Swords of Muhammad SAWSeptember 28, 2008 at 1:00 pm (Uncategorized)

In respond to the post that I’ve read in my friend’s blog, which has discussed about the issue that arises when he
wants to name his own weapon. I do agree with what my friend has argued. In addition, the Prophet Muhammad
SAW also has his swords named. And even his bows have their own name.This is the information that I’ve
found in the Internet, with the help of Cg. Hafiz (Stoke):

al-Ma’thur

al-Ma’thur, also known as “Ma’thur al-Fijar” is the sword which was owned by the prophet Muhammad before
he received his first revelations in Mecca. It was willed to him by his father. The prophet Muhammad migrated
with the sword from Mecca to Medina, and the sword remained with him until it was transferred, along with
other war equipment, to Ali b. Abi Talib.

The blade is 99 cm in length. The handle is of gold in the shape of two serpents, and is encrusted with emeralds
and turquoise. Near the handle is a Kufic inscription saying: ‘Abdallah b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib. Today the sword is
housed in the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami,
Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).

al-Battar

The al-Battar sword was taken by the prophet Muhammad as booty from the Banu Qaynaqa. It is called the
“sword of the prophets” and is inscribed in Arabic with the names of David, Solomon, Moses, Aaron, Joshua,
Zechariah, John, Jesus, and Muhammad. It also has a drawing of King David when cut off the head of Goliath
to whom this sword had belonged originally. The sword also features an inscription which has been identified as
Nabataean writing.

The blade of the sword is 101 cm in length. It is preserved in the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. Some report that it
is this sword that Jesus will use when he returns to Earth to defeat the anti-Christ Dajjal. Photograph taken from
Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).
Dhu al-Faqar

Dhu al-Faqar is the name of this sword, taken as booty by the prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr. It is
reported that the prophet Muhammad gave the sword to Ali b. Abi Talib, and that Ali returned from the Battle
of Uhud covered with blood from his hands to his shoulders, having Dhu al-Faqar with him. Many sources
report that this sword remained with Ali b. Abi Talib and his family, and that the sword had two points, perhaps
represented here by the two lines ingraved on the blade.

Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo:
Hijr, 1312/1992).

Hatf

Hatf is a sword which the prophet Muhammad took as booty from the Banu Qaynaqa. It is said that King David
took his sword “al-Battar” from Goliath as booty when he defeated him, but he was less than 20 years old. God
gave King David the ability to work with iron, to make armor and weapons and instruments of war, and he
made for himself a sword. It was thus that the Hatf sword came about, resembling the al-Battar but larger than
it. He used this sword and it was passed onto the tribe of Levites who kept the weapons of the Israelites until it
passed into the hands of the prophet Muhammad.

Today this sword is housed in the Topkapi museum. The blade is 112 cm in length and has a width of 8 cm.
Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo:
Hijr, 1312/1992).
al-Mikhdham

The sword called is reported to have passed from the prophet Muhammad to Ali b. Abi Talib, and from him to
his sons. Some report that the sword was taken as booty by Ali b. Abi Talib from a raid he led in Syria.

The sword is now in the Topkpoki Museum, Istanbul. The blade is 97 cm in length and is inscribed with the
name of Zayn al-Din al-Abidin. Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-
Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992)

al-Rasub

The al-Rasub sword is one of the nine swords of the prophet Muhammad. It is said that the weapons of the
house of the prophet Muhammad were kept among his family just like the Ark was kept with the Israelites.

The sword is preserved in the Topkapi museum, Istanbul. Its blade is 140 cm in length. It has gold circles on
which are inscribed the name of Ja’far al-Sadiq. Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-
Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).
al-‘Adb

al-‘Adb, the name of this sword, means “cutting” or “sharp.” This sword was sent to the prophet Muhammad by
one of his companions just before the Battle of Badr. He used this sword at the Battle of Uhud and his followers
used it to demonstrate their fealty to him.

