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Hashim ibn Utbah vs Ma Chao
Ma Chao leads by 4.7 pts · 2 figures compared
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Hashim ibn Utbah
General · Ancient
46.6Total
Ma Chao
General · Ancient
51.3Total
Basic Information
Born
-590
176
Died
—
222
Era
Ancient
Ancient
Nationality
Rashidun Caliphate
China
Occupation
General
General
Civilization
Middle Eastern
Eastern
Score Comparison
Military (10%)
40.0
67.5
Political (20%)
35.0
35.0
Influence (20%)
46.3
51.8
Legacy (20%)
38.3
45.8
Leadership (15%)
68.0
62.6
Strategy (15%)
60.0
55.0
TOTAL
46.6
51.3
Hashim ibn Utbah — Complete Timeline
656 AD
Battle of the CamelWar
Hashim ibn Utbah fought under Caliph Ali at the Battle of the Camel. He led a contingent of Kufan troops and played a role in the defeat of Aisha's forces, helping to secure Ali's position as caliph.
First FitnaBattleKufa
Impact: regional
Governor of KufaPolitical Action
Caliph Ali appointed Hashim ibn Utbah as governor of Kufa. He administered the city during a period of political turmoil, maintaining order and supporting Ali's war efforts against Muawiyah and the Kharijites.
Rashidun CaliphateGovernorKufa
657 AD
Battle of SiffinWar◆ Major
Hashim ibn Utbah commanded a wing of Ali's army at the Battle of Siffin. He lost an eye in the fighting, earning the nickname 'al-Mirqal' (the one-eyed). His leadership helped Ali's forces withstand Muawiyah's attacks before the arbitration.
First FitnaBattleInjury
Impact: regional
Ma Chao — Complete Timeline
211 AD
Ma Chao's Revolt in Liang ProvinceWar◆ Major
Ma Chao, allied with Qiang and Hu tribes, led a rebellion against Cao Cao in Liang Province. He captured the city of Chang'an and threatened Cao Cao's western flank, forcing Cao Cao to personally lead a campaign against him.
RebellionLiang ProvinceCao Cao
Impact: regional
Battle of Tong PassWar◆ Major
Cao Cao's army faced Ma Chao's coalition at Tong Pass. Ma Chao's cavalry repeatedly charged Cao Cao's forces, nearly killing Cao Cao himself. However, Cao Cao used a feint to cross the Yellow River and outflank Ma Chao, forcing him to retreat.
BattleCavalryStrategic Retreat
Impact: regional
214 AD
Ma Chao's Defection to Zhang LuPolitical Action
After his defeat by Cao Cao, Ma Chao fled to Hanzhong and sought refuge with the warlord Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu gave him command of troops but grew suspicious of him, leading Ma Chao to eventually leave and join Liu Bei.
DefectionRefugeAlliance Shift
Impact: regional
Ma Chao's Service under Liu BeiPolitical Action◆ Major
Ma Chao surrendered to Liu Bei and was given command of troops. He played a key role in Liu Bei's conquest of Yi Province, and later was appointed General of the Vanguard. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Taitai.
ServiceShu HanMarquis
Impact: regionalconstructive
Expert Analysis
Origins
Hashim ibn Utbah was born around 590 CE into the prominent Banu Abd Shams clan of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. His father, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, was a wealthy merchant, and Hashim converted to Islam after the Hijra. He participated in early Muslim battles, including the conquest of Syria, and lost an eye at the Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE). His background was deeply rooted in the early Islamic community, giving him access to the inner circles of the Rashidun Caliphate.
Ma Chao was born in 176 CE in Maoling, Fufeng Commandery (modern Shaanxi), into a military family. His father, Ma Teng, was a warlord in Liang Province, and Ma Chao grew up among Qiang and other non-Han tribes. He was known for his martial prowess from a young age, leading cavalry raids against rival factions. His upbringing on the frontier shaped his aggressive tactics and reliance on tribal alliances.
Rise to Power
Hashim ibn Utbah rose to prominence through his early conversion and military service. He fought at the Battle of the Camel (656 CE) under Caliph Ali, leading a contingent of Kufan troops. His key turning point came at the Battle of Siffin (657 CE), where he commanded a wing of Ali's army against Muawiyah I. During the battle, he lost an eye, earning the nickname 'al-Mirqal'. His loyalty to Ali secured him the governorship of Kufa in 657 CE, a position of significant political and military authority.
Ma Chao's rise began with his revolt against Cao Cao in 211 CE. Allied with Qiang and Hu tribes, he captured Chang'an and threatened Cao Cao's heartland. At the Battle of Tong Pass (211 CE), his cavalry repeatedly charged Cao Cao's forces, nearly killing the warlord. However, Cao Cao used deception and a flanking maneuver to defeat Ma Chao. After this loss, Ma Chao fled to Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, then defected to Liu Bei in 214 CE, helping him conquer Yi Province. He was later appointed General of the Vanguard under Liu Bei.
Leadership & Governance
Hashim ibn Utbah's leadership was defined by discipline and loyalty to Ali. As governor of Kufa, he maintained order during the First Fitna (656-661 CE), suppressing dissent and supporting Ali's cause. He was a strict administrator but lacked political finesse, often relying on military force. His governance score of 35.0 reflects limited independent initiative; he acted as Ali's agent rather than a visionary ruler.
