Combat between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Amr Ben Wad near Medina (cropped)

Amr ibn Abd al-Wud () (or Amr bin Abdu Wud or ʻAmr ibn ʻAbdī l-Widd al-ʻAmrī) was a champion of the

Quraish The Quraysh ( ar, قُرَيْشٌ) were a grouping of Arab clans that historically inhabited and controlled the city of Mecca and its Kaaba. The Islamic prophet Muhammad was born into the Hashim clan of the tribe. Despite this, many of the Qu ...

tribe, said to have been worth over one thousand soldiers. He is most well known for his role during the

Battle of the Trench The Battle of the Trench ( ar, غزوة الخندق, Ghazwat al-Khandaq), also known as the Battle of Khandaq ( ar, معركة الخندق, Ma’rakah al-Khandaq) and the Battle of the Confederates ( ar, غزوة الاحزاب, Ghazwat al- ...

in which he was killed in a duel by

Ali ibn Abi Talib ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib ( ar, عَلِيّ بْن أَبِي طَالِب; 600 – 661 CE) was the last of four Rightly Guided Caliphs to rule Islam (r. 656 – 661) immediately after the death of Muhammad, and he was the first Shia Imam. ...

Battle of the Trench

During the

battle of the trench The Battle of the Trench ( ar, غزوة الخندق, Ghazwat al-Khandaq), also known as the Battle of Khandaq ( ar, معركة الخندق, Ma’rakah al-Khandaq) and the Battle of the Confederates ( ar, غزوة الاحزاب, Ghazwat al- ...

in 627 CE, the Quraysh veterans grew impatient with the deadlock. A group of militants led by ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd Wudd (who was thought to be equal to a thousand men in fighting) and Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl attempted to thrust through the trench and managed to effect a crossing, occupying a marshy area near the

hillock A hillock or knoll is a small hill,The Free Dictionary
"hillock" entry, retrieved December 18, 2007 ...

of Sala. 'Amr challenged the Muslims to a duel. Ali volunteered to go, but the prophet told him not to, as Amr was known to be as powerful as 1000 men. But when Ali continued to insist, the prophet gave him permission. Ali accepted the challenge, but Amr did not want to fight the young man. Nonetheless, the duel commenced. Both the fighters got lost in the dust as the duel became intense. When Ali got Amr to the floor he said as leaders you are meant to accept challenges, one is to become Muslim and the second is to carry on fighting him. Finally, the soldiers heard scream(s) which hinted decisive blows, but it was unclear which of the two was successful. From the cloud of dust, a cry came drifting to the ears of the observers; Allahu Akbar, God is the greatest. The confederates were forced to withdraw in a state of panic and confusion.Zafrulla Khan, ''Muhammad, Seal of the Prophets'', pp. 177–179. Although the Confederates lost only three men during the encounter, they failed to accomplish anything important.Watt, ''Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman'', pp. 167–174. According t
Joel Hayward
"it is reported "During the Battle of Khandaq in 627... Ali ibn Abi Talib (who later served as Caliph) reportedly subjugated Amr ibn Abd al-Wud, a powerful warrior of the Quraysh. Ali was about to deal a death blow when his enemy spat in his face. Ali immediately released him and walked away. He then rejoined battle and managed to slay his enemy."

References

7th-century Arabs {{Islam-bio-stub