Hazrat Ali’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) courage and bravery was unique and unparalleled and will be famously remembered as one of his exclusive qualities. In many battles he had played an influential role in the victory of the Muslims as he defeated many enemies on the battlefields. Hereunder we will look at a few incidents from some of the battles he fought in to get a glimpse of the bravery of this Lion of Allah Ta’ala.
In the Battle of Badr, when Hazrat Hamzah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) killed Aswad Ibn Abdul Asad Makhzoomi, the leaders of the enemies’ army, Utba bin Rabia arose along with his brother Shayba bin Rabia and his son, Waleed Ibn Utba and he exclaimed, “O Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! Bring forth people from the Quraish who can compete with us!” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “O Bani Hashim! Arise and fight for the truth which has been sent to your Prophet.” Upon hearing these words of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hazrat Hamzah, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Obaidah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhum) charged towards the enemy. The leader of the opposing army, Utba, was fighting Hazrat Hamzah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and had been defeated by him. Waleed, who was extremely arrogant due to his courage and power, fought against Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). He attacked him almost as though he was an insane animal but the sword of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) known as Zulfikaar (the sword once given to him by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)) destroyed his pride and he was defeated and died. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then saw that Hazrat Obaidah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was injured due to the attacks on him by Shayba. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then leaped on Shayba and killed him.
During the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims found themselves surrounded by the disbelievers, many being martyred and in this state of confusion it was announced by them that they had assassinated Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Muslims were agitated by this announcement and they dispersed. Many Muslims even fled from the battlefield. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) vanished from his sight due to the disbelievers surrounding the Muslims, he firstly searched for the Beloved of Allah amongst the living but did not manage to locate him. He then searched for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) amongst the martyred but was not successful in finding him. He states that he thought in his mind that it was not possible for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to flee from the battlefield and therefore it was most likely that Allah Ta’ala had raised His Beloved to the Heavens. At this time, Hazrat Ali’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) ultimate desire was to continue fighting until he would be martyred in the way of his Lord. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that he attacked the disbelievers with such severity that they began to disperse and he then saw the Beloved of Allah which overjoyed his heart and he was certain that Allah Ta’ala had protected Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) through the angels. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) hastened towards Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and stood beside him. The disbelievers attacked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) continuously and he told Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) to hinder them. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says that he faced the disbelievers alone and managed to restrain them and during this process many of them were killed. After this, another group of disbelievers had arrived with the intention of attacking Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and once again the Beloved of Allah signaled towards Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) who fought them by himself. Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) approached Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and praised the bravery and strength of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “He (Sayyiduna Ali) is from me and I am from him.” From this it is firmly established that there was a very close relationship between Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). Upon hearing these words, Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) said, “And I am from both of you”. The desire of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) to be killed when failing to find Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his fighting against the disbelievers without the presence of any companion who could assist him, not only proves how courageous he was but it also highlights the immense love that he had for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
It is narrated that on the day of the Battle of Ahzaab, Amr Ibn Abd Wud, who was known to be as strong as one thousand horsemen, left for the battlefield covered with armor and a flag in his hand and he proclaimed loudly, “Is there anyone who can challenge me?” Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) desired to challenge him but when he sought permission from Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he told him to remain seated. For a second time Amr shouted, “Who is prepared to challenge me?” He condemned and rebuked the Muslims and said to them, “Where is the Paradise in which you claim to enter when killed? Why do you not bring forth someone to challenge me?” Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) once again rose and sought permission from the Beloved of Allah and was told once again to remain seated. For the third time, Amr challenged the Muslims to bring forth a person who could fight him and he recited provocative verses. The narrator states that Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) rose and said to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Messenger of Allah! I shall challenge this individual.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “This is Amr.” Hazrat Ali replied, “Even if this is Amr, I shall challenge him.” Thereafter Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) permitted him to depart and challenge Amr. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) approached Amr and recited some poetic verses which can be translated as, “O Amr! Don’t hasten. The one who is not helpless has come in order to truthfully answer your challenge with pure intention and insight. For every successful person, truth is the concept that saves him. I have firm conviction that I shall place upon your dead body such loud wailers that the recollection of those wails shall forever remain.” Amr questioned, “Who are you?” Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) replied, “I am Ali.” Amr said, “Are you the son of Abd Manaaf?” He replied, “I am Ali Ibn Abi Taalib.” Amr said, “O nephew! There are amongst your uncles those who are older than you. I deem spilling your blood to be a bad thing.” Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) replied, “By Allah I do not deem spilling your blood to be a bad thing.” Upon hearing these words, Amr became furious and leapt towards Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) drawing his sword. He struck Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) with such force on the head, injuring him. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then struck him so fiercely that he fell over. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then heard the Takbeer from Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) at the death of Amr. The power and courage of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) overcame a man who was infamous due to his strength.
