The First Imam
Hazrat Ali
Alaihis Salam
IMPORTANT FACTS:-
Name:- Ali a.s.
Titles:-Haider, Amir ulmomineen (leader of the
momineen)MushkilKusha(the one who solves our problems)
Shair e Khuda (lion of God), Fatah e Khyber (the winner of
Khyber),
Date of birth:-13th Rajab 30 Aamul feel
Place of birth:-insideKhana e Kaaba, Mecca
Father:-Hazrat Abu Taliba.s.
Mother:-Bibi Fatima Bint e Asad
Grandfather: Hazrat Abdul Muttalib
Family:-BaniHashim
Brought up and training by:-The Holy Prophet s.a.w.w.
First wife:-Bibi Fatima Zahra s.a.
Age at the time of marriage:-25 years
Relation to the Holy Prophet s.a.a.w:- cousin, son in law,
partner, successor
First help of Holy Prophet:-supported him when he
announced hisprophet hood
Some significant features: bravery, strength, knowledge
Battles he fought:-Siffeen, Jamal, Khyber,Nehrwan
Hisspecial sword:-“Zulfiqar” the sword with 2 blades.
Imamat was announced at:-Ghadeer e Khum, 18thZulHajj
10thHijri
Well known books:-NahjulBalagha, Sahifa e Alawia
Date of shahadat:- 21stRamazan , 40thHijri
Cause of death:-Abdur Rahman ibneMuljim stabbed him with a
poisonous sword on head
Grave at:-Najaf e Ashraf, Iraq
LIFE AND EVENTS
Imam Ali a.s. is our first Imam. As shias, it is our belief that the Holy
Prophet s.a.a.w himself announced that after his death, Imam Ali a.s. will
be our leader. It is also a part of our Kalimah when we express
“AliunWaliullah, (means Ali is Allah’s friend)Wasi e Rasool Allah, (the
successor of Rasool) “wakhalifatahubilafasl’ (means and our leader
without interruption).
Imam Alia.s. was born in Khana e Kaaba, which is a big miracle.
Nobody before or after him has ever been born in the House Of God. At the
time of his birth his mother Bibi Fatima Bint e Asad was praying in Kaaba,
when the wall of Kaaba split and she entered inside. After his birth Imam
Ali a.s. did not open his eyes until the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. held him.
Imam Ali a.s. then opened his eyes and saluted him.
Imam Ali a.s. was brought up under the care and affection of Holy
Prophet s.a.ww. He was always very close to the Holy Prophet who is his
cousin and very close friend. They had the same qualities of character,
knowledge, generosity, prayers, kindness, bravery, sacrifice and eloquence.
About his knowledge and wisdom, the Holy Prophet said, “Ana
madinatulilmwaAliunbabuha” meaning “I am the city of knowledge and
Ali is the gate”.
Imam Ali a.s. always stayed very close to the Holy Prophet and helped
him in his mission with his confidence and steadfast hard work. When the
Holy Prophet announced his prophet hood, Imam Ali a.s. was the first one
to accept and show his support. At at that time he was very young and was
12 or 13 years old and that was the first time that Holy Prophet also
announced him as his supporter and partner.
Imam Ali a.s. accompanied the Holy Prophetat all times to help and
protect him from the enemies. He also used to write down the verses of
Holy Quran and discuss them with the Holy Prophet as soon as they were
revealed by Angel Jibraela.s. Hazrat Ali a.s. was also a great help to the
Prophet at the time of Hijrat. Rasool Allah asked Imam Ali to sleep in his
bed while he did the migration. It was at night and the Kuffar (his enemies)
were waiting for Rasool Allah to come out so they could kill him. But Hazrat
Ali stayed fearless in his place all night surrounded by men holding swords.
Imam Ali a.s. was very well known for his strength, bravery and great
warrior qualities. He fought a lot of battles with Holy Prophet s.a.w.w.
against “kuffar”, the non-believers. In the battle of UhadRasool Allah gave
him his divine sword “Zulfiqar” which he used till the end. Later imam
Husain a.s. used it in Kerbala and now it is in the possession of Imam e
Zamanaa.s. and he will bring it with him after his Zahoor.
The battle of Khyber is one great example of Imam Ali’s bravery. Khyber is
a place outside of Madina and consisits of 8 or 10 forts. These forts were
being used to help the enemies of Islam. The battle was being commanded
by some other Muslim warriors and so for 3 days they could not win. After
the third day Rasool Allah announced that he will give the commanding flag
to someone who is very brave, does not turn back and will be the winner.
He called Imam Ali a.s. by reading the “Naad e Ali”. The gates of the fort
were extremely heavy and needed 40 horses to open and close. Imam Ali
a.s. with his strength pulled up the gate , defeated “Marhab”, the big kaafir
warrior and posted his flag on the huge stone of Khyber.
Imam Ali a.s spent all of his life serving and saving Islam. After the
death of Rasool Allah s.a.w.w. his mission got stronger. He taught and
trained his children Imam Hasan a.s. , Imam Husain a.s. BibiZainabs.a. and
BibiKulsooms.a. the same thing. After the shahadat of Bibi Fatima s.a. he
married another brave and sincere woman BibiUmmulBaneena.s. and had
a handsome brave and strong son Hazrat Abbas a.s. who stayed with Imam
Husain a.s. till shahadat in Kerbala.
Our great Imam was killed by the cruel enemy IbneMuljim on the 21st of
Ramazan. His grave is in Najaf e Ashraf , Iraq.
Even if we talk and discuss our Imam’s life for year , we won’t be able to
finish. May Allah grant us the ability and wisdom to understand and follow
his teachings and footsteps.
Roza E Imam Ali a.s. Najaf e Ashraf , Iraq