HADHRAT ALI BIN TALIB (RADI ALLAH ANHU)

Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was born some thirty years after the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alaiha wa Salam). He belonged the most respectable family of Quraish, the Banu Hashim (i.e. Hashmites). His father Abu Talib was the real uncle of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) who brought him up after the death of the Holy Prophet's grandfather. Ali’s mother was Fatimah bint Asad, who belonged to Banu Hashim. Hadrat Ali’s patronymic name was "Abul Hasan". The Holy Prophet gave him another name, "Abu Turab" which was most liked by Hadrat Ali. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Salaam) took Ali in his childhood from his father, Abu Talib, and brought up him like his own son.
First youth to accept Islam
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) started revelations Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was about ten years old. The Holy Prophet disclosed his mission before Ali and he accepted it immediately, thus he became the first youth to enter the folds of Islam. When the Holy Prophet started to preach openly, he invited all of his family members to a feast and announced his mission before them. Nobody listened to him, but young Ali stood up and said. "Though my eyes are sore, my legs are thin and I am the youngest of all those present here yet I will stand by you, 0 Messenger of Allah." Hearing this all the leaders of Quraish laughed but Ali proved his words to be true after supporting the Holy Prophet in his mission from the beginning till the end.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) loved him very much. The night when the Holy Prophet was migrating to Medina, his house was surrounded by the bloodthirsty tribesmen, who had plotted to assassinate him. They were ready to kill any person who came out of the house. In such a situation, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Sallam) asked Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) to sleep in his bed. He followed the command gladly and immediately jumped in the bed.
Although the Meccans did not accept his mission, they considered the Holy Prophet the most trustworthy man of Mecca and continued keeping their trusts (cash and gold etc.) with him. It was Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) to whom the Holy Prophet gave the deposits to return to the owners, when he was leaving Mecca for Medina. Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) migrated to Medina after returning the deposits.
His Bravery and the "Dhulfiqar"
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was a very brave man. He participated in almost all the battles against the non-believers during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). The stories of his bravery are famous in history.
In the first battle of Islam at Badr, he was holding the flag of Islamic army. When three famous warriors of Quraish challenged the Muslims, according to Arab tradition, Hadrat Ali (R. A. ) along with Hadrat Hamzah and Abu Ubaidah (Radi Allah Anhu) accepted the challenge. He killed his opponent, Walid only with one thrust of his sword and cut him in two pieces. Then he helped Hadrat Abu Ubaidah (Radi Allah Anhu) to kill the next Quraishi warrior.
In the battle of Uhud when Hadrat Mus'ab bin ‘Umair, the bearer of the Islamic standard, was martyred, it was Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) who held it up. Seeing this one of the non-believers, Abu Sa'd challenged him. Hadrat Ali attacked him and he fell down on the ground naked. Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) felt pity on him and left him in that condition.
In the battle of the Trench, all-Arabia fame warrior, 'Abdwood challenged the Muslims after jumping on his horse across the trench. Nobody dared to accept his challenge except Ali. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) warned Ali about 'Abdwood but Ali insisted on going and fighting with him. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam) gave him his famous sword "Dhulfiqar" and put a turban on his head before he went to fight with 'Abdwood. A few minutes later people saw 'Abdwood’s head was cut off from his body by Ali.
The title of Asadullah
Because of his bravely Hadrat Ali was popularly called "Asadullah"(The Lion of Allah).
In the battle of Khaibar against Jews, the Muslims tried to conquer the strongest Jewish fort, Qumus, but were not successful in the beginning. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) said, "I will give the command and the standard tomorrow to such a brave person who loves Allah and His Prophet and whom Allah and His Prophet love. Everybody was desiring to be that fortunate man. The people were rather surprised when the next morning the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alaihi we Salaam) called Ali who was sick and his eyes were sore. The Holy Prophet applied his finger, wet with his saliva, over the eyes of Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) and they were cured immediately. Then he gave the standard, and advised him. "First of all call them towards Islam. Even if one man is guided towards Islam because of you, it would be better than red camels."
