THE MILITARY EXPLOITS OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL

 

As for armed struggle (jihād) by which the rules of Islam were established and by the establishment of which the religious stipulations and laws of the community (milla) were settled, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, was so outstanding that his fame is spread among men and reports about him are abundant both among his special followers and the general populace. The learned do not differ on that nor do the specialists in law dispute its truth. The only doubt (which could be raised) about that would be (as a result of) the deliberate neglect of one who did not consider the historical reports. None of those who reflect on the account can reject it except an obstinate liar who has no shame.

 

 

 

An example of that is what he did at the Battle of Badr, which is mentioned in the Qur’ān. It was the first battle in which there was a test (of the Muslims’) faith. Fear filled the hearts of a number of Muslims and they wanted to hold back from it out of that fear and dislike, as is shown absolutely in the Explanation (tibyān i.e. Qur ān) where He, may His name be exalted, speaks of them in what He reports of them with full explanation and clarity: Similarly your Lord brought you out of your house according to the truth while a group of believers were unwilling to (follow you) and were disputing with you about the right course after it had been explained as though they were being driven to death while they were watching. (VIII 5-6). Concerning the verses connecting that to Allāh’s words: Do not be like those who came out of their houses in insolence and as hypocritical people to stop (them) from the path of Allāh. And Allāh encompasses what they do (VIII 47) to the end of the sūra.

 

Most accounts of their circumstances in that follow each other; even though the expressions may be different yet their import agrees. The brief outline of the account of this attack is that the polytheists came to Badr intent on battle and determined to gain victory in it because of their vast equipment, their number, supplies and men. At that time the Muslims were a group, few in number. Some of them came (to the battle) unwillingly and showed their reluctance and compulsion. Quraysh challenged them to single combat and called on them to draw up in battle line and to take the field. They suggested that equals (in rank) among them should meet (in battle). The Anṣār delayed coming forward. Indeed, the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, stopped them from doing that.1

 

“The people have asked for equals to them,” he told them. Then he ordered ‘Alī to go out against them. He summoned Ḥamza b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib and ‘Ubayda b. al-Ḥārith, the pleasure of Allāh be with them, to go forward with him. When they had drawn up before them, the people did not accept them at first because they were wearing helmets. “Who are you?” they asked. They told them their ancestry. “Noble equals,” they replied. Then the battle began between them.

 

 Al-Walīd came out against the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. Soon he (i.e. the Commander of the Faithful) killed him. ‘Utba came out against Ḥamza, may Allāh be pleased with him, and Ḥamza killed him. Shayba came out against ‘Ubayda, may Allāh have mercy on him. Blows were exchanged between them. One of them cut the thigh of ‘Ubayda. The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, rescued him by striking Shayba with a blow which surprised him and killing him. Ḥamza, may Allāh be pleased with him, participated in that.

 

The killing of those three was the first (sign) of weakening within (the ranks of) the polytheists. Weakness came upon them and terror by which they were overcome with fear of the Muslims. In that way indications of a Muslim victory were (already) apparent. Then the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, came forward (to fight) al-‘Āṣ b. Sa‘īd b. al-‘Āṣ after all (the Muslims) except him had drawn away from him. Soon he had slain him. Ḥanẓala b. Abī Sufyān came against him and he killed him. Ṭu‘ayma b. ‘Adī came against him and he killed him. After him, he killed Nawfal b. Khuwaylid - he was one of the devils (shayāṭīn) of Quraysh. He, peace be on him, continued to slay one of them after another until he had managed (to kill) half of those of them who were killed. There were seventy men (killed) in all, of whom all the Muslims who were present at al-Badr together with three thousand angels who had been sent undertook the killing of half of them while the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, undertook the killing of the other half alone with Allāh’s help for him, His support, success and victory. Thus victory was brought about at his hands. The matter was finally sealed by the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, taking a handful of pebbles and throwing it into their faces while he said, “May their faces be deformed in ugliness (through the evil eye).”

