Zulfiqar

For other uses, see Zulfiqar (disambiguation).

Dhū l-Fiqār, a fictional representation of the sword of Ali.

Zulfiqar "bifurcated" (Arabic: ذو الفقار‎ Dhū l-Fiqār) is the sword of the Islamic leader Ali (c. 598–661), son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad & his cousin. In Arabic the name is commonly transliterated as Dhu al-Fiqar, Thulfeqar, Dhulfiqar, Zoulfikar etc. The name Zulfiqar means that which divides exactly in two parts. The sword is legendary, has many stories about its origin and use in Islamic tradition, and has inspired the names of modern people, organizations, and military equipment.

Origin

Main article: Raid of Sa'd ibn Zaid al-Ashhali

In the Battle of Uhud, Ali fought in defense of Muhammad, and due to his strength, and that of the sword, repeatedly shattered the swords of his enemies. Muhammad prayed for Ali, "O God you gave power to Ali now give the weapon yourself". In Shia tradition, some believe Zulfiqar was passed down to Ali's sons Hassan and Hussain. According to the Twelver Shia, Zulfiqar is currently in the possession of Imam AlQaim Mahdi.

Legacy

• "Zulfiqar" and phonetic variations have been popular given names, such as for the Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1928–1979).

• Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, renamed the military order Portrait of the Commander of Faithful to Order of Zolfaghar.^{[citation needed]}

• During the Bosnian War, a Bosnian army's special unit was named "Zulfikar".
• In 2010, The Islamic Republic of Iran revealed the attack boat dubbed the Zolfaghar, likening it to the sword as an unstoppable weapon of its time.
• The Iranian Zulfiqar main battle tank is also named after the sword.
• The Pakistan Navy has a frigate class, F-22P Zulfiquar class frigate.

See also

• Khanda
• Firangi
• Sabre
• Pulwar
• Shamshir
• Kilij
• Saif
• Khanjar
• Tatbir