Another occasion in which the courage of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) became apparent was the conquest of Khaibar, an area which was under the governance of Morahhab. The conquest was extremely difficult to achieve. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) firstly handed the flag to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) but he did not succeed in his attempt to conquer Khaibar. Thereafter, Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was handed the flag but he was also unsuccessful. Many days passed in which this campaign continued until one night, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) announced the next day that he would appoint such a person to hold the flag of Islam who would be granted success in conquering Khaibar. He said that this person loved Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and he was beloved to Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The companions spent the night in suspense as it was the desire of every companion to be confirmed as a person who is beloved to Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Of course, the companions were not like the ignorant sects of today and they knew that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had been bestowed with the knowledge of unseen. It was therefore their firm conviction that Khaibar would definitely be conquered on the following day but it was the heartfelt desire of every one of them that he be blessed to be the conqueror.
The following morning, the companions nervously arrived in the blessed court of the beloved of Allah, desiring to witness the person whose status would be elevated by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Everyone’s attention was towards the blessed lips of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who said, “Where is Ali Ibn Abi Taalib?” The people replied that Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was being troubled by an eye-sore and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered for him to be called. When he arrived, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) placed his blessed saliva on the eyes of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) who was immediately cured. His eyes were so perfectly cured that it was as though they had never been sore. The Messenger of Allah then handed the flag to Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). Sayyiduna Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) inquired from Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) whether he should fight against the people of Khaibar until they become Muslims. The Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised him to be soft in his approach by inviting them towards Islam by explaining to them the rights that a Muslim possesses. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) swore by Allah that even if one of the people was guided because of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), it would be better than red camels for him.” [Bukhari Shareef ]
Instead of accepting Islam, Morahhab approached Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in order to fight and he recited the following verse, “Khaibar has become aware that I am Morahhab, I am heavily armoured, courageous and experienced.” Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) replied to this verse with the following inspirational verse, “I am the one whose mother named him Lion; like a lion that lives in the bushes, I am a fearful sight!” Morahhab proceeded with arrogance and swung his sword at him. Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) managed to block his swing and thereafter swung at Morahhab’s head with Zulfikaar and sliced through his head until it reached his teeth, and with this strike he fell to the ground, dead. [Muslim Shareef ]
Seeing the corpse of Morahhab on the ground, the entire Jewish army then rushed to attack Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). He defeated many of their renowned fighters including Haarith, Usair, Aamir etc. and during this confrontation his shield was cut and fell to the ground. He then came near the gate of the fort, uprooted it and used its door as a shield. [Zarqaani] After he conquered Khaibar he threw the door of the fort on the floor and when the people later tried to lift it up, forty people had to carry it as any less were not able to carry such a heavy door. [Taareekh-ul-Khulafa]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to seek the knowledge of our Deen and to sacrifice our lives for Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam the way the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam did, Ameen.
[Compiled from Khutbaat-e-Muharram by Faqeeh-e-Millat Hazrat Allama Mufti Jalaaludeen Ahmad Amjadi Rahmatullah Alaih]
Ref: https://raza-e-khushtar.org/articles/the-awliya-allah/the-bravery-of-hazrat-ali-radiallahu-anh/
