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Hazrat Ali (R.A)

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introduction:

Imam Ali (R.A):

Hazrat Ali, Ali ibn Abi Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib was the fourth and last caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate (from 656 to 661). A close companion of the last  prophet Muhammad(S.A.W), he is considered to be the first Imam, the rightful religious and political successor to Muhammad, by Shia Muslims.

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The Birth and Birthplace of Imam Ali (R.A):

 

The birth of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) took place under unique circumstances inside the Holy Kaaba at Makkah on the 13 th of Rajab . The age of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) at the birth of Imam Ali (RA) was almost 30 years. It is considered unique because no prophet or saint has ever been born inside the Holy Kaaba . Fatima bint Asad, the expectant mother of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) was praying outside the Holy Kaaba when she suddenly felt the labour pains and prayed to Allah (SWT) saying:

“O Allah! I believe in You and in the messengers and the scriptures You have sent. I believe in what has been said by my grandfather, Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) who built the Holy Kaaba. So, for the sake of the builder of this House, and for the sake of the child in my womb, I implore You to make my labour easy.”

Just then the wall of the Holy Kaaba opened miraculously. As she stepped in, the wall closed behind her. Shortly after that she gave birth to her baby.

 

To understand the significance and importance of the place of birth of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA), it is essential to know a little of the history of the Holy Kaaba.

 

The first House of Allah  was rebuilt and renovated at the command of Allah (SWT) by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) assisted by his worthy successor, his son Ishmael (Ismail), under the supervision and guidance of the angel Gabriel (Jibril).

 

The verses of the Noble Qur’an say:

 

And remember Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. “Our Lord! Make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. (2:127-128)

And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Abraham. And We enjoined Abraham and Ishmael saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves. (2:125)

These verses clearly depict the purpose of the Holy Kaaba, namely that it was to be a place of worship, that it was pure and sacred.

 

And it was to this sacred place, the Holy Kaaba, that Providence led Fatima bint Asad, the mother of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA). She felt weighed down by intense pain when Imam Ali was due to be born. She knelt to pray, and when she raised her head from her Prostration, the wall of the Holy Kaaba split as if by a miracle, to admit her within, and the portion of the wall returned to its normal position. The Holy Kaaba was sealed with Fatima bint Asad inside. Had it not been the Will of God, such a thing could never have happened. This crack is still there to this day on the wall of the Holy Kaaba.

 

Some people, including Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)’s uncle witnessed this miracle, who had been near the Holy Kaaba and started telling other people. The news spread like wildfire all over Makkah. The keys of the Holy Kaaba were brought to unlock the door, but all efforts ended in failure.

 

On the fourth day of this happening, with awe, the wonder-struck crowds surrounding the Holy Kaaba witnessed the lock of the door falling of its own accord, and to their surprise, Fatima bint Asad emerged radiant from the sacred premises, cheerfully holding her newborn baby sleeping in her arms.

 

Yet another surprise awaited them that Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was waiting to receive her and her newly born child, because Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) had been away when all this happened. When Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) came back from his trip,  he went to the Holy Kaaba and the first face the little Imam Ali (RA) saw in this world was the smiling face of the Holy Prophet of Islam whom he greeted thus:

 

“Assalamu  ya Rasool Allah” (Peace be upon thee O Prophet of Allah). Thus it is an undisputed fact that Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) was born a Muslim and his first words testified to the Prophethood of Muhammad (S.A.W). Muhammad (S.A.W) lovingly took him into his arms and he himself gave Imam Ali his first bath, with a prediction that this child would give him his last bath. This prophecy was fulfilled on the death of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Then Muhammad (S.A.W) recited the Adhan and Eqamah in the ears of the baby.

 

Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) accepted no other food than the moisture of Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W) tongue, which he sucked for several days after his birth. Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) fondled him in his lap in his infancy, and chewed his food and fed Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA). Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) often made Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) sleep by his side, and Imam Ali (RA) enjoyed the warmth of Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W) body and inhaled the holy fragrance of his breath.

 

Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA) has been described as having been found like a priceless pearl in the shell of the Holy Kaaba, or a sword in the sheath of Allah’s House, or as a lamp found in Allah’s Abode shedding Light all around.

 

Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (RA)’s birth in the Holy Kaaba is unique, for this is the only known occasion on which a child was born within the precincts of the Holy place ever since its foundation thousands of years ago.

