Ali Ibn Abi Talib

﷽

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Short Biography

'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him is the cousin of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) i.e., the son of his paternal uncle (Abu Taalib). He is 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib ibn Haashim ibn 'Abd-Manaaf, from the tribe of Quraysh. He was the first person to embrace Islam, according to many scholars. He was born 10 years before Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was sent as a Messenger. He received his education at the hands of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and he never separated from him sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).

He attended all the battles the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) attended except the Battle of Tabook, during which he stayed in Madeenah abiding by an order of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). He carried the flag in many battles. When the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) established brotherhood between every two Companions, he sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) took the hand of 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him and said: "You are my brother". He was known to be very courageous and an excellent cavalier who did not know fear or cowardice.

He was one of the six representatives who were chosen by 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him at his death to run the affairs of the Ummah (Muslim nation) and choose the next Caliph (ruler). He was a well-educated and a knowledgeable person. He loved Allaah The Almighty and the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) very much and Allaah The Almighty and the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) loved him as well.

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said about him:

"It is only the believers who love him and he is not hated but by a hypocrite."

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When speaking of 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him people are divided into two groups. One group considers him a divine entity or 'lord', and they spread some wrong beliefs about him. Another group, namely the Khawaarij (Dissenters), fought him, considering him a Kaafir (unbeliever) and an apostate. However, neither of these two groups are regarded as truthful.

The truth about 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him is what the Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah think about him. For these righteous people, 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him is among the foremost highly ranked Muslims who emigrated with the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). He is one of the ten people to whom the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) gave glad tidings that they will be dwellers of Paradise. He is also the fourth Caliph, and was endowed with noble characteristics and high morals.

Many books were written about 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him. According to Ibn Hajar may Allaah have mercy upon him, 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him died during the night of 17th of Ramadan in the year 40 A.H. He ruled for 4 years 8 months and 15 days.

Allaah Knows best.