Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam

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 army in protest against Ali's agreement to discuss the leadership of the community with Muawiya. They agreed to assassinate three of the leaders of Islam: ibn Muljam was to kill Ali, al-Hujjaj al-Tamimi was to kill Muawiya, 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.

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. Intense care and medication for the Caliph Ali was undertaken by Atheer bin Amr As-Sakooni, a leading medic. However, Ali ibn Abu Talib succumbed to the head injuries on January 28, 661.

As punishment in equal measure, Ibn Muljam was personally struck three days later by Ali's son, Hasan ibn Ali.

• Karim Akbari Mobarakeh, who played Abd al-Rahman in Shaheed-e-Kufa series.
• Marhab Asad, who played Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam, in Haidar Ya Ali movie.