An Inquiry into Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya

Question

Are the books “Jang-nama Muhammad Hanif” (“The Book of Battles of Muhammad Hanif”), “Jang-nama Hazrat ‘Ali” (“The Book of Battles of Hazrat ‘Ali”), “Bir al-‘Alam”, “Mulk Qandwar” (a folk tale), “Jang Babil” (“The Battle of Babylon”), “Nur-nama” (“The Book of Light”) and the like authentic or not? And of whose womb was Hazrat Muhammad Hanif born? It is well known among common people that he is the son of Hazrat ‘Ali ﵁.

Answer

During the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq ﵁ a battle took place against Musaylima the Liar, known as the battle of al-Yamama. In this battle a woman of Banu Hanifa was taken captive, named Khawla bint Ja‘far al-Yamamiyya; she fell to Hazrat ‘Ali ﵁ as a share of the spoils.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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