The sword today is in the Husain mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan
Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).

al-Qadib

al-Qadib is a thin-bladed sword which, it was said, resembled a rod. It was a sword of defense or
companionship for the traveller but not used to battle. Written on the side of the sword in silver is the
inscription: “There is no god but God, Muhammad the apostle of God–Muhammad b. Abdallah b. Abd al-
Muttalib.” There is no indication in any historical source that this sword was used or in any battle. It stayed in
the house of the prophet Muhammad and was only used later by the Fatimid caliphs.

The sword is 100 cm in length and has a scabbard of dyed animal hide. Today the sword is housed in the
Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul
wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).
Qal’i

This sword is known as “Qal’i” or “Qul’ay.” The name may be related to a place in Syria or a place in India
near China. Other scholars state that the adjective “qal’i” refers to “tin” or “white lead” which was mined in
different locations. This sword is one of the three swords which the prophet Muhammad acquired as booty from
the Banu Qaynaqa. It is also reported that the grandfather of the prophet Muhammad discovered “swords of
Qal’i” when he uncovered the Well of Zamzam in Mecca.

Today the sword is preserved in the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. Its blade is 100 cm in length. Inscribed in
Arabic on its blade above the handle is: “This is the noble sword of the house of Muhammad the prophet, the
apostle of God.” The blade of this sword is distinguished from the other swords because of its wave-like design.
Photograph taken from Muhammad Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul wa ‘uddah harbi-hi (Cairo:
Hijr, 1312/1992).

Bows of Prophet SAW

The only surviving bow of the Prophet Muhammad, is kept in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, along with
many other holy relics. It is made from bamboo, and dates from around 615 A.D. It is said to have passed into
the Caliphal treasury by the hand of Qatadah ibn al-Nu’man. The case was commissioned by the Ottoman
Sultan Shah Ahmed I, (ruled 1603-1617) and is inscribed with poetic couplets in praise of the bow, in Ottoman
Turkish
 Hadith about the Prophet's (s) weapons

Chart of the Prophet's (s) weapons – ‫النبي سالح‬

About the swords of the Prophet

sallAllah `aleihi wa sallam

There are nine swords of the Prophet

Muhammad, which are preserved in the
Topkapi Museum, Istanbul:

"Al-Ma'thur" – a precious sword which he

inherited from his father, `Abd Allah ibn
Muttalib

"Al-Rasub", a long and sturdy sword for battle.

Three swords which he acquired as booty from

the Jewish tribe Qaynaqa: "Al-Battar". "Hatf"
and "Qal`a", the most remarkable of which is
probably "Al-Battar", which is also called the
sword of the Prophets.

"Dhul Faqar", the sword "with two points",

acquired in the battle of Badr, which he gave
to `Ali ibn Abi Talib.

"Al-`Adb" which he used in the Battle of Uhud.

"Mikhdham"and "Qadib" which are lighter

swords for personal use, not for battle.
 Al-Ma'thur
"Ma'thur al-Fijar" was willed to the Prophet
Muhammad by his father. The Prophet
migrated with this sword from Makkaa to
Medina. It was later transferred, along with
other war equipment, to Ali b. Abi Talib.
The blade is 99 cm in length. The handle is
of gold in the shape of two serpents, and is
encrusted with emeralds and turquoise.
Near the handle is a Kufic inscription
saying: 'Abdallah b. 'Abd al-Muttalib.
 Topkapi Museum, Istanbul, Item No: 21/ 129

Al-Ma'thur

Today the sword is housed in the Topkapi

Museum, Istanbul.

It is 99 cm in length, and its eight dimensional

hilt is overlaid with gold. Its handle is a little
curled. Its hilt has flower engravings and
rubies and turquoises on the golden slots. The
hilt is curvature towards the blade. The guard
in the shape of a dragon head is decorated in
parallel to the hilt. The writing of “Rasulallah”
on the plain and sharp blade is barely
readable. Its sheath is 85 cm in length. In
accordance with the hilt, one face of its sheath
is overlaid with gold. The other face of the
sheath is embroidered with flower like motifs
and cypress figures made of niello. It has a
band made of red silk and having a circular
buckle and casing made of green fabric
embroidered flower motifs. The flower motif is
protected in a green fabric on which it is
written that it belongs to Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh).
 Al-Rasub
It is said that the weapons of the house of the
Prophet Muhammad were kept among his
family just like the Ark was kept with the
Israelites.
"Al-Rasub" is one of the nine swords of the
Prophet Muhammad. Its blade is 140 cm in
length. It has gold circles on which are
inscribed the name of Ja'far al-Sadiq.

