Sher-e-Khuda Hazrat Ali (RA): A Shining Chapter in the History of Islam
Whose strength became the power of the religion of Islam
That Ali, whose pleasure became the will of truth
Let someone say that Hassan is surrounded by calamities
O Sher-e-Khuda, go with your sword in hand to help!
This world is a continuous story of comings and goings, where countless people are born daily, complete their allotted lifespan, and then bid farewell to this mortal world in response to the call of death. But this relentless flow of time does not remember everyone equally. Those who perform outstanding services in any field in this world of color and fragrance are preserved in the pages of history for a long time, while those lives that are devoid of purpose and impact gradually fade from the face of existence. Looking at the pages of history, it becomes clear that some people made worldly order, social betterment, and human convenience the focus of their efforts, and there were also those who dedicated their lives to the service of religion, the strengthening of the Sunnah, and the propagation of Islam. These were the souls who considered the world merely a dwelling place and focused their attention on building the life hereafter. In this regard, they became standard-bearers of the faith and left behind a legacy of intellectual and moral values.
In this human crowd, most people passed by without any significant distinction, and some were those who were given a share of a few qualities; but the sacred personality of Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem emerges as such a comprehensive personality in which there is a diversity of perfections and a distinctive glory in every attribute. You are also Sher-e-Khuda and also the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet ﷺ; Haider-e-Karrar and also the owner of Zulfiqar. You are the life partner of Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (RA) and the affectionate father of Hassanain Kareemain (RA). Your life is a beautiful blend of generosity and bravery, worship and insight, knowledge and forbearance. You are also the conqueror of Khyber and unparalleled in the field of thought and expression. Thus, Hazrat Ali (RA) shines as such a multifaceted personality who is not merely a historical character but a living embodiment of values and perfections. That is why the world remembers him as Mazhar-ul-Ajaib wal-Gharaib, and this memory will remain fresh and radiant until the Day of Judgment.
*Name and Lineage*
Your (RA) name is "Ali bin Abi Talib" and your kunya is Abul Hassan and Abu Turab. You (RA) are the son of Abu Talib, the uncle of Sarkar Aqdas ﷺ, i.e., the cousin of Huzoor ﷺ. The name of your (RA) respected mother is Fatima bint Asad bin Hashim, and she is the first woman who accepted Islam and migrated. Your Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem's lineage is as follows: Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim bin Abd Manaf. You (RA) were born 30 years after the event of the Elephant. (Seerat Khulfa-e-Rashideen, p: 251).
Paternal Lineage: The paternal lineage of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem is as follows: "Ali al-Murtaza Karam Razi Allah Anhu bin Abu Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim bin Abd Manaf bin Qusai bin Kilab bin Murrah bin Ka'b bin Loi." (Tabaqat Ibn Saad, vol: 3, p: 150).
Maternal Lineage: The maternal lineage of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem is as follows: "Fatima bint Asad bin Hashim bin Abd Manaf bin Qusai bin Kilab bin Murrah bin Ka'b bin Loi." ((Tabaqat Ibn Saad, vol: 3, p: 150).
*Blessed Appearance*
Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) was of medium height, wheatish complexion, large eyes, broad chest, and abundant hair on his body. He (RA) had more flesh on his arms and calves, and his blessed body was somewhat stout. His (RA) shoulders were broad and strong, and the hair on his blessed head was somewhat thin. His (RA) blessed beard was dense, and whoever looked at his (RA) appearance would get lost in it. Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) used to wear simple clothes, and his (RA) clothing would not exceed two sheets. He (RA) always wore a turban on his head. (Tareekh Tabari, vol: 3, p: 360).
In the upbringing of Sarkar ﷺ
Even before the declaration of prophethood, Maula-e-Kul Syed-ur-Rasul Janab Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took him into his care when the Quraish were afflicted with famine. To lighten the burden of family on Abu Talib, Huzoor ﷺ took Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem. In this way, you (RA) were brought up in the shadow of Huzoor ﷺ and came to your senses in his lap. As soon as you opened your eyes, you saw the beauty of Huzoor ﷺ. You (RA) listened to his (ﷺ) words and learned his (ﷺ) habits. Therefore, your (RA) skirt was never stained with the filth of idols, i.e., you (RA) never worshiped idols, and that is why "Karam Allah Ta'ala Wajhahu" became your (RA) title.
