Malik b. Harith al-Nakhai (Arabic:مالک بن حارث النخعي) (b.? - d. 39/659-660) well-known as Malik al-Ashtar (مالک الأشتر) was one of the especial companions of

Imam Ali (a).

After the murder of 'Uthman, Malik was one of the most influential people in calling people to pledge allegiance with Imam Ali (a).

During the caliphate of Imam Ali (a), Malik participated in the Battle of Jamal and the Battle of Siffin and eventually he was appointed by Imam Ali (a) as governor-general in Egypt. However, he was martyred before arriving to Egypt.

His son, Ibrahim b. Malik al-Ashtar was one of the people who were seeking the revenge of Imam al-Husayn (a) and was one of Mukhtar al-Thaqafi's allies.

The famous treaty of Malik al-Ashtar is a letter that Imam Ali (a) wrote to him while he was in Egypt.

Malik was known as "Ashtar"; because in the conquest of Rome, he was hit in the eye by an arrow which tore the veins in his eye. He was then called Malik al-Ashtar. Ibn 'Asakir believes this happened in the Battle of Yarmuk.

Ibrahim b. Malik al-Ashtar was his son. He was one of the companions of Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, where they took revenge on the murderers of Imam al-Husayn (a).

When Imam Ali (a) decided to send Malik al-Ashtar to Egypt, he introduced Malik al-Ashtar to the Egyptians in a letter:

"I am sending a servant of the servants of God to you. He who doesn't slumber in the days of fear and isn't afraid of enemies and is like fire to villains.

He is Malik b. Harith from the ancestry of Madhhij. Listen to him and obey his commands because he is a sword of the God's swords that is strong and sharp.

If he asks you to travel then travel and if he orders to stay then stay, because if he does something or avoids something, it is by my order. I am putting him in a prior

position to you because he is a sincere man and I know that he is an unfailing man against your enemies."

When Imam Ali (a) heard that Malik al-Ashtar was martyred, he said:

" Malik! How was Malik!, I swear by God, if he was a mount, he was a distinguished one.

And if he was a rock, he was a firm one that no bird could reach it's height."

Also it is narrated that after his demise, Imam said:

"May God forgive Malik, he was to me as I was to the Prophet (s)."

Mu'awiya

When Mu'awiya became aware of the martyrdom of Malik, he said to people: "'Ali had two hands, one of them was cut in the Battle of Siffin, who was Ammar b. Yasir; and the other was Malik who died today."

Ibn Abi l-Hadid

According to Ibn Abi l-Hadid, Malik al-Ashtar was a brave horseman, chief of the tribe, and one of the great Shi'as of Imam Ali (a) who was faithful to Imam during his life.

"Malik would combine lenience with rigor, he was rigorous in its proper situations and he was lenient in its appropriate cases."

But on the normal days, he looked a poor man. He wore simple clothing. He walked humbly. Thus most people did not know him.

One day, while Malik al-Ashtar was walking was walking in the street, a foolish person was eating some dates and throwing the stones about.

Malik al-Ashtar passed before the foolish person. He threw a stone at Malik. The stone hit him on the back. The foolish person began laughing at him.

A man saw the foolish person. He said to him:

'What are you doing? Do you know that man?!'

The foolish person answered:

'No, who is he?'

'He's Malik al-Ashtar!'

Malik went on walking. He did not pay attention to the foolish person.

He remembered how the polytheists treated our Master Muhammad (s) in Makkah. They threw dust and rubbish at him but he kept silent.

Malik came into mosque. He began praying for Allah to forgive the foolish person.

The man ran quickly. He came into the mosque. He embraced Malik apologizing and saying:

'I want to apologize to you for my bad behavior! So, accept my apology.'

Malik answered with a smile:

"Brother, don't worry. By Allah, I've entered the mosque to pray for Allah to forgive you.'