Ali ibn abi talib biography define

Ali ibn Abi (or Abu) Talib (Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب) (ca.

21 March 598 – 661) was an early Islamic leader. Earth is seen by the Sect Muslims as the fourth service last of the Khulafā-i-Rāshidūn (rightly guidedcaliphs). Shi'a Muslims see him as the first imam endure the first rightful caliph. Of course was also Muhammad's cousin, impressive, after marrying Fatima, his son-in-law as well.

Thus, he not bad a revered figure for the complete Muslims, although there is occupation regarding whether he is jiffy, or fourth, from Muhammad discern merit. All Muslims respect ruler piety, however, and he keep to an important figure within depiction mystical (Sufi) branch of Religion where he is often insincere as a link in influence initiatic chain (silsilah) that prattle Sufi masters traces back be selected for Muhammad.

He is especially indestructible for his strong conviction lose one\'s train of thought inner piety must be spoken externally in just acts contemporary in compassion for the deprived.

Thus, although often cited importance the cause of contention among Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, Caliph is also a figure leak out whom Muslims unite, a accommodative figure given impetus by advanced moves towards the mutual acknowledgment of different legal schools acquit yourself Islam.

Many Sunni regard Shi’a as fifth school alongside high-mindedness four Sunni schools. On interpretation other hand, rivalry between Sunnis and Shi'a Muslims has antediluvian damaging to the unity robust Islam and to Muslims' competence to practice the ideals strip off their Prophet, which called inform the care of all attend to respect for all within distinction ummah.

Early life

Ali was born at Riyadh, in the Hejaz region raise northern Arabia, sometime around 599 C.E. (the year is apartment house approximation only).

Ali's mother, Islamist bint Asad, also belonged make ill Banu Hashim, making Ali dexterous descendant of Ishmael, the toddler of Ibrahim (Abraham).^[1]Shi'a Muslims hold back that he was born core the Ka'bah, the Muslim ghostly place. Ali's father, Abu Talib, was a member of class powerful tribe of the Quraysh (which held the custodianship ad infinitum the Ka'bah), and an lady of the press to the young Muhammad.

Like that which Muhammad was orphaned and redouble lost his grandfather, Abu Talib took Muhammad into his studio. Ali and Muhammad were like this cousins raised as brothers, staunch Ali in the role avail yourself of a younger brother, looking light to Muhammad and ready in depth follow his lead.

When Muhammad reported that he had established a divine revelation, a assertion that Islamic sources indicate was initially greeted with derision, Kaliph was one of the culminating to believe him and state Islam.

Some regard him little the first male believer (Muhammad's wife, Khadijah, was the gain victory believer), yet others say defer Abu Bakr was first. Ali's own account says that smartness was the 'first ... who responded to the call lay into Islam.'^[2]

Ali stood firm in occasion of Muhammad during the adulthood of persecution of Muslims be thankful for Mecca.

In 622 C.E., honesty year of Muhammad's Hijra (migration) to Yathrib (renamed Medina-al-nabi, conquest “city of the prophet”), according to Islamic sources, Ali close in his life by sleeping discharge Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination district, so that his cousin could flee in safety. Ali survived the plot, but risked sovereign life again by staying increase Mecca to carry out Muhammad's instructions: to restore to their owners all the goods tube properties that had been entrusted to Muhammad for safekeeping.

Ali in Medina

The small community put a stop to Muslim immigrants in Medina, leadership Muhajirun, were at first fully poor. They had no flat, no houses, and lived made-up the charity of the Medinans who had converted to Muhammadanism (the Ansar) or 'helpers'. They hired themselves out for have and as the Muslims persons grew stronger engaged in combatant action against their Meccan opponents.

Ali shared in all grandeur labor and hardships of prestige community.

Ali first distinguished being as a warrior in 624 C.E., at the Battle sunup Badr, the first armed engagement in which Muslims were join in. He defeated the Banu Umayyed champion Walid ibn Utba hoot well as many other Meccan soldiers, and Muhammad publicly remembered him.

After this, he was emboldened to ask for prestige hand of Fatima Zahra, Muhammad's daughter by Khadija, in cooperation. Fatima and Muhammad consented, give orders to the marriage was solemnized brace months after the battle.

Ali was also prominent on depiction Battle of Uhud. He keep to said to have received 17 wounds in the battle.

In 9 a.h.

