Hazrat Ali R.A Biography – Life Style, and Contributions
Hazrat Ali R.A. was born on Friday, 13 Rajab 661 CE in Makkah. He belonged to the Quraish tribe, Bani Hashim. He was the son of Hazrat Abu Talib R.A., who was the uncle of Muhammad S.A.W. and was fed and raised by Muhammad S.A.W. His mother, Fatima bint-e Asad R.A., was also a noblewoman from the Bani Hashim tribe. Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W. came up with his name when he was born. This is why his name became more important. Hazrat Ali R.A. was the first cousin of Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W, which was a great honour. He was also raised under His kind and inspiring care for most of his life.
Hazrat Ali R.A. was raised and taken care of by Muhammad S.A.W. from the age of 5 till the age of 11. When he turned 11, Hazrat Ali R.A. was one of the first people to embrace Muhammad S.A.W.’s claim that he had received holy revelation. In 622 CE, After Muhammad S.A.W. moved to Madina, Hazrat Ali R.A. wedded Muhammad S.A.W.’s daughter Hazrat Fatima R.A. and became the father of several children, including Hazrat Hasan R.A. and Hazrat Hussain R.A.
Hazrat Ali Bin Hazrat Abu Talib R.A.’s Title
Hazrat Ali R.A.’s full name is Hazrat Ali Bin Hazrat Abu Talib R.A. He was given several titles by Muhammad S.A.W. but due to his bravery and courageous personality, he was Arabia’s most powerful warrior. Hazrat Ali R.A. was honoured with the Title of Asadullah by Muhammad S.A.W., which means “the Lion of Allah,”.
During the battle of Khaibar against the Jews, the Muslims tried to take over Qumus, which was the greatest Jewish palace, but at first, they were not successful. Then Muhammad S.A.W. said, “Tomorrow, I will give the command to a brave person who loves Allah and His Prophet and whom Allah and His Prophet love.” Everyone really wanted to be that lucky man. When Muhammad S.A.W., called Hazrat Ali R.A., who was sick and had sore eyes, the next morning, most people were surprised. He put his saliva on Hazrat Ali R.A., and his eyes got better right away.
Hazrat Ali R.A. asked the Jews to join Islam because that’s what Muhammad S.A.W., told him to do. Instead of taking the Right Path, they forwarded their commanding officer Marhab, who was a great Arabian warrior and one of the bravest people of his time. He told Hazrat Ali R.A. that they should fight. Hazrat Ali R.A. accepted the challenge and killed him in one attack. Marhab’s body was cut in two by his well-known sword.
Family and early life
Hazrat Ali R.A.’s father, Hazrat Abu Talib R.A. was a member of the Bunu Hashim Tribe, Hazrat Abu Talib R.A. was an uncle of Muhammad S.A.W., who also raised him after the death of Muhammad S.A.W.’s father. After the death of Hazrat Abu Talib R.A., Muhammad S.A.W. and his wife Hazrat Bibi Khadija R.A. took the responsibility of taking care of Hazrat Ali R.A., who was 5 at that time.
In 610, Muhammad S.A.W. made the announcement that he had received heavenly revelations when Hazrat Ali R.A. was between the ages of nine and eleven.
During the years 610 to 622, Muhammad S.A.W. spread the message of Islam in Makkah. During this time, Hazrat Ali R.A. cared for the needs of the local Islamic community in Makkah, particularly the needs of the poor. In the third year following the first revelation and after obtaining verse 26:214, Muhammad S.A.W. brought his family together for a feast, welcomed them to Islam, and begged for their support. He did this around three years after the first revelation. Hazrat Ali R.A. was the sole relative who came forward to offer his assistance, and Muhammad S.A.W. proceeded to name him as his brother, his trustee, and his successor after accepting Ali R.A.’s offer.
A true believer of Muhammad S.A.W.
