Shi'a view of Ali

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Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib
Commander of the Faithful (Arabic: Amir ul-Mo'mineen)
Muhammad and Ali, written in a single word. (In reference to Hadith stating the Prophet saying, "I and Ali are created from the same light.") [2]
Reign	656 – 661
Full name	‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib
Titles	Al-Ŝādiq (The Truthful) Imam (commander/leader) Imam Al-Muttaqin (Leader of those established in the faith) Al-Murtadhā (The chosen one) Al-Naba' ul 'Adhīm Haydar Safder Al-Almdār (The standard bearer) Mushkil-Kushā (The solver of problems) Al-Furuq
Born	March 17, 599(599-03-17)
Birthplace	Mecca
Died	February 28, 661 (aged 61)
Place of death	Kufa
Buried	Imam Ali Mosque, Najaf, Iraq
Predecessor	Muhammad al-Mustafa [3]
Successor	Imam Hasan ibn Ali [4]
Wife	Fatimah
Issue	Hassan Husayn (See:Descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib )
Royal House	Ahl al-Bayt Banu Hashim
Father	Abu Talib
Mother	Fatima bint Asad

Part of a series on Shi'a Islam
Branches
Twelver · Ismaili · Zaidi
Beliefs & Practices
Succession of Ali Imamate of the Family Mourning of Muharram Light of Aql
Ahl al-Bayt
Ahl al-Bayt Muhammad Ali ibn Abu Talib Fatimah Zahra Hasan · Husayn
The Four Companions
The Four Companions Salman al-Farsi Miqdad ibn Aswad Abu Dharr al-Ghifari Ammar ibn Yasir
Holy Days
Eid ul-Fitr Eid al-Adha Eid al-Ghadeer Ashura · Arba'een Mawlid · Al-Mubahila
Views
The Qur'an View of Ali ibn Abu Talib View of Fatimah Zahra Sahaba · Mu'awiya I Abu Bakr · Umar
History
Ghadir Khumm First Fitna · Second Fitna The Battle of Karbala History of Shia Islam

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(This article is an encyclopedia entry on Ali ibn Abi Talib that is to be compiled with the objective of providing an alternate, but equally qualified, historical biography from the overlooked historical records and personal accounts of Orthodox Shi'a sources.)

‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib (Arabic: علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب‎) b. (13 Rajab, 24 BH – 21 Ramadan, 40 AH) (approximately: March 17, 599 - February 28, 661) was cousin and son-in-law to Prophet Muhammad, as well as a member of the Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt [5]. He is regarded as the first Imam and is considered, along with his descendants, to be one of the divinely appointed successors of Muhammad who are the only legitimate religious and political leaders of the Muslim community.[6] Though Imam Ali was regarded, during the lifetime of Muhammad, as the Prophet's initial successor, it would be 25 years before he was recognized with the title of Caliph (successor).

Tradition states that Ali was born in Mecca (inside the Ka'ba [7]), to the tribe Quraysh. Ali's father, Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, was custodian of the Ka'ba and a Sheikh of Banu Hashim; an important branch of the powerful tribe of the Quraysh. His mother was Fatimah binte Asad who was also from Banu Hashim. In Arab culture, this was a great honor for Ali that both of his parents were belong to Banu Hashim. Ali was also one of descendants of Ismail the son of Ibrahim.

During his childhood, Ali had spent his first six years under his father's house until, as a result of famine in and around Mecca, he was requested by the Prophet to leave his father's house and come to the house of his cousin, the Prophet Muhammad. [8] It would be another four years until Muhammad would announce his Prophethood. When the divine command came for Muhammad to begin to preach, Imam Ali, only a child of ten years, arose and was the first male to publicly announce his support for his cousin. [9] Over the coming years, Ali stood firmly in his support of Muhammad during the persecution of Muslims in Mecca.

Ali migrated to Medina shortly after Muhammad. There Muhammad told Ali that he had been ordered by God to give his daughter, Fatimah, to Ali in marriage. [10] For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders. With the exception of Tabuk, Ali took part in all the battles fought for Islam during this time.

After the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan, the Companions of Muhammad in Medina selected Ali to be the new Caliph. He encountered defiance and civil war (First Fitna) during his reign. Tragically, while Ali was praying in the mosque of Kufa, Ibn Muljam, a Khawarij assassin, struck him with a poison-coated sword. Ali died on the 21st of Ramadan in the city of Kufa in 661 CE. Imam Ali is highly regarded for his knowledge, belief, honesty, devotion to Islam, loyalty to Muhammad, his equal treatment of all Muslims, and his generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies. In addition, he is respected as the rightful successor of Prophet Muhammad. [11]. Ali retains his stature as the foremost authority on the Tafsir (Quranic exegesis), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and religious thought.

