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Ali (AS) The First Imam
Battle of Honain.
Designation of Ali assuccessor to the Prophet
It was Friday 13th of Rajab 30 Amulfeel Hazrat Fatima binte Asad, the wife of Hazrat
Abu Talib entered the precincts of the Kaaba and prayed to Allah saying O’my
protector ease my pain.’All of a sudden the wall of the Kaaba opened up and she, as
if by some unseen force went inside the Kaaba and the wall closed. Ali (AS) the youngest
son of Abu Talib was born inside the Holy Kaaba. She stayed inside for three days. On the
3rd day she came out through the door and Muhammad was waiting outside. She told Muhammad
(SA) that the boy had not taken any milk. Muhammad gave him the first feed from his mouth
and afterwards asked his uncle Abu Talib that he wished to adopt the baby. Ali entered the
house of Muhammad from the very first day of his birth. Ali’s mother Fatima binte
Assad Also lived there who looked after his own son as well as Muhammad(SA) so much so
that later the Holy Prophet used to say that she was like his own mother.
Shah Waliullah, Mohadith-e-Dehlvi writes in the book “Izalatul Kholafa”
giving reference from Imam Hakim in his Mustadrak Part 3, Page 483. Qud Tawatarul Akhbar
Inna Fatimah Binte Asad woledat Aliyan Fi Jaufil Kaaba”. Another writer of the old
school Sibtel Jauzi in his book Tazkeratul Khawas ul Umma, page 7 mentions the same fact
that Ali was born inside the Kaaba.
Khawja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri mentions this fact in his famous Quartet saying that
when Ali was born inside the kaaba the Sky and the earth was filled with a light and Angel
Gabril announced that a child was born in the house of God.
Maulan Rume in his Mathnawi writes, “ O’one who travels to Najef to visit the
tomb of Ali must know the fact that the pearl of the Kaaba lies there to give us security
because of our intense love for him.”
Masoodi the famous historian writes in his book of history Muruj el Zahab, that Ali was
born inside the Kaaba on the orders of Muhammad the Messenger of God.
It was after the adoption of Ali(AS) that he lived with the Holy Prophet in his house.
Wherever Muhammad(SA) went Ali(AS) was with him all the time. Even in the Mountain of
Hira when Muhammad (SA)went for meditation Ali(AS) went with him most of the time.
Sometimes they stayed on the mountain for 3 or 4 days. Some times Ali (AS) took his food
their. In Nehjul Balagha Ali(AS) said that “ I used to go with the Holy Prophet like
the baby camel goes with his mother.”
Some historians try to show that when Muhammad(SA) declared his prophethood Ali(AS) was
the first among male children who accepted Islam. The implication here is that both
Muhammad(SA) and Ali(AS) were non -believers before this declaration. This is against the
Qur'anic verdict which says that Ibrahim was a muslim and he taught his children to be
muslims so that when the Prophet was born among the descendents of Ibrahim through the
line of Ismael he was born a muslim and so was Ali. The correct thing to say would be that
when Muhammad (SA)declared his prophethood openly Ali (AS) immediately adhered to the
declaration without hesitation.
The three persons seen in prayers in the Kaaba were Muhammad, Khadija and Ali before
anyone else accepted Islam. For 3 years young and poor persons of Makka were accepting
Islam secretly. The first open declaration came when the Qora'anic verse tells the Prophet
to "come out openly and warn the people of your own clan." Invitations were sent
to leaders of the Banu Hashim to come to the house of Muhammad (SA)for Dinner. Forty of
them came, ate food and then heard Muhammad (SA)about his mission of ‘ No god but
Allah and Muhammad(SA) as the messenger of Allah and whoever offers his help to propagate
this religion will be his deputy and successor. No one stood up except Ali(AS). After
announcing this 3 times Muhammad(SA) declared that Ali (AS)will be his deputy to his
mission and will be his successor after him. People thought it as a joke that a 13 year
old boy was to be a deputy of this prophetic mission. Even Abu Lahab jokingly told Abu
Talib, go and obey your son to which AbuTalib smilingly accepted. Ali(AS) promissed to
help Muhammad(SA) in his mission and kept this promise all his life.
The next thing which we see in the life of Ali (AS)is the reflection of this promise he
gave at this place in front of the leaders of the Qoraish.
We see Ali(AS) protecting Muhammad(SA) from the abuses of the enemies of Islam. When
Muhammad (SA)went to Taif a nearby town to preach Islam children of Taif hurled stones and
it was Ali(AS)who protected the Prophet and drove the stone throwing children away from
the Prophet.
As a youth Ali(AS) was strongly built, strong arms, wide chest and a very strong brave
and shining face. Children of his age and even older to him were frightened of him and
whenever they tried to mock the Prophet, they always ran away when they saw Ali
(AS)standing by for protection.
