Hazrat Ali (ra), son of Abu Talib, the uncle of our Prophet (saas), was one of the first Muslims who accepted Islam at an early age. He was also the son in law of the Messenger of Allah (saas) and a member of his ahl al-bayt (household).
He grew up alongside the Prophet Muhammed (saas) and was taught by him.
He never prostrated himself before idols or worshiped them; he prostrated himself before Allah alone.
He was therefore known by the name of “Karam Allah Wajhu” (May Allah honor his face).
Hazrat Ali (ra) became one of our Prophet's (saas) closest helpers ever since he accepted Islam at an early age, and remained with him until his death.
Hazrat Ali was born in Mecca, some 23 years before the hegira, or migration. He is a blessed Caliph of Islam whose adherence to Qur’anic moral values our Prophet (saas) cited as exemplary. He was the last Caliph in the “Era of the Four Caliphs,” one of the most glorious times in the history of Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad (saas) married him to his beloved daughter Hazrat Fatima, thus making him his son in law.
Hazrat Ali had three sons by Hazrat Fatima; Hassan, Hussein and Muhsin, and two daughters, Zaynab and Ummu Gulsum. The line of our Prophet (saas) continued through Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussein, the sons of Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima.
HAZRAT ALI’S LOVE FOR AND EXEMPLARY OBEDIENCE TO THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAAS)
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari cites Hazrat Ali (ra) as saying:
The Messenger of Allah (saas) called me and said: “O Ali! Almighty Allah has commanded me to warn and frighten those close to me. Prepare a meal for us. Then bring together the sons of Abdulmuttalib for me to talk to them so I can communicate them what I have been commanded.”
At the Messenger of Allah's (saas) command, I gathered them together, and the Messenger of Allah (saas) said to them: “Almighty Allah has charged me with calling you to Him. Which one of you wishes to be my brother, heir and Caliph?” All those there were silent. Although I was younger than any of them, I said, “O the Messenger of Allah! I want to be your helper.” The Messenger of Allah (saas) put his hand on my neck and said: “This person is my brother, heir and Caliph among you; listen to him and obey his commands.” (History of Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 62.)
A LEARNED CALIPH OF ISLAM
One of Hazrat Ali’s (ra) most prominent characteristics was the learning he possessed by the leave of Allah.
His learning was not limited to texts of jurisprudence and laws. He was also one of the leading figures of his time in mathematics and similar branches of science. Our Prophet (saas) praised this important attribute of Hazrat Ali in a hadith:
"I am the city of learning, and [Hazrat] Ali (ra) is the gate" (Daylami)
Ever since childhood Hazrat Ali was alongside the Prophet (saas), and learned about Qur’anic moral values and the wisdom of the Qur’an from him, and served as his secretary of revelation. Hazrat Ali was one of the leading scholars of Islamic jurisprudence among the Companions.
Hazrat Ali (ra) said:
I would memorize whatever I heard from the Messenger of Allah (saas) and never forgot it. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 35, p. 329)
Mr. Adnan Oktar's interview on December26th, 2009
Our Prophet (saas) reports through revelation and for that reason Hazrat Ali (ra) was very knowledgeable. I mean, he also had special knowledge.
HAZRAT ALI’S (RA) EXEMPLARY COURAGE
Another one of Hazrat Ali’s (ra) most prominent characteristics was his exemplary courage. Hazrat Ali feared nobody other than Allah, exhibited great determination, and made no concessions regarding the moral values of the Qur’an under any circumstances.
He served as standard bearer in all the battles he fought in. He was only absent from the Battle of Tabuk, as he had remained in Medina at the Prophet’s (saas) command.
He was around 25 at the Battle of Badr and commanded the defenders of Islam. Despite receiving 70 wounds, he continued fighting alongside the Messenger of Allah (saas) right up to the end.
During the fighting against the pagans at the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Ali’s sword broke in his hand as he was defending our Prophet (saas). Upon this, our Prophet (saas) gave him his own famous sword, called “Zulfiqar.”
