Malik al-Ashtar (), also known as Mālik bin al-Ḥārith al-Nakhaʿīy al-Maḏḥijīy (), was one of the loyal companions of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to Shia Islam, Malik remained a loyal and avid supporter of Muhammad's progeny and the Hashemite clan. He rose to a position of prominence during the caliphate of Ali and participated in several battles, such as the Battle of Jamal and Siffin against Muawiyah. His title "al-Ashtar" references an eyelid injury he received during the Battle of Yarmouk.
Birth
Although Malik's actual birth year is unknown, many historians say he was 10 years older than Ali Ibn Abi Talib and 20 years younger than Muhammad. Moreover, it is known that Malik was a Madh'hij, a sub-class of the Bani Nakha tribe from Yemen, which is also the tribe of another Sahabah named Amru bin Ma'adi Yakrib.
His lineage is traced back to Yarab bin Qahtan through his paternal surname Malik bin Al Hareth.
Conflicts with the governor of Kufa and the event of Al-Rabadha
In the year 30 AH (after Hijra) or 650 CE, many Muslims living in the city of Kufa were angered over the action of the governor Waleed ibn Uqba (the half-brother of Uthman ibn Affan). People went to Mu'awiyah with their complaints. The gathering included Malik al-Ashtar and Kumayl ibn Ziyad. After listening to the complaints, Mu'awiyah accused Kumayl and Malik of disuniting the religion and disobeying their leader, and exiled from Shaam to Homs.
Eventually, Malik al-Ashtar, Kumayl ibn Ziyad, and the delegation made it back to Kufa. After coming back to Kufa and failing to remove al-Waleed, the delegation, including Kumayl ibn Ziyad, was led by Malik al-Ashtar on a journey to Medina, the capital of the Muslim empire, to address the issue with Uthman. Kumayl ibn Ziyad, Malik al-Ashtar, Muhammad ibn Abi Hudhaifa, and Abdur Rahman ibn Udays were the ones who spoke out most about al-Waleed and the corruption that was occurring.
The event of Al-Rabadha
On their way to Medina, Malik al-Ashtar and the delegation stopped at Al-Rabadha to visit Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, whose health at the time was deteriorating. He was a companion of Muhammad and firm supporter and companion of Ali, was banished to die in the desert of Al-Rabadha. Abu Dharr al-Ghifari told his wife the prophecy of his death, which had been given to him by Muhammad. Muhammad had told Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and some other companions that one of them would die in the desert, and a group of believers would attend his death. However, all of the other men present had since passed away in their houses, suggesting that Abu Dharr al-Ghifari would be the one to die in the desert.
His wife saw the delegation's caravan from a hill and flagged them down. She told Malik and the delegation about her dying husband, and the delegation agreed to visit him. They came to Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and Malik told Abu him that they were on their way to Medina to meet with Uthman over the issue of al-Waleed. Upon hearing the news of al-Waleed, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari became sad.
After the event of Al-Rabadha, Malik and the delegation continued on their long journey to Medina. When they finally met with Uthman, they communicated their concerns and al-Waleed's behavior. However, they were unsuccessful in their mission and they decided to seek Ali's help.
Battle of Jamal
At the age of 70, Malik al-Ahstar was the main cavalry and commander of the army of Ali Ibn Abi Talib in the Battle of Jamal (Battle of the Camel).
Background
After the downfall of Uthman, Ali was appointed as the new caliph, upsetting Ali's enemies. As a result, they planned to launch an offensive against Ali in the year 656 AD under the claim that they wanted revenge for Uthman's killing. When Ali received news that a mutiny was going to occur, he formed an army to combat the rebel forces. During the mutiny, the new governor of Kufa, Abu Musa al-Ashary, encouraged the Kufains (citizens of Kufa) not to join Ali's army. When Ali was made aware of this situation, he sent Malik al-Ashter to rally up troops.