 

None of them remained without turning their backs in flight. Allāh had been sufficient in battle for the believers through the Commander of the Faithful and his partners in support of religion, who were from the special group of family of the Apostle, peace be on Him and His Family, and those who supported him among the noble angels. As Allāh the Most High said: Allāh was sufficient in the battle for the believers. Allāh was Strong and Mighty. (XXXIII 25)

 

The narrators, both non-Shī‘a (‘āmma) and Shī‘a (khāṣṣa), confirmed the names of those of the polytheists whom the Commander of the Faithful killed at Badr; (this has been established) with agreement and accord about what they have reported. Among those whom they named were:

 

• 1. Al-Walīd b. ‘Utba: he, as we have mentioned before, was brave, daring, brazen and murderous; a man whom men were terrified of;
• 2. Al-‘Āṣ b. Sa‘īd: he was a very awesome man whom (even) heroes feared and he was the man from whom ‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭab fled - the story of him concerning what we have just mentioned is well known and we will present it later, Allāh willing;
• 3. Ṭu‘ayma b. ‘Adī b. Nawfal: he was one of the leaders of the misguided people;
• 4. Nawfal b. Khuwaylid: he was one of the fiercest in opposition to the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, and Quraysh used to give him precedence and great position and obey him. He was the one who bound Abū Bakr and Ṭalḥa together in Mecca before the emigration (hijra) and tied them with a rope and tortured them night and day so that he might interrogate them about their involvement (amr). When the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, knew of his presence at Badr, he beseeched Allāh that his affair would be sufficient (to destroy) him. He said: “O Allāh, be sufficient on my behalf (to destroy) Nawfal b. Khuwaylid.” Thus, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, killed him.
• 5. Zam‘a b. al-Aswad;
• 6. ‘Aqīl b. al-Aswad;
• 7. Al-Ḥārith b. Zam‘a;
• 8. Al-Naḍr b. al-Ḥārith b. ‘Abd al-Dār;
• 9. ‘Umayr b. ‘Uthman b. Ka‘b b. Taym, the paternal uncle of Ṭalḥa b. ‘Ubayd Allāh;
• 10. ‘Uthmān
• 11. and Mālik, the two sons of ‘Ubayd Allāh and brothers of Ṭalḥa b. ‘Ubayd Allāh;
• 12. Mas‘ūd b. Abī Umayya b. al-Mughīra;
• 13. Qays b. al-Fākih b. al-Mughīra;
• 14. Ḥudhayfa b. Abī Ḥudhayfa b. al-Mughīra;
• 15. Abū Qays b. al-Walīd b. al-Mughīra;
• 16. Ḥanẓala b. Abī Sufyān;
• 17. ‘Amr b. Makhzūm;
• 18. Abū al-Mundhir b. Abī Rifā‘a;
• 19. Munabbih b. al-Ḥajjāj al-Sahmī;
• 20. Al-‘Āṣ b. Munabbih;
• 21. ‘Alqama b. Kalda;
• 22. Abū al-‘Āṣ b. Qays b. ‘Adī;
• 23. Mu‘āwiya b. al-Mughīra b. Abī al-‘Āṣ;
• 24. Lawdhān b. Rabī‘a;
• 25. ‘Abd Allāh b. al-Mundhir b. Abī Rifā‘a;
• 26. Mas‘ūd b. Umayya b. al-Mughīra;
• 27. Ḥājib b. Sā’ib b. ‘Uwaymir;
• 28. Aws b. al-Mughīra b. Lawdhān;
• 29. Zayd b. Mulīs;
• 30. ‘Āsim b. Abī ‘Awf;
• 31. Sā‘id b. Wahb, ally of the Banū ‘Āmir;
• 32. Mu‘āwiya b. ‘Abd al-Qays;
• 33. ‘Abd Allāh b. Jamīl b. Zuhayr b. al-Ḥārith b. al-Asad;
• 34. Al- Sā’ib b. Mālik;
• 35. Abū al-Ḥakam b. al-Akhnas;
• 36. Hishām b. Abī Umayya b. al-Mughīra.

 

 That is thirty-six men,2 excluding those with regard to whose (death) there is some dispute or in which the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, participated with others. They are more than half those killed at Badr as we have mentioned.

 

(Here is) a brief survey of the reports which have come down in explanation of what we have put forward. [The report which Shu’ba related on the authority of Abū Isḥāq, on the authority of al-Ḥārith b. Muḍarrib, who said:] 3 I heard ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, say: We came to Badr without there being a horseman among us except al-Miqdād b. al-Aswad. We spent the night before Badr and there was not a man among us who did not sleep except the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. He was standing upright at the trunk of a tree where he performed the ritual prayer and called to Allāh until morning  [‘Alī b.Hāshim reported on the authority of Muḥammad b. ‘Ubayd Allāh b. Abī Rafī‘, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, Abū Rafī‘, the retainer of the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, who said:] 4

 

