Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was a brave warrior who fought many battles for the cause of Islam. Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with great strength and prowess in battle on account of which he was able to easily defeat the enemy.
We will next discuss various occasions when Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه stood in the defense of Islam:
Dueling Waleed bin ‘Utbah on the Occasion of Badr
On the occasion of Badr, before the armies engaged one another in battle, there were first duels that were fought between individuals.
From the side of the Quraish, three people came forward to duel; ‘Utbah bin Rabee‘ah, Shaibah bin Rabee‘ah, and Waleed bin ‘Utbah. They stepped forward and called out to the Muslims, requesting three opponents to fight.
In response to this challenge, three Sahaabah of the Ansaar stepped forward; Hazrat ‘Awf bin Haarith, his brother, Hazrat Mu‘awwiz bin Haarith, and Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Rawaahah رضي الله عنهم.
On seeing them, the disbelievers enquired, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are from the Ansaar.” The disbelievers responded, “It is not you that we wish to fight. We wish to fight our own people.”
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم thus instructed these three Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم to return to their rows and instructed the following three Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم to step forward and fight; Hazrat Hamzah, Hazrat ‘Ali and Hazrat ‘Ubaidah bin Haarith رضي الله عنهم.
Seeing them, the disbelievers were satisfied and said, “Yes, these are worthy adversaries.”
Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه faced Shaibah, Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه faced Waleed, and Hazrat ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه faced ‘Utbah. They then commenced the duels.
As for Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه and Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه, then in just a single swing of the sword, they both killed their opponents and dispatched them to Jahannum.
As for Hazrat ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه, then he was stil engaged in combat with his opponent, ‘Utbah. Both of them were wounded, and ‘Utbah had dealt Hazrat ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه a fatal wound to his leg. Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه and Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه thus rushed to the aid of Hazrat ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه and swiftly put an end to the life of ‘Utbah.
Thereafter, on the return from Badr, at a place named Safraa, Hazrat ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه
succumbed to his injury and passed away, attaining martyrdom.
(Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 5/95, Seeratul Mustafa 2/76-78, Usdul Ghaabah 3/547)
REFLECTIONS
Effect of Imaan
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi رحمه الله once mentioned:
The effect of Imaan in the life of a person is such that it prompts him towards showing kindness and compassion to the creation, forgiving and overlooking their weaknesses and adopting courage and bravery at the time of difficulties. As a result of not possessing Imaan, these qualities are not seen in the kuffaar. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 8/136)
(Ihyaauddeen.co.za)