The compilation of sermons, lectures, and quotations attributed to Ali are compiled in the form of several books. Nahj al-Balagha is the most revered of them. It is considered by historians and scholars to be an important work in Islamic literature. [12][13]

[edit] Shi'a biography

[edit] Early life

Fatimah binte Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, pregnant with Ali, completed her pregnancy term of 270 days but had not yet been induced into labor to give birth to the post-term baby. Abu Talib suggested to his wife that she perform circumambulations around the Ka'ba and pray for divine assistance. In the midst of performing her rounds, she went into labor; at one corner of the Ka'ba, designated as the Rukne Yamani, the Ka'ba split open and she was given a push from behind towards the direction of the opening.

Inside the Ka'ba Fatimah gave birth to Ali, and it wasn't until Muhammad had looked upon the infant that the infant's eyelids opened. At the time of Ali's birth a special relationship was hence imparted between Muhammad and Ali, and would be manifested from the time of the Prophet's Call in the year 610 A.D. until the Prophet's demise in the year 632. [14] Imam Ali would be given the privilege of being to only person to be born inside the Ka'ba. [15]

In a Muslim tradition regarded as authentic by Shias and included in Mawaddat al-Qurba and Peshawar Nights, Alis mother Fatima bint Asad named him after her father, Asad. Abu Talib did not agree with her and said:

"O Fatima! Let us go to the Qubais hills, and invoke Allah (some reporters say that he said they should go to the Al-Masjid al-Haram). He may tell us the name of this child."

The answer to the prayer was Ali, derived from one of 99 Names of God, Al Ali (The Exalted) ^ref.

[edit] Upbringing

When Ali was about six years of age, Muhammad was granted permission from his uncle Abu Talib to bring him up as his own child. From his earliest days, Ali came directly under the tutelage of the Apostle of Allah, to share his high ethics and morals. For ten years, Imam Ali remained in the care of Muhammad. The Prophet had kept him so close and inseparable that he was one with him in character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, forbearance, bravery, kindness, generosity, oratory and eloquence. From his very infancy, he prostrated himself before God along with the Holy Prophet, as he himself said, [16]

"I was the first to pray to God along with the Holy Prophet."

[edit] Muhammad's era

Ali was the first person to delcare in public his belief in Allah's Messenger, Muhammad, and his message of Islam - though Ali had been born a muslim. [17]. His announcement came with the Prophet's first speech, directed to his family, about his divinely appointed mission. Tradition states that when the verse "And warn your close tribe (Quran 26:214)" was revealed to the Prophet, he called Ali and said to him,

"Ali, God has commanded me to warn my tribe of near kindred. I was troubled by this, since I knew that when I discuss the matter to them they would respond in a way which I would not like. I kept silent until Gabriel came to me and said "If you do not do what you are commanded, your Lord will punish you." So prepare a measure of wheat for us, add a leg of lamb to it, fill a large bowl of milk for us, and then invite sons of Abd al-Muttalib for me so that I may speak to them what I have been commanded to tell them."

Once the Prophet had gathered the members of Banu Abd al-Muttalib he spoke to them, saying,

"Banu Abd al-Muttalib, I don't know of any young man among Arabs who has brought for his people something better than what I have brought to you. I bring the best of this world and the world after, since God has commanded me to summon you to him. Which of you will aid me in this matter, so that he will be my brother, my executor (Wasi), my successor (Caliph) among you?"

They all held back from the words of the Prophet, and though Ali was the youngest, he replied,

"I will be your helper, O' Prophet of Allah." He put his hand on the back of Ali's neck and said "This is my brother, my executor (Wasi), my successor (Caliph) among you, so listen to him and obey him."

Some Banu Abd al-Muttalib rose up laughing and saying to Ali's father, Abu Talib,

"He has commanded you to obey your son and to obey him!"

(Reference to this section can be found here: [18])

[edit] Boycott of Banu Hashim

Muhammad’s denunciation of the Meccan traditional religion was especially offensive to his own tribe, the Quraysh, as they were the guardians of the Ka'aba. So they persecuted Muslims. According to the tradition, the leaders of Makhzum and Abd Shams, two important clans of Quraysh, declared a public boycott against the clan of Banu Hashim, their commercial rival in order to put pressure on the clan.

At this time, Muhammad arranged for some of his followers to emigrate to Ethiopia. The boycott lasted for three years. Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad during the years of persecution of Muslims and boycott of Banu Hashim in Mecca.

[edit] Migration to Medina

See also: Hijra (Islam)

In 622 CE, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot, so that Muhammad could escape in safety.^[1]^[2] This night is called "Laylat Al-mabit". According to some hadith a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of hijrah which says "And among men is he who sells his NAFS (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah"^[3] ^[4]

Ali survived the plot, but risked his life again by staying in Mecca to carry out Muhammad's instructions: to restore to their owners all the goods and properties that had been entrusted to Muhammad for safekeeping. Then he went to Medina with Fatima binte Asad (his mother), Fatimah (the daughter of Muhammad), and two other women. ^[1]

The Muhammed went on his final hajj (pilgrimage) and whne returning, he called all those who where ahead to come back and those who were behind to come ahead. they had stopped at a place called khumm. The prohet sat on a pulpit made of saddles. he then said "man kuntu mawla hu fa hadha aliun mawla." which is translated as whoevers master i am ali is also his master. the sunni's translate it however as howevers 'friend' i am ali is also his friend.