Time passed and hostility of the Qoraish increased so much so that Muhammad (SA) was
ordered by Allah to leave Makka. Ali(AS) slept on Muhammad’s bed without hesitation
and when the non believers entered the house of Muhammad(SA) to kill they found Ali(AS)
who was not afraid at all at the site of 40 swordsmen entering the house. When they
questioned Ali,”where was Muhammad” he bravely replied, did you leave him in my
custody? When after 3 days of Muhammad’s departure Ali returned all the goods
entrusted to Muhammad to their owners, he set out to leave Makka for Madina with the rest
of the family. Ali(AS) had with him his mother Fatima binte Asad, His aunt, the wife of
Hamza, and Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad(SA) and many other ladies. Non-believers of
Makka tried to stop Ali(AS) from his departure but Ali (AS)fought back, drove the infidels
away and safely reached Madina. Muhammad(SA) was waiting for the family outside the
precincts of the town. He entered the city with Ali(AS) and the rest of the family.
The Holy Prophet created a bond of brotherhood between the muslims, making Ali(AS) as
his muslim brother saying O’Ali, you are my brother in this world as well as in the
next.
Once the family settled in the newly adopted city of Madina their first task was to
complete the mosque around which their houses were also built. Ali initially stayed with
his mother but when he married Fatima the daughter of the Prophet he was given a house
next to the Prophet by the side of the mosque. He had been betrothed to her several days
before the battle of Badr. But the marriage was celebrated three months later. Ali was
about 23 years old and Fatima was 18. This was most happy and celebrated marriage. The
distinctiveness of their respectivecharacters blended so well with each other that they
never quarrelled and complained of one another and led a happy and most contended life.
Materially the couple did not posses much, spiritually they were at the highest level of
assent. They had no worries if they go hungry or their clothes had patches.They would be
more concerned if an orphan goes away from their door without receiving any food.
History records Ali’s life in Madina with the Holy Prophet for the next ten years
as the most busy in defending Islam against the attackers from Makka. Ali(AS) was always
the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in all such battles and his bravery became
legendary.
Ibne Abil Hadid, the Motazelli commentator of Nahjul Balagha says that: Ali(AS) had a
personality in which opposite characteristics had so gathered that it was difficult to
believe a human mind could manifest such a combination. He was the bravest man that
history could cite and such brave men are always hard hearted, cruel and eager to shed
blood. On the contrary Ali was kind, sympathetic, responsive and warmhearted person,
qualities quite contrary to the other phase of his character and more suited to pious and
God fearing persons.Ali’s bravery and piety both became legendry.Life in Madina while
the Holy Prophet was alive was the most busy for Ali. But he remembers these times as the
best times of his life. He says in Nehjul Balagha ‘ Life with my brother was a life
of ease and happiness.’
The battles of Badr, Ohud, Khandaq and Khyber were fought in the defence if Islam and
won on the hands of Ali(AS). He was not only the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in
these battles,but always lead the forces of Islam against Kufr and came out victorious.
Khyber was the climax of these battles when Ali’s victory brought prosperity in the
muslim ranks. Ayesha the wife of the Prophet said once that until the victory of Khyber we
in the house of the Prophet spent days without food. It was only after Khyber that life at
home became a little easier. Thus Ali(AS) brought an end to the hostilities of Quraish in
three encounters of Badr, Ohud and Khandaq. Their best warriors were killed, their unity
against Islam was crushed, their pride was humiliated and their prestige before Arab clans
was lowered by him and by him alone. Khyber saw an end to the hegmony of jews in Arabia at
the hands of Ali(AS).
The peace agreement of Hodaibiya was written by Ali (AS)and at the time of the peaceful
victory at Makka, the idols of the Kaaba were demolished by the Holy Prophet with the help
of Ali(AS).Details of these battles were shown in the life of the Prophet.
The Victory of Makka brought many non believers into the fold of Islam. Broadly
speaking there were three types who embraced Islam. Fear, greed and the true understanding
of Islam and its principles. Some of the Makkans became muslims for fear of their lives,
they were afraid that the Prophet would kill them, others were simply frightened that the
Holy Prophet with the help of Angel Gabriel would bring the wrath of God on them. Then
there was greed that Islam was now victorious, so if they joined in the good life would be
theirs for free. Very few of them truly understood Islam and accepted it as a true faith.
The Test of their true faith came immediately after the fall of Makka while muslims were
still in the sweet pleasure of this bloodless victory,that various tribes outside Makka
gathered an army of 20,000 in Taif to fight the muslims. The hostile tribes decided to
attack at a vantage point at Hunain and selected two prominent places where they concealed
their archers. The Muslims were proud of their success in Makka,but their behaviour during
the encounter was timorous and cowardly. Qur'an tells us this in Sura Tauba V9 “God
came to your help on so many occasions, on the day of Honain, your vanity in the number of
your soldiers and your arrogance did not prove any avail to you, you were badly defeated
and could not find any place of shelter, you started running away without shame.”
