The Life of Imam Ali (A.S)

"I am the City of Knowledge, and Ali is its Gate." — Prophet Muhammad (SAWW)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) is a figure of such colossal magnitude that history struggles to contain him. He was a warrior of unmatched courage, a scholar of boundless wisdom, a judge of absolute fairness, and a ruler who lived in the simplest of conditions. To the Shias, he is the first Imam and the rightful successor to the Holy Prophet (SAWW). To the broader Muslim world, he is the fourth Caliph and a man of immense spiritual stature. Even to non-Muslim scholars, he is recognized as "The Voice of Human Justice."

A Unique Birth

In the year 600 CE (30 years after the Year of the Elephant), a miraculous event occurred that has no parallel in human history. Fatima bint Asad, the mother of Ali, felt the pangs of labor while circumambulating the Holy Kaaba. She leaned against the wall and prayed to Allah for ease. Suddenly, the wall of the Kaaba cracked open, inviting her inside. She entered, and the crack sealed behind her.

For three days, she remained inside the House of God, a guest of the Almighty. When she emerged, she held in her arms a radiant baby boy. The Holy Prophet (SAWW) was waiting to receive him. It was the Prophet who gave him the name Ali (The High, The Exalted). This unique birth symbolizes his sanctity; he was born in the House of Allah and was martyred in the House of Allah (the Mosque of Kufa).

The First Muslim and Raised by the Prophet

Imam Ali (AS) was raised directly under the care of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) even before the declaration of Prophethood. The Prophet took him into his household during a famine to relieve his uncle, Abu Talib, of the burden. Ali (AS) described this period saying, "I used to follow him like a baby camel following its mother."

When the first revelation descended, Ali (AS) was about ten years old. He was the first male to testify to the oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAWW). He never bowed before an idol in his life, hence the honorific Karram Allahu Wajhahu (May Allah honor his face).

Laylat al-Mabit: The Ultimate Sacrifice

One of the most defining moments of Imam Ali's youth was the night of the Prophet's migration (Hijra) to Medina. The polytheists of Mecca had plotted to assassinate the Prophet in his sleep. Allah informed the Prophet of this plot and commanded him to leave.

The Prophet asked Ali (AS): "Will you sleep in my bed and cover yourself with my cloak so that they think I am still here?" Ali (AS) did not ask "Will I be safe?" He asked, "Will you be safe, O Messenger of Allah?" When the Prophet affirmed, Ali (AS) bowed his head in prostration (Sajdah) of gratitude. He slept fearlessly in the bed surrounded by assassins, buying the Prophet precious time to escape. Allah revealed verse 2:207 in his honor: "And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah."

The Lion of God (Asadullah)

In the defense of Islam, Imam Ali's sword, Zulfiqar, played a decisive role. He was the champion of almost every battle.

Battle of Badr: He killed nearly half of the enemy champions single-handedly.
Battle of Uhud: When the Muslim army was routed and fled, Ali (AS) stood firm protecting the Prophet, receiving multiple wounds. It was here that the famous cry was heard from the heavens: "La Fata Illa Ali, La Sayf Illa Zulfiqar" (There is no youth like Ali, and no sword like Zulfiqar).
Battle of Khandaq: The entire faith of Islam faced the entire force of disbelief when Amr ibn Abdwud, the legendary Arabian knight, challenged the Muslims. Only Ali (AS) stood up. With one blow, he defeated Amr, and the Prophet declared his strike to be "superior to the worship of all Jinn and Mankind."
Battle of Khaybar: When previous commanders failed to capture the Jewish fortress, the Prophet gave the flag to Ali (AS), saying, "Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him." Ali (AS) not only conquered the fortress but tore the massive gate of Khaybar off its hinges with his bare hands.

Ghadir Khumm: The Appointment

In 10 AH, while returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet stopped at Ghadir Khumm after receiving the revelation: "O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord..." (5:67).

Before a gathering of over 100,000 Muslims, the Prophet raised Ali's hand and declared: "Man Kuntu Mawlahu Fa Hadha Aliyun Mawlahu" (For whomever I am Master, Ali is his Master). This was the formal divine appointment of Imam Ali (AS) as the successor to the Prophet.

The Era of Silence and Caliphate

After the passing of the Prophet, the right of Imam Ali (AS) was usurped. For 25 years, he remained patient to preserve the unity of the young Muslim community. He advised the Caliphs in judicial and theological matters, ensuring the correct interpretation of Islam was maintained.

When he finally assumed the Caliphate in 35 AH, he found a society corrupted by nepotism and wealth accumulation. Imam Ali (AS) immediately implemented strict reforms to return to the simplicity and justice of the Prophet's time. He removed corrupt governors and distributed the treasury directly to the poor with absolute equality.

His uncompromising justice created enemies among the elite. He was forced to fight three civil wars:
1. Jamal (The Camel) against those who broke their pledge.
2. Siffin against Muawiyah and the defiant Syrians.
3. Nahrawan against the Kharijites (zealots who exited the fold of Islam).

Nahjul Balagha: The Peak of Eloquence

Imam Ali (AS) was not just a warrior; he was the most knowledgeable man after the Prophet. His sermons, letters, and aphorisms were collected by Sharif Razi in the 10th century in a book called Nahjul Balagha. It addresses theology, metaphysics, governance, and ethics. His letter to Malik al-Ashtar (his governor in Egypt) is considered one of the finest documents on governance and human rights, even cited by the United Nations for its emphasis on compassion and justice.

Martyrdom

On the 19th of Ramadan, 40 AH, while leading the morning prayers in the Mosque of Kufa, Imam Ali (AS) was struck on the head with a poisoned sword by the Kharijite Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam. He passed away on the 21st of Ramadan.

His last will to his sons Hassan and Hussain (AS) reflects his entire life's philosophy: "be an enemy to the oppressor and a helper to the oppressed."

Imam Ali (AS) lives on as the ultimate symbol of justice. He was a man who possessed the power to rule the world but lived on barley bread so that no one in his dominion would be hungry. He is the father of the Imams, the brother of the Prophet, and the eternal guide for those who seek the truth.