In all the wars Islam fought against Talib (a.

In all the wars Islam fought against Talib (a.s., its enemies, Imam Ali (a.s.) was always the victor, not merely through taking part in the excursions in person, but by his sacrifices and bravery which surpassed all others. His combat skills and feats of daring were so well known that many of the enemy would not face him, knowingly, on the battlefield. It is worthwhile to refer to some of the battles fought by the Islamic forces in those days and Imam Ali's (a.s.) specific role in each of them.

1.THE BATTLE OF BADR: Badr lies 200 miles from Mecca and 80 miles from Madinah. It was the site of the first battle fought by the forces of the Islamic state. The Muslims were outnumbered by 3:1 by an army of Meccans led by Abu Jahl. In the winter of 2 A.H. (after higrah) his army was proceeding toward Madinah when the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) sent out his forces of 313 to prevent bloodshed inside the city limits. The provisions of the Muslims was scanty.

Three or four men had to share one camel, taking turns riding. The standard bearer of this small courageous band was Imam Ali (a.s.).(38) There was a single horseman-- Miqdad bin Aswad Kindi. Some of the Muslims were armed only with sticks made from palm trees. Warfare in those days was quite different than what we know today. Before the general battle began, a number of duels were fought between the leading warriors Of each side.

When the Muslims reached the fertile vale of Badr, a favorite watering place and camping ground on the caravan route, three stations northwards from Mecca, the Prophet ordered a halt, taking suitable positions near a stream of fresh water, to await the arrival of the infidel army On the next day, Friday, the 17th of Ramadhan, the enemy blowing their trupets, approached the Muslims.(39) Three of the infidel warriors, Utbah, the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan, his brother, Shaibah, and Al-Walid came out of the ranks and arrogantly challenged the Muslims.

Three Ansars of Madinah immediately stepped out to accept the challenge. The Meccans were outraged and refused to fight the Ansars saying: "We have not come all this way to cross arms with the Madinites, against whom we bear no grudge. We challenge the people of Mecca who have the courage to defy us." Upon hearing this Imam Ali (a.s.) and Ubaidah, both cousins of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), and Hamzah, his uncle, responded to the challenge.

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