Mubarizun
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 Mubarizun were the bravest men of the islamic armies, and a whole myth surrounds their name. They would stand alone in front of the entire army, engaging in mortal combat for the pride of their nation and companions.
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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
- Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Khalid ibn al-Walid
- Dhiraar bin Al-Azwar
- Al-Qa'qa'a ibn Amr at-Tamimi
- Asim ibn 'Amr al-Tamimi
- Abd al-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr (Son of Caliph Abu Bakr)
- Amr ibn Abd al-Wud
- Al-Bara' ibn Malik.[4][5]
See also
References
- Nicolle, 1994, p. 37.
- Nicolle, 1994, p. 36.
- Nicolle, 1998, p. 24.
- 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.
- al Dhahabi, Shams ad-Dīn. "Siyar A'lam Nubala". Retrieved 15 January 2021.
Bibliography
- Nicolla, David (1994). Yarmuk AD 636: The Muslim conquest of Syria. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855324148.
- Nicolla, David (1998). Armies of the Caliphates 862-1098. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855327708.