 

Hazrat Ali’s Journey From Mecca to Medina:

The second period of ʿAlī’s life, lasting slightly more than a decade, started in 610 AD, when Muhammad (S.A.W) received the first of his revelations, and ended with the Prophet’s migration  to Medina in 622 AD. During this era,ʿAlī was Muhammad’s (S.A.W) constant and strong companion, along with Zayd ibn Ḥāritha, who was like a son to the Prophet (S.A.W), Abū Bakr, a respected member of the ruling Quraysh tribe of Mecca, and Khadijah, he helped to form the nucleus of the earliest Mecca Islamic community. From 610 to 622 AD ʿAlī spent much of his time providing for the needs of believers in Mecca, especially the poor, by distributing what he had among them and helping them with their daily chores.

 

Both Sunni and Shia sources confirm the occurrence, in 622 AD, of the most important episode of this period. Muhammad, knowing that his enemies were plotting to kill him, asked ʿAlī to take his place and sleep in his bed; Muhammad then left Mecca secretly with Abū Bakr and reached Medina safely several days later (his arrival marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar). When the plotters entered Muhammad’s (S.A.W) house with drawn daggers, they were deeply surprised to find ʿAlī, whom they did not harm. ʿAlī waited for instructions and left sometime later with Muhammad’s family. He arrived safely in Qubā on the outskirts of Yathrib, which soon became known as Mādinat al-Nabi (“City of the Prophet”) or simply Medina, on the instructions of the Prophet. According to some sources, he was one of the first of the Meccan followers of Muhammad to arrive in Medina.

 

Hazrat Alī and Islam to the death of Muhammad:

ʿAlī was 22 or 23 years old when he migrated to Medina. Shortly after his arrival, the Prophet told ʿAlī that he (the Prophet) had been ordered by Allah to give his daughter Fāṭimah to ʿAlī in marriage. This union affected the entire history of Islam, for from it were born a daughter, Zaynab—who played a major role during the Umayyad period in claiming the rights of the family of the Prophet after her brother Ḥusayn was killed in Iraq—and two sons, Ḥasan and Ḥusayn. The latter two are the ancestors of those known as sharīf or sayyid (meaning “noble” and “master” respectively)—that is, descendants of the Prophet and thus, in the eyes of some Muslims, legitimate heirs to leadership of the Islamic community. Ḥasan and Ḥusayn also became the second and third imams of the Shiʿah (respectively) after ʿHazrat Alī. The Prophet, who visited his daughter nearly every day, became even closer to ʿAlī, once telling him,

 “You are my brother in this world and the Hereafter.”

After Fāṭimah’s death, ʿAlī married other wives and fathered many other children.

Preaching of Islam by Hazrat Ali:

Hazrat Ali (RA) was a strong warrior of Islam, he was known for his bravery and his nature of not fearing anyone except Allah. He participated in many battles against the enemies of Islam and stood like a strong rock against the enemies. He participated in many battles along with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and protected him without worrying about his own life. Some of the battles in which he participated actively are:

 

The Battle of Badr:

Hazrat Ali (RA) played a vital role in this battle. The number of Muslims were very little compared to the army of Abu Jahal who was the biggest enemy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He showed his heroism in the field by attacking the enemies and sending them deadly blows.

 

The Battle of Uhud:

This was the battle between the Muslims and polytheists. Abu Sufyan, the strongest enemy of the Holy Prophet, was the leader of the opposite army and challenged the Muslims to fight man to man.

 

Hazrat Ali (RA) also showed his bravery there by saying:

 ‘By Allah, I will never leave you until I make my sword lead you immediately to Hellfire.’

 

He attacked one of the main people of Quraish Talhah so violently that he fell to the ground all covered in blood. He made the Quraish weak with this act of bravery.

 

The battle of Khandaq:

The role of Hazrat Ali (RA) in the battle of Khandaq is exemplary. He showed his boldness and strength against Amr ibn Abd-Wudd Al Amiri who was the courageous soldier of Quraysh. He stood against him and attacked him. His heroism won this battle even though the Muslims were in very large numbers.

 

SAYINGS OF THE HOLY PROPHET FOR HAZRAT ALI (RA):

“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.”
“Ali is the guardian of every believer after me.”