Mr. Adnan Oktar's live interview on Dem TV (30 October 2009)
The sword of Hazrat Ali (ra) will also be at Hazrat Mahdi's (as) side. This is also related in an account. Zulfikar is also here, the sword of Hazrat Ali. It is in Topkapı Palace, as you know. He will have the swords of our Prophet (saas) by his side as well. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will use them as a blessing; meaning he will keep them with him for a while as a beautiful blessing and adornment.
At the Battle of the Trench, he struck down the renowned Arab warrior Amr Ibn Abduwud with a heavy blow. This achievement of Hazrat Ali played a major role in the outcome of the Battle of the Trench.
During the Battle of Khaybar, Hazrat Ali tore down the door of the Castle of Khaybar with his own hand and used it as a shield.
Mr. Adnan Oktar's interview onOctober 19th, 2010
He was a complete fighter. They wounded Hazrat Ali (ra) in 17 places, but he heroically remained on his feet and continued to fight. He had 17 sword wounds, insha’Allah. Just one sword wound would put most people down. But they have wounded my beloved hero from 17 places, masha’Allah, my grandfather, he heroically remained standing. He tore down the door of the Castle of Khaybar, insha’Allah. With that adrenalin, masha’Allah.
When Mecca was conquered, he and the Prophet Muhammad (saas) smashed the idols around the Kaaba; then they entered inside, tore down the idols there, and threw them outside.
The Prophet Muhammed (saas) ordered that the idols that were high up should be smashed, saying, “O Ali! Climb on my shoulders and tear them down and break them.” Hazrat Ali climbed onto the shoulders of the Messenger of Allah (saas) and cast the idols down. He described the fervent love of Allah he felt at that moment in the words; “I felt as if I could have reached the sky had I so wished."
HAZRAT ALI’S (RA) APPEARANCE AND BEAUTY
Hazrat Ali (ra) had wheat colored skin, green eyes, a thick beard, a smiling face, a broad chest and a majestic appearance.
FROM MR. ADNAN OKTAR'S INTERVIEW ON DEM TV DATED OCTOBER 23th, 2009
Hazrat Ali (ra), my great grandfather, was a true lion. He has broad shoulders and green eyes. He was a wrestler, as you know, and was enormously strong. He had torn off the door of the castle of Khaybar, figure out the intensity of his strength from that. Hazrat Ali enjoyed joking, and was a joyful and extroverted person. He was full of life. ... My forebear Hazrat Ali (ra) was so handsome that he took the breath away of all those who saw him.
SOME OF THE APPELATIONS OF HAZRAT ALI (RA)
- Sher-i Yazdan (The Lion of Allah)
- Al-Qur'an an-Natiq (The Speaking Qur’an)
- Haydar (The Lion)
- Haydar Al-Karrar (He who heroically attacks the enemy revolving around himself)
- Al-Murtadha (He with whom Allah is well pleased)
- Shah e- Walayat (The Shah of the Guardians)
- Amir al-Muminun (Commander of the Believers)
- Asad -ullah (The Lion of Allah)
- Shah e-Mardan (The Shah of the Heroes)
- Sayfullah (The Sword of Allah)
- Sultan al-Ashiya (The Sultan of the Generous)
- Abu Turab (The Father of the Soil)
Hazrat Ali died in 661, on the morning of the 19th day of Ramadan, being martyred by a blow from the poisoned sword of Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam, while he was performing the morning prayer in the Mosque of Kufa.
Hazrat Ali’s dying words were:
- I swear that I have achieved what I hoped for.
THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAAS) FORETOLD THE MARTYRDOM OF HAZRAT ALI (RA)
The Messenger of Allah (saas) gave Hazrat Ali the title of Abu Turab, or Father of the Land, and foretold his martyrdom.
