Layla bint al-Minhal

Layla bint al-Minhal (also Laila) (ليلى بنت المنهال) was a sahaba of Muhammad'' and the wife of Malik ibn Nuwayra.

Layla was the daughter of Al Minhal and was later also known as Umm Tamim. She was acclaimed as one of the most beautiful girls in Arabia, for her gorgeous eyes. When she came of age, she was pursued by many men, but rejected their advances. Finally, she met and married Malik ibn Nuwayra.

Malik bin Nuwayra
Malik was a chief of some distinction; a warrior, noted for his generosity; and a famous poet. Bravery, generosity and poetry were the three qualities most admired among the Arabs. During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, he had been appointed tax-collector.

Attack on Malik ibn Nuwayra's tribe
During the Ridda wars, which broke out in Arabia after the death of Muhammad. Abu Bakr sent his most talented general Khalid ibn Walid into Najd with 4000 men, to submit the tribes of the surrounding areas. Malik was guilty for his acts against the state of Madinah. After the death of Muhammad, he broke in open revolt against Madinah. At the time of Muhammad, he had been appointed as a Tax collector for the Tribe of Banu Tamim. As soon as Malik heard of the death of Muhammad, he gave back all the tax to his tribespeople, saying that "Now you are the owner of your wealth". Moreover he was to be charged because he signed a pact with the self-proclaimed prophet Sajjah. This agreement stated that first they would deal with local enemy tribes together, and then they would confront the state of Madinah. When Malik heard about Khalid ibn Walid's victories against powerful Arab tribes, he ordered his tribesmen not to engage the approaching Khalid ibn Walid in battle, to stay at home, and hope for peace. He himself apparently moved away across the desert with his family. Also, so as to prove himself loyal to state of Madinah (the future Islamic empire), he collected the Tax and sent it to Madinah. His riders were stopped by Khalid ibn Walid's army at the town of Battah. Khalid asked them about the signing of pact with Sajjah they said it was just because they wanted revenge against their terrible enemies. When Khalid reached Najd he found no opposing army, so he sent his cavalry to nearby villages and ordered them to call the Azaan (call for prayers) to each party they meet. Zirrar bin Azwar, a group leader, arrested the family of Malik claiming they did not answer the call to prayer.

Shia view
When arrested, Malik was asked by Khalid about his crimes. Malik's response was "your master said this your master said that" referring to Abu Bakr. Khalid declared Malik a rebel apostate and ordered his execution. Khalid bin Walid killed Malik ibn Nuwayra and raped his wife, Layla bint al-Minhal. Although Sunnis claim that Khalid married his wife on the same night, the Shias argue that Islamically, Khalid would have had to wait for her to complete the waiting period iddah (3 menstrual cycles) before Khalid would have been able to marry her. Abu Qatada Ansari was a companion of Muhammad. He came with Khalid from Medina. He was so shocked at Malik's murder by Khalid that he immediately returned to Medina, and told Abu Bakr that he would not serve under a commander who had killed a Muslim. The death of Malik and Khalid's taking of his wife Layla created a controversy. Some officers of his army—including a prominent companion of Muhammad, Abu Qatadah—believed that Khalid killed Malik to take his wife. After the pressure exerted by Umar—Khalid's cousin and one of Caliph Abu Bakr's main advisors—Abu Bakr called Khalid back to Madina to explain himself. In Medina, ‘Umar told Khâlid: “You enemy of Allâh! You killed a Muslim man and thereafter leap upon his wife. By Allâh, I will stone you.

'Umar demanded, from Abu Bakr, the immediate dismissal of Khalid. He said that Khalid had to be put on trial for the twin crimes of murder and adultery. According to Islamic law, Khalid had to be stoned to death. But Abu Bakr defended Khalid, and said that he had simply made "an error of judgment."

Sunni view
In November 632 A.D When arrested, Malik was asked by Khalid ibn Walid about his crimes. Khalid's interpretation of Malik's response was "your master said this your master said that" (referring to Muhammad). Khalid understood this to be a transparent attempt by Malik to save his own life by any means at his disposal. Khalid having clear evidence of Malik's distributing the tax money on getting news of Muhammad's death and of his pact with Sajjah, declared Malik an apostate and ordered his execution. Khalid ibn Walid ordered Malik's killing because he knew that Malik had betrayed the Islamic state of Madinah, and was a traitor.

See also Sunni’s Explanation Talk:Khalid ibn al-Walid

Layla and Khalid After Malik's Death
Abu Qatada Ansari was a companion of Muhammad. He came with Khalid from Medina. . In Medina, ‘Umar told Khâlid: “You enemy of Allâh! You killed a Muslim man and then leap upon his wife. By Allâh, I will stone you". The death of Malik created a controversy. Some officers of his army—including a prominent companion of Muhammad, Abu Qatadah—believed that Khalid killed Malik to take his wife. After the pressure exerted by back to Madina to explain himself.

The same night, Khalid married Malik's widow Layla bint al-Minhal, said to be one of the most beautiful women in Arabia at the time. The marriage of Khalid with Layla later became a controversial issue because there was a group of people who thought that Khalid had killed Malik to get Layla. This group also includes Khalid's cousin and later Caliph Umar. Khalid was called by Caliph Abu Bakr to explain the matter. After due consideration, the Caliph decided that Khalid was not guilty. He did, however, upbraid his general for marrying Layla and thus leaving himself open to criticism, and since there was some possibility of a mistake, as certain people believed that Malik was a Muslim, Abu Bakr ordered the payment of blood-money to the heirs of Malik.