Ali, son of Abu Talib (part 2 of 2)
Ali was the fourth rightly guided Caliph.[1] He followed in the footsteps of
Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman, and ruled the Muslim
Empire, according to the divinely revealed law of God, from
approximately 656 to 661 CE. Ali was the young cousin and son in
law of Prophet Muhammad. He spent his childhood emulating the noble
character of his beloved cousin, and his youth learning the details
of Islam. Ali grew into a noble warrior; physically strong and
assertive but with a humble heart, filled with love for God and His
Messenger Muhammad. Muslims remember Ali for his courage, his
honesty, his generous and kind behaviour towards others, and his
unswerving devotion to Islam.
After the migration to Medina, Ali married Fatima, the daughter of
Prophet Muhammad. The young couple led a simple and austere life,
for Ali did not care for material wealth, rather he was focused on
pleasing God and attaining everlasting bliss in the next life. They
had no servants or slaves. Ali drew and carried water and Fatima
would grind the corn until her hands were rough and sore. Once when
the young couple approached Prophet Muhammad asking for a servant
he rebuked them by saying that he could not give them such luxuries
when hungry poor people filled the mosque.
That evening Prophet Muhammad visited Ali and Fatima in their home.
He sat on the edge of their bed and taught them words of
remembrance with which to praise God. He assured them that
remembering God would be more beneficial for them than a servant or
slave to ease their workload. Ali never forgot the words of advice
given to him that night, later in his life he said that not a night
passed that he did not recite those words before sleeping. Ali and
his family went to great lengths to please God, often they would go
hungry themselves giving away all their food to people poorer than
themselves. Ali's generosity knew no bounds, he treated everyone,
with respect and kindness.
The Scholar Imam Ahmad described Ali as one of the most virtuous of
Prophet Muhammad's companions and Ali was known to be amongst the
Prophet's most staunch supporters. Ali deservedly became known as a
strong warrior and he distinguished himself in the crucial first
battle against the unbelieving men of Mecca, known as the Battle of
Badr. The young "lion" participated in all the battles fought in
the early days of Islam except on one occasion. It is reported in
the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad that during the battle
of Khaybar Prophet Muhammad bestowed a great honour on his young
cousin.
Prophet Muhammad informed his companions «tomorrow I shall give this standard (flag)
to a man who God will bring about victory through him, he loves God
and His Messenger and is also loved by God and His
Messenger». The companions of Prophet Muhammad spent the
night wondering who the flag would be handed too. Omar Ibn Al
Khattab is believed to have said that it was the only time he
longed for leadership, but this particular honour belonged to
Ali.
After Uthman Ibn Affan was murdered in the service of the Muslim
nation, Ali was chosen as the fourth of those known as the rightly
guided Caliphs. Many Muslims were eager for Ali to take on
leadership but Ali was concerned that already the seeds of
rebelliousness were being sewn among the believers. He hesitated
until some of the companions who had been closest to Prophet
Muhammad urged him on and gave him their support. The events
surrounding Uthman's murder had flung the young Muslim nation into
a period that became known as the "time of tribulation". Ali began
and ended his Caliphate in times of trial and tribulation however;
he remained true to his convictions and ruled in a manner that
befitted the child who learned his morals and values at the feet of
the Prophet Muhammad.
Ali was a profoundly religious man; he was devoted to Islam and
strove in his daily life and his position as leader to uphold the
Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad. War broke
out amongst the Muslims and Ali found himself attempting to lead a
nation beset with rebellion and in fighting. Throughout this time
of civil strife and war, Ali was ever mindful of the great task
that lay before him. He was responsible for the people of the
Muslim nation.
At this point is must be clearly noted that Ali and Uthman were
brothers in Islam, both devoted to God, His messenger Muhammad and
the religion of Islam. Both ruled the Muslim nation with humble
hearts, austerity, and piety.
Ali was murdered with a poisoned sword. The assassin, who struck
while Ali was praying in the mosque, brought to an end to his life.
Abu Bakr, Omar Ibn al Khattab, Uthman Ibn Affan, and Ali Ibn Abu
Talib were men of noble stature and high moral fibre, they ruled
with the Quran and the lessons taught to them by Prophet
Muhammad.
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Footnotes:
[1] Caliph -leader of the Muslim nation.
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com
revised to agree with authentic
hadeeth
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