Imam Ali's Military Strategies

Imam Ali tells Malik al- Ashtar at the Battle of Siffin:

O Malik,

After the dawn prayer,

the turning point comes,

and that is at a flank.

Decisive action is achieved by striking

the right flank and holding back

the left flank, and striking at the heart. O Malik, strike

the two sides with the left flank,

and keep your right flank secure

so that the entire army does not rest, and fatigue does not enter

their bodies. O Malik, if they advance and turn,

and you sense the heat of their defeat,

descend upon them closely,

angry, like a lion, cold and fierce,

a mighty lion. Wipe out

the danger among them,

and leave no trace of

those who surrender.

In words, the one who

surrenders has a reprieve,

but in decisive battle

the one who surrenders faces

blows upon the necks and a shaking

drenched in blood, shattered hearts, and voices raised.

I was repelled at Badr, poured forth at Uhud, and held back

at Hunayn, the voice of Al-

Dulaif shook the thrones.

By the heavens and all within them,

there is no hero but Ali, nor

sword but Dhu al- Fiqar,

and my struggle against the Eagle's gleam is

victorious. O ram of the Green Brigade, crimson

death.