Abdullah bin Budayl al-Khuza‘i — The Sahabi and commander of Imam Ali who was stoned to death by Muawiya’s supporters at Siffin
Abdullah bin Budayl bin Warqa’ al-Khuza‘i was not a random soldier.
Sunni sources describe him as a noble man, a leader of Khuza‘ah, and a Companion-level figure who accepted Islam before the Conquest of Makkah and witnessed Hunayn, Ta’if and Tabuk.
At Siffin, he stood with Imam Ali a.s.
He was not hiding in the back.
He was one of the commanders of Imam Ali’s army.
He commanded the infantry.
He fought until he reached Muawiya’s position.
Then Muawiya’s supporters gathered against him and stoned him until he was killed.
Core narration 1: Abdullah bin Budayl’s status
Arabic:
عبد الله بن بديل بن ورقاء الخزاعي... أسلم مع أبيه قبل الفتح، وكان سيد خزاعة... والصحيح: أنه أسلم قبل الفتح، وشهد حنينا والطائف وتبوك، قاله الطبري وغيره. وكان له قدر وجلالة.
English:
“Abdullah bin Budayl bin Warqa’ al-Khuza‘i… accepted Islam with his father before the Conquest, and he was the leader of Khuza‘ah… The correct view is that he accepted Islam before the Conquest and witnessed Hunayn, al-Ta’if and Tabuk, as al-Tabari and others said. He had rank and nobility.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab; also preserved in Usd al-Ghabah and al-Isabah material.
Status:
Sunni biographical report.
Comment:
This was not an unknown rebel.
Sunni sources present Abdullah bin Budayl as a noble Companion-level figure and leader of Khuza‘ah.
Core narration 2: He and his brother were messengers of the Prophet to Yemen, then they stood with Imam Ali at Siffin
Arabic:
وقال ابن الكلبي: كان هو وأخوه عبد الرحمن رسولي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى اليمن، ثم شهدا صفين مع علي، وقتلا بها.
English:
“Ibn al-Kalbi said: He and his brother Abd al-Rahman were the two messengers of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to Yemen; then they witnessed Siffin with Ali and were both killed there.”
Reference:
Ibn Hajar, al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, biography of Abdullah bin Budayl.
Status:
Sunni biographical / historical report.
Comment:
This links Abdullah bin Budayl to the Prophet ﷺ, then shows his final stand with Imam Ali a.s at Siffin.
Core narration 3: He was from the notable companions of Imam Ali
Arabic:
قتل هو وأخوه عبد الرحمن بصفين مع علي، وكان على الرجالة، وهو من أفاضل أصحاب علي وأعيانهم.
English:
“He and his brother Abd al-Rahman were killed at Siffin with Ali. He was over the infantry, and he was from the virtuous and notable companions of Ali.”
Reference:
Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, biography of Abdullah bin Budayl.
Status:
Sunni biographical / historical report.
Comment:
Read the wording:
من أفاضل أصحاب علي وأعيانهم
“He was from the virtuous and notable companions of Ali.”
So his side was clear.
He was with Imam Ali a.s.
Core narration 4: Al-Dhahabi says he was commander over Imam Ali’s infantry at Siffin
Arabic:
وكان على ميمنة علي الأشعث بن قيس الكندي، وعلى الميسرة عبد الله بن عباس، وعلى الرجالة عبد الله بن بديل بن ورقاء الخزاعي، فقتل يومئذ.
English:
“On Ali’s right wing was al-Ash‘ath bin Qays al-Kindi, on the left was Abdullah bin Abbas, and over the infantry was Abdullah bin Budayl bin Warqa’ al-Khuza‘i, and he was killed that day.”
Reference:
Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’, events of Siffin.
Status:
Sunni historical / biographical report.
Comment:
Abdullah bin Budayl was not just present at Siffin.
He was commander over the infantry of Imam Ali a.s’s army.
Core narration 5: Sunni sources list him among those killed with Imam Ali
Arabic:
وقتل مع علي: خزيمة بن ثابت، وعمار بن ياسر، وهاشم بن عتبة، وعبد الله بن بديل.
