The Biography of Hazrat Ali “may Allah be pleased with him” (Part 21)
The Second Stage of the Battle of Safin
At the end of Muharram in the year 37 Hijri, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered his army that a decisive battle would begin on the first of Safar. He tasked Marshad bin Haris Jashmi with announcing to the people of Syria: “Amir of the believers declares that until now I have provided you with the opportunity to accept the truth and have presented my evidence, yet you have not responded positively. From this point forward, there is no covenant between us.”
With this announcement, the people of Syria prepared for battle. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) instructed that if anyone from the opposing side fled, they should not be pursued; the property and belongings of the wounded should not be seized; the bodies of the dead should not be mutilated; and women should not be attacked, even if they utter blasphemy. Hazrat Amir Muawiya issued similar orders to his army.
The war began on the morning of Wednesday, the 1st of Safar, with the army of Sham (Syria) under the command of Habib bin Muslimah Fahri facing the army of Kufa, led by Malik Ashtar. The fighting continued from morning until evening, but neither side was able to gain the upper hand.
On the second day, Hashim bin Utbah came to the battlefield on behalf of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) with an army both on horseback and on foot. In response, Abul Awar Salmi confronted him on behalf of the people of Syria. The battle continued until evening, but again, neither side could claim victory.
On the third day, Ammar bin Yasir came forth from Hazrat Ali’s army, while Amr ibn Aas represented Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). In the latter part of the day, Ammar bin Yasir launched a strong attack that forced Amr ibn Aas to retreat, yet still, there was no clear outcome of victory or defeat.
On the fourth day, Ubaidullah bin Umar entered the battlefield on behalf of Hazrat Muawiyah, while his opponent was Muhammad bin Hanafiyah, who fought for Hazrat Ali. Despite Muhammad’s passion and heroism, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ultimately turned him back.
On the fifth day, Abdullah bin Abbas represented Hazrat Ali’s army in battle against Walid bin Uqbah from the Syrian side.
On the sixth day, Dhul-Kalaa Hamiri fought for Hazrat Muawiyah, and Qays bin Saad Ansari represented Hazrat Ali’s army. On the seventh day, Habib bin Muslimah faced Malik Ashtar in another fierce encounter. The fighting continued violently from morning until evening, but neither side achieved any significant results.
The Battle of Safin: The Last Two Days
On the evening of Wednesday, Hazrat Ali (may Allah bless him) and Amir Muawiyah (may Allah bless him) personally prepared their armies for war. The intensity of the battle that day exceeded that of previous days, yet neither side emerged victorious or defeated.
This seven-day conflict, featuring new generals from both sides entering the fray and displaying bravery, was devastating for Islam and Muslims, as swords were drawn against one another. The enemies of Islam watched these heartbreaking scenes unfold. However, the following two days of this week would prove even more sinister.
The Decisive Battle
After a week of hostilities, the parties readied themselves for a decisive confrontation on the 8th of Safar, Thursday 37 AH. Hazrat Ali ordered his troops to engage in prayer and supplication throughout the night. Following the Fajr prayer, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) launched an attack against the people of Sham with his entire army. In this assault, he placed himself at the heart of his forces, which included the elders from Basra, Kufa, residents of Madinah, most of the Ansar, and members of Banu Khaza’ah and Banu Kananeh.
The leadership of Maimana was entrusted to Abdullah bin Badil bin Warqa Khazai. Each tribe was positioned under different commands, carrying their own flags. Ammar bin Yasir was responsible for the troops from Sarayan and Qarian, while Qais bin Saad and Abdullah bin Yazid also had assigned missions in this area.
Meanwhile, Hazrat Amir Muawiyah had taken the oath of allegiance from his followers in his tent. In his army, the responsibility for Misera was given to Habib bin Muslimah Fahri, while Obaidullah bin Umar oversaw Maimana.
Initially, Maimana from Hazrat Ali’s army (may Allah be pleased with him) advanced. Abdullah bin Badil Khaza’i, the commander of Maimana, launched an attack on Habib bin Muslimah Fahri. Although this attack was fierce, it ultimately favored the Syrian Army, forcing Abdullah bin Badil and his men to retreat.
Seeing the state of his forces from where he was overseeing the oath of allegiance, Hazrat Amir Muawiyah immediately ordered his men to launch an attack. They advanced so aggressively that Abdullah bin Badil was left with only two or three hundred men, while the rest fled. Those who escaped sought refuge with Hazrat Ali. Upon witnessing this situation, he promptly ordered Sahl bin Hanif to lead the people of Madinah to aid Abdullah bin Badil. However, the Syrian army prevented Sahl bin Hanif from reaching Abdullah bin Badil, and it wasn’t long before Abdullah bin Badil and his companions were martyred by the army from Sham.
A similar scenario unfolded in Misera, where, except for the tribe of Rabi’a, most of the soldiers fled. Observing this scene, Hazrat Ali (may Allah bless him) sent his sons Hassan, Hussain, and Muhammad to assist Rabi’a.
Additionally, he instructed Malik Ashtar to address the fleeing troops from Maimana: “اين فراركم من الموت الذى لاتعجزوه الى الحیاة الّتى لاتبقى لكم.” (“Where do you escape from death if you cannot be returned by means of an unsustainable life?”)
Ashtar, mounted on his horse, conveyed Hazrat Ali’s message to the fleeing Maimana soldiers, galvanizing their spirits with a loud exhortation. He then readied himself alongside them to confront the army of Sham.
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