*Your Migration*
When Sarkar Aqdas ﷺ intended to migrate from Makkah Mukarrama to Madinah Tayyiba according to the command of Allah Ta'ala, he summoned Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem and said that he had been ordered to migrate by Allah Ta'ala, so he would leave for Madinah today. You should sleep on my bed wearing my green sheet. You will not be harmed. Give all the trusts of the Quraish that are kept with me to their owners and then you also come to Madinah. This was a very frightening and dangerous occasion. Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem knew that the disbelievers of Quraish had intended to kill Huzoor ﷺ while he was sleeping, which is why Allah Ta'ala had forbidden him (ﷺ) from sleeping on his bed. Today, the bed of Huzoor ﷺ is a place of murder, but from the command of Allah's beloved, the Knower of Secrets and Unseen, Janab Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ that "you will not be harmed, give the trusts of the Quraish and then you also come to Madinah," Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem was fully convinced that the enemies would not be able to harm him, he would live and definitely reach Madinah. Therefore, the bed of Sarkar Aqdas ﷺ, which today appeared to be a bed of thorns, became a bed of flowers for Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem because he believed that the sun could rise from the west instead of the east, but it could not be against the command of Huzoor (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem says that I slept comfortably all night, and in the morning I started handing over the trusts of the people to their owners and did not hide from anyone. In the same way, I stayed in Makkah for three days, and then after fulfilling the trusts, I also set out for Madinah. No one interfered with me on the way until I reached Quba. Huzoor (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was present in the house of Hazrat Kulthum (RA), and I also stayed there. (Asad al-Ghaba, Ali bin Abi Talib, 4/104).
*Hazrat Ali (RA) and Revelation and Miracles*
Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem was the owner of revelation and miracles, and many miracles were manifested in his (ﷺ) lifetime and after his death. A few miracles of yours (RA) are being described below briefly.
Dilapidated Wall: It is narrated from Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq Ali Allah that he said that once Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) was sitting in the shade of a dilapidated wall deciding a case. During the case, people shouted that Amir al-Mu'minin! This wall is dilapidated and we are afraid that it might fall? Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem said calmly that continue the proceedings of the case, Allah Almighty is the best protector. Then you Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem listened to the case with utmost calmness and after deciding the case, you left from there. As soon as you Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem got up from the shade of the wall and left, that dilapidated wall fell down. (Tareekh al-Khulafa, p: 258).
Reduction in Flood: During the caliphate of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem, once there was a severe flood in the river Euphrates due to which all the people were affected and the crops were destroyed. People came to your service and requested for justice. You stood up at that time and wore the blessed cloak and turban and the holy sheet of Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ, then you rode on a horse and a group of people set out with you, in which Hazrat Syedna Imam Hassan and Hazrat Syedna Imam Hussain (RA) were also present. Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem reached the bridge of the river Euphrates and pointed towards the river Euphrates with his staff, so the water of the river immediately decreased. You (RA) pointed for the second time, so more water decreased. Then when you (RA) pointed for the third time, all the water receded and the flood ended. Seeing this, people started shouting Amir al-Mu'minin! Stop, this is enough. (Shawahid al-Nabuwwah, pp. 282, 283).
Completing the Quran in one hour: Allah Almighty had bestowed Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) with this power that while riding a horse, when you (RA) put your foot in one stirrup, you would start the Holy Quran and by the time you put your foot in the other stirrup, you would have finished the Holy Quran. (Shawahid al-Nabuwwah, p: 280).
Awareness of the burial place of Imam Hussain (RA): Hazrat Abdullah says that once we were traveling with Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem when we passed by the place where the blessed tomb of Imam Hussain (RA) is today. You (RA) said that in the coming times, a caravan from the family of the Prophet will stay at this place and their camels will be tied at this place and in this field, the youth of Ahl al-Bayt (RA) will be martyred and this place will become the burial place of the martyrs and the earth and sky will weep over these people. (Shawahid al-Ahraw, p: 386).
