Then the Imam (a.

Then the Imam (a.s) called close to him the youth, Hudayn ibn al-Mundhir, who carried a red flag and asked him, “With this flag you do not move forward the distance of a hand!” The youth said, “Yes! What is the distance of one hand! I can move the distances of ten hands as well!” Saying this, the youth came forward. When he was going dangerously forward, the Imam (a.s) asked him to stay back. He prayed to Allah for Blessing the youth!

Seeing the Imam (a.s) amidst the [1] Al-Kāmil fit-Tārīkh, Vol 3, Page 152 people of the tribe of Rabi`ah said, “O people! Even when only one of you survived and the Imam (a.s) suffered the slightest hurt, you will be shamed in the entire Arabia!” Then they stood up and continued to attack the enemy formations with spirit and gusto. After the right flank and the heart of the formation were disturbed, the Imam (a.s) was in the left flank. Then he saw Malik al-Ashtar coming towards him.

When he came near, the Imam said, “O Malik! You give a call to those who have left their positions and tell them that if the days of the transient life are over, then the flight will not save them from death!” Malik went forward and announced, “O people! I am Malik al-Ashtar! Where are you running away leaving the field of operation? The enemy is fighting you only because he is against the Faith! He wants to obliterate the Sunnah and bring back the days of ignorance!

📌He wants you to revert to the beliefs that you had abandoned with vision and guidance! Prepare to give your life for the Faith! Remember! Flight will bring you shame in this world and Retribution in the Hereafter!” At this call of Malik, the tribe of Mudhhij returned and said that they would do whatever they were asked to. Malik said that they had shamed themselves by running away and must make amends for that and give him support to hold his head high before Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s)!

These persons, in the company of Malik moved towards the left flank. Which had almost disintegrated with the onslaught of the enemy. Although everyone was shaken up in the left flank, the tribe of Hamdan remained steadfast in their positions. They were the last to leave and 800 of their men fought with great bravery. When one hundred and eighty of their men were martyred and eleven standard-bearers too perished one after another, their feet too shook.

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