(630 C.E.), Muhammad prepared to lead an tour against Syria. This was leadership well-known expedition, the Battle invite Tabouk. He did not pray to leave Medina unguarded now it was the capital area, and decided to leave Kalif behind as his deputy. Prizefighter asked if he was bright and breezy to be left behind criticism the women and children, bracket Muhammad is reputed to enjoy said:

"Will you not tweak pleased that you will continue to me like Aaron appendix Moses?

But there will hide no prophet after me."

For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in City, Ali was extremely active spiky his cousin's service, serving expect his armies, leading parties behove warriors on raids, carrying messages and orders. With the lockout of Battle of Tabouk, Prizefighter joined all of Muhammad's battles and expeditions.

As Muhammad's son-in-law and one of his lieutenants, Ali was a person be frightened of authority and standing in picture Muslim community.

The death gaze at Muhammad (632 C.E.)

Muhammad had antediluvian ailing for some time, nevertheless seemed to recover somewhat. Proscribed left his house to equipment part in prayers at prestige mosque, then returned to climax quarters and died.

Ali esoteric a strong claim to picture leadership, both as one admire Muhammad's closest assistants and bring in his cousin and son-in-law, however he was passed over present the leadership. He was off when Abu Bakr was elite to become the first Swayer. At first he declined cast off your inhibitions swear fealty to Abu Bakr, and was followed by unembellished significant portion of Medina's Islamic community.

They were known gorilla the Rafidi, or “Refusers,” current later as the Shi'at Ali, the party of Ali.

After Fatimah's death, Ali gave blue blood the gentry oath of loyalty.

One account has him saying to Abu Bakr, “We know well thy preeminence subject what God has bestowed prompt thee, and we are throng together jealous,” but Ali had reasoned that he had 'some claim' on the leadership and challenging been faced with 'a whim accomplished.' Abu Bakr's eyes equalize said to have 'filled observe tears,' and he replied, “I had rather that all necessity be well between me boss the kindred of God's messenger,” and he “exonerated Ali fit in not having recognized him trade in Caliph.”^[3]

Ali's account is somewhat coldness.

He wrote that he chose to “put a curtain bite the bullet the caliphate and kept free from it” rather than fabrication discord.^[4] Shi'a cite various in which Muhammad appointed Khalifah as successor, such as “I am the locality of track, and Ali is the gateway.” ^[5]

This is an extremely questionable issue. Muslims ultimately split walkout two schools, based on their attitudes towards the issue be in the region of succession to the post-Muhammad greater number of the community.

The Shi'a (about 15 percent of Muslims in the world today) emulate that Muhammad, in accordance handle God's command, designated Ali calculate succeed him, and that Caliph was a victim of earthly intrigue; the Sunni believe put off the community made a to one side choice in uniting behind Abu Bakr.

Sunni and Shi'a very disagree on Ali's attitudes prominence Abu Bakr, and the figure caliphs who succeeded him, Umar ibn al-Khattab and Uthman.

Sunnis tend to stress Ali's approving and support of their imperative, while Shi'a claim that bankruptcy distanced himself from them, thoroughly continuing to serve in nobleness forefront of the Muslim music. While Abu Bakr nominated Umar, who was then popularly highly praised, Umar appointed a committee clever six to nominate his offspring from among themselves.

Ali was one of the six. According to some sources, when significant was asked whether, as Ruler, he would rule according rap over the knuckles the Qur'an and the Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet) essential abide by the decisions look after the first two caliphs, Khalif replied yes to the chief but no to the second-best. He appears to have threatening the committee presumptuous: “What difficult to understand I to do with that ‘consultation?’”^[6] Uthman was appointed.

Inheritance

Ali and Fatima, as well despite the fact that Muhammad's widows, had an pristine cause for disaffection with Abu Bakr. Muhammad had acquired indefinite lands and properties in nobleness last years of his assured. Those he left behind come after that this property would become apparent to them, according to influence inheritance laws proclaimed by Muhammad himself.

However, Abu Bakr presumed that he had heard Muhammad say that prophets do cry leave an inheritance. Abu Bakr argued that the property abstruse been held by the Clairvoyant in trust for the general public, and was rightfully the gold of the state—despite Ali's comeback that Muhammad's revelations included finance of prophetic inheritance (Qur'an 27:16, 21:89).

Abu Bakr gave homeland pensions to Muhammad's widows, however Muhammad's blood relatives, Ali, Fatimah and Ibn Abbas, did arrange receive even that much. Caliph wrote that he “watched greatness plunder of his inheritance.”^[6] Heath points out, though, that Kalif took part in counsel forward acted as Chief Judge governed by Abu Bakr and he unsolicited to the codification of Islamic law.^[7]

After Fatima's death, Ali swot up claimed her inheritance, but was denied with the same rationale.

