Battle of the Camel

With regard to the Battle of the Camel, it is mentioned in narrations that this battle was fought between Hazrat Ali (ra) and Aisha (ra) in the 36th year after the migration from Mecca to Medina. Hazrat Talha (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra) were also on the side of Hazrat Aisha (ra). Hazrat Aisha (ra) was riding a camel in the battlefield and as such, this battle is known as the “Battle of the Camel”.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) had travelled to Mecca in order to perform Hajj and she was staying there when she received the news of the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman (ra). After completing the Umrah, she headed towards Medina. On the way, at a place called Sarf, Ubaid bin Abi Salama informed her that Hazrat Uthman (ra) had been martyred and Hazrat Ali (ra) had been elected as the Caliph and disorder was rife in Medina. Hence, Hazrat Aisha (ra) turned back towards Mecca and gathered the people in order to avenge the killing of Hazrat Uthman (ra) and to put an end to the disorder.

Many people had gathered together under the leadership of Hazrat Talha (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra) bin Awwam and Hazrat Aisha (ra); hence their convoy set off towards Basra.

Upon receiving news of this convoy, Hazrat Ali (ra) also set off towards Basra. Upon arrival in Basra, Hazrat Aisha (ra) invited the inhabitants to join forces with her and a large number did so. However, one party pledged to support Uthman bin Hunayf, Hazrat Ali’s (ra) appointed governor of Basra. During this time, both parties clashed. Hazrat Ali’s (ra) army arrived and they set up camp near the army of Hazrat Aisha (ra). Both parties made proposals to reconcile and the negotiations were successful. However, during the night, a party that was involved in the murder of Hazrat Uthman (ra) and had joined Hazrat Ali’s (ra) army, attacked the army of Hazrat Aisha (ra) and this triggered the start of the battle.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) was riding a camel. One after another, loyal followers of Hazrat Aisha (ra) grabbed hold of the reigns of her camel and were martyred. Hazrat Ali (ra) realised that as long as Hazrat Aisha (ra) was riding the camel, the war would not come to an end. Hence, he ordered his soldiers to somehow kill and bring down the camel as the end of the war was linked to that. Upon this, an individual stepped forward and pierced his sword into the foot of the camel. The camel gave out a cry and sat down and the army of Hazrat Ali (ra) surrounded the camel from all sides. Upon the fall of Hazrat Aisha’sra camel, the people of the Camel [i.e. those who fought on Hazrat Aisha’s (ra) side] dispersed. Following this, Hazrat Ali (ra) announced that whoever surrendered or closed the door to their home would remain safe and protected. No one would be chased, nor would anyone’s possessions be seized or considered as spoils of war. The army of Hazrat Ali (ra) followed these orders. Hazrat Zubair (ra) bin Awwam and Hazrat Talha (ra) were martyred during this very battle.

(Ibn al-Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003], 99-149)

This is a summary of this particular historical incident taken from the work of Ibn Athir.