Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam
ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Muljam al-Murādiyy was a Khariji known for assassinating Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam.Assassination plot
A number of the Kharijites met in Mecca and discussed the 659 Battle of Nahrawan, at which hundreds of their comrades were killed by forces of Ali, after their defection from Ali's army. They agreed to assassinate three of the leaders of Islam: ibn Muljam was to kill Ali, al-Hujjaj al-Tamimi was to kill Mu'awiya, and Amr ibn Bakr al-Tamimi was to kill 'Amr ibn al-'As. The assassination attempts were to occur simultaneously as the three leaders came to lead morning prayer in their respective cities of Kufa, Damascus and Fustat. The method was to come out of the prayer ranks and strike the targets with a sword dipped in poison.Assassination of Ali
On January 26, 661, while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa, Ali was attacked by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam. He was wounded by ibn Muljam's poison-coated sword while prostrating during the Fajr prayer. Medical treatment for Ali was undertaken by Atheer bin Amr As-Sakooni, a leading physician; however, Ali succumbed to his injuries on January 28, 661.
Three days later Ali's son, Hasan ibn Ali, personally performed the execution of Ibn Muljam.
