Did ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) kill five hundred people in Siffin?

Question

I read a narration regarding the Battle of Siffin that Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) killed 500 people single-handedly  and the reference was Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah. I was wondering if this narration was authentic?

Answer

Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has stated that some Historians have mentioned that Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) killed 500 people during the days of Siffin. He then cites a narration which has the words ‘He [Sayyiduna ‘Ali] killed 500 people according to those counting…”

However, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) himself has declared the text of the narration unreliable/objectionable (munkar).

(Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 7 pg. 451)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar