THE GREAT COMPANIAN OF HOLY PROPHET- HAZRAT ALI-[Radiyal Laahu Anhu]-

 BLESSED NAME:

His name is Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)

Fourth Caliph

He was the first cousin of Prophet Muhammad (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم), father of Hazrat Imaam Hasan(رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)  and the greatest Martyr Imaam Husaien (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)  the, Gateway of Knowledge, the mightiest of mighty; does not need an introduction.

He was at the same time master of the Pen and Sword — a rare combination. Even today in the battle fields the Cry of “Yaa Alee !”(یا علی) resounds, invoking his help.

He is the fourth Caliph (خلیفہ) of the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) and a lot has been said by great scholars in his praise. His praise is also present in the verses of the Quraan and in the Ahadees of the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

The Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) have said,

“Ali is mine and I am his, and he is the beloved of all the believers.”

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) have said, “I swear in His Name who caused a tree to explode from a seedling and who created life that the Prophet said to me, ‘O Ali! Only he shall have true love for you, who is a Mumin and he who has enmity against you is a hypocrite.’”

(صحیح مُسلم)

HIS FATHER:

His father was Hazrat Abu Taalib and grandfather was Abdul Mutallib. Abu Taalib was the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

HIS MOTHER:

His mother’s name was Faatimaah bint Asad(فاطمہ بنتِ اسد) , Her Janazaah )Funeral Prayers(جنازہ  was performed by

Rasoolullaah (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم), and he gave his blessed Qamees (Kurta Mubaarakقمیض مبارک ) to be used as her Kaffan (burial garmentکفن ). 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.

HIS BIRTH:

MIRACULOUS EVENTS IN THE WOMB OF HIS MOTHER:

When Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) was in the womb of his mother, then she used to see astonishing dreams. She says, “When I was pregnant with Ali, 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.”

(مسالک سالکین)

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) was born on a Friday the 13th of Rajab. His birth occurred 30 years after the incident of Feelفیل  )The Elephants(. He was born inside the Holy Kabaah, and none has been blessed with this excellence before him.

When Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) was five years old, the Prophet Muhammad (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) kept him at his blessed home and took care of him. He was thus groomed in the home of the Prophet Muhammad [Peace e upon Him] until he was ten years old.

HE ACCEPTS ISLAAM:

 Almighty Allaah commanded the Prophet Muhammad (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) to propagate Islaam amongst his family first and to correct their habits and behavior. This, the Prophet did and he first invited to Islaam, Hazrat Bibi Khadeejaah (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) and Hazrat Abu Bakr Sideeq (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ). He also invited Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) who happily accepted Islaam. He was the first amongst the youth (children) to accept Islaam.

HIS FEATURES:

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) was of excellent built and not very tall in height. He was 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.  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 walked. He was so healthy, that if he wished, he wore summer clothes in winter and winter clothes in summer.

(مسالک سالکین)

HIS CHARACTER- HIS EXCELLENCE:

There are many historical incidences where Hazrat Ali was always at the Prophet Muhammad’s (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) side working to forward the cause of Allaah Kareem. This meant not only educating the new Muslims about the fresh revelations but also defending the believers from the opposition to this new faith.

He did not desire the pomp and splendor 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 Allaah, and he would sometimes be in deep meditation. He was always quick in assisting others. He always shunned his nafsنفس . 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 Hazrat Ali(رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ). A weak person never feared that he would look down upon him, due to his weakness.”

He used to be sad about himself and would spend his time weeping the fear of Allah.”

He also helped with the household chores. He would often be seen sewing a patch in his torn clothing.

Even when the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) had commanded the Sahabaah to dig a trench, Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)worked like an ordinary laborer.

HIS BRAVERY:

Hazrat Abbas says, Hazrat Ali [Radiyal Laahu Anhu] is the bravest amongst the people.”

Hazrat Abu Dharr (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) reports that before Hijrat, when the Kufaar were planning to martyr the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

Sleeping that night on the blessed bed of the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) )as per instruction of the Prophet( showed his bravery and his faith in the Holy Prophet. It is for this reason that he is known as “Ashja’un Naas”. Volumes can be written only on the bravery of Hazrat Ali.