Following the advice of the Holy Prophet Hadrat Ali invited the Jews towards Islam. Instead of accepting the Right Path they sent their commander Marhab, the great warrior of Arabia and one of the bravest men of his time. He challenged Hadrat Ali to fight. Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) accepted the challenge and slew him in one attack. His famous sword cut Marhab's body into two pieces.
He showed great bravery in each and every battle he fought and earned fame. He was counted as one of the great warriors of Arabia.
Ali the great scholar of Islam
Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was not only a great warrior but a great scholar as well. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) said about him, I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate." He was one of the great jurists among the Companions. The Holy Prophet appointed him as the Qadi (Judge) of Yemen during his life time. He was a master of Arabic and his writings were as effective as his speech. More about his scholarly services to Islam would be mentioned at the end.
Special Messenger of the Holy Prophet
In 9 A.H., the first Hajj of Islam took place. Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allah Anhu) was appointed as the leader of the Hajj group. After he left Medina revelation came to the Holy Prophet (Chapter IX. few verses in the beginning of the chapter) according to which the treaty with the non-believers had to be dissolved and they were given four month's notice. The announcement was to be made on the great day of Hajj. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) asked Hadrat Ali to carry the message of Allah on his behalf. He gave Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) his own she-camel, Qaswa on which Hadrat Ali rode and went to Mecca to read out the message before the crowd on the occasion of Hajj.
Excellence of Ali
There are so many virtues and services of Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) that it is difficult to mention them all in this short book. On many occasions the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam) had prayed for him. When he sent Ali to Yemen in Ramadan 10 A.H. he blessed Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) with the following prayer: "0 Allah put truth on his tongue, and enlighten his heart with the light of guidance." Then he himself put turban on his head and gave the black standard.
On one occasion the Holy Prophet said to Ali, "You pertain to me and I pertain to you, " He also said, "When I am patron of anyone, Ali is his patron also." Once the Holy Prophet said, "Only a hypocrite does not love Ali and a believer does not hate him."
According to a Hadith transmitted by Imam Ahmad the Holy Prophet said to Ali, "You have a resemblance to Jesus whom the Jews hated so much that they slandered his mother and whom Christians loved so much that they placed him in a position not rightly his. Ali afterwards said, "Two (types of) people will perish on my account, one who loves me so excessively that he praises me for what I do not possess, and one who hates me so much that he will be impelled by his hatred to slander me."
Pledge of loyalty (Bai'at) to the former Khalifahs
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) had taken pledge of loyalty on the hands of all the three past Khalifahs. However he was late in taking pledge at the hand of Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allah Anhu).
The reason why he was late in taking pledge on the hands of Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allah Anhu) was the serious illness of his beloved wife, Hadrat Fatima (Radi Allah Anhu) and that he was busy in collection of the Holy Qur'an. It is mentioned in the famous history book, Tabaqat ibn Sa'd: When Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allah Anhu) enquired of Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) why he was so late in taking pledge of loyalty and whether he disliked his "Khilafat", Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) replied, "I do not dislike your leadership but the fact is that I had taken an oath after the death of the Holy Prophet not to put on my sheet (i.e. not to engage in any work) except for performing Salat until I have collected all the parts of the Holy Qur'an." The Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) took pledge of loyalty on the hand of Abu Bakr and helped him throughout his Khilafat. He was very active during the time of Hadrat Umar and also married his daughter, Umm-i-Kulthum to him. In the matter of Hadrat Uthman's election he voted in his favour as has been mentioned before.
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was one of the very important members of "Shura" (Advisory Council) during the time of the first three Khalifahs. He was also the great jurist (Mufti) of Medina during the time of past Khalifahs. He was among the panel of six persons who had to select the Khalifah amongst themselves after Hadrat Umar (Radi Allah Anhu). Hadrat Uthman had great regard for him and consulted him in all the matters. His sons were the main guards at Uthman’s residence when the rebels laid siege to his house.
Thus we conclude that Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) gave his fullest possible support to all of his predecessors.
Hadrat Ali as the fourth Khalifah
The insurgents' shameful act of assassination of the Khalifah could never have been imagined by Hadrat Ali or any other eminent Companion at Medina. It came as a total surprise to Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) whose two sons, Hasan and Husain (Radi Allah Anhu) were guarding the gate of Uthman’s residence. The insurgents after climbing the back wall of the residence had assassinated the Khalifah. The assassination of Hadrat Uthman was really due to creation of faction among the Muslim Community which was the goal of ‘Abdullah Bin Saba and his followers (the insurgents), and they achieved it.
After the assassination of Hadrat Uthman, the insurgents virtually controlled the Capital, Medina for several days. The Muslims were frightened and sat behind closed doors. After the assassination of Hadrat Uthman (Radi Allah Anhu) an unprecedented calamity had fallen on the Muslims and for three days, Medina was without any government.
Afterwards the insurgents approached Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) to be the Khalifah. Egyptians led by Ibn Saba and Ghafqi were the main group of insurgents behind the proposal for the Khilafat of Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) Hadrat Ali first declined to bear the responsibility of this great office. But the insurgents pressed him to accept it. As a matter of fact Hadrat Ali wanted to approach Hadrat Talha and Hadrat Zubair (Radi Allah Anhu) who were included in the panel of the six persons appointed by Hadrat Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) to select a Khalifah. He wanted to take pledge of loyalty (Bai'at) at the hands of any of these two gentlemen. But at the end, pressed by the threats of the regicides he decided to put the matter before Muslim public in the Mosque of the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam). Most of the Companions in Medina considered him, to be the fittest person for "Khilafat" after Hadrat Uthman (Radi Allah Anhu). He then agreed to take the responsibility and gave his consent.
On 21st Dhul-Hijjah 35 A.H. pledge of loyalty took place at the hands of Hadrat Ali (R.A). First of all the leading insurgents took the pledge of loyalty on his hands, followed by the general public, at Medina. Hadrat Talha and Zubair (Radi Allah Anhu) did not want to take a pledge (Bai'at) until the case of Hadrat Uthman assassination was decided. Before that Hadrat Ali had offered the office of Khilafat to both of them but they had declined. However under the threats of insurgents they took the pledge of loyalty at Hadrat Ali’s hands, on the condition: "You (i.e.’ Ali) have to decide matters according to the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah (ways of the Holy Prophet) and would punish the guilty according to Islamic Law." Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) agreed to their conditions. Hadrat Sa'd bin Waqqas said that he would take pledge when all the Muslims had done so. Following Companions did not take pledge at the hands of Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu): Muhammad bin Muslimah, Usamah bin Zaid, Hassan bin Thabit. Ka'b bin Malik, Abu Sa'id Khudri, Nu'man bin Bashir, Zaid bin Thabit, Mughirah bin Shu'bah and 'Abdullah bin Salam. Most of the members of Banu Umayyah (Uthman's family) also did not take pledge of loyalty at Hadrat Ali’s hands. Some of such persons who did not take Bai'at went to Syria.
However the majority of the Muslims in Medina took pledge at the hands of Hadrat Ali. According to "Ahli Sunnah wal Jama'ah", Hadrat Ali was the most suitable and the fittest person for Khilafat after Hadrat Uthman (Radi Allah Anhu). If some of the Companions did not take pledge on his hands, because of the political situation of that time, it did not mean that his Khilafat was not accepted by the Muslim majority. Besides Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) nobody including Hadrat Mu'awiyah (Radi Allah Anhu) claimed to be the Khalifah at that time. The difference between them was the question of punishment to the assassins, which took the shape of various battles. As it would be seen afterwards Hadrat Amir Mu'awiyah (Radi Allah Anhu) declared his Khilafat only after the death of Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu). Hadrat Ali was declared to be the Khalifah not only by the insurgents but by the Muslim public as well including the leading Ansar (Helpers) and Muhajirin (Emigrants). This could also be noticed with the fact that in the first battle which took place between Hadrat Ali and Hadrat 'Aisha (and her group) about 800 of those Companions who had participated in the Treaty of Hudaibiyah were with Hadrat Ali besides other Companions. As a matter of fact Hadrat Ali was the most popular figure at that time and was the most appropriate person to be the fourth caliph.
Assassination of Hadrat Ali
After the battle of Nahrwan the "Khwarij" had gone underground. As a matter of fact they were as much against .Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu)as they were against Hadrat Mu'awiyah (Radi Allah Anhu). They were still working against the Khilafat and they were greatly disgusted with the civil war that seemed endless.