This encounter took place in the month of Shawwal 8th Hijri (Jan 630 AD). When the
muslim army marched towards the place where archers were concealed the enemy opened the
campaign with such a severe onslaught that the muslim army could not stand it. Their
assault was fierce and confusion in the muslim ranks made the archers bolder and they came
nearer and attacked from both flanks and from the front. The muslims could not stand the
attack and started running without putting any resistance and where not concerned to leave
the Prophet alone,(see Saheeh Bukhari)
The first battalion to run was the one in the command of Khalid ibne Waleed(Rauzathus
Safa vol II pafw 137) This was followed by such a disorderly and tumultuous flight that
only 10 people were left out of an army of 15,000 with the Holy Prophet. Eight of them
were of Bani Hashim,(.Abbas, two of his sons, Ali and three other cousins of the Holy
Prophet)
Abbas was shouting to the muslims to come back, reminding them of the oath of
allegiance taken and promises made, but it was to no avail. Those who accepted Islam for
greed , wealth and power were not willing to risk their lives.Many of them who had
carefully hidden their enmity from the rising power were happy at the defeat. They
gathered round Abu Sofian, started congratulating him and saying, "The magical circle
of the lying Prophet is broken,” They were praying for the return of Polytheism. 1.
Once again it fell to the lot of Ali(AS) to save the Holy Prophet and the Islam. Armies
of Bani Hawaazen and Banu Saqeef under cover of their archers were rushing the hillock and
were getting ready for a fierce onslaught. Ali(AS) divided the small band of faithful true
muslims in three divisions; to Abdullah Ibne Masood, Abbas ibne Abdul Muttalib and Abu bin
Harris has assigned the duty of protecting the Holy Prophet, to three he ordered to guard
the rear and he himself faced the onslaught with only three warriors with him. He fought,
wounded at many places,but continue fighting when he faced the commander of the hostile
army, Abu Jerdal in hand to hand fight and killed him with one stroke of his sword. He
alone killed over 30 of the enemy and with this bravery his aids also fought bravely and
enemy was defeated.The day was saved, the commander of the enemy’s army was
killed,their ranks were broken they had no courage to face Ali(AS) and they started
retreating. The sight of the powerful army in retreat, made the fleeing muslims bold and
they came back as victory was won for them 2.
The defensive battles were over and the peaceful spread of Islam began. Ali(AS) was
again in the forefront. He brought the whole tribe of bani Hamdan to Islam by preaching .
Similarly when he was sent to Yemen he brought the whole country in to the fold of Islam
by his sermons. This news so pleased the Holy Prophet that he bowed down in Sajdah to
thank God three times and said loudly, peace be to Bani Hamdan and to Ali. Again in the
year 10th of Hijra Ali’s sermon and preachings proved so effective that the whole
province embraced Islam as one man.
In the 9th year of Hijra the famous event of Mobahela took place. Najran was a city in
the province of Yemen. It was the centre of Christian Missionary activities in southern
Arabia. The Holy Prophet had written to the Chief Priest of the City to realize the
blessings of Islam. In reply he wrote that he personally would like to discuss the
teachings of this new religion. His name was Haris. He was invited and came with a group
of 14 priests. These priests as guest of the Holy Prophet. Long discussions took place
during the course of 4 days of their stay in Madina. When Sunday came the Chief priest
wanted to go out of the city to have their Sunday Service. Prophet Islam said that they
all have permission to conduct their religious service inside the mosque of the Prophet
which they happily did. Long discussions continued about monotheism verses trinity and it
was realised that these priests were not open minded, on the contrary they were prejudiced
against monotheism. The Almighty Lord ordered the Holy Prophet to explain to tthat “
Verily Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created Adam from dust. He said unto him,
Be, and he was. This is truth from thy Lord. be not therefore one of those who doubt, and
whoever shall dispute thee, say unto them, “come let us call together our sons and
your sons, our women and your women, our Selves and your Selves, then let us make
imprecations and lay the curse of God upon those who lie. (Sura Ale Imran, V. 61)
According to Bibi Ayesha when the above verse was revealed to the Apostle of God, he
called Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain and said, “Lord, this is my family (Ahlulbayt).
The Holy Prophet took this small family with them to the open land outside the city where
they all assembled to bring the curse of God on those who lie. When the Chief priest saw
these faces, he told his companions that he was looking at the faces that if they call the
mountain, the mountain will go them. Do not have Mobahela with them or you will be
destroyed. On hearing this they all agreed to pay homage to the Holy Prophet and an annual
tax for living in the Islamic State and withdrew from the scene.
