Al-Waqidi related: Yahya Ibn Al-Mugheerah Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahman Ibn Al Harith Ibn Hisham informed me saying: I heard my father narrating on the authority of Khalid Ibn Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him, that (he said):
When Allah, the Almighty, fulfilled for me the good that He intended for me and Islam made inroads into my heart and my conscience prickled me, I said (to myself): “I have participated in all these battles against Muhammad and I did not return from any of them except that my mind tells me I am on a wrong side and that Muhammad will eventually prevail.”
My brother, Al-Waleed Ibn Al-Waleed had participated with the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the ‘Umrah of redemption and he had sought for me to no avail and then wrote a letter to me the content of which says:
“In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful To proceed: I am astonished at your failure to see (the Truth of) and accept Islam despite your intelligence and is it Islam that anybody would feign to be ignorant of?
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had asked me about you.
He said:
‘Where is Khalid?’ I said, ‘Allah will bring him (into Islam).’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘Someone like Khalid will not remain ignorant of Islam.
It would be better for him to devote his power to inflict defeat and good fortune on the side of the Muslims against the idolaters and we would promote him over others.’ Catch up with what you have missed; (for) righteousness has missed you in many battles.”
“When I received his letter, I was goaded to leave (Makkah) and my desire for Islam was sharpened.
The Prophet’s asking of me pleased me so much I returned to my house, requested for my horse and set out till I came across ‘Uthman Ibn Talhah, may Allah be pleased with him (on the way).
I said (to myself): ‘This is a friend of mine, I should inform him of my intention.’ We proceeded till we reached Al-Hadah where we met ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘As. He said, ‘Greetings to the people.’
And we replied, ‘And to you.’ Then he asked, ‘Where are you going?’ We also asked him, ‘What has brought you?’ He repeated his query and we answered, ‘We seek to enter into (the fold of) Islam and to follow Muhammad.’ He said, ‘This is the same reason which has brought me.”
“So we all went together in the company till we entered Madinah. We tethered our riding animals behind AlHarrah and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was informed of our arrival and he was pleased.
I wore my best clothes and then proceeded toward Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
My brother met me on the way and said, ‘Hurry, for Allah’s Messenger has been informed of and is pleased with your arrival. He is waiting for you right now.’
We walked fast till I appeared to him and he never ceased to smile at me till I got to him. I greeted him as the Prophet and he returned my greeting with a cheerful face.
I said: ‘I bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped in truth and that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ ‘Come (close),’ the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, began and added: ‘Praise be to Allah Who has guided you.
I had always thought that you were intelligent and that it would lead you to good.’ I said, ‘You are aware of all the battles I have fought against you to impede the Truth, so please seek Allah’s forgiveness for me over them.’ He said: ‘O Allah, forgive Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed all that he did to impede Your way.’
Khalid, may Allah be pleased with him, continued, “ ‘Uthman Ibn Talhah and ‘Amr, may Allah be pleased with them, also stepped forward and pledged their allegiance to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Our arrival was in Safar, 8th year of Hijrah.
By Allah, on the day I became a Muslim, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not make me equal to any of his Companions in what he repaid.”