# Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi

> Sahabah of Muhammad

**Wikidata**: [Q34418](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34418)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayd_ibn_Haritha_al-Kalbi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zayd-ibn-haritha-al-kalbi

## Summary

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi was born on January 1, 581 in the Arabian Peninsula and died in 629 at Mu'tah[1][2].He married Umm Ayman, Zaynab bint Jahsh, Umm Kulthum bint Uqba, and Durrah bint Abu Lahab[1].His child was Usama ibn Zayd[1].

## Summary

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi was one of the earliest companions (Sahabah) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a distinguished military leader in early Islamic history. Born in 581 CE, he became one of the most prominent companions of Muhammad, serving as a commander in multiple major battles including the Battle of Badr, Battle of Uhud, Battle of the Trench, Battle of Khaybar, and the Battle of Mu'tah, where he was martyred in 629 CE at the age of approximately 48.

## Biography

- **Born:** 581 CE (estimated)
- **Nationality:** Arabian (Kalbi tribe from the Banu Kalb)
- **Education:** Early Islamic education under Muhammad
- **Known for:** Being one of the first converts to Islam, a close companion of Muhammad, and a military commander in early Muslim battles
- **Employer(s):** The early Muslim community under the leadership of Muhammad
- **Field(s):** Military leadership, early Islamic expansion

## Contributions

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi made significant contributions to the early Muslim community through both military service and personal devotion to Islam:

- **Military Leadership:** Served as a commander in multiple pivotal battles that shaped early Islamic history
- **Battle of Badr (624):** Participated in this first major battle between Muslims and the Quraysh
- **Battle of Uhud:** Fought in this early Islamic battle as part of the Muslim forces
- **Battle of the Trench (627):** Took part in the failed besieging of early Muslims by Arab and Jewish forces
- **Battle of Khaybar:** Participated in this 7th-century battle against Jewish forces
- **Battle of Mu'tah (September 629):** Led troops as a military commander in this battle, where he was martyred
- **Personal Devotion:** Known for his close relationship with Muhammad and his early acceptance of Islam

## FAQs

**What was Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi's primary role in early Islamic history?**

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi was one of the earliest companions of Muhammad and served as a military commander in multiple major battles during the formative years of Islam.

**Which battles did Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi participate in?**

He participated in the Battle of Badr (624), Battle of Uhud, Battle of the Trench (627), Battle of Khaybar, and the Battle of Mu'tah (629), where he was killed in combat.

**When did Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi live?**

He was born around 581 CE and died in 629 CE during the Battle of Mu'tah at approximately 48 years of age.

**What was Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi's tribal affiliation?**

He belonged to the Kalbi tribe (Banu Kalb), an Arab tribe from the Arabian Peninsula.

**How did Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi die?**

He was martyred in the Battle of Mu'tah in September 629 CE while serving as a military commander.

## Why They Matter

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi holds significant importance in Islamic history for several reasons. As one of the earliest companions of Muhammad, he played a crucial role in the establishment and defense of the early Muslim community. His participation in all five major battles — Badr, Uhud, the Trench, Khaybar, and Mu'tah — demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the Islamic cause during its most vulnerable period.

His death at the Battle of Mu'tah marked him as a martyr (shahid) and exemplified the sacrifices made by early Muslims in spreading and defending Islam. The battles he fought in were instrumental in shaping the political and military landscape of the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad's time.

As a military leader, Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi helped establish patterns of military organization and tactics that would be used in subsequent Islamic expansions. His legacy continues to be honored in Islamic tradition, and his shrine (Al-Mazār al-Janūbī) serves as a site of remembrance for Muslims.

## Notable For

- One of the earliest Sahabah (companions) of Muhammad
- Military commander in five major early Islamic battles
- Martyrdom at the Battle of Mu'tah in 629 CE
- Member of the Kalbi tribe (Banu Kalb)
- Close companion with significant personal relationship to Muhammad
- Participated in battles that defined early Islamic military history: Battle of Badr (624), Battle of Uhud, Battle of the Trench (627), Battle of Khaybar, and Battle of Mu'tah (629)

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi was born in 581 CE into the Kalbi tribe (Banu Kalb), an Arab tribe from the Arabian Peninsula. His tribal affiliation placed him within one of the prominent Arab families of the pre-Islamic era. The Kalb tribe was known for their influence and presence in the region, and Zayd grew up in this tribal environment, absorbing the customs, traditions, and social structures of Arabian society before the advent of Islam.

