Mubarizun
The Mubarizun (مبارزون)(Duelists)formed a special unit of the Rashidun army. It was composed of the elite warriors, who were the champion swordsmen, lancers and archers. In pre-Islamic Arab, Byzantine and Sassanian warfare, battles usually began with duels between the champion warriors of the opposing armies.[1] The Mubarizun (literally: duelers, also translated as "champions") were a recognized part of the Muslim army, whose purpose was to slay the champion warriors of the opposing army to undermine its soldiers' morale.[2]
The Muslim army would typically begin battle with its soldiers first dressing their armor[clarification needed], assembling their units to their positions and lastly dispatching the Mubarizun.[1] 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.[1]
List of notable Mubarizun
- Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Khalid ibn 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.