[edit] Succession to Muhammad

After Mohummad's death, a sudden panic overcame the many tribes within the Arabian Peninsula.^{[citation needed]} The question of succession as to who would receive the Caliphate. Though it was well known through many traditions related by the Prophet and Qur'an as to who was to succeed Muhammad (Imam Ali [19]), a small number of prominent companions took to the "Saqifah Bani Sa'ida" or Saqifah, a roofed building used by the tribe of Sa'ida, in the city of Medina, to decide amongst themselves as to who was going to lead the muslims. [20] Such companions as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Sa'd ibn Ubadah ,who was killed at Saqifah [21], were present. The small secret band of companions exchanged arguments until the majority gave their bay'at (allegiance) to Abu Bakr.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Abu Bakr's era

Shia believe that the reason Ali did not aid Abu Bakr in the Rida wars was that those getting killed by Abu Bakr were his Shia.

[edit] Umar's era

Ali Asgher Razwy, a 20th century Shi'a Twelver Islamic scholar states:

“

Umar, on his deathbed, had appointed six Muhajireen as members of a panel which was to choose one out of themselves as the future khalifa of the Muslims. They were Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uthman, Talha, Zubayr, Abdur Rahman bin Auf and Saad bin Abi Waqqas. Except Ali, all other members of the panel were capitalists, or rather, neo-capitalists. When they came from Makkah, they were penniless and homeless but within twelve years, i.e., from the death of Muhammad Mustafa in 632 to the death of Umar in 644, each of them, except Ali, had become rich like Croesus. Between these two dates, they had accumulated immense wealth, and had become the richest men of their times.

Ali did not qualify as a member of this exclusive "club" but Umar admitted him anyway. Apart from the fact that Ali made his living as a gardener whereas his other five co-members lived on the revenues of their lands and estates, there was another gulf, even more unbridgeable, that separated him from them. In character, personality, temperament, attitudes, philosophy and outlook on life, Ali and the rest of them were the antithesis of each other. ^[5]

”

[edit] Uthman's era

A narration attributed to Ali reports:

“

`Othman ordered that I should have audience with him on a very hot day. I placed my garment on my head and went to see him. I entered, and he was on his bed, a rod in hand, surrounded by rich wealth: two heaps of gold and silver. He said, `Take of this whatever you wish so you may have enough (i.e. buy enough food) to fill your stomach, for you have burnt me.’ I said to him, `You have surely been kind to your kin! If this wealth is an inheritance which you have inherited, or a giver gave it to you personally, or you earned it from a trade deal, I would then be one of two: I may either take of it or simply thank you for your offer [but not accept it], or I may refrain so I may work hard (to earn my living). But if it is a wealth that belongs to Allah, and the Muslims are to partake of it, and so are the orphans and the wayfarers, then by Allah, you have no right to give me any of it, nor do I have any right to take any of it.’ He said, `I, by Allah, insist that you should do what you have refused to do.’ Then he kept hitting me with the rod. By Allah, I did not keep his hand away from me till he had enough. I pulled my garment over my head and went back home. I said, `Allah is between you and me if I enjoined on you to do what is right or prohibited you from doing wrong.^[6]

”

[edit] Titles

The Shi'a give these titles to Ali:

Al-Ŝādiq (The Truthful)
Imam (commander/leader)
Imam Al-Muttaqin (Leader of those established in the faith)
Al-Murtadhā (Murtazā in Persian) (The chosen one)
Al-Naba' ul 'Adhīm
Haydar

Ali and his sons, Hasan and Husayn, by Ibrahim Naghash bashi Isfahani

Safder
Al-Almdār (The standard bearer)
Mushkil-Kushā (The solver of problems)
Al-Furuq

Please note that translation from Arabic to English may change the way the words are interpreted

Ali is given an additional pious modifier. When Ali's name is mentioned, along with "May Allah be pleased with him", Shi'a add "Allah has honoured his face", a reference to the Shi'a belief that Ali converted to Islam at such a young age that he never joined in any worship of the traditional Meccan gods, whom the Muslims believe to be idols. His face, they say, was never defiled by prostrations before idols.

[edit] Famous Hadith used by the Shi'a

[edit] Works

Shi'a state Ali is the source of the following:

[edit] Criticism

Other people have views on the Shi'a view of Ali:

[edit] Sunni view of the Shi'a view

[edit] Non-Muslim view of the Shi'a view

Some non-Muslims believe that some pro-Ali hadith are biased ^[8]:

"By One who splits seeds and creates breath, the illiterate prophet gave me a covenant: `Nobody except a believer will love me, and nobody except a hypocrite will hate me.' " ^[9]

They have a similar view on the Sunni view of Ali.