Sayyidinaa Imam ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib Asadullah ul Ghaalib
Karam Allahu ta ‘ala wajhahu
Extracted From
Tadhkira Mashaikh-e-Qadiriya Ridawiya by Mawlana Abd al-Mujtaba Ridawi
English Translation: Chain of Lights by Aftab Qasim Ridawi (Durban – South Africa)
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Wa Sall Allahu ta ‘ala ‘alaa Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaana Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Aalihi wa Ashaabihi wa Dhurriyaatihi wa walidih Shaykh Sultan Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani wa walidi Shaykh Sultan Sayyid Mubarik ‘Ali Shah Jilani Hashimi wa Barik wa sallim
BLESSED NAME: His name is Ali and is known as Abu al-Hassan and Abu Turab and his titles are Murtuda, Asadullah and Haidar-e-Karraar.
HIS FATHER: His father was Abu Taalib and Grandfather were Abdul Mutallib. Abu Taalib is the uncle of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.
HIS MOTHER: His mother’s name was Faatima bint Asad, bin Haashim, bin Abd Munaaf. Her Janazah was performed by Rasoolullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, and he gave his blessed Qamees (Kurta) to be used as her kaffan (shroud). He prepared her grave and first he himself laid down in her grave, so that it will be comfortable for her in the grave, and so that she may be adorned in the Garb of Jannat. [Noor al-Absaar]
MIRACULOUS EVENTS IN THE WOMB OF HIS MOTHER: When Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was in the womb of his mother, then she used to see astonishing dreams. She says, “When I was pregnant with Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, some bright people came to me and gave me glad tidings, and for as long as he was in womb, I felt very different, and whenever I intended to prostrate before the idols, I would have a severe pain in my stomach. In this way, I could not prostrate to any idol.” [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
HIS BIRTH: Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was born on a Friday. Some narrations quote the date as the 13th of Muharram and others state the 13th of Rajab. His birth occurred 30 years after the incident of Feel. He was born inside the Holy Kaa’ba, and none has been blessed with this excellence before him. [Noor al-Absaar]
His mother said, “When he was born, he did not drink milk for three days, and this, caused great sadness in my home. This message reached Rasoolullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim arrived and took Sayyiduna Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu in his blessed arms and showed great love to him. He then placed his tongue in the mouth of Sayyiduna Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and Sayyidina Ali suckled on the tongue of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim and thereafter started to drink milk.”
When Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was five years old, the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim kept him at his blessed home and took care of him. He was thus groomed in the home of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim until he was ten years old.
HIS FEATURES: Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was of excellent built and not very tall in height. He was tan in colour and very handsome. His face was very beautiful and would always be shining like the full moon. He had huge, black shining eyes. His shoulders were broad and well-built like that of a lion. His beard was long and full. His body was very muscular, and his body was covered by a lot of hair. His hands and wrists were very strong and firm. If he gripped anyone with his hands, the person would not be able to breath. His thighs and legs were also very strong and firm. He walked very swiftly in the manner that the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim walked. He was so healthy, that if he wished, he wore summer clothes in winter and winter clothes in summer. [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
FAMILY TREE: Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu son of Abu Taalib son of Abdul Mutalib son of Abd Munaaf son of Qasi son of Kilaab son of Marrah son of Lawi son of Ghaalib son of Fahar son of Maalik son of Nuzar son of Kinaana. [Tareekh al-Khulafa]
HE ACCEPTS ISLAM: Almighty Allah commanded the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim to propagate Islam amongst his family first and to correct their habits and behaviour. This, the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim did and he first invited to Islam, Bibi Khadija Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. He also invited Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu who happily accepted Islam. He was the first amongst the youth (children) to accept Islam. [Ikmaal fi Asmaa ar-Rijaal]
HIS EXCELLENCE: Allama ibn Hajr Makki Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu writes in Zawaajir, that Sayyidina Ameer Muawiyah Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu asked Zar’raar to explain the qualities of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. He said, “His knowledge was vast. He was Aarif billaah, and strict in the issues of Deen. His spoke words of righteousness which differentiated right from wrong. His every decision was full of justice. He did not desire the pomp and splendour of this world. The night and the silence of the night was very dear to him. He would often cry in the fear of Almighty Allah, and he would sometimes be in deep meditation. He was always quick in assisting others. He always shunned his nafs. He preferred thick clothing. He ate any food that was present, and did not give preference to its taste. When he was amongst us, he seemed like one of us and did not care about his status. Whenever anyone called him, he went to them. Even though he was so humble and we were so close to him, we still were very afraid to talk to him. He always respected those who were inclined to religious affairs. His friends were the poor and the needy. Even if a person was very famous and was guilty, he knew that his case would not be compromised by Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. A weak person never feared that he would look down upon him, due to his weakness.”
