Battles & Military Legacy

The first major military engagement in Islamic history. The 313 Muslims faced approximately 1,000 well-armed Quraysh warriors. Ali, only around 23 years old, was the standard-bearer and one of the three champions chosen for single combat at the start of the battle.

Ali defeated Walid ibn Utba in the opening duel, then assisted Hamza and Ubayda against their opponents. During the main battle, Ali fought with extraordinary valor, personally accounting for a significant portion of the enemy casualties.

At Uhud, when many companions fled due to the surprise attack by Khalid ibn al-Walid's cavalry from the rear, Ali stood firm beside the Prophet (PBUH). He received over 16 wounds while shielding the Prophet with his own body.

When the rumor spread that the Prophet had been killed, Ali was among the very few who remained, fighting off wave after wave of attackers. It was during this battle that the voice from the heavens was heard declaring: "There is no brave youth except Ali, and no sword except Zulfiqar."

When 10,000 enemy soldiers besieged Medina, the Muslims dug a trench on the advice of Salman al-Farsi. The most critical moment came when the legendary Arab warrior Amr ibn Abd Wudd — considered equal to a thousand fighters — crossed the trench and challenged the Muslims to single combat.

No one dared to face him except Ali. The Prophet said: "The entirety of faith has gone out against the entirety of disbelief." Ali engaged Amr in a fierce duel and slew him, breaking the morale of the enemy and leading to their eventual retreat.

The siege of the fortified Jewish stronghold at Khaybar was one of the most dramatic episodes of Ali's military career. After other commanders failed to breach the fortress, the Prophet declared:

The next morning, the Prophet gave the banner to Ali, who was suffering from an eye infection. The Prophet applied his blessed saliva to Ali's eyes, and they were instantly healed. Ali then marched to the fortress, engaged the champion Marhab in single combat and killed him, then tore the great iron gate of Khaybar from its hinges and used it as a shield.

Afterward, a group of men tried to turn the gate over — it took eight or more men and they still could not lift it properly. This event became legendary proof of the divine strength granted to Ali.

After the conquest of Mecca, 12,000 Muslim soldiers marched against the Hawazin tribe at Hunayn. When the enemy ambushed them in a narrow valley, the massive Muslim army panicked and many fled. Ali was among the handful who stood their ground around the Prophet, fighting until the Muslims regrouped and won the day.

His steadfastness at Hunayn, as at Uhud, demonstrated that his courage was not mere aggression but principled bravery — he stood firm where it mattered most, never running regardless of the odds.