In history there were numerous occasions when the Holy Prophet designated Ali as his
Deputy and successor after him. From the moment of Zulasheera to the time of the conquest
of Khyber and the occasion of the battle of Tabuke the Holy Prophet made it abundantly
clear that no one deserved more than Ali to be his Deputy and successor. But at the time
of Ghadeer this was clearly ordered by Allah through a clear verse revealed on the
Prophet. The Verse said,
"O’ apostle; proclaim the whole of that which hath been sent down to thee
from thy Lord, for if thou dost it not, it will be as if thou hast not at all performed
the duty of His Prophethood. And God will protect thee from evil men, verily God guideth
not the unbelievers.” ( Sura 5 : V.67.)
The occasion was after the last pilgrimage in 10th Hijri. The Prophet delivered his
Sermons on Mount Arafat, had the final rounds of the Kaaba and left for Madina. More than
120,000 pilgrims were coming out with him from Makka going to the North. Half way through
their journey where the routes were separated for various pilgrims, the Holy Prophet
ordered the whole caravan to halt. All those who went ahead were called back and for those
who were behind they waited for them to arrive. The place was Ghadeer, near the pool of
water. That is why it was named Ghadeer-e-Khom. When all assembled at this place the Holy
Prophet stood up on top of the pulpit and said, "O’people, shortly I shall be
called towards my creator where I shall have to give an account as to how I have conveyed
His message to you and you in your turn will be asked as to how you have accepted and
carried out the teachings. Now tell me what you will say”. Thereupon all the pilgrims
declared as one man, "O’Apostle of God, we testify and declare that you have
conveyed the message of God fully, you have strived your utmost to guide us to the Right
Path and taught us to follow it. You were most kind to us and you never wished for us but
our good, may God repay you for all that." After that the Prophet said, "Do you
not testify that there is no god but Allah,that Muhammad is His creature,His servant, and
His apostle, that there is the Heaven and the Hell,that death will over take every one of
you,that you will be brought back from your graves that the Day of Judgement will surely
dawn and human beings will be resurrected from their graves to account for their deeds.
The whole crowd declared in unison, "We believe and testiy all this." Hearing
this the Apostle declared, "I am leaving amongst you two most important things worthy
of obedience, the Qur’an and my progeny (Ahlulbayt). Take care how you treat them,
they will not separate from each other till they reach me at the fountain of Kauser.”
Then he said, “ The Almighty God is my Lord (Maula) and I am the Lord of all muslims
and have more right and power on their lives than they themselves. Do you believe in this
assertion of mine?" They all in one voice replied “ Yes O’Apostle of God.
Three times he asked the same question and three times he received the same affirmative
reply. At this solemn affirmation he said, “Hear and remember that to whomever I am
Lord or Maula, Ali is the Lord and Maula to him. He is to me what Aron was to Musa. The
Almighty God be a friend to his friends and a foe to his foe, help those who help him and
frustrate those who betray him. While saying this he raised Ali High over his shoulders in
order to be seen by all the muslims assembled there. Thereupon the Holy Prophet received
the final revelation: "This day I have perfected your religion for you and have
filled up the measure of my bounties upon you and I am pleased with Islam to be your
Deen,"(religion) (Sura 5 :V 3 ).
After performing this ceremony and receiving the above revelation the Holy Prophet came
down from the pulpit and ordered a tent to be erected. In this Ali (AS)was made to take
his seat and all muslims were ordered to pay homage to him and address him as Amirul
Momeneen (Lord of the faithful) The first person to congratulate and address him as such
was Omar Ibne Khattab saying, “I congratulate you, O’Ali, today you have become
my Maula and Lord and Lord of every muslim man and woman. 1.
The event of Ghadeer was on 18th of Zilhijja 10th Hijri, immediately after the last
pilgrimage by the Holy Prophet. He then arrived back in Madina and lived only for 70 days
after the event.(130 Prominent Companions of the Holy Prophet narrated this Hadith
including the first three Kholafa-e-Rashidoon)
The year 11th AH was the saddest year for Ali.(AS) He lost two of his best friends. One
of whom he loved and venerated like a father, like a master and like a dearest friend, the
Holy Prophet(SA) who died on 28th Safar 11th Hijri, exactly 70 days after the event of
Ghadeer. His death followed by the death of his dearest companion his wife Fatima, the
Lady of Light.
Immediately after the death of the Holy Prophet who was buried by Ali (AS)with the help
of his uncle Abbas and all the family of Bani Hashim, the news was given to Ali(AS) about
the events at the Saqeefa that Abubakr was made Caliph. Abu Sofian heard the news came to
Ali(AS) and told him that his Right was taken away from him. If he wishes, Abu Sofian
would fill the city of Madina with horsemen to defend Ali’s Right of Khilafat.