To end this state of affairs, they worked out a dangerous plot. According to them Muslims were divided because of differences between Hadrat Ali and Amir Mu'awiyah. They also disliked 'Amr ibn 'As and considered him as chief planner for Amir Mu'awiyah. They decided, therefore, to assassinate all the three of them. It was planned that the three personalities would be struck at the same time on the same day.
Three persons, appointed to assassinate Ali, Mu'awiyah, and 'Amr ibn 'As (Radi Allah Anhu) were Abdur Rehman Muljam, Bark ibn 'Abdullah, and 'Amr ibn Bark respectively. Early hours of the 17th of Ramadan, 40 A.H., was fixed for the assassination.
After the Fajr Salat of the 17th Ramadan in :he year 40 A.H. (661 A.D.) the three appointed Kharljis struck the three men. Amir Mu'awiyah escaped with a scratch, Hadrat Amr ibn 'As did not turn out for the Imamat because he was sick that day, thus was unhurt, but Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was mortally wounded with the poisoned sword of Ibn Muljam. He passed away in the evening of Ramadan 20, 40 A.H.
Ibn Muljam was caught by the people after he had struck Hadrat Ali. Hadrat Ali asked the Muslims to slay him if he died. At the same time of his death Hadrat Ali called his sons and advised them to serve Islam and to be good with the Muslims. When somebody asked him should the Muslims take pledge of loyalty at the hands of his elder son, Hadrat Hassan, he replied, "I leave this decision to the Muslims." He also advised people not to kill any person other than the assassin to avenge him.
He was sixty three years old at the time of his death and had ruled for four years and nine months as the Khalifah.
According to a number of historians his real grave is not known because his son Hadrat Hasan took out his body from the grave after he was buried because of the fear of Kharijis and buried him at an unknown place.
Character, Piety and Excellence
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was a model of simplicity and self denial. He led a simple life from the cradle to the grave, and was a true representative of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). Ali (Radi Allah Anhu)had neither a servant nor a maid when Fatima (Radi Allah Anhu) the most beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet was married to him. She would grind corn with her own hands. Purity of motives and selflessness were the keynote of his life. He was a wise counsellor, a true friend and a generous foe. He did not have a desire for the Khilafat after Hadrat Uthman's assassination, but when he was selected he tried his best to fulfil his responsibility.
He was very honest and trustworthy. His trustworthiness can well be imagined from the fact that the Holy Prophet entrusted to him all the cash and other things, he was having in his trust, at the time of his migration to Medina so that Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) would return them to the owners. Once some oranges came to Bait-ul Mal, Hadrat Hasan and Husain took one orange each. When Hadrat Ali saw them having the oranges he took the fruit away from them and distributed them among the poor. Whenever any booty came to be distributed according to the Islamic law, he distributed it very honestly. Once he distributed all the revenue of the Bait-ul Mal (Public Treasury), then broomed it and offered two rak'at Salat in the room.
He did not leave his simplicity even though he was the Khalifah and the ruler of a vast state. Once a person named 'Abdullah ibn Zarir had an opportunity to take meals with him. The meal was very simple. 'Abdullah asked, "0 Amirul Mu’minin, don't you like the meat of birds?" Hadrat Ali replied, "The Khalifah has a right in Muslim (Public) property only to the extent sufficient for him and his family."
Hadrat Ali was a very generous Muslim. He never refused a beggar. Sometimes he gave all of his property to the poor and sold his arms to get food. Once he said during his lecture, "I went to sell my sword. I swear Allah, had I only that amount of money for which I could buy a "Sirwal" (i.e. a trousers), I would never have sold my sword." Hearing this one person stood up and said, "I give you a loan." There are many stories about his generosity which for lack of space are not being mentioned.
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was a great worshipper and used to offer long Salats. He was Hafiz of the Holy Qur'an. He was so punctual for the "Tasbih" (the famous Tasbih-i-Fatima) i.e. remembrance of Allah that he never left it, even during battles.
