Mubarizun

Mubarizun was a special unit of the Rashidun army. It was composed of the elite warriors, who were the champion swordsmen, lancers and archers. In pre-Islamic Arab, Byzantine and Sassanian warfare, battles usually began with duels between the champion warriors of the opposing armies. The Mubarizun (literally: duelers, also translated as "champions") were a recognized part of the Muslim army, whose purpose was to slay the champion warriors of the opposing to army to undermine its soldiers' morale.

The Muslim army would typically begin battle with its soldiers first dressing their armor, assembling their units to their positions and lastly dispatching the Mubarizun. Mubarizun fighters were instructed to refrain from pursuing any defeated enemy champions over two-thirds of the way to enemy line to avoid the risk of being cut off. After the conclusion of the dueling phase, the army would launch its general advance.

List of notable Mubarizun

 * Ali ibn Abi Talib
 * Khalid ibn Walid
 * Zirrar ibn Azwar
 * Qa'qa ibn Amr
 * Asim ibn Amr
 * Abd al-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr (Son of Caliph Abu Bakr)