Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

DHULDUL

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin

In Arabic, it means a porcupine or hedgehog. It is possible that it derived its name from its gait. It is a name of a gray mule of the Prophet, given to him by Mukawkis. The Prophet presented it to Ali bin Abu Talib, who rode on it in the battle of Camel and Siffin. It is said that on the legs of the dhuldul a rope was usually tied by Ali's groom named Qambar, who when accompanying his master, used to tie the rope around his waist. It had three knots, called al-baghi (hand-tie), dil-baghi (tongue-tie) and bal-baghi (rein-tie).


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