SAYYIDINA ALI (Rady Allahu Anhu)
By: Hafiz Usman Munawwar

Sayyidina ‘Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was the fourth Khalifah of Islam. Some of the titles given to Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) were Al-Murtada (the one contented with the Decree of Allah), Asadullah (the Lion of Allah) and Abu Turab (Father of sand) because once he slept on bare sand. He was also known as Abul Hasan which means the father of Imam Hasan (Rady Allahu Anhu). Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was thirty years younger than the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He was the cousin of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). His father's name was Hadrat Abu Talib and his mother's name was Sayyidatina Fatimah bint Asad (Rady Allahu Anha).

Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was the first from among the children to accept Islam. He was only eleven years old when he accepted Islam. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) loved Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) and Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) also loved Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He later went on to marry Sayyidatina Fatimah (Rady Allahu Anha), the blessed daughter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). They had two sons and their names are Imam Hasan (Rady Allahu Anhu) and Imam Husain (Rady Allahu Anhu). Together, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), Sayyidina Ali, Sayyidatina Fatimah, Imam Hasan, and Imam Husain (Rady Allahu Anhum) are known as Ahl al-Bayt which means the People of the Household of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). We Muslims must love the Family of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) more than our own families.

Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was very brave and strong. This is why he is known as Asadullah which means the Lion of Allah. His love for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) was indeed very great. In the wars against the disbelievers, Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) fought very bravely. There was one incident when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) went to Madinah al-Munawwarah because he had received news that his enemies were going to come to his house and try to kill him.

Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was so brave that he got into the bed of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Before leaving, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) had told Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) to meet him in Madinah al-Munawwarah. When the enemies picked up the blanket, they saw Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu). They were very angry to see that it was not Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and they left. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) had left everyone's belongings with Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) to be distributed to their rightful owners. When he gave everyone's things back, they asked him if he was scared while he slept in the bed of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He replied that he was not scared because Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) had told him to meet him in Madinah al-Munawwarah. So he knew nothing would happen to him. This shows us how brave Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was, and how much he loved and trusted Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).

Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was also a very knowledgeable person. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) had once said, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate.” This is why Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) was also given the title of Bab ul-'Ilm which means “The Gate of Knowledge”. This was only one title among many that were given to Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu).

Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu) lived a very simple life and he was a great person. His braveness was clearly visible and his love for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) and for His Rasul (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) was unquestionable. He was martyred at Kufa in Iraq on Monday, the 21st of Ramadan 40 A.H. at the age of 63. He was laid to rest in Najaf, near Kufa. We have learned a great deal from Sayyidina Ali’s (Rady Allahu Anhu) dedication to Islam. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) grant more people from this Ummah to follow the footsteps of Sayyidina Ali (Rady Allahu Anhu). Amin.

Sha‘ban 1425, October 2004