When the people awoke on the morning of the day of the battle of Badr, Quraysh drew up their ranks. At their front was ‘Utba b. Rabī‘a and his brother, Shayba, and his son, al-Walīd. ‘Utba called out to the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, saying: “Muḥammad, send out against us our equal from Quraysh.” Three young men of the Anṣār went forward against them. ‘Utba said to them: “Who are you?” They gave their lineage to him. “There is no need for us to take part in single combat with you,” he replied. “We only seek (to fight) our kinsmen.” “Withdraw to your positions,” the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, ordered the Anṣār. Then he said: “Arise, ‘Alī. Arise, Ḥamza. Arise, ‘Ubayda. Fight for your truth with which Allāh sent your Prophet, since they have brought their falsehood to extinguish the light of Allāh.” They arose and arrayed themselves before the people. They were wearing helmets so that they were not recognized. ‘Utba said to them, “Speak. If you are our equals then we will fight you.” “I am Ḥamza b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, the lion of Allāh and the lion of His Apostle, may Allāh bless Him and His Family,” declared Ḥamza “A noble equal,” said ‘Utba. “I am ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib,” declared the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. “I am ‘Ubayda b. al-Ḥārith b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib,” declared ‘Ubayda. Then ‘Utba told his son al-Walīd: “Arise, al-Walīd.” The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, came forward against him. At that time they were both the youngest of the assembled company. They exchanged blows. Al-Walīd’s blow missed the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, and then he warded off the blow of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, with his left hand and (the blow) cut it off.

 

 

1.  cf. al-Ṭabarī, I, 1317-8. Ibn Hishãm, Sira, 443.
2.  Of these thirty-six names more detailed accounts follow concerning Al-Walīd b. ‘Utba, Al-‘Āṣ b. Sa‘īd, Ṭu‘ayma b. ‘Adī and Nawfal b. Khuwaylid. Many of them are reported in the list given by al-Wāqidī, al-Maghāzī, I, 148-52, which makes the number killed by ‘Ali 22.
3.  Same report and isnād in al-Ṭabarī, 1291.
4.  cf. al-Ṭabarī, I, 1317-8, Ibn Hishām, Sira, 443, without the verses.

 

It is related that he (i.e. the Commander of the Faithful) used to mention Badr and the killing of al-Walīd. He would say in his conversation: “It was just as if I was looking at the flashing of the ring on his left hand. Then I struck him with another blow, brought him down and plundered him. I saw he had a robe of saffron and I realised that he had recently been married.”

 

‘Utba advanced against Ḥamza, may Allāh be pleased with him, and Ḥamza killed him. ‘Ubayda, who was the oldest of the people, marched against Shayba. They exchanged blows and the sharp edge of Shayba’s sword struck ‘Ubayda’s knee and cut it. However, the Commander of the Faithful and Ḥamza rescued him from Shayba and they killed Shayba and carried ‘Ubayda away. He died at al-Safrā’.

 

Hind, the daughter of ‘Utba, recited concerning the killing of ‘Utba, Shayba and al-Walīd: O my eye, profuse with flowing tears, he never withdrew to a better man of Khindif. His group and the Banū Ḥāshim and Banū al-Muṭṭalib summoned him at morning. They made him taste the blades of their swords. They stripped him after he had perished. [Al-Ḥasan b. Ḥumayd reported: Abū Ghāssan told us: Abū Ismā‘īl ‘Umayr b. Bakkār told us on the authority of Jābir, on the authority of Abū Ja‘far, peace be on them, who said:] The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, said: “I was amazed at the bravery of the people at Badr. I had killed al-Walīd. Ḥamza had killed ‘Utba and I shared with him in the killing of Shayba. Then Ḥanẓala b. Abī Sufyān advanced towards me. When he was near me, I struck him a blow with my sword and his eyes flowed with tears as he cleaved to the ground, dead.”

 

[Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī reported on the authority of al-Zuhrī, on the authority of Ṣāliḥ b. Kaysān, who said:] (A shorter version of this account is given by al-Wāqidī, I, 92.)

 

‘Uthmān b. ‘Affān passed Sā‘īd b. al-‘Āṣ and said: “Come with us to the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭab so that we may talk with him.” They both went. Sā‘īd reported: As for ‘Uthmān, he could take whatever place he wished, but as for me, I had to keep to the side of the people. ‘Umar looked towards me and said: “What is (the feeling) towards me which I see in you; as if you felt some (animosity) towards me? Do you think that I killed your father? By Allāh, if I had wanted to be his killer and if I had killed him, I would not have made any excuse for killing an unbeliever.

