Imam Ali (A.S.)
Imam Ali was born in the Sacred House, the Holy Kaaba, in Makkah in 600 A.D. The place of his birth was a sign of his position in the eyes of Allah and no one else has ever been born in the Holy Kaaba.
Just before he was born, his mother Fatima binte Asad came to the Holy Kaaba. As she stood there, she felt the intense pain of pregnancy and knelt down to pray. As she raised her head from her prayers, the wall of the sacred building split by a miracle. Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib and some of his companions watched in amazement as she walked into the building which closed behind her. As the door was locked, nobody could get in. Soon the news of this miraculous event had spread round Makkah.
Fatima binte Asad stayed in the Holy Kaaba for three days and on the fourth day she stepped out holding her baby in her arms. The child had squeezed its eyes tightly shut and had not opened them since its birth. As she came out of the Holy Kaaba she saw that the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was anxiously awaiting to receive the newly born child. He knew that this child would grow up to strengthen the cause of Islam and prove to be his right hand in the great mission that lay ahead. As he came into the arms of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.), Imam Ali (A) opened his eyes for the first time to look upon the blessed face of Prophethood.
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In Nahjul Balagha Imam Ali (A) says, "The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) brought me up in his own arms and fed me his own morsel. I followed him wherever he went like a baby camel following its mother. Each day a new part of his character would become known to me and I would accept and follow it as a command."
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His childhood was spent in the company of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and Imam Ali (A) was similar in his character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, patience, bravery, kindness and eloquence. From his infancy, he prostrated to Allah with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.), and when the message of Prophethood was declared, he was the first man to become a Muslim.
After the declaration of Prophethood, Imam Ali (A) was always ready to serve the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and defend him from his enemies. He used to write down the verses of the Holy Qur'an and discuss them with the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as soon as they were revealed to him. His matchless devotion lasted up to the day when the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) passed away in 11 A.H. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has said of Imam Ali (A):
"O Ali, you are my brother in this world and the Hereafter."
"I am the city of knowledge and Ali is the gate."
"Nobody knows Allah except I and Ali. Nobody knows Ali except Allah and I. Nobody knows me except Allah and Ali."
"If you want to see the knowledge of Adam, the piety of Nuh, the devotion of Ibrahim, the awe of Musa and the service and devotion of Isa, look at the bright face of Ali."
The Virtues and the Qualities of Imam Ali (A)
Imam Ali (A) was a man who possessed and displayed the greatest character that a human being is capable of achieving. In all fields he has left for his followers a model on which to base their own lives. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said to Imam Ali (A), "O Ali, you will be engaged in disputes but you will overcome them because of seven qualities that you have which no one else has: you are the first of those who believed in me, the greatest of them in war, the most knowledgeable of them in the signs of Allah, the one of them who is most loyal in keeping the covenant (Ahd) of Allah, the most compassionate of them towards people, the most capable of giving equal treatment and the greatest of them in distinction before Allah." Hereunder, we attempt to list some of his outstanding merits.
- His faith in Allah and the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
Imam Ali (A) was the first man to become a Muslim. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has said, "The angels bless me and Ali for 70 years because, for a time, Ali and I were the only ones who recited the Kalima." He also said, "Ali was the first to believe in me and will be the first to shake my hand in greeting on the Day of Judgment. He is the greatest testifier of the truth (Siddeeq). He is the chief of the believers."
- His knowledge
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "Ali is the most learned of my community and the most capable of giving legal decisions after me." Imam Ali (A) proved superiority in all branches of knowledge throughout his life. When he became the caliph, he put on the cloak and turban of the Holy Prophet (S) and went to the mosque and sat on the pulpit.
After praising Allah and giving guidance to the people, he sat back confidently, knitted his fingers and placed them on his stomach. Then, he said, "Question me before you lose me. Question me, for I have the knowledge of those who came earlier and those who will come later. I could give judgments to the people of the Tawrat by their Tawrat, to the people of the Gospels by their Gospels, to the people of the Psalms by their Psalms and the people of the Furqaan (Holy Qur'an) by their Furqaan. By Allah, I know the Qur'an and its interpretation better than anyone who claims knowledge of it."
- His bravery
Imam Ali (A) was always at the forefront of the battles of Islam and personally brought about victory for the Muslims in many of them. He was both a great soldier and a great general and was the victor of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Khayber and Hunayn.
Not only was he unstoppable in the battlefield, he also taught his friends and enemies how to conduct themselves in war. His bravery extended to his general dealing with the people and he never hesitated in saying or doing something in the cause of Islam, no matter what the opposition.
- His eloquence
Imam Ali (A) had a total command over the Arabic language. He wrote various books. He compiled the Holy Qur'an and also regulated the syntax and grammar of the Arabic language. Some of his lectures and words are contained in the book Nahjul Balagha, which contains the best examples of Arabic oratory.
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