B. Arrangement of the Troops
471. Da`ā'im al-Islām – regarding Ali (a.s.): “When he advanced forward to fight, he would arrange the troops to the left, the right and the middle flanks, with himself stationed in the middle. He would appoint liaisons for them, would send forth vanguards and would order them to lower their voices, to pray, to have their hearts united, to draw their swords, to display their power. He would also order every group to be stationed in their own positions and that everyone who would make a raid should return to his position after the raid.”1
472. Da`ā'im al-Islām – regarding Ali (a.s.): “When he was ready to go on a battle, he would prepare the battalions and separate the tribes. He would appoint a person over every group, array the troops and divide them into divisions. Then he would set off for the battle.”2
473. Imām Ali (a.s.) – on how to prepare for a war: “Send the infantry and the archers ahead to storm them [the enemy] with arrows, while the two flanks raid on them with spears. Set the riders and the elite forces as the support of the banner and the forerunners; and do not leave your positions for a rider from the enemy who has been left alone.”3