The Messenger of Allah (saas) saw Hazrat Ali and Ammar Yasir stretched out and asleep on the soft ground and woke them up. He then touched Hazrat Ali with his hands and said: “Awake, O Abu Turab! (Father of the Soil) Would you like me to tell you of the most wretched of men?" And then he said; "There are two of them. One is Uhmir Samud, who slew the camel (of Salih). THE OTHER IS," pointing to Hazrat Ali's (ra) head, "THE PERSON WHO STRIKES HERE WITH HIS SWORD, SMEARING YOUR BEARD WITH BLOOD.”(Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Vol. 4, p. 263-264, 5/326, h.17857; p. 327, h.17862; Al- Mustadrak al-Sahihain, 3:140, 3/151, h.4679; 408/2,Events of the 2nd year of the hegira, al-Sira al-Nabawiyya, 2:236, 2/249; Al- Bidaya wa’l- Nihaya 3:247, 303/2 events of the 2nd year of the hegira.)
OUR PROPHET’S (SAAS) WORDS ABOUT HAZRAT ALI (RA)
- "He who loves Ali has loved me. Enmity toward him is enmity toward me. He who offends him has offended me. And he who has offended me has of course offended Allah." (Tabarani)
- "Everything has a wing. The arm and wing of this Ummah are Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar (ra). Everything also has a shield, and the shield of this Ummah is Ali (ra)." (Khatib)
HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IN HAZRAT ALI’S (RA) WORDS
HazratAli (ra) felt a fervent love for Hazrat Mahdi (as), who will be descended from his line. In one of his statements, he expresses the need to overcome all obstacles in order to reach Hazrat Mahdi (as).
Even if I were in a locked chest I would have broken the lock and emerged in order to join the Mahdi (as). Because the Mahdi (as), the Caliph of Allah, is there. (Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, al-Barzanji, p. 171)
In another statement of his, he prays for Hazrat Mahdi (as) and expresses his longing and love for Hazrat Mahdi (as) by saying “how I would have wished to see him!”:
He then listed the qualities of Hazrat Mahdi (as): “HE IS THE BROADEST REFUGE AMONG YOU, HE IS THE ONE WITH THE GREATEST KNOWLEDGE AMONG YOU, AND HE IS THE ONE WHO MOST SEEKS OUT AND ASKS AFTER HIS FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES. By Allah! Make his coming instrumental in overcoming sadness and bring my fragmented Ummah together through him! If Allah grants you success, RUN TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO HIM (JOIN HIM) AND NEVER ABANDON HIM. IF YOU SUCCEED AND REACH HIM AND FIND THE TRUE PATH, THEN NEVER LEAVE HIM. Ah – and here he pointed to his chest – how I long to see him.” (Sheikh Muhammed bin Ibrahim Nomani, al Ghaybah al- Nomani, p. 252)
OUR PROPHET (SAAS) KNEW THE NAME OF HAZRAT MAHDI (as) BUT MADE HAZRAT ALI (may Allah be pleased with him) PROMISE NOT TO REVEAL IT
Jabir narrates from Abu Jafer, “When Umar asked the Prince of believers (Hazrat Ali) about the Mahdi he said: O Ibn Abu Talib (Hazrat Ali), tell me of the Mahdi. What is his name?” And the prince of believers (Hazrat Ali) said: “My dear and beloved friend (our Prophet (saas)) said, ALMIGHTY ALLAH MADE ME PROMISE NOT TO REVEAL HIS (HAZRAT MAHDI’S (as)) NAME UNTIL HIS COMING. HIS (HAZRAT MAHDI’S (as)) NAME IS A PIECE OF INFORMATION ENTRUSTED BY ALMIGHTY ALLAH TO HIS MESSENGER. (Ikmal ad-Din) (Ghaybah, Allame Muhammed Baqer Majlisi, Ansariyan Press, Iran, 2007)
FROM MR. ADNAN OKTAR’S INTERVIEW DATED APRIL 8, 2010
ADNAN OKTAR: By the Help of Allah, with the Help of Allah.. How? He takes revenge through global dominion, isn’t that right? So much for the line of the Prophet (saas) coming to an end! He will appear, and the global dominion of the line of our Prophet (saas) will come about, insha’Allah. Millions of sayyids will spiritually rise up, insha’Allah. He says;"he will demand our blood." The blood of Hazrat Hassan, and Huseyin and Ali has been smeared of Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) forehead. He will take vengeance for them. What is vengeance? It is the global dominion, the wiping of disbelief from off the face of the Earth. It has been smeared on his forehead in three lines, of course, insha’Allah.
