Mubarizun

A duel between Ali and Amr ibn Abd al-Wud in the Battle of the Trench

The Mubarizun (Arabic: مبارزون, "duelists", or "champions") formed a special unit of the Rashidun army during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century. The Mubarizun were a recognized part of the Muslim army with the purpose of engaging enemy champions in single combat.[1] In Arab, Byzantine, and Sassanian warfare, battles usually began with duels between the champion warriors of the opposing armies.[2]

The Muslim army would typically begin battle with its soldiers first equipping their armor, assembling their units to their positions and lastly dispatching the Mubarizun.[2] Mubarizun fighters were instructed to refrain from pursuing any defeated enemy champions more than two-thirds of the way to the enemy lines to avoid the risk of being cut off.[3] After the conclusion of the dueling phase, the army would launch its general advance.[2]

List of notable Mubarizun

See also

References

  1. ^ Nicolle, 1994, p. 37.
  2. ^ a b c Nicolle, 1994, p. 36.
  3. ^ Nicolle, 1998, p. 24.
  4. ^ al Jazari, Ali 'Izz al-Din Ibn al-Athir. "Usd al-ghābah fi ma'rifat al-ṣaḥābah: "The Lions of the Forest and the knowledge about the Companions"". al Eman. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ al Dhahabi, Shams ad-Dīn. "Siyar A'lam Nubala". Retrieved 15 January 2021.

Bibliography