Zulfiqar

Zulfiqar (Arabic: ذُو ٱلْفَقَار, lit. 'The Possessor of Vertebrae') is the name of the sword of Ali, the cousin and son-in law of the prophet Muhammad, the first Shia Imam and the fourth Rashidun caliph. The sword is closely associated with Ali's bravery, military prowess, and spiritual authority. It subsequently developed into one of the most recognizable Islamic symbols and iconography, particularly in Shia Islam. Zulfiqar is widely known for its double-edged or bifurcated blade, splitting into two points at the tip. Middle Eastern weapons are commonly inscribed with a quote mentioning Zulfiqar, and they are at times made with a split tip in reference to the weapon. The name Zulfiqar means "possessor of vertebrae," referring to notches or grooves on the sword's blade resembling the vertebrae of spine. The hadith "There is no sword but Zulfiqar, and there is no hero but Ali" is attributed to Muhammad in praise of Ali's bravery and his sword. The fate of Zulfiqar after Ali's death is unknown. According to some accounts, the sword changed hands several times between the Alids and the Abbasids, while Twelver Shia Islam holds that it is now in the possession of the Mahdi. Some traditions attribute miraculous deeds to Ali performed with Zulfiqar. The sword has appeared on banners of the Ottoman Empire and Iran. It became a prominent motif on Ottoman military flags, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, while in Iran it appeared on various banners and standards during the Safavid and Qajar Empires. The name Zulfiqar is also used as a given name and epithet in the Muslim world. In modern times, the name of the sword has been used as an eponym in military contexts. Reza Shah Pahlavi renamed the military order Decoration of the Commander of the Faithful to Order of...