Hazrat Ali’s (RA) courage and bravery was unique and unparalleled and will be remembered as one of his exclusive qualities. Due to his bravery, Hazrat Ali (RA) was popularly called “Asadullah” meaning “The Lion of Allah”. In many battles he had played an influential role in the victory of Muslims as he defeated many enemies on the battlefields. Apart from the expedition of Tabuk, Hadrat Ali [RA] fought in all the early battles of Islam with great distinction, particularly in the expedition of Khaybar. It is reported that in the Battle of Uhud he received more than sixteen wounds.
Here we will look at a few incidents from some of the battles he fought in order to get a glimpse of the bravery of this Lion of Allah.
Battle of Badr
Sayyiduna Ali (RA) was the hero of the Battle of Badr (624 CE).
In Kitab al-Maghazi it is related, “It was in the Battle of Badr that Sayyiduna Ali (RA) first distinguished himself as a warrior. This happened because he defeated the Umayyad champion Walid ibn Utba as well as twenty other Meccan soldiers.” [al Waqidi,Kitab al-Magazi]
Qatada said, “Ali ibn Abi Talib [RA],was the standard bearer of the Prophetﷺ in the Battle of Badr.” [Related by Imam ibn Sad in his al-Tabaqat ibn S’ad]
It is during this famous battle that the Messenger of Allahﷺ gave his sword, Dhul-Fiqar to Sayyiduna Ali (RA) after the battle was finished.
Battle of Uhud
At the battle of Uhud Sayyiduna Ali (RA), his uncle Sayyiduna Hamza (RA) and Abu Dujana (RA) were among the heroes of this battle. This is the battle where Sayyiduna Ali (RA) once again distinguished himself as a true champion of Allah. He fought fearlessly and ran through the standard bearer of the Quraysh, a man by the name of Talha ibn Abu Talha. The standard was immediately raised by another man named Uthman ibn Abu Talha. And when Uthman fell at the hands of Sayyiduna Hamza (RA),it was raised again by Abu Sa’d ibn Abu Talha. He challenged Muslims for a fight. This challenge was accepted by Sayyiduna Ali(RA), who killed him on the spot.
During the battle of Uhud a false rumour was spread about the Messenger of Allahﷺ being martyred. This confused the generals and soldiers of the Muslims because the Quraysh were now shouting, “We have killed Muhammad! “Hearing this, many sahaba(RA) fled, with only a few from the sahaba staying to protect the Messenger of Allahﷺ, Sayyiduna Ali(RA) of course being one of them.
Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas(RA) said ,”Among the virtues of Ali is that he is one who stayed with the Messenger of Allahﷺ at all times, during the Battle on the day of al-Mihras [the Battle of Uhud].” [Imam al-Hakim , al Mustadrak]
Messenger of Allahﷺ said concerning Sayyiduna Ali [RA]’s valor in the Battle of Uhud. “There is no sword but Dhul-Fiqar,and there is no young warrior who can compare to Ali.” [Mustadrak Imam Hakim,Sunan al-Bayhaqi]
Battle of Khaybar
Abu Rafi said, “We went out with Ali ibn Abi Talib,when the Messenger of Allahﷺ dispatched him with his flag against Khaybar. When he reached near the fortress , its people came out against him and he engaged them in battle. One of the Jews struck at him and knocked his shield from his hands. Sayyiduna Ali(RA) then grasped the door of the fortress, which was made from iron and used it as a shield. It remained in his hand as he fought the Jews until Allah conquered the the fortress by his hands.” [Imam Suyuti in his Tarikh al-Khulafa]
Imam Suyuti says that it took 40 men to move it, while Imam al-Bayhaqi related that after Hadrat Ali(RA) tossed the door it took 70 men to return the door to its hinges. It was seen as a miracle from Allah and from this point, people really started revering Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib(RA).
Shaykh Ahmad ibn Hajar al-Haytami relates that Sayyiduna Ali(RA) said, “I did not snatch the door of Khaybar from its place by bodily power,but by the power from the Divine.” [Imam ibn Hajar al-Haytami in his al-Sawaiq al-Muhariqah]
