In Islam, ‘dueling’ is permissible according to the consensus of the scholars. Accepting the invitation to a duel by a nonbeliever is recommended. Asking for a duel is neither recommended nor discouraged according to the Madhab of Imam al Shafi’i. It is appropriate for the experienced and is discouraged for the weak, who doesn’t have sufficient confidence in himself. In fact it is said that it is prohibited for such a person to ask for a duel. It is Sunnah to get the permission of the Amir(leader) but it is still allowed without his knowledge.
Imam Malik (rh) was asked about the ones who stand out in front of the army and ask for a duel. He said: It depends on his intentions. If he is doing it for the sake of Allah, I do not see a problem with that. Since that was the tradition of the ones before us.
Imam al Shafi’i (rh) said: I don’t see a problem with duels. Know that duels during wars, and accepting the invitation to it, is the way of the heroes, it is the badge of honor for the brave men, and it has been their pride during Islam and before.
Amr bin Abdwod (one of the greatest fighters of Quraish) during the battle of the trench came out asking for a duel. Ali, veiled in iron armory, stood up and said: “I would” The Messenger of Allah refused to allow him and said: “It is Amr! Sit down!”Amr called again saying: “Isn’t there a man among you! Where is the Paradise that you claim whoever dies among you will enter it? Isn’t there a man among you to stand up and face me?” Ali stood again and said: “I would”
The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “It is Amr! Sit down!”Amr called again, this time reciting lines of poetry challenging the Muslims. Ali stood for the third time and said: “I would”. The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “It is Amr” Ali responded: “And what if it is Amr!” The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) this time allowed him. Ali walked up to Amr reciting to him lines of poetry. Amr told him: “Who are you?” He said: “Ali the son of Abu Talib” Amr said: “Have someone of your seniors step forward instead. I wouldn’t want to spill your blood my son!” Ali said: “But I would be happy to spill yours!” Amr was furious. He walked towards Ali and pulled out his sword violently from its sheath as if it was a blaze of fire. He struck Ali angrily but Ali protected himself with his shield. The strike was so strong it passed through the shield and injured Ali in the head. However, Ali surprised Amr with a swift strike on his shoulder that threw Amr down in a cloud of dust that erupted from their fight. The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) then heard the thunderous takbir of the Muslims. Ali has killed Amr bin Abdwod. [Narrated in Ibn Hisham]
In other occasion; while Khalid was laying siege to a town, one of their fighters came out of the gates with a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left and he asked for a duel. A Muslim volunteered to fight him and killed him. Then the Muslim asked for a duel so they sent out to him their greatest fighter. The Muslim killed him. He asked for a third duel. This time they told him: “Let the devil fight you!”
In another occasion; Ali said: Utbah bin Rabi’ah, his son al Walid and his brother Shaybah came out in Badr asking for duels. Three young men from Al Ansar went to face them. Utbah asked them who they were. When they told him, he said: “We have no desire in fighting you. Sent out to us our equals from our own people (meaning from Quraish)” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Stand up Hamzah. Stand up Ali. Stand up Ubaydah bin al Harith”Hamzah faced Utbah and killed him and I faced Shaybah and killed him, while Ubaydah and al Walid both injured each other and fell down. Hamzah and me walked up to Al Walid and finished him off and we carried Ubaydah away. [Reported in Abu Dawud]
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