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