Ali’s reply was typical, he said,” since when you have become friends of
Islam”, you want to create serious dissension amongst the muslims. You have always
tried to harm Islam I do not need your sympathies or help.” Ali realized that any
serious dissension at this stage would harm the cause of Islam. He had before him the
example of Hodaibiya and he had been foretold by the Holy Prophet of all that would
happen. Allama Ali Ibne Mohammed (630 AH) in his book Usdul Ghaba Vol iv page 31 says, The
Holy Prophet had told Ali, your status is like that of Kaaba. People go to Kaaba but that
August house never approaches anybody. Therefore after my death, if people come to you and
swear the oath of allegiance you accept it and if they do not come to you then you do not
go to them.”
Ali’s love for Islam was so intense, he could not,for the sake of wordly rule,
endanger Islam. He knew fully well that a civil war at this stage would give chances to
the jewish tribes of Banu Nuzair and Banu Qoraiza on the one side, and the Byzantine
armies in thnorth with the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) the new converts on the third side to
simply take advantage of the situation. When they would find the muslims busy killing each
other they would literally cut them to pieces and Islam would totally disappear as a
message of peace. Ali’s utmost desire was to see Islam and the Arabs in one piece and
wanted the enemies of Islam to realize that Islam was strong enough to defend itself as
“Deen”. even after the demise of the Apostle of God.,He had another important
job to complete that is the completion of the collection of Qur'an with its Tafseer
(explanations) according to the instructions of the Holy Prophet. Qur'an as a bwas already
completed by the Holy Prophet, many copies were made and circulated among the muslim
communities all over the Islamic world. What Ali did in the next six months after the
demise of the Holy Prophet was to collect all the explanations of the various verses,
reasons behind their revelation and their full context. This monumental job he completed
in six months and brought before the muslims in the city of the Prophet.Unfortunately this
was ignored by the ruling party and Ali(AS) took it back with him.Their comment was
"this is too bulky and people will not understand it.”
The original remained with Ali (AS) all his life and then passed on to his son Hasan
(AS) and then to Hussain (AS) which then continued with the Ahlulbayt of the Prophet. It
is now with the 12th Imam (AS).
During the time of the three Kholafa, although Ali (AS) did not take part in any of the
battles, he was always available when they sought his advice on religious matters. His
position as the jurist was on the top of the list among the companions of the Holy
Prophet. Omar Ibne Khattab the 2nd Caliph had given clear instructions that when Ali was
present in the mosque of the Prophet no one should take precedence over him in answering
questions on religious matters. In one such encounter during the time of the 2nd Caliph, a
group of Jewish scholars approached the caliph and said, “ We have a few questions.
If we get the answers to these questions correctly, we will accept the Islamic faith.
“Ask whatever you want to ask," said the caliph. They asked the following
questions.
1. What are the locks and keys of heaven?
2. Who was the messenger who was neither of the human nor of the jinn and who warned
his people?
3. Which are the 5 beings who were created without the aid of ovaries?
4 What are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and
twelve?
The caliph thought over these questions for a time, then said, I do not know the
answers to these questions. I will take you to a man who is most knowledgeable in the
commandments of God and the Prophet and the greatest among us. The caliph then brought the
jewish scholars to Ali (AS). They asked the same questions to him. Ali(AS) answered thus:
1. The locks of the heavens are beliefs in more than one God, and its keys are the
letters of “La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad-Ur-Rasulallah.”
2. The messenger who warned his people is the ant who, when Solomon’s army was
passing by, said to his people, “ Enter your houses so that the army may not stamp
you out (without intention)”. So God states in the Holy Qur'an, “ Until they
came to the valley of the Ants, said an ant (addressing the other ants of the valley)
O” you ants’ enter into your dwellings, so that Solomon and his hosts may not
crush you while they know it not”. (Sura An-Naml.V 18)
3. The five beings who were not born of ovaries are: Adam, Eve, the staff of Moses
which used to change into a python, the camel of Saleh, and the sheep of Ibrahim (which
was sent by God to become a ransom of the life of Ibrahim’s son Ismael).
