Capture of 20 Jewish Youths by Khalid ibn al-Walid (634 CE)

In early June, 634, Khalid ibn al-Walid captured 20 young Jews from a synagogue along the Euphrates. These events were part of the early Muslim conquests.

Background

Khalid ibn al-Walid (d. 642 CE) was a prominent military commander in the early Muslim community. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, Khalid played a central role in the Rashidun Caliphate’s campaigns in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.

In 634 CE, during the early stages of the Muslim conquest of Iraq, Khalid led forces along the Euphrates River to secure control of key strategic locations. In the course of these operations, local communities including Jewish and Arab populations sometimes resisted Muslim authority.

The Event

According to Ya‘qubi’s Ta’rikh and corroborated Khalid ibn al-Walid captured 20 young Jewish boys from a synagogue along the Euphrates in early June, 634. The specific location of the synagogue and the identities of the captives are not recorded in the primary sources.

Historical Context

Early Islamic military campaigns frequently involved the capture of hostages as a way to maintain order, prevent rebellion, and secure resources. Jewish communities in Mesopotamia and Arabia often lived under the authority of local rulers or tribal leaders and were affected by these campaigns.

Significance

This event is notable because it illustrates early interactions and conflicts between the Rashidun Caliphate and local Jewish communities in Arabia. It reflects broader social, political, and military dynamics in 7th-century Arabia. Khalid ibn al-Walid, the commander involved, is a well-documented historical figure, known as one of the most important military leaders of early Islam. Events involving him are widely studied in Islamic history and military scholarship. The capture of non-combatant youths highlights early practices of warfare, tribal alliances, and the treatment of civilians during campaigns a subject addressed in classical sources such as Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah and al-Tabari’s Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk, as well as in modern historical analyses.

See Also

• Khalid ibn al-Walid
• Early Muslim conquests
• Hostage