It was on this, that Almighty Allaah revealed the verse,

“Some person sells his life in pleasing Allaah, and Allaah is Most compassionate towards his servants.”

(سورۃ بقرۃ)

He partook in all the great battles except in the Battle of Tabook. During one battle, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Zubair (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) killed 700 kufaar of the Banu Quraiza, in one day.

(مدارج النّبوہ)

Hazrat Abu Raafi’ says that during the battle of Khaibar, the shield of Hazrat Ali  (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)was damaged. He went forward in the Love of Allaah and His Rasool and uprooted the Door of the Fort of Khaibar with his bare hands and used it as a shield. After the battle, forty strong men together could not move the door from where it has kept by Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ).

His physical strength was beyond human comprehension. After the battle, forty strong men together could not move the door from where it has kept by Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ). When asked about his wonderful display of strength, in removing the doors,

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) replied that it was his Spiritual power.”

[Zarqani, Vol 2, Page 230 – Taareekh al-Khulafa, Page 33]

Hazrat Sahl ibn Saad (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) says,

“On the day of Battle of Khaibar, the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said,

‘Tomorrow I shall give this flag in the hand of that person, through whom Almighty Allaah shall grant us victory. That person loves Allaah and His Rasool, and Allaah Kareem and His Rasool (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) love him.’

When morning came, all the companions of the

Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) came into the court of the Prophet hoping that they would be the one who shall be chosen in whose hand the flag shall be given, but the Prophet asked, ‘Where is Ali?’ It was said that his eyes were sore through an infection. The Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said, ‘Call him’ He was thus called and the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم)put his blessed saliva into his eyes and they became well, as if they were never sore. He (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم) then gave the flag in his hand.”

(صحیح مسلم۔ صحیح بخاری)

 “Hazrat Alee (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)was one of the most courageous and able men in the Muslim army. He was appointed the standard-bearer at the battles of both Badr and Khaybar.

He partook in all the great battles except in the Battle of Tabook. “Hazrat Ali was never defeated in a war or a combat throughout his life.

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.

Hazrat Abu Dhar Ghaffari (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) says,0

“Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) 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.”

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) reports that once Hazrat Imaam Hasan and Hazrat Imaam Husaien (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) were very ill. The Prophet, Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) came to visit the children.

On leaving the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam requested that Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)take some Nazr (vow) on behalf of the children.

 Hazrat Ali, Bibi Faatima (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہما) and their female servant all took the vow to keep three fasts each, so that Almighty Allaah may bless both the children with shifa (شفاء). All three of them kept the first fast, but there was nothing in the house for Iftaar.

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) then bought three portions of flour on credit from a jew called Sham’oon. He gave one portion to Bibi Faatima 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 Baiet of the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

I am a poor Muslim from amongst the poor Muslims. Please feed me with something and Allaah 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, Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) took Imam Hasan and Husaien (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) to visit the Prophet. When he saw how weak the children were, he went to Bibi Faatima (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)and saw that she too had become weak. This caused much sadness to the Prophet (صلّی اللہ علیہ وسلم). It was then, that Hazrat Jibraeel Alaiehis Salaam descended with this verse of the Quraan,

“And they feed the poor, orphan and captive in His love.”

[Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol 1, Page 145]

This verse of the Holy Quraan was also revealed in praise of Hazrat Ali,

“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.”

Hazrat ibn Abbas (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) states that

Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) 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 Quraan was revealed.

[Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol 1 Page 147]

This verse of the Holy Quraan was also revealed in praise of Hazrat Alee (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ)

“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.”

BAIET AND KHILAFAT:

Ibn As’ad says that all the people of Madinah took the oath of allegiance at the hands of Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ). His Caliphhood lasted for 4 years 8 months and 9 days.

HIS FINAL ADVICE:

Before his passing away, he called his son Hazrat Imaam Hasan and Imaam Husaien (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) and said, “I advise 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.”

MAZAAR-E-PAAK:

His Mazaar Shareef is in Najf Ashraf in Iraq.