He was very angry at this cruel behavior and openly expressed his dislike.

He was very angry at this cruel behavior and openly expressed his dislike.[^1] When the Holy Prophet (S) learnt of this gory incident, he began to tremble with the fear of Allah and prayed: “O Allah! I dissociate with this act of Khalid and I pray for Your refuge.” Soon after that the Holy Prophet (S) sent Ali (a.s.) with cash and gold, so that he dismisses Khalid and makes peace with Bani Khuzaimah.

Ali (a.s.) did not leave any stone unturned to carry out the orders of the Prophet since mercifulness and kindness was complete in him. We should know that no one could have bravery without having mercy and kindness. Because Khalid did not possess these qualities he can never be said to be brave. Khalid had beastliness, which the common people mistake for bravery. The exemplar of courage is Ali (a.s.). He had such bravery that it is not possible in anyone except the lions of Allah.

Such bravery is required to work for the religion of Allah and to keep it established. This courage is for the sake of Allah and not for personal motives. When the infidel spat on Ali’s face, he got up from his chest at once, because after this disrespectful act, there was a chance of personal motive coming in between his slaying. Dear readers, compare this magnanimous act with the detestable deeds of Khalid against the people of Bani Khuzaimah.

Though he was by nature a cruel person, in addition to this, he had enmity with Bani Khuzaimah. Apparently, Khalid was sent to Bani Khuzaimah for a religious purpose by the Messenger of Allah (S), but on the basis of his tribal animosity, he committed such acts as none could do. It is very regretful that Khalid committed the atrocious deeds behind the cover of Islam.

Now the people of justice may compare the behavior of Khalid with that of Ali (a.s.) to know what is the difference between bravery and ferocity. I regret comparing Khalid with Ali (a.s.) but I was compelled to do so when I saw that what an Ahlul Sunnat writer has stated in the marginal notes to this incident on some book. He says: “If the Imamiyah sing the praises of Ali’s bravery, we Ahlul Sunnat have Khalid from our side by the grace of Allah.

This Khalid was braver than Ali and not less.” But this writer says that there was not a bit of bravery in Khalid, he only had ferocity. Between Khalid and Ali (a.s.) is a difference of black and white.