Mawt) due to the immense casualties sustained there.
The climax of the battle occurred within the walls of this garden. The Muslim soldiers, led by the bravery of Al-Bara ibn Malik (R.A), managed to scale the walls and open the gates. In the chaotic hand-to-hand combat that followed, Musaylimah was finally struck down. Historical accounts credit Wahshi ibn Harb (the same individual who had killed Hazrat Hamza R.A before his conversion) with throwing his javelin at the false prophet, while an Ansari soldier finished the task with a sword.
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