When the Holy Prophet S.A.W. began teaching Islam, everyone opposed Him except for a few people, among them was Hazrat Ali R.A. Hazrat Ali R.A. never lost his bravery in working with his cousin and confessing his love and commitment to him. Against all difficulties, he acted as a shield for Muhammad S.A.W. on every occasion. When adversaries of the Prophet S.A.W. resolved to boycott him and his family, it was a watershed moment. The situation had deteriorated to the point that their lives were in grave danger. Since his boyhood, he has always defended Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Our dear Muhammad S.A.W. adored him as well. The Holy Prophet’s house was besieged by murderous tribesmen who had conspired to assassinate him the night he was travelling to Medina. They were prepared to murder anyone who left the home. In such a case, the Holy Prophet S.A.W. requested that Hazrat Ali R.A. sleep on his bed. He readily obeyed the instruction and got onto the bed.
As a result, Muhammad S.A.W. instructed Hazrat Ali R.A. to return the entrusted property to their rightful owners late at night, as He S.A.W. was about to depart Makah with Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A. as directed by Allah SWT. Hazrat Ali R.A. risked his life for the cause of the Almighty and His Messenger S.A.W., knowing that disbelievers would kill him as he slept in the bed of the Prophet S.A.W. that night. This demonstrates Hazrat Ali’s R.A amazing and unrivalled boldness in committing his life to serve the Muhammad S.A.W. by effectively returning all trusts to people to whom they belonged the very following day, and then migrating to Medina.
Marrying to Hazrat Fatima R.A. (624 CE)
In the second year of his journey to Medina, the Holy Prophet S.A.W. received several marriage proposals for Hazrat Fatima R.A., Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.’s most adored daughter. But He S.A.W. rejected them all and eventually decided to marry her to Hazrat Ali R.A. with mutual consent.
Hazrat Ali R.A. was given the distinction of being Prophet Muhammad S.A.W’s Son in Law, changing their ever-closer friendship into a familial link. Both Hazrat Ali R.A. and Hazrat Fatima R.A. enjoyed happy lives and had five children: Hassan R.A., Hussain R.A., Zainab R.A., Umm Kalthum R.A., and Mohsin R.A., who died as a youngster. His son, Hazrat Imam Hussain R.A, was credited with having rendered the greatest contribution to Islam by standing steady against the unjust ruler, Yazid, and giving his life for this cause.
Reign (656 – 661 CE)
After the martyrdom of the third caliph, Hazrat Usman R.A, in the year 656 CE, Hazrat Ali took over as the fourth caliph of Muslims. This was a difficult period for Hazrat Ali R.A., as he had to battle not only against the rebellions but also to keep the region peaceful. He was also forced to relocate the Muslim capital to Kufa, Iraq, due to the strong backing he had there. During his reign, Hazrat Ali R.A. encountered several challenges. During this brief period, he reintroduced the traditional Islamic way of life, equality, and honest earning via hard effort. Despite being Islam’s top ruler, Muhammad S.A.W. did not mind sitting in stores and selling dates. He dressed in tattered clothes, sat on the ground with poor people, and shared food with them. He made every effort to guarantee that Baitul Mal’s profits reached the correct people as soon as possible. He was opposed to increased government revenue in the treasury. Hazrat Ali R.A. reigns for about 5 years in total.
A Great Islamic Scholar.
Hazrat Ali R.A. was a scholar as well as a great fighter. “I am the city of wisdom, and Ali is its doorway,” the Holy Prophet S.A.W remarked of him. Hazrat Ali R.A. possessed an extraordinary understanding of Islamic doctrines, particularly those found in the Holy Quran. He was also gifted in public speaking and sermons, writing letters, and documenting his sayings, all of which have been preserved and are being followed by the Muslim world today. Hazrat Ali R.A. was an Arabic master, and his writings were as powerful as his speeches.
Martyrdom (661 CE)
On the 19th of Ramadan, in 40 A.H., one of the rebels, known as Ibn-e-Muljim, martyred Hazrat Ali R.A. with a poisoned sword as Hazrat Ali R.A. was conducting Salah in the mosque. Hazrat Ali R.A. was in excruciating pain and anguish for two days on his sick bed. The poison soon spread throughout his body, and he died during Daily Prayers on Ramadan 21st. Hazrat Ali R.A. was laid to rest at Najaf.
Hazrat Ali R.A. was well-known for his valour in wars against non-believers. He also had the requisite psychological attributes such as deep trust in Allah and His Messenger S.A.W., humility, gratitude, and a real understanding of the Quranic Instructions. Hazrat Ali R.A. dedicated his entire life to serving Islam.