Zar’raar then swore an Oath (Qasm) and said, “I saw that when it became dark and even the stars were hidden, he was standing in the Mimbar and firmly holding his beard and was in a state as if a snake had bitten him. He was weeping and calling out to Almighty Allah. He was saying, ‘O Materialistic World, O Materialistic World! You have turned towards me. You have looked at me. Stay away from me! Stay away from me! Go and try to deceive someone else. I have given you three irrevocable divorces, in other words I have left you, because your age is less, your pleasures are destructive and there is much fear by being with you.’ He used to be sad about himself and would spend his time weeping the fear of Allah.”
When Sayyidina Ameer Muawiyah Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu heard this, he began to weep so bitterly that tears ran down to his beard, and he could not stop weeping, until he wiped his tears with his sleeves. The entire gathering also wept. Sayyidina Ameer Muawiyah then said this as he wept, “Allah have mercy on Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. I swear by Allah, he was just as you have explained him to be.” [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
He is the fourth Khalifa of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim and a lot has been said by great scholars in his praise. His praise is also present in the verses of the Quran and in the Hadith of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. Sayyidina Imam Muhammad Ghazzali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu write in Ihyaa al-Uloom that on the night of Hijrat, when Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was asleep in the blessed bed of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, Almighty Allah sent wahi to Sayyidina Jibraeel and Sayyidina Mikaeel (alaihimus salaam) that, “I have made the two of you brothers to one another and I made the age of one from amongst you more than that of the other. Is there any from amongst you that will give part of your age to the other?”
None answered from both of them. Almighty Allah said, “The both of you are not the example of Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. I have made him the brother of my Beloved Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. Look, he is asleep in the bed of his brother and is willing to sacrifice his life for him. Both of you go to earth and protect him from his enemies. Sayyidina Jibraeel u descended and stood at the head side of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and Sayyidina Israfeel u stood at his feet, protecting him for the entire night.” It was on this, that Almighty Allah revealed the verse, “Some person sells his life in pleasing Allah, and Allah is Most compassionate towards his servants.” (Surah Baqara) [Kashful Mahjoob, Page 260]
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu reports that once Sayyidina Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu were very ill. The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Sayyidina Umar (radi Allahu anhum) came to visit the children. On leaving the Sahaba-e-Kiraam requested that Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu take some Nazr (vow) on behalf of the children. Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, Bibi Faatima Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and their female servant all took the vow to keep three fasts each, so that Almighty Allah may bless both the children with shifa. All three of them kept the first fast, but there was nothing in the house for Iftaar. Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu then bought three portions of flour on credit from a jew called Sham’oon. He gave one portion to Bibi Faatima Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, who made five breads with the flour. As the time of Iftaar arrived, and they were about to eat, a beggar came to their door and said, “Salaam upon you O Ahle Bait of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. I am a poor Muslim from amongst the poor Muslims. Please feed me with something and Allah shall feed you from the bounties of Jannat.” When they heard this, all of them gave their bread to him, and they slept just by drinking water. The next day, they sat for Iftaar when they heard someone say, “I am an Orphan. Please assist me.” Again, all of them gave their share of food to him. This happened on the third day again, when a captive asked for food, they gave all their food to him. When morning came, Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu took Imam Hassan and Hussain (Radi Allahu Anhum) to visit the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. When he saw how weak the children were, he went to Bibi Faatima Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and saw that she too had become weak. This caused much sadness to the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. It was then, that Sayyidina Jibraeel Alaihis Salam descended with this verse of the Quran, “And they feed the poor, orphan and captive in His love.” [Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol 1, Page 145]
This verse of the Holy Quran was also revealed in praise of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, “Those who spend their wealth in charity during the night and the day, (both) discreetly and openly. For them, they have a generous reward by their Lord. They have no fear nor do they have any grief.”
