Khalid ibn al-Walid did not start as a champion of Islam. At first, he fought against the Prophet Muhammad, helping lead the Meccan cavalry that nearly destroyed the early Muslim community at the Battle of Uhud. He knew terrain, timing, and how to break an enemy line. That made him dangerous. Then, he switched sides—and brought all of that skill with him. After accepting Islam, Khalid quickly became the young community’s most formidable commander. In 629, at the Battle of Mu’tah, he took over af