Khalid ibn al-Walid

Khalid ibn al-Walid was a seventh-century Arab military commander who first fought against the Muslims on behalf of the Quraysh of Mecca, commanding cavalry that helped defeat Muhammad's forces at the Battle of Uhud in 625, before converting to Islam around 627 to 629 and becoming one of the most celebrated generals in early Muslim history, earning the epithet Sayf Allah al-Maslul, the Unsheathed Sword of God. After taking part in the conquest of Mecca and the Battle of Hunayn in 629 and 630, he led Muslim forces during the Ridda Wars of 632 and 633 that suppressed tribal rebellions following Muhammad's death, winning at the Battle of Buzakha and the Battle of al-Yamama. He then campaigned in Sasanian Iraq from 633 to 634, conquering cities along the Euphrates including al-Hira and securing the first tribute the young Caliphate received from Iraq. From 634 he commanded Muslim forces in the conquest of Byzantine Syria, winning decisive victories at Ajnadayn in 634 and at Damascus, and culminating in the Battle of Yarmouk in 636, which broke Byzantine power in the Levant. He died in 642, in Medina or Homs.