The Epic of the Dragon

Hazrat Ali (R) Slaying a Dragon

Dastan-i-Ejderha is a legend about Hazrat Ali (R), penned when modern-day Pakistan was a part of the Turco-Persian sphere of influence. The tale is popular amongst Shi'ite Muslims and several Sufi traditions. It belongs to a class of legends which feature Hazrat Ali (R) as the hero.

The story starts with people coming to the Prophet Muhammad (S), requesting his help to fight a dragon. Five hundred men had shot one hundred thousand arrows at the dragon, and yet failed to draw an ounce of blood from the beast.

The Prophet (S) then asked who would go fight the dragon, for which Hazrat Ali (R), the Lion of Allah, who was accompanied by Hazrat Abubakar (R), Umar (R), and Hazrat Usman (R) volunteered.

When they went to the dragon’s lair, they saw a giant black mountain with seven peaks, with black smoke flowing forth from each peak. Each peak was a head, with thirty-two teeth as big as walls.

The four Ghazis slew each of the seven heads of the dragon and brought them to Makkah. The heads of the dragon were then displayed around the Kaaba, and then asked the people:

“Whose religion? Muhammad’s religion. By Allah, this is a holy day.”