Courage at the Battle of Khandaq (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib’r (ra) Narration)
Whilst giving further details of this incident, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:
“Amr was an extremely renowned swordsman and due to his bravery, was considered to be the like of 1,000 warriors by himself. Since he had returned from Badr frustrated and unsuccessful, his heart was charged with feelings of malice and revenge. As soon as he took to the field, he called for a duel in a very arrogant manner, asking if there was anyone who would confront him. Certain Companions were reluctant in confronting him, but Hazrat Ali (ra) stepped forward to square up to him with the permission of the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) bestowed his own sword to him and prayed for him.
“Hazrat Ali (ra) advanced and said to Amr, ‘I have heard that you have vowed that if a person from the Quraish requests two things of you, you shall accept one of the two.’ ‘Indeed’, said Amr. Hazrat Ali (ra) responded, ‘Then I ask you first to embrace Islam and become the recipient of divine favours by accepting the Holy Prophet (sa).’ ‘This is not possible’, said Amr. Hazrat Ali (ra) said, ‘If not this, then come forward and prepare to battle me.’
“At this, Amr began to laugh and said, ‘I did not believe that anyone would ever muster the courage to say such words to me.’ Then he asked Hazrat Ali (ra) to provide his name and line of descent and upon hearing his lineage, he said, ‘Nephew! You are still a child. I do not wish to spill your blood; send forth your elders.’ ‘You do not wish to spill my blood’, said Hazrat Ali (ra), ‘but I feel no hesitation in spilling yours.’
“Upon hearing this, Amr became blind in rage and after jumping from his horse, hamstrung it (so that there was no way to return). Then he madly marched forward towards Hazrat Ali (ra) like a fierce flame of fire and wielded his sword against him with such force, that it cut through the shield of Hazrat Ali (ra) and struck his forehead, who was wounded to some extent. However, Hazrat Ali (ra) retaliated with such lightning speed, calling out a slogan of God’s greatness, that Amr was left fending for his life. The sword of Hazrat Ali (ra) penetrated his shoulder and cut him to the ground. Amr fell to the ground and gave up his life tossing and turning in agony.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 588-589)
After the death of Amr bin Abd Wudd, the disbelievers sent word to the Holy Prophet (sa) that they would give 10,000 dirhams in exchange for his corpse. In response to this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Take it, for we do not wish to make money of the deceased.”
(Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 4, Ghazwat al-Khandaq wa hiya Ghazwat al-Ahzab [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001] 116)