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 pre-Islamic Arab, Byzantine, and Sassanian warfare, battles usually began with duels between the champion warriors of the opposing armies.[2]
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)
See also
References
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.