 

However I passed him on the day of Badr and I saw him seeking for battle just as an ox seeks for its mate. His jaws were foaming like a lizard. When I saw that, I became terrified of him and turned aside from him. He said: ‘Where are you going, Ibn al-Khaṭṭab?’ Then ‘Alī directed himself towards him and caught up with him. By Allāh, I remained in my place until he killed him.” ‘Alī, peace be on him, was present at the assembly (when ‘Umar was telling this). He said: “O Allāh, let there be forgiveness; polytheism has gone with what was in it. Islam has wiped out what existed before. Why do you (say that)? You will rouse the people against me.” So ‘Umar desisted.

 

 Sā‘īd, (later) commented: “Yet it was the only pleasure for me (in the death of my father) that the one who killed him was ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib.” The people put forward (this story) in another narration.

 

 [Muḥammad b. Isḥāq reported on the authority of Yazīd b. Rūmān on the authority of Urwa b. al-Zubayr:] (This extract is not reported by al-Ṭabarī or Ibn Hishām.)

 

At the battle of Badr, ‘Alī, peace be on him, advanced toward Tu‘ayma b. ‘Adī b. Nawfal and thrust his spear at him, saying to him: “By Allāh, you will never oppose us concerning Allāh after today.” [‘Abd al-Razzāq reported on the authority of Ma‘mar on the authority of al Zuhrī, who said:] ( cf. al-Wāqidī, I, 91-2.)

 

When the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family knew of the presence of Nawfal b. Khuwaylid at Badr, he said: “O Allāh, be sufficient (to destroy) Nawfal on my behalf.” When Quraysh were routed, ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, saw him. He was perplexed, not knowing what to do. He directed himself towards him and struck at him with his sword. He took hold of his shield and pulled it away from him. Then he struck his leg as his armour was covering (the top of his body). He cut it and then gave him a final blow and killed him. When he returned to the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, he heard him say: “Who has knowledge of Nawfal?”

 

“I have killed him, O Apostle of Allāh,” he, peace be on him, replied. The Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, said: “Allāh is greater! Praise be to Allāh who has answered my prayer concerning him.” (The poet) Usayd b. Abī Iyyās said about the exploits of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, at Badr, in order to urge on the polytheists of Quraysh against him: At every meeting there is a purpose which confounds you, a strong youngster who overcomes experienced full-grown horses. Your abundance comes from God! Do you not deny (it)?

 

Perhaps the noble free man does deny and feels shame. This is the son of Fāṭima who has destroyed you in slaughter and death with a single blow not with (wild) striking. They gave him money to avoid his blows - the action of the servile, a contract which brings no profit. Where were the mature men? Where were all the chiefs (of the people) amid (these) misfortunes? Where was the best of the valley (al-abṭaḥ)? He destroyed them with violent death and blows which he struck as he used his sword whose blade did not (cease) striking (down).

 

 

 

 The battle of Uḥud came after Badr. During it the standard of the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, was carried by the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, as it had been at Badr. On that day he also carried the banner (liwā ̓ ): he was noted as the one who carried both the standard and the banner.

 

The same (individual) success was (achieved) by him during this battle as had been (achieved) by him at Badr. However, during it he was outstanding for his noble (suffering) of misfortune, his endurance and his firm footedness when the feet of other men were slipping (backwards). His distress for the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, was such as no other of the people of Islam had.

 

Allāh killed through his sword (many of) the leaders of the people of polytheism and misguidance. Through him Allāh dispelled the tragedy (of the battle) from His Prophet, peace be on him. Gabriel, peace be on him, spoke to the angels of heaven and earth about his merit in that situation. The Prophet of guidance, peace be on him, set him apart by virtue of his characterising him with what was hidden from ordinary men.

 

 [Of that is what Yaḥyā b. ‘Umāra reported: al-Ḥasan b. Mūsā b. Riyāḥ, retainer of the Anṣār, told me: Abū al-Bakhtarī al-Qurashī:] The standard and banner of Quraysh were both in the hands of Qusayy b. Kilāb. The standard remained in the hand of the sons of ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, the one of them who was present at war used to carry it until Allāh sent His Apostle, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. The standard and the rest of the things came (under the authority of) the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. He settled it on the Banū Hāshim. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, gave it to ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, at the battle of Waddān; it was the first battle at which the standard was carried in Islam, on behalf of the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. It remained with him (i.e. ‘Alī) at the events at Badr -- the greatest victory -- and at the battle of Uḥud. At that time the banner was in the hands of the sons of ‘Abd al-Dār. However, the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, gave it to Muṣ‘ab b. ‘Umayr. He was martyred and the banner fell from his hand. The tribes (men) were looking down at him. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, seized it and thrust it to ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him. On that day he made him combine the standard and the banner and both of them remain to the present day with the Banū Hāshim.

