Amir ul mumineen (AS) was ِِthe sword of the Almighty, such was his strength and courage in battling the enemies of Allah. His awe in defending and protecting Islam struck fear in the hearts of his enemies who knew that to come face to face with him in battle meant certain death.

In the battle of Khandaq (trench), Amir ul mumineen (AS), at a very young age, faced the legendary warrior Amar bin Abdewad defeating him in hand to hand combat resulting in a victory of such consequence that the massed armies of the Ahzaab fled from Medina Munawwara.

In the battle of Ohad, when Rasulallah (SA) had been deserted by all his other soldiers, Amir ul mumineen (AS) at this critical juncture stood by and defended Rasulullah (SA) with such valor that a call was heard from the heavens, “This indeed is mowasaat (aid). There is no youth like Ali, no sword like Zul fiqaar. ”

Compared to the strength required to accomplish these courageous deeds in battle during Rasulullah (SA)’s lifetime, even greater strength of will and forbearance was displayed in sheathing his sword after his rights to the caliphate of Islam were usurped after Rasulullah (SA). He did this for the perpetuity of Islam. When urged by Fatema (AS) to stand up and fight for his rights as caliph, Amir ul mumineen (AS) remained silent. When the moazzin called out: ‘ash hado anna Mohammad an Rasulallah”, Amir ul mumineen (AS) stated, “If I were to draw my sword, then Rasulallah’s (SA) name would no longer be remembered.”
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Amir ul mumineen (AS) would have overpowered his enemies: even the angels would have come to his assistance, but he resisted in order to uphold the cause of Islam.