It was narrated by Hubshi bin Junadah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ”Ali is from me and I am from ‘Ali. And none should represent me except myself or ‘Ali.” Sayyiduna Ali was known for his bravery, courage, and honesty. The prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) designated him to deliver the depositions in trust which were put in the hand of the prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) to keep it when he immigrated to Madinah. Also, he was one of the companions who would write down the text of the Holy Quran, which had been revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during his lifetime. After Muslims settled down in Madina, the prophet Muhammed began to increase the state of Islam, and send messengers to all the other states spreading the guidelines and teaching of Islam. The growth of Islam provoked other rulers towards fighting Islam. Thus, it was necessary to establish a strong army that mentioning its name would be enough to protect the Islamic state against all the invaders. For Sayyiduna Ali, he participated in almost all the battles against the unbelievers during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), except for the Battle of Tabuk in the year 9th Hijri, as the Prophet (ﷺ) had placed Ali (R.A.) in charge of the city. In Battle of Tabuk, the prophet Muhammed asked Sayyiduna Ali to stay in Madina as temporary ruler, but Sayyiduna Ali wanted to join the prophet Muhammed. The prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) told him ”Ali: “You are to me in the position that Harun was to Musa, except that there is no Prophet after me”, and ”To whom I am the master, Ali is his master as well.” In battle of Badar, that it is known to be one of the most important battles in Islamic history, the Battle of Badr marked a major turning point for Muslims, Sayyiduna Ali Ibn Abi Talib was one of the three companions who were chosen by the prophet Muhammed in the opening duel. In battle of Uhud he was given the flag after the death of Sayyiduna Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr.
The Fourth Khalifa Of Islam
Ali Ibn Abi Talib
In year of 35 Ah, and after the assassination of the third Khalifa Othman ibn Affan, the Muslims believed that there must be a ruler to the state of Islam, and it is danger to leave this position unoccupied. All the leading Muhajireen and Ansar, therefore, gathered in the Mosque of the Prophet, and agreed to ask Ali to take charge of the government, and to steer the ship of state to safety. A delegation then called on Ali, and requested him to accept this responsibility. Tabari says in his History that the Muhajireen and the Ansar almost mobbed Ali. They told him that the Umma is without a leader, and the government is without a head, and that he, i.e., Ali, alone is the most qualified person to fill the position, not only because of his propinquity with the prophet Muhammed, the Messenger of Allah, but also because of his personal qualities and his services to Islam. Sayyiduna Ali, however, did not accept the offer of the companions, and said that he preferred to be an adviser rather than the caliph. But the companions also did not accept Ali’s refusal, and said: “No man has given more distinguished service to Islam, nor is anyone closer to Muhammad than you. We consider you to be the worthiest of all men to be our Khalifa.” Sayyiduna Ali still did not agree, and the companions still persisted, and said: “We appeal to you in the name of God to accept the caliphate. Don’t you see the state of the Umma? Don’t you see new perils rising everywhere in the lands of Islam? Who will check them if not you?” Thus, he agreed to take the responsibility. On 25th of Dhul-Hijjah 35H (24th June, 656 CE), pledges of loyalty were sworn to Ali (R.A.).
Despite the instability that faced the reign of the companion Ali Ibn Abi Talib as a ruler, he was keen to fulfill the needs of the Muslims, especially the needs of the people who came to do Hajj and Ummarh, and the people who wanted to learn about Islam. His reign was marked by significant challenges, including political unrest and the emergence of dissenting factions. Despite these trials, Sayyiduna Ali upheld justice and sought to maintain the unity of the Muslim Ummah. He was the first Khalifa that Muslims had a disputes against him in comparison to the previous three rulers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Omar, and Sayyiduna Othman Ibn Affan. Ibn Tayimiah said ”People on the region of Immam Ali were three types; one who fought with him, other who fought against him, and third who neither fought with nor against him.” The capital of Islam was moved to from Madinah to Kufah in Iraq, due to its strategic position in the mid of the Islamic country while he was ruling.
the Martyrdom of Ali Ibn Abi Talib
He was known for his profound wisdom and eloquence, which have been preserved in his sermons and letters. Ali came into the Great Mosque of Kufa, and called Adhan (the call to prayer). He took his place in the alcove, and moments later, the worshippers began to arrive. They stood behind him in serried ranks, and the prayer began. Standing in the front row, with other worshippers, were Abdur Rahman bin Muljam and his confederates. They were watching Ali’s movements. In the folds of their cloaks, they were carrying swords burnished to a high sheen, and soaked in poison. Just when Ali touched the ground with his forehead for sajda, Abdur Rahman bin Muljam stepped out of his row, and crept into the alcove. And just when Ali lifted his head from the ground, ibn Muljam struck the fatal blow at his forehead with such deadly force that it split open. Blood squirted from Ali’s forehead in several jets, and he exclaimed:
“By the Lord of the Kaaba, I am successful!” His last words were ”No god but Allah.
May Allah have mercy on Ali Ibn AbiTalib and be pleased with him and gather us among his company.