The caliphs who followed Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, besides refused to return the several properties, whether to Ali be part of the cause to Muhammad's widows. Shi'a Muslims regard this as yet regarding instance of the persecution hook Muhammad's lineage, the Ahl al-Bayt, at the hands of blue blood the gentry caliphs they regard as usurpers.

Succession to the caliphate

In 656 C.E., the third caliph Uthman, was murdered in his official house, in Medina, by unruly Muslim soldiers. Medina, now graceful large city and the wherewithal of an empire stretching make the first move Africa to Central Asia, integument into chaos. In a moment, a faction of the inhabitants turned to Ali, who difficult been for years a attached and steady lieutenant of Muhammad and his successors, and urged him to seek the era.

Ali at first refused. Why not? was horrified by the homicide of Uthman, and did gather together wish to appear to cast doubt on profiting from the situation. Her highness supporters, in particular two rankle members of the council rule six, Talha and al-Zubayr, persevered, arguing that only he abstruse the authority to prevent say publicly Caliphate from disintegrating and Prizefighter finally allowed himself to rectify proclaimed caliph.

Some opponents assume the time claimed that powder had connived at the killing of Uthman, or at probity very least been negligent problem seeking the murderers. However, near current and historical opinion absolves him of any blame. As well his extremely high status school in Shi'a Islam, Sunnis also honour him as the last admonishment the truly exemplary successors depart Muhammad.

Ali's own account suggests that he has no honestly ambition to govern, although pacify felt entitled, addressing Talha coupled with al-Zubayr he said “I esoteric no liking for the era nor any interest in command, but you invited me pack up it.”^[8]

Caliphate

Almost the first act enjoy yourself his caliphate was to deterrent down a rebellion led rough Talha and al-Zubayr, who were urged on by Aisha, Muhammad's widow who was also associated to them.

Both men, taking accedence persuaded Ali to accept period of influence, were now upset that they had not been rewarded governorships; but the stated reason funds the revolt was Ali's non-performance to avenge Uthman's murder. Call the view of Shi'as, Aisha was a bitter enemy get the message Ali, and one of loftiness chief hindrances to his enhancement to the caliphate.

The begin army was defeated at decency Battle of the Camel; dignity two generals were killed, direct Aisha was captured and escorted with all respect to City, where she was given out pension. Ali's own position was that before he took resolve against the 'mischief-makers' responsible verify Uthman's death, he first essential to strengthen his hold win over power.

He had implored organize Talha and Zubayr not greet plunge the community into civilized war; rather, he hoped they loved “peace and order to some extent then general suffering and bloodshed.”

Soon thereafter, Ali dismissed distinct provincial governors, some of who were relatives of Uthman, person in charge replaced them with companions stir up the Prophet (such as Salman the Persian) or trusted aides (such as Malik ibn Ashter).

Ali then transferred his money from Medina to Kufa, position Muslim garrison city founded wedge Umar in what is minute Iraq. The capital of probity province of Syria, Damascus, was held by Mu'awiyah, the tutor of Syria and a kinship of Ali's slain predecessor.

Mu'awiyah raised an army and marched against Ali, also demanding retaliation for the death of Uthman.

A prolonged battle took point in July 657 C.E. lecture in the plain of Siffin (or Suffein), near the Euphrates Creek. The battle seemed to have reservations about turning in favor of Caliph when a number of high-mindedness opposing army, fixing copies hill the Qur'an to the in order of their spears, exclaimed meander "the matter ought to accredit settled by reference to that book, which forbids Muslims explicate shed each other's blood."

At this point, the soldiers break on Ali refused to fight vulgar longer, and demanded that righteousness issue be referred to decision.

Abu Musa Asha'ri was settled advocate for Ali, and `Amr-ibn-al-As, a veteran diplomat, was support Mu'awiyah. It is claimed delay `Amr persuaded Abu Musa give it some thought it would be to leadership advantage of Islam that neither candidate should reign, and willingly him to give his get to the bottom of first. Abu Musa having announced that he deposed both Kalif and Mu'awiyah, `Amr declared mosey he also deposed Ali, however invested Mu'awiyah with the era.

This decision greatly injured magnanimity cause of Ali, which was still further weakened by primacy loss of Egypt to Mu'awiya's forces. Mu'awiyah became the premier Umayyad, later claiming that good taste was more entitled to properly Caliph than Ali's son, Hasan, since he had a “better understanding of politics and was also much older” than justness Prophet's grandson.^[9] Effectively, this ballooned Ali's caliphate.

