The 4th caliph of Islam, Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyiduna Maula ‘Ali Mushkil Kusha رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ, the Lion of Allah عزّوجلّ, was born inside the Holy Kaaba on the 13th of Rajab, when the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم was 30 years old. Hazrat Ali mother name is Fatima bint e Asad and his father’s name is Abu Taalib. He was also known by Abu Turaab, which was given to him by the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم and He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was always happy to be addressed by it. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ embraced Islam at the age of 10 and grew up in the household of the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم.
Throughout his life, he actively supported and promoted the religion of Islam. Ali Ibn Abi Talib رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ had a distinguished reputation for being among the early Muslim immigrants and the ten companions promised paradise, possessing many remarkable qualities. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ displayed exceptional bravery in significant battles such as Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq. His unique sword, named Zulfiqar, played a crucial role in defeating numerous renowned and brave warriors among the unbelievers (Kuffar).
The Kunyah (Teknonym) of Sayyiduna ‘Ali-ul-Murtada کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم is ‘Abul Hasan’ and ‘Abu Turaab’. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ is the paternal cousin of the Beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ remained the caliph for 4 years, 8 months and 9 days. [1]
Upbringing, title and Kunyah:
Khalifah Ali Ibn Abi Talib رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ grew up under the care of Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم. Since childhood, he was in the blessed company of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم and learned good habits by listening to his talks. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. always avoided idol worship and earned the titles 'Abul Hasan' and 'Abu Turab.'
Imam Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was the youngest of four brothers. His siblings, Sayyiduna ‘Aqeel, Sayyiduna Ja’far, Sayyidah Umm-e-Haani, and Sayyidah Jumanah رَضِیَ اللہ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم, also embraced Islam. Hazrat Ali’s رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, entire life is full of the faith-refreshing parables of devotion to the Noblest Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم. It was Sayyiduna ‘Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم who had the privilege to lie down in the bed of Beloved Prophet after He صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم had gone in the night of migration.
The names of the ‘Asharaĥ Mubashsharaĥ:
Amir-ul-Muminin Ali bin Abi Talib کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم is also among the ten companions given the good news of Paradise. The term 'Asharaĥ Mubashsharaĥ' refers to ten companions رضي الله تعالٰی عنهم who were specifically promised Paradise by the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم. According to Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman Bin 'Awf رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم mentioned that Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali, Talha, Zubayr, Abdur Rahman Bin 'Awf, Sa'd Bin Abi Waqqas, Sa’id Bin Zayd, and Abu 'Ubaydah Bin Jarrāḥ (رضوان الله تعالى علیھم اجمعين) are destined for Paradise. [2]
Blessed Appearance:
Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم had a moderate height, large eyes, and an exceptionally blessed face resembling the full moon. His broad shoulders, heavy palms, and strong hands made him robust. He had a slender neck, dark hair at the back of his head, and a flowing, naturally dark beard.
Hazrat Ali's رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ love for the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم:
Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم, deeply loved and obeyed the Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم. When asked about his love for the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم, he رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ replied, 'I swear by Allah عزّوجلّ! The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم is more beloved to us than our wealth, children, parents, and even cold water when we're extremely thirsty.' [3]
Hazrat Ali family tree:
· How many sons and daughters did Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ have??
Sayyiduna 'Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ couldn't marry again while Sayyidah Fatimah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنها was alive. However, after her passing, he رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ married several times, having 14 sons and 18 daughters. Sayyidah Fatimah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنها gave birth to Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain, Mohsin, Zainab, and Umm-e-Kulsoom رَضِیَ اللہ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم. Sayyiduna Mohsin passed away in his childhood. [4]
Deep affection for the family:
One day the Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم visited the blessed house of Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. He صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم asked [Sayyidah Fatimah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنها], ‘Where are my children (i.e., Hasan and Hussain)?’ Sayyidah Fatimah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنها humbly said: When we woke up in the morning today, we had nothing to eat. Children’s father took them out saying, ‘If they remain in the house, they would weep in front of you and you have nothing to give them for eating. So, he has gone to so and so Jew’. The Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم went there and saw that both the children were playing with a clay flask; some leftover dates were lying there in front of them. The Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم said, ‘Ali! Take the children to home before it gets sunny and hot.’ Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ humbly said, ‘O Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم! We have not had even a single piece of grain at home since morning. If you sit for a while, I will collect some leftover dates for Fatimah.’ Having listened to this, the Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم sat there. Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ collected some dates and wrapped them in a piece of cloth. [7]
Sayyiduna Ali's رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ Leadership and Wisdom:
A Yemeni man sent his son on a journey with a slave. They argued, and in Kufa, the slave falsely claimed the boy was his. To settle the matter, Caliph Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم had them put their heads through holes in the wall. He then brought the Holy Prophet's صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم sword and ordered to cut the slave's head. The slave pulled back, but the boy remained, proving his true identity.
