Abu Dujana (ra) — Seerah Encyclopedia

An Ansari warrior who took the Prophet’s ﷺ own sword at Uhud and wore his famous red “turban of death.”

Identity & lineage

Real name Simak ibn Kharashah al-Ansari, better known by his kunya Abu Dujana.
A fearsome warrior with a reputation from the days of Jahiliyyah.

At the Battle of Uhud, he took the Prophet’s ﷺ own sword “with its haq (right)” — pledging to fight the enemy with it until it breaks.
He wore his famous red “turban of death,” donned only at the extreme of battle, and swaggered proudly between the lines.
The Prophet ﷺ said this proud gait is despised by Allah “except at such a time and place” — i.e. to intimidate the enemy in Jihad (and the Legislation of Fighting).
Zubayr ibn al-Awwam followed him and testified that Abu Dujana felled every enemy he met.
He raised the sword against an enemy who turned out to be a screaming woman (Hind bint Utba) and refused to use the Prophet’s ﷺ sword on a woman.
Among those who killed the most Quraysh flag-bearers (Banu Abd al-Dar), alongside Hamzah and Ali.

Courage channeled by principle: even in the frenzy of battle he would not strike a woman.
Even a normally blameworthy trait (arrogant swagger) can be praiseworthy when directed against the enemy in war.