Al-Rasub
The al-Rasub sword is preserved in the
Topkapi museum, Istanbul.
 Dhul-Faqar

Dhul-Faqar

Hadith about Dhul Faqar:

Ref: Al-Mawahib al-Ladunni, p. 216ff

Muhammad ibn Bashar narrated to us: Wahb

ibn Jarir narrated to us: my father narrated to
us from Qatada from Anas [ibn Malik] (raDiya
Allah ´anh) who said: The handle [qabi´a] of
the sword of the the Messenger of Allah (s)
was of silver.

The sword that is meant here is Dhu al-Faqar.

He (s) rarely parted from this sword. It was the
sword with which he (s) entered Makka on the
day of its conqust. In this hadith it states only
that the utmost edge of its handle [al-qabi´a]
was made of silver. According to another
narration from Ibn Sa´d from ´Amir: "´Ali ibn al-
Husayn took out the the sword of the
Messenger of Allah (s) to us, and lo: the
outmost end of its handle [al-qabi´a] was of
silver, adn its ring [halqatuhu] was of silver."
And from Ja´far ibn Muhammad from his father
[Muhammad al-Baqir]: "The bottom [na´l] of
the sword of the Messenger of Allah (s) - that
is its lowest part - was of silver, as well as its
ring [halqatuhu] and its handle [qabi´atuhu]."
"Hatf" was manufactured by the Prophet
Dawud (David). It was then passed onto the
tribe of Levites, who kept the weapons of the
Israelites, until the Prophet Muhammad
acquired it as booty from the Banu Qaynaqa (a
Jewish tribe in Madina),

Hatf resembles al-Battar, which Prophet

Dawud took as booty from Goliath, but it is
larger. The blade is 112 cm in length and has
a width of 8 cm.
 Hatf

Today the "Hatf" sword is housed in the

Topkapi museum.
"Qal'i" or "Qul'ay" is one of the three swords
which the Prophet Muhammad acquired as
booty from the Banu Qaynaqa.

The blade, 100 cm in length, is distinguished

by its wave-like design. It has an inscription in
Arabic above the handle:

"This is the noble sword

of the house of Muhammad
the Prophet, the Messenger of Allah".
 Qal`i
inscription

"This is the noble

sword of the house
of Muhammad
the Prophet,
the Messenger of
Allah".

Qal`i inscription
 Qal`i

The name relates the Qala3, a place in the

desert. [al-Bajuri: Al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya]

The name "Qal'i" or "Qul'ay" may be related to

a place in Syria or a place in India near China.
Other scholars state that the name refers to
"tin" or "white lead" which was mined in
different locations.

t is also reported that the grandfather of the

Prophet Muhammad discovered "swords of
Qal'i" when he uncovered the
Well of Zamzam in Mecca.

Today the sword is preserved in the Topkapi

Museum, Istanbul.
 Al-Mikhdham
"Al-Mikhdham" was taken as booty by Ali b.
Abi Talib from a raid he led in Syria, according
to some reports. It was later passed back
from the Prophet Muhammad to Ali, and from
him to his sons.
The blade is 97 cm in length and is inscribed
with the name of Zayn al-Din al-Abidin.
Al-Mikhdham
The sword is now in the Topkpoki Museum,
Istanbul.
 Al-`Adb

"Al-`Adb" means "cutting" or "sharp." This

sword was sent to the Prophet Muhammad by
one of his companions just before the Battle of
Badr. He used this sword at the Battle of
Uhud, and his followers used it to demonstrate
their fealty to him.
"Al-Qadib" is a thin-bladed sword, which, it
was said, resembled a rod. It was a sword of
defense, or companionship for the traveller,
but not used to battle. It stayed in the house of
the Prophet Muhammad and was only used
later by the Fatimid caliphs.