4. One is God who has no partners, two are Adam and Eve, three are the substances (
i.e. non-living matter, plants and animals), four are the Heavenly books: Torah of Moses,
Bible of Jesus, Zubur of Dawood and the Qur'an of Muhammad (SA). Five are the daily
prayers. Six are the days of creation of the heavens and earth, as per the verse of the
Qur'an: “ And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them
two, in six periods and touched us not any fatigue.” (Sura Qaf V.38). Seven are the
seven heavens, in the light of the Qoranic Verse: “ And we have erected above you the
seven strong ones.”(Sura An-Naba V12)
Eight are those angels who bear the heavens, as per the Qur'anic Verse: “ And the
angels shall be on the side of it; and above them shall bear that day ‘Arsh’(the
throne of authority). of your Lord, eight of them (Sura Al-Haqqah.V.17) Nine are the nine
signs given to Moses as stated by God: “And indeed we gave Moses nine clear signs
(miracles); so ask the children of Israel when he came to them, Pharoah said to him;
“Verily I deem you O’Moses one bewitched.”(Sura Bani Israel, V 101). Ten
are the ten days, i.e. God had promissed Moses that he would stay on the mountain of Toor
for thirty days, and later added ten more days to this duration, as it is stated in the
Qoran.” And we made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and completed it with
ten more;” Thus was completed the term of his Lord, forty nights, and (before he went
up) Moses said to his brother Aaron: You take my place among my people, act rightly and
follow not the path of the mischief-makers.” (Sura Al-A’araf. V.142). Eleven are
the brothers of Joseph, son of Jacob, as the Qur'an states, “When said Joseph to his
father, O’my father; Verily I did see (dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon,,
I saw them all prostrating to me.” (Sura Yousuf.V.4) . Twelve are the Twelve
water-springs manifested by the staff of Moses, as God states, “ And (remember) when
Moses sought water for his people; said We, ‘Strike the rock with your staff’
Then gushed out therefrom twelve springs; each people knew their drinking place; “Eat
and drink God’s provision, and commit not evil in the earth acting mischievously.
”(Sura Al BaqaraV60).
When the jewish scholars heard the replies of Ali (AS) they said, “We bear witness
that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad(SA) is His Messenger and Ali(AS) is the
“Wasi” and successor of the Messenger of God as Aaron was the Wasi of Moses.
They all embraced Islam, went back to their tribe and converted all of them to
Islam.(Kaukabe Durri).
After the death of Osman the 3rd Caliph Ali(AS) was elected by the overwhelming
majority of muslims as the 4th Caliph. He was reluctant to accept the office of the caliph
but when pushed by the majority , accepted it by saying that he was taking the reigns of
wordly authority only to bring back the Ummah of the Prophet on the Right Path, though the
value of this wordly khilafat is less than the sneeze of a goat. His position as an Imam
and guide was already established during the period of three earlier khulafa, with wordly
power he began the undaunting task of establishing the type of rule the Messenger of God
had established during his time. Imam Bukhari mentioned in his Saheeh that the very first
prayers which Ali (AS) lead in the mosque of the Prophet as the Caliph, many companions of
the prophet said that “ today we have prayed as the Messenger of God used to
pray”. But during the past 25 years many companions of the Prophet had, due to
excessive wealth coming in from the conquest of the foreign lands, changed into the habit
of living like feudal lords of the period of Jahiliya of pre-Islamic days. Ali (AS) as
caliph warned them of the dangers of excessive wealth by these words. " Beware of the
intoxication of wealth”.(Masudi,Muruj el Zahab).
The path of Ali (AS) was full of thorns and as soon as he tried to establish the
austere path of the Messenger of God, he created many enemies. The first and foremost was
the Governor of Syria Moawiya ibne Abi Sofian. He persuaded Talha and Zubair,when they
were denied the Governorship of various provinces by Ali(AS), to start a revolt against
Ali.(AS) Both of them left Madina, arrived in Makka and somehow persuaded bibi Ayesha the
widow of the Prophet to start a fight against Ali.(AS) They left Makka for Basra and
assembled an armyagainst Ali.(AS). He warned them of the dangers of war against the caliph
upon whose hand they had taken the oath of allegiance, but persuasion from Moawiya and
promises of Governorship of various provinces was so strong that they would not hear any
advice. Ali (AS) left Madina in pursuit of these deviants and two muslim armies faced each
other near Basra. When many companions of the Prophet saw this they questioned the
validity of this war and cast doubt as to which party was on the right path. Ali(AS)
replied in the most subtle way to these doubters. “ Truth cannot be identified from
men, find the truth and you will find the deserving person”. The battle of Jamal was
fought, Ali ‘s army was victorious, boTalha and Zubair were killed by their own men
and bibi Ayesha was sent back to Madina under the escort of her brother Muhammad ibne
Abibakr. She always repented this venture and asked forgiveness from God. When with the
connivance of Moawiya her brother Muhammad ibne abi bakr was killed and his body was put
into the body of a dead camel and burnt, she cursed Moawiya five times a day after every
prayer, throughout her life..
The Battle of Siffin was also fought due to the deviant action of Moawiya against the
Islamic State. Some companions of Ali’s army deserted him by accepting bribes from
Moawiya and due to this deceitful action the battle of Siffin remained indecisive, no one
won and no one lost. In the meantime this deviant group which were later named as
“Khawarij” meaning deviant, began to spread trouble within the Islamic State by
looting and burning villages and killing women and children that Ali(AS) fought against
them and the battle of Nahrwan took place.
