imam ali, the first imam
ali was the son of abu talib and a cousin of prophet muhammad. he was brought
up from childhood by the prophet himself. the prophet personally taught and
trained him.
ali became the first man to accept islam and pray with the prophet. he spent
most of his time with the prophet even when he was no longer a child.
he learned the verses of the qur'an with ease and knew the message and laws
which the prophet had brought to the people; this message and laws which
form the religion, islam.
there was none equal in ability to ali in prayer, knowledge, kindness, bravery
and hard work. he was a brave and powerful man. his sayings were righteous
and his actions were noble. he wore simple clothes and ate simple food.
he would always think carefully before doing something. his actions were
based on equality and justice. imam ali treated people as if they were his
close friends.
he would show respect to everyone and was never unkind or unfair to anyone.
imam ali was the true defender of justice. he would continually fight against
cruel and unjust people until they stopped their cruelty and injustice.
imam ali has said,"if you give me the whole world and ask me to take just
one grain from the mouth of an ant by force, i will never do it."
at the command of god, the prophet of islam chose ali as his successor and
leader of the muslims after him.
imam ali lived for about thirty years after the death of prophet muhammad.
in the fortieth year, hijra, the nineteenth night of the month of ramadhan,
in the mosque of kufa, imam ali became a martyr (killed for the cause of
allah).
the shrine of imam ali is in najaf, a city in iraq. we muslims should visit
his shrine if we get the chance.
questions
1. what was the name of the father of imam ali?
2. who brought up imam ali?
3. who taught and trained imam ali when he was a child?
4. who was the first man to accept islam?
5. where did imam ali spent most of his time?
6. what kind of verses did imam ali learn?
7. was there any one equal with imam ali in prayer?
in knowledge?
in bravery?
in kindness?
in hard work?
8. what kind of clothes and food would imam ali use?
9. what would he first do before doing some thing?
10. how would he treat people?
11. what would imam ali do for justice?
12. how would imam ali deal with cruel people?
13. for how much money would imam ali take away a grain from an ant?
14. who did the prophet choose as his own successor?
15. by whose order did the prophet choose his own successor?
16. for how long did imam live after the prophet?
17. in what year and month was imam ali martyred?
18. where was imam ali murdered?
19. where is the shrine of imam ali?
20. who visits his shrine?