English:
“Those killed with Ali included Khuzayma bin Thabit, Ammar bin Yasir, Hashim bin Utbah, and Abdullah bin Budayl.”
Reference:
Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’, events of Siffin.
Status:
Sunni historical report.
Comment:
Look at the names in the same line:
Khuzayma bin Thabit.
Ammar bin Yasir.
Hashim bin Utbah.
Abdullah bin Budayl.
These were not the enemies of Islam.
These were the men standing with Imam Ali a.s.
Core narration 6: Abdullah bin Budayl fought until he reached Muawiya
Arabic:
قال الشعبي: كان عبد الله بن بديل بصفين عليه درعان وسيفان، وكان يضرب أهل الشام... فلم يزل يضرب بسيفه حتى انتهى إلى معاوية، فأزاله عن موقفه، وأزال أصحابه الذين كانوا معه.
English:
“Al-Sha‘bi said: On the day of Siffin Abdullah bin Budayl had two coats of mail and two swords, and he was striking the people of Syria… He continued striking with his sword until he reached Muawiya, removed him from his position, and removed his companions who were with him.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab; also preserved in Usd al-Ghabah and al-Isabah material.
Status:
Historical report.
Comment:
This explains why Muawiya’s side feared him.
Abdullah bin Budayl fought through the Syrian ranks until he reached Muawiya’s own position.
Core narration 7: Muawiya’s supporters stoned him until he was killed
Arabic:
فأقبل أصحاب معاوية على ابن بديل يرمونه بالحجارة حتى أثخنوه، وقتل.
English:
“Then the companions/supporters of Muawiya turned upon Ibn Budayl, throwing stones at him until they weakened him severely, and he was killed.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab.
Status:
Sunni historical report.
Comment:
This is the key killing line.
أصحاب معاوية
“Muawiya’s supporters”
stoned him until he was killed.
So do not say he died in a vague way.
Sunni sources say Muawiya’s supporters gathered against him and killed him.
Core narration 8: Muawiya came to his body and recognized his rank
Arabic:
فأقبل إليه معاوية، وعبد الله بن عامر معه... فقال معاوية: اكشفوا عن وجهه... فقال معاوية: هذا كبش القوم ورب الكعبة، اللهم أظفر بالأشتر، والأشعث بن قيس.
English:
“Muawiya came to him, with Abdullah bin Amir… Muawiya said: Uncover his face… Then Muawiya said: This is the ram/leader of the people, by the Lord of the Ka‘bah. O Allah, grant me victory over al-Ashtar and al-Ash‘ath bin Qays.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab.
Status:
Sunni historical report.
Comment:
Even Muawiya recognized who Abdullah bin Budayl was.
He said:
هذا كبش القوم
“This is the ram / leader of the people.”
Meaning: this man was one of the strongest pillars of Imam Ali’s army.
Core narration 9: Abdullah bin Budayl’s sermon against Muawiya
Arabic:
ألا إن معاوية ادعى ما ليس له، ونازع الأمر أهله، ومن ليس مثله، وجادل بالباطل ليدحض به الحق، وصال عليكم بالأحزاب والأعراب، وزين لهم الضلالة، وزرع في قلوبهم حب الفتنة، ولبس عليهم الأمر، وأنتم والله على الحق، على نور من ربكم وبرهان مبين.
English:
“Indeed Muawiya has claimed what does not belong to him, disputed the authority with its rightful people, though he is not like them, argued with falsehood to defeat the truth, attacked you with confederates and Bedouins, beautified misguidance for them, planted love of fitnah in their hearts, and confused the matter for them. But you, by Allah, are upon truth, upon light from your Lord and clear proof.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab, quoting Siffin material.
Status:
Historical report.
Comment:
This shows Abdullah bin Budayl’s own position.
He did not see Muawiya as a rightful equal to Imam Ali a.s.
He saw Muawiya as someone claiming what was not his and fighting the rightful authority.