Hazrat Alī and the First Three Caliphs:

The death of the Prophet in 632 AD, ʿAlī and Muhammad’s family took charge of the arrangements for his funeral. At the same time, discussions began concerning who should succeed Muhammad. Both the anṣār, the people of Medina who had embraced Islam, and the muhājirūn, those from Mecca who had migrated to Medina, wanted the successor to come from their group. In order to avoid division, the leaders of the community assembled at saqīfat Banī Sāʿidah (“the room with the thatched roof of the tribe of Banī Sāʿidah”) to choose a successor. After much debate, Abū Bakr was named caliph (khalīfah, “successor”), the ruler of the Islamic community. By the time ʿAlī finished with matters pertaining to the funeral of the Prophet, he was presented with the decision, he did not protest but retired from public life and dedicated himself to studying and teaching the Qurʾān. He was often consulted, by Abū Bakr and his successor, ʿUmar, in matters of state.

 

After the death of ʿUmar in 644 AD, ʿAlī was considered for the caliphate along with five other eminent members of the community. One of them, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf, withdrew but asked that he be trusted with choosing the next caliph, a request that was granted. He questioned both ʿUthmān and ʿAlī and decided in favour of the former. ʿAlī recognized the caliph’s authority, according to Shiʿi sources, but remained neutral between ʿUthmān’s supporters and his opponents. ʿAlī even sent his own sons to protect ʿUthmān’s house when he was in danger of being attacked. When ʿUthmān was murdered in 656 AD by those who considered him weak and who accused him of nepotism, ʿAlī admonished his children for not having defended ʿUthmān’s house properly. ʿAlī himself was then chosen as the fourth and last of the rightly guided caliphs.

 

Hazrat Alī’s caliphate and last years:

The period of the caliphate of ʿAlī, from 656 AD until his death in 661 AD, was the most tumultuous in his life. Many members of the Quraysh turned against him because he defended the rights of the Hashemites, a clan of the Quraysh to which Muhammad had belonged. He was also accused of failing to pursue the murderers of his predecessor and of purging ʿUthmān’s supporters from office. Foremost among his opponents was Muʿāwiyah, the governor of Syria and a relative of ʿUthmān, who claimed the right to avenge ʿUthmān’s death. In his confrontation with Muʿāwiyah, ʿAlī was supported by the anṣār and the people of Iraq. Before he could act, however, he had to deal with the rebellion of two senior companions, Talḥah and Zubayr. Joined by ʿĀʾishah, daughter of Abū Bakr and third wife of Muhammad, the two had marched upon Basra and captured it. ʿAlī assembled an army in Kufa, which became his capital, and met the rebels in 656 AD at the Battle of the Camel. Although a peaceful settlement had nearly been reached before the fighting started, extremists on both sides forced the battle, in which ʿAlī’s forces were victorious. Talḥah and Zubayr were killed, and ʿĀʾishah was conducted safely back to Medina.

 

ʿAli then turned his attention north to Muʿāwiyah, engaging him in 657 AD at the Battle of Siffin, the most important contest of early Islamic history after the death of the Prophet (S.A.W). With his army on the verge of defeat, Muʿāwiyah, on the advice of one of his supporters, ʿAmr ibn al-ʿAṣ, ordered his soldiers to put pages of the Qurʾān on their lances and asked ʿAlī to allow the dispute to be resolved by reference to Qurʾānic rules. ʿAlī’s army, seeing the sacred text, put down its arms, and ʿAlī was forced to arbitrate. He chose an upright observer, Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī, and Muʿāwiyah chose ʿAmr ibn al-ʿAṣ. After ʿAlī lost the arbitration, Muʿāwiyah refused to submit to his authority; Muʿāwiyah then defeated ʿAlī’s forces in Egypt, where ʿAmr ibn al-ʿAṣ became governor.

 

Matters were made even worse by the fact that a group that considered arbitration to be a violation of the teachings of the Qurʾān rebelled against ʿAlī while also opposing Muʿāwiyah. ʿAlī’s attempts to reason with the rebels failed, and they left Kufa and Basra and assembled at Al-Narhawān. In 658 AD ʿAlī’s army dealt a crushing blow to the group that came to be known as the Khārijites (“Seceders”).

