Who is Ali
Ali full name Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son in law of our holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and son of Abu Talib and Fatima bint Asad born in 13 Rajab sacred sanctuary of the Kaaba in Mecca. According to some authors Ali was the first Muslim (man) Ali protected Muhammad from an early age and took part in almost all the battles after migrating to Medina, he married Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. He was appointed caliph by Muhammad,s companions in 656 after Uthman ibn Affan was assassinated.
Ali is important to both Shia and Sunni politically as well as spiritually Shia regard Ali as the first Imam and successor of the holy prophet. But on another hand Sunni regard Ali as the fourth rightly guided caliph and the groups of Sufis regard him as the first wali except for Naqshbandi they join their lineage through Abubakr (first caliph of Islam ). Ali had been living with Muhammad and Muhammad's wife Khadija since he was five years old. When Ali was nine, Muhammad announced himself as the Prophet of Islam, and Ali became the first male to accept Islam. He was the second person, after Khadija The second period of Ali's life began in 610 when he declared Islam at the age of 9 and ended with the Hijra of Muhammad to Medina in 622'Ali was caliph between 656 and 661, during one of the most turbulent periods in Muslim history, which also coincided with the First Fitnah. Since the conflicts in which Ali was involved were perpetuated in polemical sectarian historiography, biographical material is often biased. But the sources agree that he was a profoundly religious man, devoted to the cause of Islam and the rule of justice in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah; he engaged in a war against erring Muslims as a matter of religious duty. The sources abound in notices on his austerity, rigorous observance of religious duties, and detachment from worldly goods. Thus some authors have pointed out that he lacked political skill and flexibilityUthman's assassination meant that rebels had to select a new caliph. This met with difficulties since the rebels were divided into several groups comprising the Muhajirun, Ansar, Egyptians, Kufans, and Basrites. There were three candidates: Ali, Talhah, and Al-Zubayr. First, the rebels approached Ali, requesting him to accept being the fourth caliph. Some of Muhammad's companions tried to persuade Ali to accept the office but he turned down the offer, suggesting to be a counselor instead of a chief.[106] Talhah, Zubayr and other companions also refused the rebels' offer of the caliphate. Therefore, the rebels warned the inhabitants of Medina to select a caliph within one day, or they would apply drastic action. In order to resolve the deadlock, the Muslims gathered in the Prophet's Mosque on 18 June 656, to appoint the caliph. Initially, 'Ali refused to accept it, simply because his most vigorous supporters were rebels. However, when some notable companions of Muhammad, in addition to the residents of Medina, urged him to accept the offer, he finally agreed. According to Abu Mekhnaf's narration, Talhah was the first prominent companion who gave his pledge to 'Ali, but other narrations claimed otherwise, stating they were forced to give their pledge. Also, Talhah and Az-Zubayr later claimed they supported him reluctantly. Regardless, Ali refuted these claims, insisting they recognized him as caliph voluntarily. Wilferd Madelung believes that force did not urge people to give their pledge and they pledged publicly in the mosque.[15][16] While the overwhelming majority of Medina's population, as well as many of the rebels, gave their pledge, some important figures or tribes did not do so. The Umayyads, kinsmen of Uthman, fled to the Levant, or remained in their houses, later refusing 'Ali's legitimacy. Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas was absent and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar abstained from offering his allegiance, but both of them assured 'Ali that they would not act against him.[15][16]
Ali thus inherited the Rashidun caliphate — which extended from Egypt in the west to the Iranian highlands in the east—while the situation in the Hejaz and the other provinces on the eve of his election was unsettled. Soon after Ali became caliph, he dismissed provincial governors who had been appointed by Uthman, replacing them with trusted aides. He acted against the counsel of Mughira ibn Shu'ba and Ibn 'Abbas, who had advised him to proceed with his governing cautiously. Madelung says Ali was deeply convinced of his right and his religious mission, unwilling to compromise his principles for the sake of political expediency, and ready to fight against overwhelming odds. Muawiyah I, the kinsman of Uthman and governor of the Levant, refused to submit to Ali's orders; he was the only governor to do so.
Descendents
Ali initially married Fatimah, who was his most beloved wife. After she died, he got married again. He had four children with Fatimah, Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, Zaynab bint Ali[1] and Umm Kulthum bint Ali. His other well-known sons were al-Abbas ibn Ali, born to Fatima bint e Hizam (Um al-Banin), and Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah.[171] Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah was Ali's son from another wife from Hanifa clan of central Arabia named Khawlah bint Ja'far. After Fatima's death, Ali married Khawla bint Ja'far of the Bani Hanifa tribe.
Hasan, born in 625, was the second Shia Imam and he also occupied the outward function of caliph for about six months. In the year AH 50, he was poisoned and killed by a member of his own household who, as has been accounted by historians, had been motivated by Mu'awiyah.[172]
Husayn, born in 626, was the third Shia Imam. He lived under severe conditions of suppression and persecution by Mu'awiyah. On the tenth day of Muharram, of the year 680, he lined up before the army of the caliph with his small band of followers and nearly all of them were killed in the Battle of Karbala. The anniversary of his death is called the Day of Ashura and it is a day of mourning and religious observance for Shia Muslims.[173] In this battle, some of Ali's other sons were killed. Al-Tabari has mentioned their names in his history: Al-Abbas ibn Ali, the holder of Husayn's standard, Ja'far, Abdallah and Uthman, the four sons born to Fatima bint e Hizam; Muhammad and Abu Bakr. The death of the last one is doubtful.
Some historians have added the names of Ali's other sons who were killed at Karbala, including Ibrahim, Umar, and Abdallah ibn al-Asqar.
His daughter Zaynab—who was in Karbala—was captured by Yazid's army and later played a great role in revealing what happened to Husayn and his followers.
Ali's descendants by Fatimah are known as sharifs, syeds or sayyids. These are honorific titles in Arabic, sharif meaning 'noble' and sayed or Sayyid meaning 'lord' or 'sir'. As Muhammad's only descendants, they are respected by both Sunni and Shia.
Death
On 19 Ramadan AH 40, which would correspond to 26 January 661,[142] while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa, Ali was attacked by the Kharijite Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam. He was wounded by ibn Muljam's poison-coated sword while prostrating in the Fajr prayer. Ali ordered his sons not to attack the Kharijites, instead stipulating that if he survived, ibn Muljam would be pardoned whereas if he died, ibn Muljam should be given only one equal hit (regardless of whether or not he died from the hit). Ali died two days later on 29 January 661 (21 Ramadan AH 40). Al-Hasan fulfilled Qisas and gave equal punishment to ibn Muljam upon Ali's death.
Hazrat Ali was the son of Prophet Muhammad’s uncle Hazrat Abu Talib (RA) and ALI was married to the daughter of Prophet Muhammad’s Fatimah (RA).
IMAM ALI is popularly known as Lion of ALLAH.
I am the city of knowledge and ‘Ali is its gate” – Prophet Muhammad
- “Wisdom is that tree that is planted in the heart, grown in the mind and bear fruits on the tongue”– Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib
History of Ali
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