Eyesight was lost: A person used to live in the service of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) as a spy of the opponents of Tayyiba and used to convey the information of your (RA) secret talks to your (RA) opponents. One day, you (RA) inquired about this from him, so he started swearing and started assuring his innocence. Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) became angry after seeing his audacity and said that if you are a liar, then Allah Almighty will take away the sight of your eyes. Only a few days had passed when the sight of that person's eyes was lost and he became blind and people used to make him walk by holding a stick. (Shawahid al-Nabuwwah, p: 229).
The virtue of Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem according to Hadith:
Numerous hadiths have been narrated about the virtue of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem and Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ has mentioned your (RA) virtues on many occasions. A few hadiths are being presented below as examples.
A believer does not hate: It is narrated from Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Umm Salama (RA) that Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ said that a hypocrite does not love Ali (RA) and a believer does not hate Ali (RA). (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
Loving Ali (RA) is loving Allah: Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ said on one occasion that whoever loves Ali (RA) loves me and whoever loves me loves Allah and whoever takes enmity with Ali (RA) takes enmity with me and whoever takes enmity with me takes enmity with Allah. (Tareekh al-Talfa, p: 935).
The door of the city of knowledge: Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ said on one occasion that whoever says bad things about Ali (RA) undoubtedly says bad things about me and I am the city of knowledge and Ali (RA) is the door of the city of knowledge. (Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 4, book of Marqah Asahabih, Ana Mahih al-Ilm, Hadith 3994).
I and Ali are branches of the same tree: It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) that once Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ said that all people are branches of different trees while I and Ali are branches of the same tree. (Tareekh al-Itlaa, p: 832).
Looking at Ali (RA) is also worship: It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) that Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ said that looking at Ali (RA) is also worship. (Tareekh al-Talaa, p: 249).
You are mine and I am yours: Huzoor Nabi Kareem (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said about Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza Ali (RA) that you are mine and I am yours. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, book of al-Manaqib, chapter on the virtues of Ali (RA), Hadith 897).
The most loved among men: Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (RA) was asked who was the most loved by Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ? You (RA) said Hazrat Syeda Fatima al-Zahra (RA). The questioner asked who did Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ love the most among men? You (RA) said Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA). (Jami Tirmidhi, vol. 2).
The virtue of Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem in the words of the Companions (RA): There are countless sayings of the Companions (RA) about the virtue of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) and the Companions (RA) used to refer to you (RA) in Shariah and jurisprudential matters. A few sayings of the Companions (RA) are being presented here as examples.
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) used to look at the face of Ali (RA): It is narrated from Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (RA) that she said: "My father Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) used to look at the face of Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) very carefully. I asked the reason once, so you (RA) said that Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ had said that looking at the face of Ali (RA) is also worship." (Ibn Asakir, with reference to Tareekh Damascus, Hadith: 167).
The saying of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA): It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) said: "Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (RA) has been given three such excellent virtues that if I had received even one of them, it would have been more beloved to me than the world." People asked what those three virtues were? You (RA) said: "The first virtue is that Huzoor Nabi Kareem ﷺ married his daughter Hazrat Syeda Fatima al-Zahra to him. The second virtue is that he kept both of them in the mosque and whatever is permissible for them there is not permissible for me. The third virtue is that on the day of the Battle of Khyber, he gave him the flag." (Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, p: 446).
The saying of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA): It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) that Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) said: "The best opinion among us is that of Ali (RA) and the best reciter among us is Ubayy bin Ka'b (RA)." (Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3, Hadith: 5328).
In this way, countless virtues of Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem are found in the hadiths of the Prophet ﷺ and the sayings of the Companions (RA). We just need to understand this thing. And if someone truly knows Ali al-Murtaza Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem and considers his life as an asset for himself and acts upon it, then his world will also be adorned and the hereafter as well because the blessed saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is: "Whoever loves Ali loves me and whoever loves me loves Allah and whoever takes enmity with Ali takes enmity with me and whoever takes enmity with me takes enmity with Allah."
It is a prayer to Allah Almighty that Allah Almighty grant us the ability to follow his life and grant us the ability to become like him. Amen, by the grace of Syed al-Mursalin.
✍️Written by: Muhammad Fida al-Mustafa Qadri
Contact Number: 9037099731
PG Research Scholar: Darul Huda Islamic University, Kerala