 

 [Al-Mufaḍḍal b. ‘Abd Allāh reported on the authority of Simāk, on the authority of ‘Ikrima, on the authority of ‘Abd Allāh b. ‘Abbās, who said:] Four things were given to ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, which were not given to anyone else: he was the first person, Arab or non-Arab, to pray with the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family; he was the one who carried his banner in every march; he was the one who remained with him at the Battle of Mihrās, that is the Battle of Uḥud; and he was the one who took (his corpse) into his tomb.

 

 [Zayd b. Wahb al Juhnī reported through the following isnād: Aḥmad b. ‘Ammār told us: al-Ḥimmānī told us: Sharīk told us on the authority of ‘Uthman b. al Mughīra, on the authority of Zayd b. Wahb, (Zayd ibn Wahb’s version was probably taken by al-Mufīd from a book written by al-Ḥimmānī. cf. Ṭūsī, Fihrist, 148, 361.) who said: One day we found ‘Abd Allāh b. Mas‘ūd in a good mood. We asked him if he would tell us about the Battle of Uḥud and how it had been. “Yes,” he replied and he carried on the account until he came to the mention of the battle itself. He said:] The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, ordered (us): “Go out against them with the name of Allāh.”

 

We went out and we arrayed ourselves in a long line against them. He positioned f ifty men of the Anṣār over the hill-pass. He put one of their number in charge of them and he told them: “Do not leave this position of yours, for if we are going to be killed right up to the last of us, we will be attacked through your position.”

 

Abū Sufyān Ṣakhr b. Ḥarb positioned Khālid b. al-Walīd opposite them. The banners of Quraysh were in (the possession of) Banū ‘Abd al-Dār and the banner of the polytheists was in (the hands of) Ṭalḥa b. Abī Ṭalḥa - he was called the leader of the phalanx. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, gave the banner of the emigrants (muhājrīn) to ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him. He went forward and stood beneath the banner of the Anṣār. Abū Sufyān came up to the banner-carriers and declared: “Banner-carriers, perhaps you know that the people will only come forward for the sake of their banners. At the battle of Badr, you only came forward for the sake of your banners. (Today) if you think that you will be too weak (to defend) them, give them to us to defend them for you.”

 

 Ṭalḥa b. Abī Ṭalḥa became angry and said: “Are you saying this to us? By Allāh, I will lead you with them today to the waters of death.” Ṭalḥa was called the leader of the phalanx. He advanced and ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, advanced. “Who are you?” demanded ‘Alī. “I am Ṭalḥa b. Abī Ṭalḥa,” he replied. “I am the leader of the phalanx. Who are you?” “I am ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib,” he answered. They drew together and blows were exchanged between them. ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, struck him on the front of the head. His eyes flowed with tears and he let out a scream, the like of which has never been heard (before or since). The banner fell from his hand. His brother called Mūs‘āb seized hold of it but ‘Āṣim b. Thābit shot an arrow at him and killed him. Then his brother called ‘Uthman seized hold of it. Again ‘Āṣim b. Thābit shot an arrow and killed him. Their slave called Ṣawāb, who was one of the fiercest of men, took hold of it. ‘Alī, peace be on him, struck his hand and cut it. He took the banner with his left hand and he cut that (too). He took hold of the banner with his chest and both his severed arms. ‘Alī, peace be on him, struck him on the crown of his head and he fell prostrate.

 

The people were put to flight and the Muslims occupied themselves with spoils. When the men at the mountain-pass saw the people plundering, they said: “Those men will take (all) the spoils while we stay (here).”

 

They asked their leader, ‘Abd Allāh b. ‘Umar b. Ḥazm: “We want to take part in the plunder like the people are.” “The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, has ordered me not to leave this position,” he replied. “He ordered you to do that without knowing that the matter would come to what we now see,” they told him and went off towards the booty leaving him behind. He remained in his position. Khālid b. al-Walīd attacked and killed him. Then (Khālid) came up behind the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, making straight for him. He could see the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, amid a small troop of his Companions. He said to those with him: “Behold this is the man you want. Your business is with him.”

 

 They attacked him as one, striking with swords, thrusting with spears, shooting arrows and hurling stones. The Companions of the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, began to fight to (defend) him until seventy of them were killed. The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, Abū Dujāna and Sahl b. Ḥunayf supported the people in defending the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. The polytheists attacked them. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, had been overcome by faintness from (a wound) which he had received.

