Ridda Wars Conquest of Sasanian Persia Conquest of Byzantine Syria Campaigns in Africa Campaigns in Armenia and Anatolia The Battle of Yamama was fought in December 632 as part of the Ridda Wars against a rebellion within the Rashidun Caliphate in the region of al-Yamama (in present-day Saudi Arabia) between the forces of Abu Bakr and Musaylima, a self-proclaimed prophet.

Ikrima's orders were to advance and make contact with the forces of Musaylima at al-Yamama, but not to get involved in battle with him.

Khalid ibn al-Walid was chosen to command the forces opposing Musaylima after he dealt with other smaller apostates.

Abu Bakr's ra intention in giving Ikrima this mission was to tie Musaylima down at Yamama.

Ikrima advanced with his corps and established a camp somewhere in the region of Yamama The following passage has been quoted directly from and is written in the form of a legend or epic with a moral at the end.

Ikrima (R.A) was a fearless man and a forceful general, but he lacked Khalid's cool judgement and patience – qualities which distinguish the bold commander from the rash one.

To ensure that he did not fall into the error of Ikrima, Abu Bakr wrote to him: "Stay where you are and await further instructions."

The two successful actions fought by them against Ikrima and Shurahbil had increased their confidence in themselves and created an aura of invincibility around Musaylima.

The next phase of battle - known as the second strike of the Muslims - is clouded with legend but from the stories alone we can determine that the apostate force largely disintegrated.

[citation needed] Only about a quarter of Musaylima's army remained in fighting shape, and this part hastened to the walled garden while Muhakim (commander of the right wing) covered its retreat with a small rear-guard.

Soon a Muslim soldier al-Bara' ibn Malik asked his fellow men to let him climb the wall so that he could open the gate by killing the guards there.

Musaylima became the target of Wahshi ibn Harb (the same man who killed Hamza, the uncle of Muhammad, in the Battle of Uhud).

[2] The battle played a major role in motivating Abu Bakr to complete the compilation of the Qur'an.