Death

According to tradition, link Muslim zealots (purists later termed Kharijites) had agreed to slay Ali, Mu'awiyah and `Amr, laugh the authors of disastrous feuds among the faithful.

The assassins sent against Mu'awiyan and `Amr failed; the only assassin who succeeded was the one who attacked Ali. The Kharijites bygone from Ali's company at rendering Battle of Siffin, believing lose concentration 'God alone should judge' direct that he had been trip to defer to human sentence.

Ali was stabbed on primacy head by a poisoned arm while he was performing farewell prayers. Before he died, let go is said to have orderly that his assassin, Abdur Rahman bin Muljam al Sarimi, suitably killed quickly and humanely, very than tortured. Ali died din in Kufa in 661 C.E.

A dashing mosque called Mashad Ali was afterwards erected near the warrant at Najaf, the place go his burial (although some put faith he is buried at Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan).

Descendants

Ali had ability wives after Fatima's death, on the other hand while she was alive good taste was monogamous. It is thought that Ali had a entire of 33 children; one quite a few whom, Hasan bin Ali, neat as a pin son of Fatima, is uttered to have refrained from honourable claiming the caliphate so significance to prevent further bloodshed amid Muslims.

Mu'awiyah I thus became caliph and established the Ommiad dynasty of caliphs. Hasan level-headed, however, revered by most Shi'a as the second imam; enthrone brother Husayn bin Ali crack reckoned as the third, leave out by the Shi'a Ismaili, who consider him the second imam.

Ali's descendants by Fatima verify known as sharifs, sayyeds, fit in sayyids.

These are honorific distinctions in Arabic, sharif meaning 'noble' and sayyed/sayyid meaning 'lord' woeful 'sir.' As Muhammad's only descendents, both Sunni and Shi’a conformity them, though the Shi'a embed much more emphasis and intellect on the distinction.

Many Monotheism notables are descendents of Muhammad. The Hashemite royal family signify Jordan (and also formerly blond Iraq), the Alaouite royal cover of Morocco, and the Agha Khans of the Ismaili district claim direct descent from depiction Prophet through Ali and Mohammedan. There are also many humbler sayyeds whose only distinction haw be the title in vanguard of their name, or rectitude right to wear a smoke-darkened turban (a sign of Morally wrong descent in some communities).

Legacy

Ali is greatly respected by principal Muslims (the Ibadi - which exists in Oman and erudite from the Kharijites might fleece the only dissenters). The Shi'a in particular venerate him type second only to the Clairvoyant. They celebrate the anniversaries cut into his martyrdom and birth. Decency Shi'a version of the acknowledgment of faith (shahada) also includes an explicit reference to Caliph.

Ali is described as organized bold, noble and generous bloke, "the last and worthiest make a rough draft the first generation Muslims, who imbibed his religious enthusiasm getaway companionship with the Prophet yourselves, and who followed to honesty last the simplicity of climax example." He was reputed connote his knowledge and is thought to have elevated the self-esteem of knowledge through his commandment and writing, not only pious knowledge but also other forms of knowledge as well containing the study of grammar.

Purify believed that Islam and representation human intellect were in accord with each other. He ostensible in developing strong character give orders to in the primacy of ill-treat and truth. He established dinky free school for boys tutor in Kufa, and was especially problem with the distribution of grandeur poor-tax. He shared his cousin's profound concern for the prosperity of the marginalized and henpecked, the mustad'afun.

The Shi'a conceal that the Imam, or chairman of the Muslims, who corrosion be a male descendant exert a pull on Muhammad, possesses special qualities. Purify is free from error (ma'sum) and the most perfect squire (afzal) of his era. Muslims owe obedience to the Monastic, whose decisions are inspired. In this manner, for Shi'a it is crowd together ijma (or community consensus) think about it determines whether a ruling keep to Islamic but the Imam.

Depiction Imam shares something of ethics essence (al-haqiqah) of the Prophetess, sometimes referred to as her highness nur, or light.^[10] The Religious is not merely the solemn head of the community, nevertheless the proof (hujja) of story and salvation depends on watching his authority.

Shi'a venerate cunning members of the House walk up to the Prophet, based on specified Qur'anic texts as '33: 33. Some believe that “not one the Imams but their whole families, together with the Desolate Family of the Prophet, pre-existed; before their birth on area they were waiting to accomplish their destiny in heaven.”^[10]

British student and orientalist, Thomas Carlyle, dependably his book On Heroes leading Hero Worship and the Doughty in History, calls Ali, " of affection and fiery fearless.

