A Death on a Bed

In 13 AH, soon after 'Umar became caliph, he relieved Khalid of the supreme command in Syria and left Abu 'Ubaydah in charge. The sources give reasons that include Khalid's generosity with public money and 'Umar's wish that victories be seen as coming from Allah, not any one man. Khalid accepted the order and carried on as a soldier under Abu 'Ubaydah.

Khalid is reported to have said that he fought for Allah, and not for 'Umar. 'Umar is reported to have held him in affection to the end, and to have said that he feared people would put their trust in a man rather than in Allah. In later years Khalid settled in Homs, where he fell ill and died in 21 AH, or 22 in some accounts.

On his deathbed, he is reported to have said that he had fought in more than a hundred battles and there was not a handspan on his body without the mark of a sword, spear or arrow, "and here I am dying on my bed like a camel; may the eyes of cowards never sleep." He left his horses and weapons as an endowment in the way of Allah, and entrusted 'Umar with his affairs. 'Umar wept for him.