195 — Ahmad related to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Abbād ibn Mūsā al-Uklī related to me; Kathīr ibn Hishām related to us; Īsā ibn Yūnus related to us, from Marūf, who said: Saīd ibn al-Musayyib said:

Ali ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—killed four of Quraysh’s foremost champions, one of whom was Talha ibn Abī Talha. He then brought the sword to Fātima—may Allah be pleased with her—and said:

[al-Tawīl meter]

“O Fātima, take this sword from one who merits no blame;
I am neither a craven nor a man of shame.

By my life, I fought in aid of Ahmad,
seeking the pleasure of a Lord who knows His servants.

I desire Allah’s reward—nothing else—
and His good pleasure in a Garden of bliss.

I made straight for the son of Abd al-Dār, to make myself known
with a gleaming blade that cleaves bones to their core.

I have ever been a man who rises when war girds itself
and stands at full height against every blameworthy foe.

I left him there to be dragged away, and his band dispersed,
scattered in all directions—some dying, others wounded.”

⦗68⦘

He said: On the Day of the Confederates, Amr ibn Abd Wudd crossed the trench toward them. He was told, “Turn back!” He replied, “I shall not turn back until I kill Muhammad.” Ali ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—went out to meet him and said, “Amr, I heard you say at the Kaaba, ‘No one meets me on equal terms without my killing him.’ I now call upon you to testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” He refused.

Ali said, “Then I challenge you to dismount and face me in single combat.”

He replied, “You have dealt fairly.” Amr had previously said:

[al-Kāmil meter]

“My voice has grown hoarse from calling to your assembled host:
‘Is there anyone who will face me in single combat?’

I stood, when even the brave turned coward,
in the station of the champion who fights to the finish.

Thus have I always rushed headlong
toward the upheavals of war.

Courage in a young man, and generosity,
are among the finest natural traits.”

Ali ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—answered him:

[al-Kāmil meter]

“Do not be hasty; the one who answers your call has come—
no weakling, but a man of firm intent and insight,
and truth delivers everyone who triumphs.

I surely hope to set funeral mourners
wailing over you,

through one gaping blow whose mark
will remain when battles rage.

You called men to single combat;
why, then, do you not answer your challenger?”

Amr dismounted, hamstrung his horse, and planted his short spear in the ground. He was lame, and Ali—may Allah be well pleased with him—walked toward him. A cloud of dust arose, concealing the two men from the people. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—raised his hands in supplication. When the dust cleared, Ali was wiping his sword on his clothes. Ali—may Allah be well pleased with him—returned, saying:

“Is it against me that horsemen make such a charge?
Hold my companions back from both me and them!

Today my honor bars me from flight,
as does a blade striking home at the head, never glancing aside.

Umayr did his duty when he perfected his craft:
pure steel that draws forth my reward.

I went forth seeking the clash with a keen, cutting blade
and a short sword hanging at my side.

Ibn Abd vowed when he bound himself by oath,
and I swore as well—now hear which of us proved false.

He swore neither to turn away nor to proclaim Allah’s oneness;
then two young warriors met, exchanging every manner of blow.

I turned away only after leaving him sprawled,
like a tree trunk amid low mounds and hills.

I refrained from taking his garments, though had I
been the one cast down, he would have stripped me of mine.”

Abd al-Rahmān ibn Sālih supplied me with this additional verse, from Yūnus ibn Bukayr:

“He worshipped stones through the folly of his judgment,
while I rightly worshipped Muhammad’s Lord.”