Core narration 10: He called Muawiya’s side the rebellious group
Arabic:
قاتلوا الفئة الباغية الذين نازعوا الأمر أهله، وقد قاتلتموهم مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فوالله ما هم في هذه بأزكى ولا أتقى ولا أبر.
English:
“Fight the rebellious group who disputed the authority with its rightful people. You fought them with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. By Allah, they are not purer, more pious or more righteous in this matter.”
Reference:
Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Isti‘ab, Siffin report.
Status:
Historical report.
Comment:
This wording connects perfectly with the sahih hadith of Ammar.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
تقتل عمارا الفئة الباغية
“The rebellious group will kill Ammar.”
And Ammar was killed at Siffin by Muawiya’s side.
Core narration 11: The hadith of Ammar explains Siffin
Arabic:
وَيْحَ عَمَّارٍ، تَقْتُلُهُ الْفِئَةُ الْبَاغِيَةُ، عَمَّارٌ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ، وَيَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ.
English:
“Woe to Ammar! He will be killed by the rebellious group. Ammar will invite them to Allah, while they will invite him to the Fire.”
Reference:
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2812.
Status:
Sahih.
Comment:
Ammar was with Imam Ali a.s.
Ammar was killed by Muawiya’s side.
The Prophet ﷺ called Ammar’s killer group:
الفئة الباغية
“The rebellious group.”
Core narration 12: Ibn Hajar says Ali was correct because Muawiya’s supporters killed Ammar
Arabic:
ودل حديث: تقتل عمارا الفئة الباغية على أن عليا كان المصيب في تلك الحرب لأن أصحاب معاوية قتلوه.
English:
“The hadith ‘The rebellious group will kill Ammar’ proves that Ali was correct in that war, because the supporters of Muawiya killed him.”
Reference:
Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari.
Status:
Sunni hadith commentary.
Comment:
This is not Shia emotion.
This is Ibn Hajar saying:
عليا كان المصيب
“Ali was correct.”
And why?
لأن أصحاب معاوية قتلوه
“Because Muawiya’s supporters killed Ammar.”
Core narration 13: Ibn Kathir says Ali was upon truth and Muawiya was rebellious
Arabic:
وبان بذلك أن عليا محق وأن معاوية باغ.
English:
“By that it became clear that Ali was upon truth and Muawiya was rebellious.”
Reference:
Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, events of Siffin.
Status:
Sunni historical commentary.
Comment:
Ibn Kathir’s wording is direct:
عليا محق
“Ali was upon truth.”
معاوية باغ
“Muawiya was rebellious.”
So stop pretending both sides were morally equal.
Now ask honestly:
Who was Abdullah bin Budayl?
A noble Khuza‘i leader.
A Companion-level figure in Sunni sources.
A commander in Imam Ali’s army.
A man from the notable companions of Imam Ali a.s.
Who killed him?
Muawiya’s supporters at Siffin.
How was he killed?
They gathered against him and stoned him until he was killed.
What did Muawiya say after seeing him?
هذا كبش القوم
“This is the leader of the people.”
And what does the hadith of Ammar tell us?
The side that killed Ammar at Siffin was:
الفئة الباغية
“The rebellious group.”
Qur’an says:
Arabic:
وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا، فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّى تَفِيءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ.
English:
“And if two groups of believers fight, then make peace between them. But if one of them rebels against the other, then fight the one that rebels until it returns to the command of Allah.”
Reference:
Qur’an 49:9
Abdullah bin Budayl stood with Imam Ali a.s.
Ammar stood with Imam Ali a.s.
Hashim al-Mirqal stood with Imam Ali a.s.
Khuzayma bin Thabit stood with Imam Ali a.s.
And they were killed at Siffin by Muawiya’s side.
So do not use “ijtihad” to erase the blood of Imam Ali’s companions.
Do not use Imam Hasan a.s’s treaty to rewrite Siffin.
The treaty stopped future bloodshed.
It did not cancel the hadith of Ammar.
It did not turn the rebellious group into the rightful side.
It did not erase the blood of Abdullah bin Budayl.
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