 

He opened his eyes and saw the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. “‘Alī ,” he said, “what have the people done?” “They have broken their pledge and turned their tracks in flight,” he answered. “But these who have shown purposefulness will be sufficient for me (to carry out) my purpose.” The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, attacked them and routed them. Then he went back (to the Prophet), who had been attacked from another side. He launched himself against them and routed them. Abū Dujāna and Sahl b. Ḥunayf stood beside him, each with a sword in his hand, in order to defend him.

 

Fourteen of his Companions who had fled came back to him. Among them were Ṭalḥa b. ‘Ubayd Allāh and ‘Āṣim b. Thābit. The rest had gone up the hill and people began to cry out throughout Medina: “The Prophet has been killed.” As a result of that their spirits abandoned them, and defeated and confused they scattered to right and left.

 

Hind, the daughter of ‘Utba, had urged a savage man to kill the Apostle of Allāh, or the Commander of the Faithful or Ḥamza b. ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, peace be on them. He had told her: “As for Muḥammad, there is no way I can get to him because his Companions always surround him. In the case of ‘Alī, when he f ights, he is more wary than a wolf. However, I am quite hopeful with regard to Ḥamza, for when he becomes angry, he does not see what is in front of him.” At that time, Ḥamza could be recognized by an ostrich feather (he wore) on his breast.

 

The savage man lay in wait for him. He reported: “My lance quivered (in my hand) until I was in a good position to hurl it at him. Then it struck him just above the thigh and pierced it. I left him until when he was cold (with death), I went back to him and took my spear from him. Meanwhile the Muslims had been distracted by their flight from (what had happened between) him and me.” Hind had come forward and ordered Ḥamza’s stomach to be split open, his liver to be cut out and his body to be mutilated. They cut off his nose and ears. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, was also too occupied to be aware of what had happened to him.

 

 

****

 

[The narrator of the account - Zayd b. Wahb - reported:] I asked Ibn Mas‘ūd: “Did the people flee from the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, so that only ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, Abū Dujāna and Sahl b. Ḥunayf remained with him?” “Ṭalḥa b. ‘Ubayd Allāh joined them,” he answered. “Where were Abū Bakr and ‘Umar?” I asked. “They were among those who had turned their backs,” he answered. “Where was ‘Uthmān?” I asked. “He only came three hours after the battle,” he replied.

 

The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, said to him: “Have you brought a petition for (your absence from) it?” “Where were you?” I (i.e. Zayd) asked (Ibn Mas‘ūd). “I was among those who had turned their backs (in flight),” he said. “Who told you about this, then?” I enquired. “‘Āṣim and Sahl b. Ḥunayf,” was his answer. “The confirmation of ‘Alī in that position is a source of wonder,” I said. “You may well be amazed at that,” he said, “for the angels themselves were amazed at it. Didn't you know that Gabriel, peace be on him, said, as he was ascending to heaven: “There is no sword except Dhū al-Fiqār; there is no young man except ‘Alī?” “How is that known about Gabriel, peace be on him?” I asked. “The people heard a voice crying that, in the sky,” was his reply. “They asked the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, about it. He told them that that was Gabriel.”

 

 

****

 

[In the account of ‘Imrān b. Ḥusayn, he reported:]

(A similar but briefer account in al-Ṭabarī, I, 1402)

 

At the battle of Uḥud when the people scattered from the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, ‘Alī, peace be on him, came, girding his sword. He stood in front of him and the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, raised his head and asked: “Why haven’t you fled with the people?” “Apostle of Allāh, would I return to being an unbeliever after I had submitted to Islam?” he answered. (The Prophet) pointed out to him some of the enemy who had come down from the hill. (‘Alī) attacked them and put them to flight. Then, (the Prophet) pointed out to him some more of the enemy. Again he attacked them and put them to f light. The Prophet then pointed out to him another group of the enemy. Yet again he attacked them and put them to flight. Gabriel, peace be on him, came and said: “The angels are amazed, and we are amazed with them, at the selflessness of ‘Alī.” “What could prevent him from being like this?” replied the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. “He is from me and I am from him.” “And I, Apostle of Allāh, am from you both,” said Gabriel. [Al-Ḥakam b. ẓuhayr reported on the authority of al-Suddī, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbās:] (Report from al-Ṭabarī, 1,1395-6.)

 

On that day Ṭalḥa b. Abī Ṭalḥa went forward, stood between the two ranks and called out: “Companions of Muḥammad, you claim that Allāh will hurry us towards hellfire through your sword and that we will hurry you towards heaven with our swords. Which of you will come forward to fight me in single combat?” The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, went forward and declared: “By Allāh, today I will not leave you until I have hurried you towards hell-fire with my sword.”