### Conversion to Islam

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi was among the earliest converts to Islam, embracing the faith during its initial years in Mecca. His acceptance of Islam placed him among the pioneering members of the Muslim community who faced persecution from the Quraysh and other polytheist tribes. As one of the first followers of Muhammad, Zayd demonstrated considerable courage and conviction in abandoning the polytheistic traditions of his ancestors for the new monotheistic faith of Islam.

### Relationship with Muhammad

As a close companion of Muhammad, Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi enjoyed a privileged position within the early Muslim community. The companions of the Prophet (Sahabah) formed the inner circle of the Islamic movement, and Zayd's consistent presence alongside Muhammad during both peaceful periods and military campaigns demonstrated his reliability and trustworthiness. This close relationship meant that Zayd had direct access to Islamic teachings and was able to observe Muhammad's leadership style, religious guidance, and personal conduct firsthand.

### Military Career

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi's military career represents one of the most comprehensive records of early Islamic warfare through the lens of a single participant. His involvement in five major battles demonstrates both his commitment to the Muslim cause and his growing importance as a military leader.

**Battle of Badr (624):** This first major confrontation between the Muslims and the Quraysh marked a turning point in Islamic history. Zayd participated in this battle, which resulted in a significant victory for the Muslims and established Muhammad's military credibility.

**Battle of Uhud:** Following the victory at Badr, the Quraysh sought revenge in this early Islamic battle. Zayd fought alongside other companions, and the battle, while tactically inconclusive, further solidified the Muslim community's military capabilities.

**Battle of the Trench (627):** This failed besieging of early Muslims by Arab and Jewish forces in 627 CE required defensive strategies and coordinated resistance. Zayd's participation in this battle demonstrated his adaptability to different military situations.

**Battle of Khaybar:** This 7th-century battle against Jewish communities in the oasis of Khaybar represented an important military campaign that expanded Muslim territory and influence. Zayd's involvement in this campaign contributed to the consolidation of Muslim power in the region.

**Battle of Mu'tah (September 629):** The final and most significant military engagement for Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi took place in September 629 CE. Serving as a military leader who led army troops in battle, he was martyred during this engagement. His death at Mu'tah marked the end of a distinguished military career spanning approximately five years of continuous service.

### Death and Legacy

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi died in 629 CE at the Battle of Mu'tah at approximately 48 years of age. His martyrdom represented the ultimate sacrifice in the service of Islam, and his legacy continues to be honored in Islamic tradition. The shrine known as Al-Mazār al-Janūbī (Zayd ibn Ḥārithah Shrine) serves as a physical reminder of his contribution to early Islam.

His death occurred during a critical period in Islamic history, just before the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, making him one of the companions who witnessed the culmination of Muhammad's prophetic mission but did not live to see the subsequent expansion of the Islamic empire.

### Historical Significance

The significance of Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi extends beyond his individual military accomplishments. As a representative of the early Sahabah, his life exemplifies the qualities that characterized the first generation of Muslims: faith, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the Islamic cause. His participation in all five major battles demonstrates a level of commitment that few companions matched, and his death as a martyr elevated his status in Islamic tradition.

The battles he fought in — Q486124 (Battle of Badr), Q488278 (Battle of Uhud), Q826083 (Battle of the Trench), Q565661 (Battle of Khaybar), and Q1639459 (Battle of Mu'tah) — were instrumental in transforming the Muslim community from a persecuted minority into a dominant political force in Arabia. Through his military service, Zayd contributed to the establishment of the Islamic state that would eventually expand far beyond the Arabian Peninsula.

### Recognition and Documentation

Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi's life has been documented in numerous historical and biographical works in Islamic literature. His story appears in various hadith collections and historical accounts that detail the lives of the companions of Muhammad. The multiple identifiers assigned to him across different databases (P213: 0000000118909544, P214: 70960928, P227: 1061106225, P244: no93010515, P268: 16986107b, P269: 233505091) reflect his recognized importance in both Islamic scholarship and Western academic research.

His wikidata description as "Sahabah of Muhammad" (Q5 - human, Q188711 - companions of the Prophet) accurately captures his primary historical identity, while his sitelink count of 41 indicates substantial coverage across multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

## References

1. Source
2. general catalog of BnF
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/zeyd-b-harise)