Sayyidina ibn Abbas Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu states that Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu had only four dirhams with him. He distributed one dirham as charity at night and one dirham in the day. He then gave one dirham discreetly and one dirham openly. It was on this, that the above mentioned verse of the Quran was revealed. [Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol 1 Page 147]
Sayyidina Dharr bin Hubaish Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu reports that Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu said, “I swear in His Name who caused a tree to explode from a seedling and who created life, that the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said to me, ‘O Ali! Only he shall have true love for you, who is a Momin and he who has enmity against you is a hypocrite.’” [Sahih al-Muslim]
Sayyidina Imraan bin Haseen Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu reports that the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said, “Ali is mine and I am his, and he is the beloved of all the believers.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Sayyidina Sahl ibn Saad Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “On the day of Khaibar, the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said, ‘Tomorrow I shall give this flag in the hand of that person, through whom Almighty Allah shall grant us victory. That person loves Allah and His Rasool Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, and Allah and His Rasool Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim love him.’ When morning came, all the companions of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim came into the court of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim hoping that they would be the one who shall be chosen in whose hand the flag shall be given, but the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim asked, ‘Where is Ali bin Abi Taalib Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu?’ It was said that his eyes were sore through an infection. The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said, ‘Call him’ He was thus called and the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim put his blessed saliva into his eyes and they became well, as if they were never sore. He Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim then gave the flag in his hand.” [Sahih Bukhari – Sahih Muslim]
HIS CHARACTER: The life of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was a beautiful example of good character. It is stated that even though he was blessed with an exalted status, he never showed himself to be above others. He always lived a very simple and humble life. He also helped with the household chores. He would often be seen sewing a patch in his torn clothing. Even when the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim had commanded the Sahaba to dig a trench, Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu worked like an ordinary labourer.
HIS KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY: He was a very kind and generous personality. He never caused pain to anyone. Even if someone committed an error, he explained to him with great kindness and love. Sayyidina Abu Dhar Ghaffari Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was very exalted, brave, Truthful, soft hearted and kind. The desire to help the poor flowed in him like the huge waves of the sea. He used to travel far away from home, to assist the sick, old, poor, orphans, crippled and downtrodden.”
HIS BRAVERY: Sayyidina Abbas Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “Sayyiduna Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu is the bravest amongst the people.” It is for this reason that he is known as “Ashja’un Naas”. Volumes can be written only on the bravery of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. Sayyidina Abu Dharr Ghaffari Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu reports that before Hijrat, when the kufaar were planning to martyr the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. (The incident of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu sleeping that night on the blessed bed of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim has already been explained in this book) and it also showed his bravery and his faith in the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. He partook in all the great battles except in the Battle of Tabook. During one battle, Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and Sayyidina Zubair bin Al Awaan Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu killed 700 kufaar of the Banu Quraiza, in one day. [Madarij an-Nabuwwah]
Sayyidina Abu Raafi’ Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says that during the battle of Khaibar, the shield of Sayyiduna Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was damaged. He went forward in the Love of Allah and His Rasool Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim and uprooted the Door of the Fort of Khaibar with his bare hands and used it as a shied. After the battle, forty strong men together could not move the door from where it has kept by Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. [Zarkani, Vol 2, Page 230 – Taareekh al-Khulafa, Page 33]
BAY’AT AND KHILAAFAT: Ibn As’ad says that all the people of Madinah Munawwarah took the oath of allegiance at the hands of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. Sayyidina Ali’s Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu Khilafat lasted for 4 years 8 months and 9 days. [Tareekh al-Khulafa]
HIS VAST KNOWLEDGE: Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu attained great knowledge from the holy court of Rasoolullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. Sayyidina Abu Amar reports from Abu Tufail, that Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu said, “Ask me whatever you wish from the Quran. There is no ayat that I am not aware of. I even know whether it was revealed during the day or night, or it was revealed on soft our mountainous land.” [Jaami’ al-Manaqib]
Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu narrated five hundred and eighty six Ahadith (Sayings) of Rasoolullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. His knowledge, wisdom and decisions were so great that Sayyidina Umar a-Farooq Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “The best judge amongst all the saHaba is Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu.”
Sayyidina Saeed ibn Habeeb Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “There was no person in Madinah Munawwarah except Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu who could say, ‘Ask me what ever you want to know’”
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Mas’ood Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was also the possessor of great knowledge, but he too used to openly announce the following, “None has more knowledge of the Fara’idh than Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and none has more understanding than him.” Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “If I wished to compile the commentary of Sura Fateh, then I would be able to load 40 camels with books (from this tafseer).”