 

The two men exchanged blows. ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, struck him on both his legs and cut them. He fell down and was overcome. He said to ‘Alī: “I implore you before Allāh and kinship (to leave me), cousin.” Then he withdrew from him to his position. The Muslims said to him: “You have not finished him.” “He implored me by Allāh and kinship (to leave him),” (‘Alī) told them, “but he will never survive after that.” Ṭalḥa died where he was. The good news of that was reported to the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. He was delighted with that and said: “This is the captain of the phalanx.”

 

 [Muḥammad b. Marwān reported on the authority of ‘Umāra, on the authority of ‘Ikrima, who said: I heard ‘Alī, peace be on him, say:] When the people fled from the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, at the battle of Uḥud, I became more worried than I have ever been and I was unable to control myself. I had been in front of him fighting with my sword. I went back to look for him. I could not see him. I said to myself: ‘The Apostle of Allāh would not flee.’ Yet I could not see him among those who had been killed. I thought he had been taken up, amid us, into heaven. I broke the sheath of my sword and said to myself: ‘I will fight with my sword without (ever putting it back into a sheath) until I am killed.’ I attacked the enemy and they scattered away from me. Then suddenly (I found that) the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, had fallen to the ground, unconscious. I stood beside his head. He looked towards me and spoke: “‘Alī, what have the people done?” “They have lost their faith, Apostle of Allāh,” I answered. “They have turned their backs in flight and surrendered you.”

 

 The Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, looked towards a phalanx (of the enemy) which had approached him. He told me: “Drive this phalanx away from me, ‘Alī”. I attacked them with my sword and struck out at them to right and left until they turned their backs in flight. “‘Alī, don’t you hear the praise for you in the heavens?” the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, asked me. An angel called Raḍwān was calling out: “There is no sword except Dhū al Fiqār; there is no young man except ‘Alī.” I wept with joy and praised Allāh, all praise be to Him and may He be extolled for His favour. [Al-Ḥasan b. ‘Arafa reported on the authority of ‘Umāra b. Muḥammad, on the authority of Sa‘d b. Ṭarīf, on the authority of Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad b. ‘Alī, on the authority of his fathers, peace be on them:] At the battle of Uḥud an angel called out from heaven: “There is no sword except Dhū al-Fiqār; there is no young man except ‘Alī.” [Similarly Ibrāhīm b. Muḥammad b. Maymūn has reported on the authority of ‘Amr b. Thābit, on the authority of Muḥammad b. ‘Ubayd Allāh b. Abī Rafi‘, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his (i.e. Muḥammad’s) grandfather, who said:] ( Fuller version in al-Ṭabarī, I, 1402, using the earlier authorities)

 

 

“We still hear the Companions of the Prophet say that at the battle of Uḥud a voice called out from heaven: “There is no sword except Dhū al-Fiqār; there is no young man except ‘Alī.” [Sallām b. Miskīn reported on the authority of Qatāda, on the authority of Sa‘īd b. al-Musayyib, who said:]

 

If I had seen the position of ‘Alī, peace be on him, at the battle of Uḥud, I would have found him standing at the right of the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, defending him with his sword when all except him had turned their backs in flight. [Al-Ḥasan b. Maḥbūb reported: Jamīl b. ‘Ṣāliḥ told us on the authority of Abū ‘Ubayda, on the authority of Abū ‘Abd Allāh Ja‘far b. Muḥammad, on the authority of his fathers, peace be on them, who said:] At the battle of Uḥud, nine persons held the banner (of Quraysh).

 

‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, peace be on him, killed them down to the last of them and the enemy were put to flight. On that day (the clan of) Makhzūm tried to escape but ‘Alī, peace be on him, destroyed them. ‘Alī, peace be on him, went forward to fight al-Ḥakam b. al-Akhnas. He struck his leg off from half way up his thigh and he died from that. When the Muslims scattered in that way, Umayya b. Abī Ḥudhayfa b. al-Mughīra advanced. He was in armour and he was declaring: “Today is the day (of vengeance) for Badr.” One of the Muslims opposed him but Umayya b. Abī Ḥudhayfa killed him. ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib directed himself towards him and struck him on the head with his sword and it was caught in the middle of his helmet. Umayya struck out with his sword and the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, warded off the blow with his leather shield. It (also) got caught there.

 

The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, pulled his sword away from his helmet and Umayya also freed his sword from the shield. They both attacked each other again. ‘Alī, peace be on him, reported: “I could see a gap (in his armour, below his arm-pit. I struck at it with my sword and killed him. Then I went away from him.”