Sayings of Ali ibn Abi Talib:
Sayyiduna Ibn-e- ‘Abbas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنها narrated, Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ has stated: Sayyiduna ‘Ali کَرَّمَ الـلّٰـه وَجہہُ الْکریم has stated such a beautiful saying that if people act upon them, they attain success and never indulge in evil acts. People humbly asked, ‘O Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen! What are those sayings? He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ replied: These are the sayings to take lessons from:
Hazrat Ali quotes in English are as follows:
1. Take care of the likes of your brother, treat him well then you will attain your favourite thing from him.
2. And do not have an evil suspicion about a word that comes out of your brother (seek the positive aspect) you must form a good opinion out of it.
3. Of two acts, never indulge in that which makes you follow your Nafs (self) because following the Nafs is pure loss.
4. Whenever you want your need to be fulfilled then recite abundant Salat upon the Blessed Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم before making du’aa. Undoubtedly, Allah عزّوجلّ favours that person who asks for his needs; if whoever asks for those things then Allah عزّوجلّ bestows him whatever is better for him and prevents those things which are harmful for him.
5. Whoever wants to be absorbed in the remembrance of Allah عزّوجلّ, he should make Zikr his habit and custom and have patience in each trouble & misfortune.
6. Whoever longs for a long worldly life, he should be prepared to face troubles.
7. Whoever wants to retain his honour and prestige, he should refrain from showing off.
8. Do not ask questions about which you have nothing to do with.
9. Care for your health before your illness and make good use of your spare time otherwise you will face anxiety and grief.
10. Steadfastness is half of success like sadness is half of old age.
11. When a thing disturbs your heart, abandon it, because peace lies in abandoning that thing. [9]
Caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib:
Once, a man was brought before Sayyiduna Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم on the charge of stealing and two witnesses were present there to testify. Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم was attending to some other tasks. Then he کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم said, ‘I have always punished the man severely whenever he happened to be a false witness.’ (Later on) When he کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم summoned the two witnesses, it turned out that both had run away. Therefore, he acquitted the accused. [10]
Ali ibn Abi Talib Shahadat:
On the Friday night of the 17th or 19th Ramadan in the year 40th Hijri, Amīr-ul-Mu`minīn, Sayyidunā ‘Alī رضی اللہ عنہ woke up at dawn, answered the call to prayer, and headed to the Masjid for Fajr prayer. While on his way, he was suddenly attacked by Ibn Muljam, a notorious assailant, who fatally wounded him with a sword. The people rushed to apprehend the attacker, and after two days, on 21st Ramadan-ul-Mubārak, Sayyidunā ‘Alī رضی اللہ عنہ got Shahadat. [11]
References:
1. (Usd-ul-Ghabah, vol. 4, p. 100; Tareekh-ul-Khulafa, pp. 132-139; Khulafa-e-Rashideen, p. 313).
2. (Jāmi’ Tirmiżī, vol. 5, pp. 416, Ḥadīš 3768).
3. (Ash-Shifa, vol. 2, pp. 22)
4. (Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 2, pp. 239).
5. (Az-Zuhd li Ahmad, pp. 157, Raqm 696).
6. (Ibn Abid Dunya, vol. 4, pp. 127, Raqm 281).
7. (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Kabeer, vol. 22, pp. 422, Hadees 1040).
8. (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pp. 223, Hadees 819; Al-Mu’jam-ul-Kabeer, vol. 24, pp. 137, Hadees 365).
9. (‘Uyun-ul-Hikayat, pp. 173)
10. (Musannaf-e-Abi Shaybah, vol. 14, pp. 548, Raqm 29426).
11. (Tārīkh-ul-Khulafā, pp. 139).
Ref: Hazrat Ali - 4th caliph of Islam