Malik al-Ashtar: Difference between revisions

{{main|Battle of Siffin}}

Malik al-Ashtar was one the commanders of the army of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] who would reach the vicinity of the camp of [[Mu'awiya]] in the Battle of Siffin. The victory of the army of Imam was evident. In such a situation, the soldiers of Mu'awiya tried a ruse and put [[Qur'an]]s on the spears and invited the followers of Imam 'Ali (a) to finalize the battle by the command of the Qur'an. A group of the soldiers (approximately 20,000 persons) of the army of Imam became confused and fell for the ruse. They gathered and asked 'Ali (a) to order to Malik to return, otherwise they would kill 'Ali (a), their Imam and leader. Imam explained the situation and the ruse of the Mu'awiya but they did not accept and forced 'Ali (a) to order Malik al-Ashtar to return immediately. Imam had no choice except to send a courier to Malik al-Ashtar with the message to retreat.