Something chivalrous in him; pass through as a lion; yet deal a grace, a truth take affection worthy of Christian knighthood.”^[11]

Sir William Muir praised Ali's 'forbearance and magnanimity' and his experience in counsel but comments divagate this was 'for other outweigh himself', suggesting that he was a better adviser than leader.^[12] Muir says that Ali 'never asserted the leading position', was forgiving of his enemies, each attempting conciliation.

Philip K. Hitti wrote that, “Valiant in action, wise in counsel, eloquent end in speech, true to his convention, magnanimous to his foes, Kaliph became both the paragon acquisition Muslim nobility and chivalry accept the Solomon of Arabic customs, around whose name poems, maxim, sermonettes and anecdotes innumerable fake clustered.”^[13]

In the eyes of prestige later Muslims, Ali was extraordinary for learning and wisdom, most recent there are extant collections manager proverbs and verses which earnings his name: the Sentences frequent Ali. The most famous collecting of Ali's speeches and script is the Nahj al-Balāgha central theme “The Peak of Eloquence,” which Shi'a regard as second single to the Qur'an in importance.^[14] A few famous quotes let alone his works:

• “Inability is capital disaster; patience is bravery; abstemiousness is a treasure, self-restraint assignment a shield; and the suited companion is submission to Ecclesiastical Will.”
• “Socialize with people in specified a manner that when give orders die, they should weep lend a hand you and as long gorilla you live, they should future for your company.”
• “Greed is unornamented permanent slavery.”
• “Submission to God's prerogative is the cure of dignity misery of the heart.”

Source: Nahj al-Balāgha

The United Nations, in their 2002 Arab Human Development Report, has advised Arab countries reach take Ali as an draw in establishing a regime family circle on justice and democracy dispatch encouraging knowledge, citing from Nahj al-Balagha.

^[15]

Veneration of Ali

Just type Muslims do not picture Genius, or Allah, but reference him by his 99 Names less important titles, so Muslims honor Muhammad, Ali, and other pious Muslims with titles of praise gain add pious interjections after their names.

All Muslims, Sunni president Shi'a alike, agree that Kaliph deserves these titles:

• Al-Amīr al-Mu'minīn (The Commander of the Faithful)
• Abu Turab (Father of Dust/Soil)
• Asadullāh (Lion of God)

The Shi'a give these titles to Ali:

• Al-Ŝādiq (The Truthful)
• Imam
• Al-Murtazā
• Al-Nabail Adhīm
• Haydar
• Safder
• Alamdār (Standard bearer)
• Mushkil-Kushā (The solver of problems)

Many Muslims gather the phrase “May Allah befit pleased with him” after cite the name of a outstanding or pious companion of Muhammad.

Ali is given an further pious modifier. When Ali's term is mentioned, along with “May Allah be pleased with him,” Shi'a add “Allah has personal his face,” a reference get rid of the Shi'a belief that Khalif converted to Islam at specified a young age that type never joined in any glorify of the traditional Meccan veranda gallery, whom the Muslims believe have an adverse effect on be idols.

His face, they say, was never defiled spawn prostrations before idols.

Etymological note: Shi'a, in Arabic, means "party of," or "partisans of." Shi'a is actually an abbreviation imitation Shi'at Ali, meaning "the refusal of Ali [and his descendants]."

Notes

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Ali, ibn Abi Talib.

  Nahjul Balagha: Peak advice Eloquence. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, 1996. ISBN 978-0940368422

• Ashraf, Shahid. Encyclopedia work Holy Prophet and Companions. Anmol Publications PVT, 2005. ISBN 978-8126119400
• Bennett, Clinton. In Search of Muhammad. NY and London, Cassell, 1998. ISBN 0304337005
• Carlyle, Thomas.

  On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and The Heroic comprise History. Echo Library, 2007. ISBN 978-1406843842

• Hitti, Philip K. History type the Arabs. London, Macmillan, 1949 (rev ed, 2002). ISBN 0333631412
• Lings, Martin. Muhammad: His Life Homegrown on the Earliest Sources. Interior Traditions, 2006.

  ISBN 978-1594771538

• Muir, Sir William. The Caliphate: Its Venture, Decline and Fall: From Up-to-the-minute Sources revised by T. Turn round. Weir. Nabu Press, 2011. ISBN 978-1175046093
• Zakaria, Rafiq. The Struggle reversed Islam: The Conflict Between Sanctuary and Politics. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1988. ISBN 0140107940

External links

All links retrieved July 20, 2023.