Nahrawan was one of the most significant battles of Amir al-Muminin’s rule, taking place on the 9th of Safar in the year 37 AH. Following the arbitration in Siffin, the Khawarij — with their own peculiar interpretation of religion — declared Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and his supporters to be disbelievers, and considered it obligatory to fight them.
This battle demonstrates the decisive stance of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) against extremist factions that, through distorted interpretations of religion, sowed division and discord in the Muslim community.
The Emergence of the Khawarij
The Khawarij were a group from Amir al-Muminin’s army at Siffin who accused the Master of the Pious of disbelief and rebelled against him. They were called “Khawarij” (meaning “those who went out”) because they went out against the Muslim leader.
The Slogan of the Khawarij
“Judgment belongs to none but God” was the slogan the Khawarij chanted. But Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) exposed the deceptive and misleading nature of this slogan when faced with it.
When Amir al-Muminin entered Kufa, Zur’ah ibn Burj al-Ta’i and Harqus ibn Zuhayr — both Khawarij — came to him and said: “judgment belongs to none but God.”
The Imam replied: “This is a true statement used for a false purpose.” (1)
The Accusation of Disbelief Against the Master of the Pious
They strongly opposed the arbitration process and, in response to Amir al-Muminin’s envoy, accused him of disbelief. When Amir al-Muminin sent Abdullah ibn Abbas to reason with the Khawarij, he asked them: “Why are you displeased with Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him)?”
They replied: “He was the Commander of the Faithful, but when he accepted arbitration in God’s religion, he left faith. He must repent and confess his disbelief before we can rejoin him.”
Ibn Abbas said: “It is not fitting for a believer whose faith is untainted by doubt to confess to disbelief.” (2)
A Prophecy Before the Battle
Before the fighting began, the Khawarij moved toward the Nahrawan river. But the Master of the Pious made a prediction about the army of Nahrawan that came true.
When Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) set out toward the people of Nahrawan, one of his companions who was riding ahead rushed back and said: “Good news, O Commander of the Faithful!” The Imam asked: “What is your good news?”
He said: “When they heard of your approach, they crossed the river — good news, for God has delivered their shoulders to you.”
The Imam asked: “Did you see with your own eyes that they crossed?” He said yes. The Imam made him swear three times, and each time he confirmed it.
The Imam then said: “By God, they have not crossed and will not cross — for their place of destruction is before the river. I swear by Him who splits the seed and creates man, they will not reach Athlath or Qasr Bawran until God destroys them, and whoever has lied will be defeated.”
Then another rider came running and repeated the same claims, but the Imam paid him no attention. More riders came, all saying the same thing.
Then the Imam stood up and turned around on his horse.
A young man from the crowd said: “By God, I will get close to him, and if they have crossed the river, I will thrust the tip of this spear into his eye. Does he claim knowledge of the unseen?”
When Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) reached the river, he saw that a group had broken their sword scabbards, cut their horses’ tails, knelt down, and loudly submitted to a single arbitration.
The young man came down and said: “O Amir al-Muminin, I had doubts about you before, but now I repent to God and to you — please forgive me.”
The Imam said: “God is the One who forgives sins — ask His forgiveness.” (3)
Managing the Battle of Nahrawan
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) did not wish to be the one to initiate the fighting at Nahrawan. But when the enemy launched the attack, he ordered his companions to fight back and predicted the victorious outcome of the battle.
When Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) reached Nahrawan, he ordered his army not to start fighting unless the enemy attacked first. One of the Kharijite warriors charged at Amir al-Muminin’s army and killed three men. At that point, Amir al-Muminin personally entered the field and killed him. Then he told his companions: “Now attack! By God, no more than ten of you will be killed, and no more than ten of the Khawarij will survive.” With that command, his men charged and routed the Khawarij. In this engagement, nine of Amir al-Muminin’s companions were killed, and only eight of the Khawarij survived. (4)
“I Plucked Out the Eye of sedition!”
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) described his battle against the people of Nahrawan and the companions of Jamal as an act of uprooting discord — something that could not have been done without him.
Zarr ibn Hubaysh, a prominent figure among the Tabi’un and one of the noble companions of the Master of the Pious, reported that Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said: “I have uprooted the root of fitnah. Had it not been for me, no one would have fought the people of Nahrawan or the companions of Jamal. And if I weren’t afraid that you would grow weary and give up, contenting yourselves with mere reward, I would recount for you what was revealed upon your Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) concerning the one who rose up against them — the one who knows their deviation and recognizes our path as the path of guidance.” (5)
Amir al-Muminin’s Advice Concerning the Khawarij
Despite Amir al-Muminin’s victory, the Khawarij persisted as a political, ideological, and military faction. But the Master of the Pious forbade the Shia from fighting them after his time.
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said: “Do not fight the Khawarij after me — for the one who seeks the truth but errs in reaching it is not the same as the one who pursues falsehood and attains it.” (6)
References:
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 386
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 346
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 346
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 346
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 33, p. 356
- Nahj al-Balaghah, vol. 1, p. 94
