1110 – On the authority of ʿAlī (may Allah be pleased with him): “They engaged in single combat on the Day of Badr.” Related by al-Bukhārī, and Abū Dāwūd recorded a longer version. (1)

Vocabulary of the ḥadīth
• tabārazū: from bārzahu mubārazatan, barāzan – to step out toward an opponent and duel with him between the two battle lines.

Points derived from the ḥadīth

1. When the Muslims arrayed themselves for battle at Badr and the idolaters formed their opposing ranks, three men advanced from the Quraysh: ʿUtbah ibn Rabīʿah, his brother Shaybah, and al-Walīd ibn ʿUtbah. From the Muslim army came forth ʿUbaydah ibn al-Ḥārith ibn al-Muṭṭalib ibn ʿAbd Manāf, Ḥamzah ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, and ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib. ʿUbaydah met ʿUtbah, Ḥamzah met Shaybah, and ʿAlī met al-Walīd. Ḥamzah and ʿAlī each killed his opponent. As for ʿUbaydah and his adversary, they exchanged two blows, each inflicting a serious wound on the other. Ḥamzah and ʿAlī then turned on ʿUtbah, finished him off, and carried their wounded comrade back to camp. ʿUbaydah later died of his wounds and was counted a martyr—may Allah be pleased with him and with his two companions.
2. The ḥadīth shows that duelling is permissible for anyone who is confident of his own proficiency. One who is not competent should not volunteer, lest he expose himself to death without adequate precaution and thereby undermine the morale and steadfastness of the Muslim forces.
3. Sharḥ al-Iqnāʿ states: “If an unbeliever challenges a Muslim to single combat, it is recommended for the Muslim who knows his own strength and courage to accept, with the commander’s permission, for answering the challenge demonstrates the Muslims’ power and their endurance in warfare.”