Ma Chao's leadership was charismatic but unstable. He commanded fierce loyalty from his Qiang allies but struggled with long-term governance. His political score of 35.0 indicates poor decision-making, such as failing to secure alliances after Tong Pass. He was a brilliant tactician in battle but lacked strategic patience. His tenure under Zhang Lu ended in suspicion, and even under Liu Bei, he was given limited independent command due to his past betrayals.
Triumph & Tragedy
Hashim's greatest triumph was his role at Siffin, where his wing held firm against Muawiyah's forces despite his injury. His governorship of Kufa also succeeded in stabilizing a key city. His greatest tragedy was his death in 657 CE, reportedly killed by Muawiyah's agents, cutting short his service. He never achieved broader influence beyond Ali's faction.
Ma Chao's greatest triumph was his revolt against Cao Cao, which shook the Wei state and nearly killed its founder. His service under Liu Bei helped secure Yi Province. His greatest tragedy was his inability to sustain alliances. After Tong Pass, he lost his family—Cao Cao executed his father and brothers—and he spent years as a fugitive. His defections damaged his reputation, and he died in 222 CE with limited accomplishments compared to his early promise.
Character & Destiny
Hashim ibn Utbah was a stoic, one-eyed commander who embodied loyalty. His nickname 'al-Mirqal' reflected his resilience. His character was shaped by religious conviction and personal allegiance to Ali. This loyalty defined his destiny: he rose through Ali's favor and fell when Muawiyah targeted Ali's supporters. Historians note his effectiveness as a military subordinate but lack of independent stature.
Ma Chao was fiery and ambitious, but impulsive. He relied on personal valor and tribal bonds, which proved fragile. His character led him to rebel against Cao Cao with insufficient preparation, then to switch sides when cornered. His destiny was to be a brilliant but tragic figure, remembered more for his early exploits than his later contributions. Assessments by Chen Shou in the Records of the Three Kingdoms note his martial skill but criticize his political judgment.
Legacy
Hashim ibn Utbah's legacy is confined to early Islamic history. He is remembered as a loyal general of Ali, with a military score of 40.0 and influence of 46.3. His role at Siffin is cited in Shia traditions as an example of sacrifice. However, his impact on broader Islamic governance was minimal; no lasting institutions or ideas bear his name.
Ma Chao's legacy is more significant in Chinese history. He is celebrated as a fierce warrior in the Three Kingdoms period, with a military score of 67.5 and influence of 51.8. His revolt weakened Cao Cao's control in the northwest and paved the way for later fragmentation. In popular culture, he is a featured character in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. His legacy score of 45.8 reflects his enduring fame despite limited political success.
Conclusion
Ma Chao had greater impact than Hashim ibn Utbah. Ma Chao's military score of 67.5 far exceeds Hashim's 40.0, and his influence score of 51.8 tops Hashim's 46.3. While Hashim was a competent general in a specific conflict, Ma Chao's revolt reshaped the political landscape of northern China, contributing to the Three Kingdoms division. Ma Chao's legacy endures in Chinese culture, while Hashim is less known outside Islamic historiography. The data supports Ma Chao as the more consequential figure.
Rankings
🥇
Ma ChaoLeader
Mil: 67.5Pol: 35.0Inf: 51.8
51.3
🥈
Hashim ibn Utbah
Mil: 40.0Pol: 35.0Inf: 46.3
46.6
+4.7 behind
How This Comparison Works
Algorithm
Each figure is scored on 6 dimensions (0—100 scale) based on structured historical data: Military (10%), Political (20%), Influence (20%), Legacy (20%), Leadership (15%), Strategy (15%). The weighted total produces the final ranking.
Data Sources
Scores are computed from structured sub-indicators in the database. Scale factors adjust for era (Ancient ×0.85, Modern ×1.0) and civilization size (Eastern ×1.05, Other ×0.80) to account for differences in population and military scale.
Maximum 3 Figures
Comparisons are limited to 2—3 figures to ensure readability and statistical meaningfulness.
Error Margins
±5 points per dimension — Sub-scores are derived from historical records with inherent uncertainty. Two figures within 5 points on a dimension should be considered roughly equivalent in that area.
Total Score Accuracy
±3 points overall — The weighted combination of 6 dimensions produces a total score with approximately ±3 points of uncertainty. Differences of less than 3 points are not statistically significant— the figures are effectively tied.
Known Limitations
- Historical records are incomplete and uneven across civilizations
- Figures from oral-tradition societies may be underrepresented
- Occupation labels can misclassify multi-role figures
- Scores measure capability and impact, not moral character
- Quantitative scoring is a comparison tool, not absolute truth
Capability Radar
Military (10%) — Battles & Warfare
Battles
35
55
Win Rate
40
45
Expansion
20
40
Political (20%) — Governance & Reform
Reform
5
5
Diplomacy
20
25
Economy
5
5
Influence (20%) — Cultural & Global Reach
Cultural
15
40
Global
10
20
Legacy (20%) — Historical Impact
Historical
25
45
Longevity
15
40
Leadership (15%) — Power & Stability
Tenure
15
20
Stability
10
10
Strategy (15%) — Tactics & Innovation
Strategy
40
50
Tactics
45
60
Reform
10
10
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