He was very kind to others. He showed his kindness even to his enemies. Once one of his enemies fell down naked because of his attack. Seeing his condition he did not kill him and left him so that he might not be ashamed of his nakedness. After the battle of "Jamal" against lady Aisha, he treated lady 'Aisha (Radi Allah Anhu) very respectfully. He himself went to see her and when she told him that she would like to go to Medina he asked her brother Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr to escort her. He never mistreated his enemies. During the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) once he overcame a Jew in a fight, and sat on his chest to kill him. The Jew spat at his face. Hadrat Ali at once left him. Seeing this the Jew was very much surprised and asked the reason. Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) said, "I was killing you for Allah's sake but when you spat on my face, my sincerity was endangered because of the personal feelings." Hearing this the Jew immediately accepted Islam.
His character and morals were so high that even Amir Mu'awiyah praised them. Once Amir Mu'awiyah asked Dirar Asadi, one of his friends, to tell some of Ali’s high quality. Dirar Asadi refused first but when Amir Mu'awiyah insisted Dirar said, "He was a man of strong will power and determination. He always gave a just judgement, and was a fountain of knowledge. His speech was full of wisdom. He hated the pleasure of this world and loved the darkness of night to cry before Allah. His dress was most simple and he liked simple meals. He lived like a common man and when anybody put any question before him, he replied with outmost politeness. Whenever we asked him to wait for us he waited like a common man. Although he was very near to us because of his high morals, we were afraid of him sometimes of his grandeur- and eminence due to his nearness to AAllah. He always respected a pious man and a scholar. He was nearest to the poor. He never allowed a powerful man to take advantage of his power. The weak were never disappointed of his justice. I bear witness that in many battles he woke up during the night and took hold of his beard and started to cry and weep before Allah as though he was in a state of commotion and exclaimed: "0 world! do not try to betray me. I have divorced (left) you long ago. Do not have any desire for me. I hate you. Your age is short and your end is despised. 0! the provision is very little and the journey is too long (i.e., the journey to hereafter), and way is full of danger ....." Hearing this Hadrat Amir Mu'awiyah started to weep and cry and said, "May Allah bless Abul Hasan (i.e. Ali). I swear by Allah he was a person of the character, you described."
At this point it should be noted that the differences of the Companions were not like that of us. They differed with each other for the sake of Allah but always admired each other's good habits. Although Amir Mu'awiyah was having differences with Hadrat Ali, he admired the excellence of Ali throughout his life and often said that he could never be equal to Ali (Radi Allah Anhu). As a matter of fact the degree of their sincerity could not be imagined. We think every thing in terms of worldly benefit, they considered every matter in terms of love with Allah, love with the Prophet of Allah and the success in the hereafter.
Ali the gate of the city of Knowledge
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) said: "I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its gate." No doubt - Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was a great scholar and jurist of Islam. He had memorised whole of the Holy Qur'an during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) and knew its commentary including the order of descent and the time of revelation of various verses. It is given in Tabqat Ibn Sa'd that Hadrat Ali said, "I could tell for each and every verse of the Holy Qur'an why and when it was revealed." Hadrat Ali has been counted among the top most commentators of the Holy Qur'an. Nobody among the Companions with the exception of Abdullah ibn Abbas was so learned in the Holy Qur'an as Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu). His commentaries of various verses of the Holy Qur'an have been given in a number of books like "Ibn-i-Jarir," "Ibn Abi Hatim", "Ibn Kathir" etc. He had confined himself to his home for six months after the death of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) only to collect various parts of the Holy Qur'an. He was excellent in deducing law from the verses of the Holy Qur'an. When he argued with "Khawarili" on the question of Arbitration they could not stand before him. He was also very learned in the knowledge of “Nasikh” and "Mansukh" i.e. the knowledge of such verses of the Holy Qur'an outdating the laws given in Other verses.