Shahadat of Hazrat Ali(R.A):

Hazrat ʿAlī’s authority was weakened in many areas during the last two years of his caliphate. A number of prominent Muslims even met in Adrūh in 659 AD with the thought of deposing both ʿAlī and Muʿāwiyah and appointing as caliph ʿAbd Allāh, son of ʿUmar, but they did not reach a final decision. Meanwhile, some of the Khārijites decided to assassinate ʿAlī, Muʿāwiyah, and ʿAmr ibn al-ʿAṣ. Although the latter two escaped, ʿAlī did not: on the 19th of Ramadan in the year 661AD, he was struck in the back of the head with a poisoned sword while praying in the mosque of Kufa. He died two days later and was buried in Najaf. Along with Qom in Iran, Najaf became—and remains to this day—one of the most important places of Shiʿia learning and also a major pilgrimage site.

Wives of Hazrat Ali(R.A):

Hazrat Ali (RA) married Hazrat Fatima (RA) who was the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The marriage took place in Madina. The marriage was done with simplicity. He did not marry anyone else in the life of Hazrat Fatima (RA) but after her death, he married and had 8 wives:

Hazrat Umm-ul-Bunian

Hazrat  Khaulah

Hazrat Umm Habib

Hazrat Asma

Hazrat  Laila

Hazrat Umm Saeed

Hazrat Muhyat

Hazrat Umama

In total he had 9 wives including Hazrat Fatima (RA).

Children of Ali (A.S):

According to Shaykh al-Mufid (Kitab al-Irshad):

 

Hazrat Ali (A.S)  had twenty-seven children, male and female:

 

  1. Al-Ḥasan

 

  1. Al-Ḥusayn

 

  1. Zaynab the elder

 

  1. Zaynab the younger

 

  1. Muḥammad

 

  1. ‘Umar

 

  1. Ruqayya

 

  1. Al-‘Abbās

 

  1. Ja‘far

 

  1. ‘Uthmān

 

  1. ‘Abd Allāh

 

  1. Muḥammad the younger

 

  1. ‘Ubayd Allāh

 

  1. Yaḥyā

 

  1. Umm al-Ḥasan

 

  1. Ramla

 

  1. Nafīsa

 

  1. Zaynab, the youngest

 

  1. Ruqayya, the younger

 

  1. Umm Hānī ̓

 

  1. Umm al-Kirām

 

  1. Jumāna

 

  1. Umāna

 

  1. Umm Salama

 

  1. Maymūna

 

  1. Khadīja

 

  1. Fāṭima

 

FAQs:

You seem to be referring to Hazrat Ali (RA), a prominent figure in Islam who is  particularly revered by the Shia community. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Here are some frequently asked questions about Hazrat Ali:

 

  1. Who was Hazrat Ali?

A.Hazrat Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad and was married to his daughter Fatimah. He was the fourth caliph of Islam and is highly respected for his wisdom, knowledge, courage and piety.

 

Q.What was his relationship with Prophet Muhammad?

  1. Prophet Muhammad raised Hazrat Ali from his childhood and had a close and deep relationship with him. He was the first man to embrace Islam and was known for his steadfast support and loyalty to the Prophet throughout his life.

 

Q.What are his important contributions?  A.Ali ibn Abi Talib is known for his exceptional bravery, his  knowledge of Islamic teachings, and his emphasis on justice and social equality. He also played an important role in compiling the Qur’anic revelations during the time of the Prophet.

 

  1. What is the importance of Hazrat Ali in Islam?

A.For Shia Muslims, Hazrat Ali has a special status as the legitimate successor of the Prophet Muhammad, while for Sunnis he is regarded as the highly revered fourth caliph and an important figure in Islamic history.

 

  1. What happened in his caliphate?

A.The Aliand Caliphate was marked by internal conflicts, especially the first inter-Islamic civil war. His rule faced challenges from various factions and ended tragically with his assassination.

 

  1. What are his famous sayings?
  2. Hazrat Ali is revered for his wisdom and sayings known as ;Hadiths " or “Nahj al-Balagha”, andquot; they are highly valued by Muslims because they understand various aspects of life, faith and ethics.

 

Q.How is he remembered today?

  1. Hazrat Ali is remembered and revered by millions of Muslims around the world.

 

His teachings, deeds and character continue to inspire Muslims to strive for righteousness, knowledge and justice.

Feel free to ask if you have any more specific questions about Hazrat Ali or related topics!