Khalid bin Walid marched forward to Batha1 and when he reached there, he
did not see anyone. Malik bin Nuwairah had previously dispersed his people and
had prohibited them from gathering saying:
“O Bani Yarbu tribe, we are invited for this matter [Caliphate of Abu Bakr]
and we were shortcoming and did not reach our objective; and I thought over this
matter and saw that this matter is prepared for them, in that case people have no
power in this matter, keep away from enmity of people who work for them, and
disperse and enter this issue.”
Therefore, they dispersed and when Khalid reached that area he sent some
people and commanded them to recite Adhan and Iqamah and to apprehend
whoever does not respond to that. And if they resist they should be eliminated.
Previously Abu Bakr had advised them that wherever they halt, they should
recite Adhan and Iqamah; and if those people also recite Adhan and Iqamah, they
should be left alone; otherwise they should be fought and eliminated or burnt to
death; and if they give a positive reply to Adhan and Iqamah, they should ask
them about Zakat; if they agree to it, you should accept it from them; if they
don’t, you should attack them and don’t say anything.
Thus, the soldiers brought Malik bin Nuwairah, Asim, Ubaid, Aryan, Ja’far,
sons of Thalaba bin Yarbu and there was dispute regarding them.
Abu Qatada, who was present with Khalid testified that they recited Adhan
and Iqamah and prayed; and when there developed a dispute about them; he
ordered that they should left exposed in the cold night.
Then Khalid ordered the caller and he called out: “Warm the prisoners and
give them warm clothes and in the language of Kinana the term of ‘Daf’ meant kill. And they thought that Khalid intended killing them, so they killed him.
Zirar bin Azur killed Malik and Khalid came out of his sheet, but the act was
already done. So Khalid said: “When Allah intends a matter, it definitely comes
to pass.” And Khalid got married to Umme Tamim, wife of Malik. Abu Qatada
asked: “Is this from your act?” Khalid drove him away in anger and he went
away angrily.
It is mentioned in Tarikh Abul Fida that Abdullah bin Amr and Abu Qatada
Ansari were present and Malik with Khalid were discussing the issues. Malik
said: “O Khalid, send us to Abu Bakr, so that he may decide about us.”
Khalid said: “Almighty Allah will not forgive me if I forgive you.” And he
ordered Zirar bin Azur to strike off his head.
Umar said to Abu Bakr: “The sword of Khalid has committed oppression
regarding Malik;” and he used to often repeat this statement.
Abu Bakr replied: “O Umar, he exerted himself and committed a mistake.
So don’t say anything against him as I don’t want to sheath the sword that
Almighty Allah has unsheathed for the disbelievers.”2