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) spent thirty years of his life with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) and knew all the manners and practices of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). He stood next to Abu Bakr (Radi Allah Anhu)as far as the knowledge of sayings, practices and orders of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) were concerned. During the period of the first three caliphs and also during his time he was the great Mufti (Jurist) of Islam. He performed this service for about thirty years after the death of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). In the narration of Hadith he was very cautious like three of his predecessors. For this reason only 586 Ahadith, narrated by Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) have been mentioned in the books of Hadith. He has also mentioned a number of sayings of various Companions as well. Hadrat Shah Wall Ullah of Delhi says: "Most of the Ahadith in connection with the appearance of the Holy Prophet, his method of offering Salat and praying to Allah etc. have been mentioned by Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) because of the fact that he was with him not only in his public but also in the private life. Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was one of the few Companions who were having collections of Hadith recorded during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam).
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was not only a great scholar but a great Jurist as well. He was famous for giving correct verdicts of different problems very quickly which were based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). Great Companions used to visit him for seeking solution of different problems of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence. Hadrat Umar remarked, Ali is the greatest jurist and judge among all of us". Hadrat 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, Ali’s decision is the most authentic." Because of his vast knowledge of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith, he became the greatest jurist of his time, as Islamic Jurisprudence requires knowledge of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith to the fullest possible extent. On many occasions he corrected the decisions given by great Companions like Umar and Uthman (Radi Allah Anhu). Even though Amir Mu'awiyah was having differences with Ali, he sometimes referred some of the complicated problems of Islamic Law to Hadrat Ali(Radi Allah Anhu) and admitted his profundity in this field.
Hadrat Ali (Radi Allah Anhu) was a great orator as well. On many occasions mobs of people were changed because of his effective speeches. Arabic knowing persons can note the beauty of his speeches. He was a wonderful master of the Arabic language. His writings were as effective as his speech. He had also composed a few poems as well. He also framed rules of Arabic syntax and appointed Abul Aswad to compose a book on the basis of the rules he framed.
No doubt Hadrat Ali was one of the greatest sons of Islam, Very few Companions equalled him in his closeness to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam), which burrished qualities of head and heart. Muslims are forever indebted to him.
Wives and Children
(a) Hadrat Ali’s first wife was the most beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet, Hadrat Fatimah (Radi Allah Anhu). He got three sons (Hasan, Husain and Muhsin), and two daughters (Zainab and Umm-i-Kulthum) from her. The youngest son, Muhsin died in childhood.
After the death of Hadrat Fatimah he married a number of wives from time to time:(b) Umm al-Banin bin Hizam from whom he got 'Abbas, Ja'far, 'Abdullah and Uthman. All of these except Abbas were martyred at Karbala.(c) Saila bint Mas'ud who gave birth to 'Ubaidullah and Abu Bakr. They were martyred at Karbala. (d) Asma bint Umais who gave birth to Yahya and Muhammad Asghar.(e) Sahba bint Rabi'a who gave birth to Umar and Ruqayyah.(f) Amamah bint Abil 'As: She was daughter of Zainab (Radi Allah Anhu), daughter of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam). Hadrat Ali got Muhammad Aswat from her.(g) Khaulah bint Jalfar who gave birth to Muhammad ibn(h) Umm-i-Sa'id who gave birth to Ummul Hasan and Ramlah Kubra.(i) Mahyah bint Ummul Qais, she gave birth to a daughter who died in childhood.
He also had a number of slave girls from whom he bore the following daughters:Umm-i-Hani, Maimunah, Zainab Sughra, Ramlah Sughra, Umm-i-Kulthum Sughra, Fatimah, Umamah, Khadijah, Umm-i-Salama, Umm-i-Ja'far, Jamanah and Nafisah, According to Ibn-i-Jarir, Hadrat Ali had 17 daughters and 14 sons. His family continued through five sons: Imam Hasan, Imam Husain, Muhammad ibn Ali, Umar bin Ali, and 'Abbas ibn Ali.
Preaching of Islam
To preach true way of life i.e. Islam, is one of the foremost duties of a Khalifah, He paid special attention to it during his caliphate. Although he was not able to conquer many regions during his caliphate because of the civil war, yet a number of people accepted Islam because of the good treatment meted out to them. In Iran many people accepted Islam due to his kindness with the public. Those who forsook Islam re-joined the Faith because of Ali’s teachings.
Thus we see that Hadrat Ali was a great administrator. He was one of the closest Companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alaihi we Salaam) and possessed unparalleled courage, vigour and Faith.