On the way to Nahrwan Ali(AS) passed a monastery. An old Christian monk who also
claimed to be an astrologer of some repute called out, “ O’ army of Islam, ask
your leader to come to me. Upon hearing this Ali (AS) turned his horse towards the
monastery and approached the monk. Where do you go ask the monk. To fight the enemies of
Islam, replied Ali(AS).
Do not fight now, because at this moment the stars do not favour the muslims. Wait for
a few days when the stars will become favourable for you. Ali (AS) replied, do you defy
Allah for this action we are taking on the orders of Allah and for His Deen.
Ali (AS) said, “ since you profess knowledge of the stars, tell me about the
movement of such and such star.” The old man said, By God, I have never heard the
name of this star. Ali(AS) asked him another question about the skies and when the old man
failed to reply, said “ It is now known that you do not know about the skies. Shall I
ask you about the earth? Tell me what is buried beneath your feet at the spot where you
stand. I do not know said the old monk., “There is a vessel filled with so many
silver coins and the coins bear such and such emblem. How do you know enquired the
monk”. “ By God’s grace.” said Ali (AS). Then Ali proceeded to say
that in the ensuing fight, less than ten persons of Islamic army would be killed where as
less then ten persons from the opposing army would escape. The old monk listened
astonished. As per Ali’s command, when the earth beneath the feet of the monk was
dug, a vessel filled with silver coins was found exactly as described by Ali (AS)
Ali (AS) proceeded to Nahrwan and in the ensuing fight, the khawarij were thoroughly
defeated. Out of the four thousand men of the khawarij only nine escaped and only nine men
of the Islamic army were killed in this battle. (Rawdhatul Shuhada, Kaukab el Durri )
Returning from the battle Ali(AS) passed the monastery and when the monk heard the full
story he embraced Islam immediately.
Ali(AS) also admonished him about his belief in astrology. He said “ do you think
you can tell the hour when a man goes out and no evil befall him. Whoever testifies this
falsifies the Qoran and becomes unmindful of Allah in achieving his desired objective and
in warding off the undesirable.” Then Ali (AS) addressed to his own soldiers and said
“ Beware of learning the science of stars except that with which guidance is sought
on land or sea, because it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner, while a
diviner is like the sorcerer, the sorcerer is like the unbeliever and the
unbeliever’s place is in hell.”(Nahjul Balagha)
The four years and ten months of the Khilafat of Ali(AS) has been regarded by many
historians as the best example of Islamic State after the Prophet of Islam’s death,
in spite of the fact that the family of Abu Sofian tried their best to destroy it. Imam
Abu Yousuf the famous disciple of Imam Abu Hanifa in his book about the history of
Kholafae Rashedun declares above the title of his book that Ali’s (AS) time of
Khilafat was the best in the management of the Islamic State and most just.
Many European historians mentioned Ali’s name with love and affection. Carlyle
writes in his Heros and Heroworship that” Ali had such a personality that he was
liked, loved and venerated by everybody. He was the man of excellent character loving and
lovable, so intensely brave that if anything stood against his bravery it was consumed as
if by fire, yet he was so gentle and kind that he represented the model of a Christian
Knight.”
The famous Egyptian scholar Mohammad Abdoh relates a story about the time of the
conquest of Alexandria during the reign of the 2nd caliph. They found a great library
there and did not know what to do with it. Orders were issued from Madina that ‘ if
these books are according to the Holy Qur'an, then we do not need them and if they say
anything contrary to the Holy Qur'an then we do not want them. Therefore, in any case they
ought to be burnt. (Akhbarul Ulama wa Aakhbarul Hukama of Ibne Quftee, pages 232 and
233,Printed Cairo). When Ali (As) heard the news of this, he tried to pursude them to
refrain from issuing such order. He told them, “These books are treasures of
knowledge and they cannot say anything against the Holy Qur'an. On the contrary the
knowledge contained therein would act as commentaries of the Holy Book and would assist
and help in further explanations of the knowledge as presented by the Holy Prophet.
Knowledge is an asset for human beings and a birth right of man. It should not be
destroyed.”
It was 19th of Ramadhan 41 Hijri while Ali (AS) was leading the morning prayers and was
in the second sajdah of the 2nd Rakaat that Ibne Muljim’s sword fell and the life of
the greatest warrior saint was taken away to his merciful Lord. The famous christian
writer of Lebanon George Jurdaq writes in his books on Ali(AS) that with this one blow of
the sword of Ibne Muljim the world was deprived of the person who, if had lived a few more
years would have given the world a system of administration that future generations would
have benefited for a long time to come.” In fact the letter to his Governor of Egypt
Malike Ashter advising him of the “Do’s and Don’ts for a successful
administration of the State is the hall mark in the annals of history”. We can only
say that Ali’s supreme wisdom provides the guidance of a stature that mankind can
aspire to.