The sword is 100 cm in length and has a

scabbard of dyed animal hide.

Written on the side of the sword in silver is the

inscription: "There is no god but Allah,
Muhammad the Messenger of Allah--
Muhammad b. Abdallah b. Abd al-Muttalib."

Topkapi Museum, Istanbul, Item No: 21/ 130

 Al-Qadib

Today the sword is housed in the Topkapi

Museum, Istanbul

It is 100 cm in length, and it has black leather

hilt. Its hilt is curved and has flower
engravings. Its blade is iron and one-sided.
The silver engraving on it, “Muhammad
Rasulallah, Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn
Abdulmuttalib” is still readable. The sheath
which is leather binding, the guards and its two
buckles are golden. It weights 930 gram
without the sheath and 1684 gram including
the sheath.
"Al-Battar" is called the "sword of the
Prophets". It originally belonged to Goliath and
was taken as booty by Prophet Dawud
(David). Prophet Muhammad acquired it as
booty from Banu Qaynaqa (a Jewish tribe in
Madina). Some report that it is this sword that
Prophet Isa (Jesus) will use when he returns
to Earth to defeat the al-Dajjal (anti-Christ).
The blade of the sword is 101 cm in length,
and is inscribed in Arabic with the names of
many Prophets. It has a drawing of Prophet
Dawud cutting off the head of Goliath, and
also an inscription in Nabataean writing.
 Al-Battar

drawing of Prophet Dawud killing Goliath

Picture engraved near the handle of Al-Battar
Picture of King David cutting off the head of
Goliath at the handle of al-Battar: It is said that
King David took his sword, "al-Battar", from
Goliath as booty when he defeated him, but he
was less than 20 years old. God gave King
David the ability to work with iron, to make
armor and weapons and instruments of war,
and he made for himself a sword. It was thus
that the Hatf sword came about, resembling
the al-Battar but larger than it.

Al-Battar
inscription of the names of Prophets

The blade of "Al-Battar" is inscribed in Arabic

with the names of the Prophets Dawud
(David), Sumayman (Solomon), Musa
(Moses), Harun (Aaron), Joshua, Zachariah,
Yahya (John), `Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad.
 Al-Battar
inscription

Inscription on the blade of the al-Battar sword,

identified as Nabataean.

Al-Battar

It is said that King David took his sword, "al-

Battar", from Goliath as booty when he
defeated him, but he was less than 20 years
old. God gave King David the ability to work
with iron, to make armor and weapons and
instruments of war, and he made for himself a
sword. It was thus that the Hatf sword came
about, resembling the al-Battar but larger than
it.
The sword is preserved in the Topkapi
Museum, Istanbul.
 Upper: Al-Ma'thur [info]
Lower: Qal`i [info]

Topkapi Museum, Istanbul

 Top: Al-Battar [info]
Midde: [?]
Back: Al-Qadib [info]
Front: Al-Rasub [info]

Topkapi Museum, Istanbul

 Hadith
about the weapons of the Prophet (s)

from al-Sham'il
About his (s) swords [4 ahadith]
About his (s) mail coat [2 ahadith]
Comments of Imam al-Bajuri
regarding the swords of the Prophet (s)
It is one of his (s) miracles is that when his (s)
sword broke while fighting ´Ikasha Jazl on the
day of Badr, he said: "Hit (‫")به اضرب‬, and a long
white sharp sword, extremely solid, came back
to his (s) hands, and he (s) fought with it. The
one who witnessed this remained by his side
saw him with it until he was maryred. Also,
while fighting 3b Allah b. Jahsh on the day of
Uhud, his (s) sword called "Asib Nakhl" (‫عصيب‬
‫ )نخل‬broke, and a sword came back to his
hand.
 Sources
and
Acknowledgements

Photographs are taken from Muhammad

Hasan Muhammad al-Tihami, Suyuf al-Rasul
wa 'uddah harbi-hi (Cairo: Hijr, 1312/1992).

Damas Cultural Society 2007

Latest update: 2007-11-24