Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu was the first cousin of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (May Allah send his blessings and peace be upon him). His father was Hazrat Abu Talib Razi Allah Anhu who supported the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam in his endeavours. It is narrated in some traditions that when Hazrat Abu Talib Razi Allah Anhu would sense danger for the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam He would swap the sleeping places of his son Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu with that of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam. Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu has the honour of sleeping in the bed of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam many times.
He was the first male child to accept Islam.
Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu's father had a large family and there was large famine that that gripped the area. The Holy Prophet Muhammed voluntered to take Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu in his household and raised Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu.
However some Scholars disgree and say that the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam took Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu in his household was being his mentor, tutor and guide irrespective of the Famine.
He later became the Son in Law of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam when he was married to the beloved Daughter Hazrat Fatimah Razi Allah Anhu of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam.
Hazrat Fathima Razi Allah Anhu taala anhu is among the four superior women of paradise.
Abdullah bin Abbas narrates that the Holy Prophet(salalaahu alaihi wasallam) drew four lines in the ground and asked,
“Do you know what this is?” The companions replied, “Allah and His Messenger (salalaahu alaihi wasallam) know better.”
Then the Holy Prophet (salalaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “From the women of Paradise four are superior to others:
Khadijah the daughter of Khuwaylid, Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad, Asiyah the daughter of Mazahim the wife of Pharaoh
and Maryam the daughter of Imran .”
1. Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (1:293,316)
2. Nasai, as-Sunan-ul -kubra (5:93, 94#8355,8364)
3. Nasai, Fadail -us-sahabah (p. 74, 76#250, 259)
4. Ibn Hibban, as-Sahih (15:470#7010)
5. Hakim, al-Mustadrak, (2:539#3836)
6. Hakim, al-Mustadrak (3:174, 205#4754, 4852)
7. Ahmad bin Hambal, Fadail -us-sahabah (2:760, 761# 1339)
8. Abu Yal a, al-Musnad (5:110#2722)
9. Shaybani, al -Aahad wal -mathani (5:364#2962)
10. Abd bin Humayd, al -Musnad (1:205#597)
He was a close companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam and assisted him in all his endeavours.
He was also the Spiritual Successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam as declared by the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam in the event of Event of Ghadder Ul Khulm.
Narrated Abu Sarihah, or Zaid bin Arqam. Heard from the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam:
"For whomever I am his Mawla then 'Ali is his Mawla."
Indexes In-book reference Book 49, Hadith 4078
Reference Jami` at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3713
Imran bin Husain Narrates a hadith in which the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam said:
"Indeed 'Ali is from me, and I am from him, and he is the Wali of every believer after me."
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3712
Arabic reference : Book 49, Hadith 4077
In the above Hadith Wali means Protector, Spiritual guardian and Guide.
Hazrat Ali also became the fourth of the Righly Guided Khalifas, who were elected by the muslims. After his death Monarchy started in the Arab world.
Hazrat Ali is known for his bravery, and his steadfastness to Islam.
He is also called as the Lion of Allah for his bravery.
He is also the recipent of the inner knowledge from the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam.
He is called as the father of Sufism.
Most of the Sufi chains including the Khadria and Chistia chains lead to Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu and then to the Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam
Hazrat Ali is also known as the Gate of Knowldge and Wisdon in Islam.
The Messenger of Allah salalaahu alaihi wasallam said:
"I am the house of wisdom, and 'Ali is its door."
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3723
Arabic reference : Book 49, Hadith 4089
Jami at-Tirmidhi
The Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam also said
" Iam the city of knowledge and Ali(Razi Allah Anhu) is its gate"
Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu will be the First to enter paradise together with The Holy Prophet Muhammed salalaahu alaihi wasallam , Hazrat Fatimas Razi Allah Anhu and Hazrat Imam Hussain Razi Allah Anhu and Hazrat Imam Hassan Razi Allah Anhu :
Ali narrates, “The Holy Prophet (salalaahu alaihi wasallam) told me, ‘The first people entering Paradise will be myself,
Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husain.’ I asked, ‘Oh Messenger of Allah! (salalaahu alaihi wasallam) What about our lovers?’ The Messenger of
Allah replied, ‘They will be behind you.’”
1. Hakim, al-Mustadrak (3:164#4723)
2. Ibn Asakir, Tari kh Dimashq al-kabir (14:173)
3. Hindi, Kanz-ul -ummal (12:98#34166)
4. Haytami said i n as-Sawaiq-ul-muhriqah (2:448) Ibn Sad narrated it.
5. Muhibb Tabari, Dhakhai r-ul -uqba fi manaqib dhaw-il - qurba (p.214)