DHU AL-FAQAR

in Islamic mythology, the two-pointed magical sword that has come to represent 'Ali, fourth caliph and son-in-law of Muhammad. Originally owned by an unbeliever, al-'As ibn Munabbih, Dhu al-faqar came into Muhammad's possession as booty from the Battle of Badr (624). He in turn passed it on to 'Ali, and the sword, said to have borne an inscription ending in the words la yuqtal Muslim bi-kafir (no Muslim shall be slain for [the murder of] an unbeliever), eventually rested with the 'Abbasid caliphs. As 'Ali's legendary status grew, the importance of his association with Dhu al-faqar also increased. Particularly in legends surrounding the Battle of Siffin (657), Dhu al-faqar, the two points of which were useful for blinding an enemy, is credited with enabling 'Ali to perform phenomenal military feats, decapitating or cutting in half more than 500 men. In Muslim countries, fine swords have traditionally been engraved with the phrase la sayfa illa Dhu al-faqar (there is no sword but Dhu al-faqar), often with the addition wa la fata illa 'Ali (and there is no hero but 'Ali).