Ali (AS) injured with the wound from the poisonous sword lived for two days. In these
two days he dictated his Will and last testament to his son Hasan (AS) which is again a
brilliant part of literary history. He advised his eldest son to love God and obey Him and
to live for the service of the people in the way of God. “ And then do not forget to
set apart the best of your time for communion with God, although every moment of yours is
for Him, provided it is spent sincerely in the service of your people.”
Ali's (AS) sermons, collected by Sayid Razi in the 4th century (AH) are the examples of
the most brilliant piece of Arabic literature that after the Holy Qor’an and the
authentic Hadith of the Prophet of Islam, ever produced.
What Syed Razi could compile in Nehjul Balagha does not contain all the Sermons,
letters and sayings of Ali (AS). Masoodi (d.346) in his famous book of history
Muruj-al-Zahab says that the only Sermons of Ali,(AS) which have been preserved by various
peop, number more than 480. These were extempore orations, people have copied them from
one another and compiled them in the book forms’ they have cited them and quoted
passages from them in their books. The famous companion and pupil of Ali (AS) Hasan al
Basri had made such arrangements that one of his own friends would memorise the sermons
delivered in the mosque of Kufa and relate the same in the next Fridays prayer in Basra.
This shows the deep interest people of his own time had in these sermons and sayings.
Apparently out of these 480 sermons some were lost and Syed Razi could lay hands on
only 245 sermons. Besides them he has collected about 75 letters and 489 sayings. Almost
everyone of the sermons, sayings and letters collected in Nehjul Balagha is to be found
books of authors who died long before Syed Raza was even born.
Here we quote a few selected sayings of Ali (AS) from Nehjul Balagha, The numbers given
as they appear in the English translation by Syed Ali Raza from Pakistan.
1. During civil disturbance be like an adolescent camel who has neither a back strong
enough for riding nor udders for milking.”( 1, page 568)
2. He who adopts greed as a habit devalues himself, he who discloses his hardship
agrees to humiliation, and he who allows his tongue to overpower his Nafs debases the
Nafs.(2 page 569)
5. Knowledge is a venerable estate, good manners are new dresses and thinking is a
clear mirror. ( 5, page 569)
7. Charity is an effective cure, and actions of people in their present life will be
before their eyes in the next life.( 7, page 570)
10.Meet people in such a manner that if you die they should weep for you and if you
live they should long for you.( 10, page 571)
27." Keep walking in your sickness as long as you can."(27, page 576)-A
simple cure through exercise and ignoring the sickness as much as possible)
31. Faith stands on four supports: on endurance, conviction, justice and Jihad.(31 page
576)
40. The tongue of the wiseman is behind his heart and the heart of the fool is behind
his tongue.(40 page 579)
45. Even if I strike the nose of a believer with this sword for hating me, he will not
hate me, and even if I pile all the wealth of the world before a hypocrite for loving me
he will not love. This is because it is pronounced by the tongue of the beloved Prophet.
O’Ali, a believer will never hate you and a hypocrite (Muslim) will never love you.(
45 page 580)
54. There is no wealth like wisdom, no destitution like ignorance, no inheritance like
refinement and no support like consultation.(54 page 584)
64. The people of the world are like travellers who are being carried while asleep. 64,
page 584)
67. Do not feel ashamed for giving little, because refusal is smaller than that.( 67,
page 584)
90. The perfect jurist of Islam is he who does not let people lose hope from the mercy
of Allah, does not make him despondent of Allah’s kindness and does not make him feel
safe from Allah’s punishment.( 90 page 589)
117. Two categories of persons will face ruin on account of me; he who loves me with
exaggeration and he who hates me intensely. (117 page 594)
146. Protect your belief by charity, guard your wealth by paying Allah’s share,
and ward off the waves of calamity by praying.(146 page 600)
334. Beware of disobeying Allah in solitude, for the witness is also the judge.(334.
page 648)
The famous French historian and Orientalist Gabriel Enkiri writes in his famous book
‘Le chevealier de Islam’,In the extremely superfine, grand and noble character
of Ali, there were two traits which, it is difficult to believe that can be united in one
man. Besides Ali, history cannot show any other man who has displayed these two qualities
at one and the same time, and each one, in such a marked way that none can surpassed him.
1. He was the greatest marshal of his time (even of all time) and , 2. He was the
wisest man who could explain and expound religion, philosophy, science, sociology and
ethics, in a style which was not and which cannot be improved; what is more, he was such a
great speaker that his speeches enchant you even fourteen centuries after his death”.
Read the book called Nahjul Balagha and find out yourself.
