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