Our first Imam is Imam (A.S.) By the order of Allah.
the Holy Prophet of Islam introduced him to the people and entrusted to him the guardianship and supervision of the Islamic community.
in order that Imam Ah (A.S.) could lead the people after him and be their Imam and their guide.
Imam All (A.S.) was born in Meccah on the thirteenth of the month of Rajab.
The name of his father was Abu Talib.
The name of his mother was Faimah, the daughter of Asad.
Imam All was the Holy Prophet's young cousin.
From his very childhood he lived in the household of the Prophet.
He was brought up by the Prophet and learnt from him the ethics and true values of life.
As a child Imam All was bright and intelligent.
He understood perfectly the words of the Holy Prophet and put them into action.
He never told a lie.
He never abused anyone.
He was always cheerful, polite and well-mannered.
He treated people with respect.
He was truthful and honest.
He would often help the Holy Prophet.
He was also strong and brave.
He was friendly and kind to people.
He never annoyed them, and no one had the nerve to annoy him either.
One month every year before he received his Prophetic mission, the Holy Prophet would go to a cave to worship there in solitude.
The name of that cave was Hira During this month Alt would bring the Prophet food and water.
Imam Ali (A.S.) said later: "I was in the mountain of Hira with the Prophet and I witnessed the signs of Prophethood in him."
Imam Alt (A.S.) was the first man to declare himself a Muslim.
At that time he was about ten years old, but he was so intelligent and deep-thinking that he perfectly understood good and bad and realized that Muhammad (A.S.w.) was telling the truth, and that he was really Allah's appointed messenger.