 

When the people fled from the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, at the battle of Uḥud and the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, stood f irm, the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, asked him: “Why don't you go with the people?” “Go and leave you, Apostle of Allāh!” exclaimed the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. “By Allāh, I will not leave you until I am killed or Allāh has fulfilled His promise of help to you.” “Know the good news. ‘Alī,” the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, told him. “Indeed Allāh is one who fulfils his promises, and they will never inflict the like of this on us again.”

 

 Then he looked towards a troop which had advanced towards him. He said to him: “Attack them, ‘Alī.” The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, attacked them. He killed Hishām b. Umayya al-Makhzūmi, who was among them, and the people fled. Another troop advanced. (Again) the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, told him: “Attack them.” He attacked them and killed ‘Amr b. ‘Abd Allāh al-Jumaḥī, who was among them. They also fled. Yet another troop advanced and again the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, told him to attack them. He attacked them and killed Bishr b. Mālik al-‘Āmirī, who was among them. The troop fled. After that none of them returned and those of the Muslims who had fled began to come back to the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. The polytheists withdrew towards Mecca and the Muslims went back to Medina with the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family. Fāṭima, peace be on her, met him. She had with her a jar of water. He washed his face with it and then the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, followed him. Blood covered him from his arm to his shoulder. He had (his sword) Dhū al-Fiqār with him and he gave it to Fāṭima, peace be on her. “Take this sword,” he told her. “It has been true to me today.” He began to recite: ( Similar verses in al-Ṭabarī, 1, 1436)

 

 

Fāṭima,this sword in not without honour and I am no coward, nor am I blameworthy. By my life, I have been free from blame in the support (I gave to) Aḥmad (i.e. Muḥammad) and in the obedience (I showed) to a Lord Who knows about (those who perform) the worship (of Him).

 

Remove the blood of the people from it. Indeed it has offered the cup of death to the family of ‘Abd al-Dār for them to drink. “Take it, Fāṭima,” the Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, told her. “For your husband has done his duty and through his sword Allāh has killed the leaders of Quraysh.” The biographers of the Prophet (ahl al-siyar) mention the dead of the polytheists at Uḥud and the majority were slain by the Commander of the Faithful. [‘Abd al-Malik b. Hishām reported: Ziyād b. ‘Abd Allāh told us on the authority of Muḥammad b. Isḥāq, who said:] The standard-bearer of Quraysh at the battle of Uḥud was Ṭalḥa b. Abī Ṭalḥa b. ‘Abd al-‘Uzzā b. ‘Uthmān b. ‘Abd al-Dār. He was killed by ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib. The latter killed his son Abū Sa‘īd b. Ṭalḥa and his brother Khālid b Abī Ṭalḥa. He also killed ‘Abd Allāh b. Ḥumayd b. Zuhra b. al-Ḥārith b. Asad b. ‘Abd al-‘Uzzā and he killed Abū al-Ḥakam b. al-Akhnas b. Sharīq al-Thaqafi and al Walīd b. Abī Ḥudhayfa b. al-Mughīra. He

 

killed the latter’s brother, Umayya b. Abī Ḥudhayfa b. al-Mughīra. He also killed Arṭa’a b. Sharḥabīl, Hishām b. Umayya, ‘Amr b. ‘Abd Allāh al-Jumaḥī and Bishr b. Mālik. He killed Sawāb, the retainer of the Banū ‘Abd al-Dār.

(In the version we have from Ibn Hishām most but not all of these names are included. cf. Ibn Hishām, Sira, 610-11.)

 

His was success. The people came back from their rout to the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, (while he was in) the same position in which he had been, defending him apart from them. Allāh, the Most High, sent disgrace down on all of them because of their flight on that day except for him and those of the Anṣār who stood firm with him. They were eight or (as) it has been said four or f ive. Concerning (the prowess of the Commander of the Faithful in) killing those whom he killed at the battle of Uḥud, his hardship and his noble suffering, al Ḥajjāj b. ‘Alāṭ al-Sulamī recited: A man who protects Allāh’s people (ḥizb) belongs to Allāh -- I mean the son of Fāṭima (i.e. ‘Alī), the man with important paternal and maternal uncles. How two hands acted against him with a speedy thrust when you left Ṭalḥa, lying dead (because of a blow) to his forehead.

 

You attacked fiercely like a brave man and you scattered them at the foot of the hill when they were descending to the bottom.

 

You gave your sword a second draught of blood and you did not refuse it while it was thirsty until it had quenched its thirst.