LOVE FOR SAYYIDINA ALI: The Muhaditheen have recorded that Sayyidina Ali al-Murtuda Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu said, “The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said the following words about me, ‘You have a special attachment with Sayyidina Esa Alaihis Salam. The Jews hated him so bitterly that (Allah forbid) they accused his pure mother Bibi Maryam Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and the Christians went over the limitations in his love to such an extent, that (Allah forbid) they called him the son of Allah. Beware, since there will also be two groups in your case. One will be those, who in your love will hold you in such esteem, that they will transgress the limitations and the other group, will be those who will have dislike for you, and they shall target you with their accusations.’”
From these blessed words, it is evident that both the Kharijis and Shi’as are Misled and that the proper ones are the Ahle Sunnat wa al-Jama’at, who show great love to Sayyiduna Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and yet we do not transgress the limitations.
HIS POETRY: In eloquence and command of language, there is none that can be equal to the people of Arabia. They have the ability to render beautiful impromptu verses of prose. Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was also a very great poet. He wrote Praises to Allah, and many poems in praise of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, which can be found in the books of history and Seerah. A few stanzas of his poems are being presented for attaining blessings.
Radheena Qismatal Jabaari feena
Lana ilmuw wa lil Juhhaali Maalu
“We are pleased with that which our Lord has distributed
That, he blessed me with knowledge and the ignorant with wealth.”
Li Annal Maala Yufni Anqareebin
wa Innal ilma Yabqaa Laa Yazaalu
“Because very soon, the wealth will become less and be finished
And knowledge will remain, for there is no end for it.”
WIVES AND CHILDREN: There are numerous opinions of the Ulama on the wives of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and how many they were. However, his first wife was Bibi Faatima Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, the daughter of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. He was not allowed to remarry as long as she was in his Nikah. His second wife was Bibi Imaama, who was the grand daughter of the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim and the daughter of Sayyida Zainab Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. He married her because Bibi Faatima Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu asked him to do so before she passed away. His third wife was Sayyidina Aasma bint Umais Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. She was married to his brother Sayyidina Jaafar Tayyaar Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. After his demise, she married Sayyidina Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and after his demise, she came into the Nikah of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. His fourth wife was Sayyidina Khaula bint Jaafar bin Qais Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. His fifth wife was Umm al-Baneen Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, His sixth wife was Umme Habeeb bint Rabiaa Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, His seventh was Sayyida Laila bint Mas’ood Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, His eight wife was Umme Sa’ad bint Urwah and his ninth wife’s name is not known. There are numerous narrations concerning the number of children. Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu said twelve sons and nine daughters. Allama Muhammad Mia Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu has mentioned 18 sons and 18 daughters.
INCIDENTS RELATING TO HIS SHAHAADAT: The shahaadat of Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was a very painful event in the history of Islam. Three Kharijies, Abdur Rahmaan bin Muljim, Bark bin Abdullah Tameemi and Amr bin Bukair Tameemi, planned to martyr Sayyidina Ali, Sayyidina Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyidina Amr ibn al-A’as (Ridwaanullahi ta ‘ala ‘alaihim ajma’een) on the same day. These traitors planned to attack these Sahaba Kiraam Ridwaanullahi ta ‘ala ‘alaihim ajma’een) on the 17th of Ramadaan 40 Hijri. Bark went to Syria and attacked Sayyidina Ameer Muawiyah Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu who was only injured and was not martyred. Bark was captured. His hands and feet were cut off, and he was set free. Amr bin Bakeer went to Egypt to martyr Sayyidina Amr ibn al-‘Aas Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. On that day, Sayyidina Amr Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was ill and he appointed Sahl Aamiri or Khaarija to perform the Namaaz. Thinking that he was Sayyidina Amr Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu, Ibn Bukair attacked and killed him. He was captured and taken to Sayyidina Amr Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and was killed. Early that morning Sayyidina Ali awoke and told Sayyidina Imam Hussain Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu that he had seen the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim in his dream. He said, “I told the Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim that I had attained no comfort from his Ummah. The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said that I should curse the tyrants, and I made this dua, ‘O Allah! Take me away from these people and put me amongst better people and put such a person in my place who will be very bad for them.”
Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was still talking to Sayyidina Imam Hasan Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu when the Muazzin announced the time for Salaah. Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu walked towards the Masjid for Salaah and as he entered the Masjid, Ibn Muljim the cursed came from behind a pillar and struck Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu on his blessed face, with a sword that was dipped in poison. The people in the Masjid arrested him and brought him before Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu. He said, “Imprison him, but make a soft bed for him and give him good food. If I survive, then I have the right to forgive him or avenge what he has done and if I pass away, then kill him also.”
Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu passed away on the 21st of Ramadan from the severe injury caused by the attack on him. He passed away at the age of 63.
HIS FINAL ADVICE: Before his wisaal, he called Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anhum) and said, “Iadvice you to remain pious and do not wish for the world even if it wishes for you. And if you lose any worldly belonging, then do not cry over it. Have mercy on the orphans, and help the weak.” He then turned to one of his sons, Sayyidina Muhammad bin Hanafiyah Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu and gave him the same advice. He then read the Kalima and his soul travelled from this mundane world in to the heights of the hereafter. Inna Lillaahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raaji’oon!!
GHUSL AND KAFFAN: Sayyidina Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain and Abdullah ibn Jaa’far (Ridwaanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een) gave him ghusl and tied his kaffan, which was three pieces of cloth. Sayyidina Imam Hasan Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu lead his Janaaza Salaah. [Taareekh al-Khulafa]
MAZAAR-E-PAAK: There are numerous narrations relating to his Mazaar Shareef, but the most famous narration is that it is in Najf Ashraf in Iraq.
THE AQIDA OF THE AHL AS-SUNNAH WA AL-JAMA’AH
Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu was blessed with many beautiful qualities and splendours. It is the belief of the Ahle Sunnat wa al-Jama’ah that Sayyidina Ali Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu is the fourth Khalifa of Islam, which the Shias reject and thus oppose the other Khulafa. The belief of the Shias in this issue of Khilafat and in other related issues is totally corrupt. The Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama’at should stay away from them and keep them away from us. The Great Imam Aa’dham Abu Hanifa Sayyidi Nau’man bin Thaabit Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “The most exalted amongst the people after Huzoor Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim are Sayyidina Abu Bakr, then Sayyidina Umar, then Sayyidina Uthman, then Sayyidina Ali (Ridwaanullahi Ta’aala Alaihim Ajma’een).”
Dar Qutni have recorded in his Sunan that Syeduna Ali Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho said, “Whoever says that I (Ali) am more excellent than Abu Bakr and Umar, I shall punish him with the Hadd of a Slanderer.” [as-Sawaa’iq al-MuHarriqah, Page 91]
The same narration is recorded in the famous Asma ar-Rijal book of Shia Madh’hab named, Rijal-e-Kashi, Page Number 338, Printed in Karbala.
The son of Sayyiduna Ali, Imaam Muhammad bin Hanafiyya narrates: ‘I asked my father who was the best of people after the Holy Prophet and he answered “Abu Bakr”. I asked him who is the best of people after Abu Bakr and he replied, “Umar”‘ [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Page 518]
Sayyidina Abdullah bin Salma reports from Sayyiduna Ali, ‘After the Noble Messenger, the best of people is Abu Bakr, then the best of people is Umar’ [Sunan Ibn Majah, Page 11]
Sayyidina Imam Jalal al-Din Suyooti Alaihir raHma records that Syeduna ALI Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho said, “The most exalted amongst the people after Beloved Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim are Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Sayyidina Umar. And it is impossible for a heart of a Momin that My Love and Hatred towards Abu Bakr and Umar Radi ALLAHu Anhum resides together.” [Tarikh al-Khulafa, Page 122]
Sayyiduna Gawth al-Aa’zam Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani Radhi Allahu ta ‘ala anhu says, “The Aqida of the Ahle Sunnat wa al-Jama’ah is this, that the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim is the Greatest of all Ummahs, and from the Ummah, the greatest are the Asharah al-Mubasharah. These are ten personalities, namely, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Abdur Rahman bin Auf, Sa’ad, Sa’eed and Abu Ubaidah Al Jarah (Ridwaanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een). From these ten, the most exalted are the Khulafa ar-Raashideen. From the four of them, the most exalted is Abu Bakr as-Siddique, then Umar al-Farooq, then Uthman al-Ghani and then Ali al-Murtuda.” (Ridwaanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een).