wikishia:Featured Article/2015/17

Mālik b. Hārith al-Ashtar al-Nakhaʿī (مالك بن حارث الاشتر النخعي) (b.? - d. 39/659) well-known as Malik al-Ashtar (مالك الأشتر) was one of the especial companions of Imam 'Ali (a) and one of the powerful leaders of Iraq. He was one of the commanders of the army of Imam 'Ali (a) who was forethoughtful in politics and strong in battle. He participated in the Battle of Jamal and the Battle of Siffin and eventually he was appointed by Imam 'Ali (a) as governor-general in Egypt. However, he was martyred before arriving to Egypt. The famous treaty of Malik al-Ashtar is a letter that Imam 'Ali (a) wrote to Malik while he was in Egypt.

His son, Ibrahim b. Malik al-Ashtar, also was among the advocates of Ahl al-Bayt (a). He was one of the companions of Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, where they took revenge on the murderers of Imam al-Husayn (a). continue reading...