Saidina Ali bin Abu Talib

Saidina Ali (R.A) was born inside the Kaa’ba in Mecca on the 31th Rejab 24BH (Ali -

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2011). His father, Abu Talib is the Quraishe tribe’s leader.

Saidina Ali (R.A) is Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W) cousin and being under the care of Prophet

Muhammad’s (S.A.W) since he was little (Ahmad). Saidina Ali (R.A) is said to be the first male

Muslim child when he was ten years old after he saw Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his wife

are worshipping Allah. During the dinner hosted by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to invite the

elders of Quraish to Islam, Saidina Ali (R.A) stated that “I am the youngest of you. I may be a

boy, my feet may not be strong enough but, O messenger of Allah, I shall be your helper.

Whoever opposes you, I shall fight him as a mortal enemy.” (Sarwar, 1996).

Saidina Ali’s (R.A) love for Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) has been proved during the

night of the migration of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to Medina. He risked his own life by

sleeping on Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W) bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination

plot of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) laid by the unbelievers (Sarwar, 1996). Prophet Muhammad

(S.A.W) strengthens their relationship by marrying his youngest and most beloved daughter,

Fatimah to Saidina Ali (R.A). As a result, Saidina Ali (RA) and Fatima are blessed with four

children and two of their sons, Hasan and Husain, are loved by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) like

his own sons (Ahmad).

Saidina Ali (R.A) took part in all battles and expeditions fought for Islam except for Battle

of Tabouk (Ahmad). In the Battle of Badr, he defeated the Umayyad champion, Walid ibn Utba

as well as many Mecca’s soldiers (Ali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2011). He also

protected Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in the Battle of Uhud when most of the Muslim army

fled from the battle due to the mistake of the Muslims archer who had left the pass undefended

(Ahmad). Furthermore, he also is the commander of the Muslim army in the battle of Khaybar.

After that, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) gave him his nickname as “Asadullah” which means

“Lion of Allah” due to his bravery (Sarwar, 1996).

After the death of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), Saidina Abu Bakar (R.A) was selected as

the first Caliph. He never leaves out Saidina Ali (R.A) when there are important meetings and

consult with him before making any decision. Saidina Umar Al Khattab (R.A), the second Caliph

as well as Saidina Uthman (R.A) also did the same. After Saidina Uthman (R.A) was murdered,

Medina was in riot led by Ghafqi who is the leader of Egyptian rioters (Ahmad). The rioters

proposed Ali’s name for the position of Caliphate. Saidina Ali (R.A) refused at first but agreed

after discussed the matter with the remaining Companions. Due to some people that against the

election of Saidina as the Caliph of Medina such as Muawiyah bin Abu Sufyan, the Govenor of

Syam would not admit Saidina Ali (R.A) as the Caliph of Medina until Saidina Ali (R.A) took

action against Saidina Uthman’s (R.A) murderers (Sarwar, 1996). However, Saidina Ali (R.A)

fired Muawiyah and the other government’s servants due to bias towards their bloodline.

Muawiyah and his assistant, Amru bin Al-As thus divided Muslim into two groups; the one who

does and does not support Saidina Ali (R.A) and fought bloody battles among themselves.

During this turmoil, Saidina Ali (RA) was fatally wounded by Ibn Miljim during Salatul-Fajr

thus died on Friday, 20 Ramadhan 40 AH (659 CE) (Sarwar, 1996).

BibliographyAhmad, P. F. (n.d.). Concise Biography of the Four Caliphs: scribd. Biography of the Four Caliphs , 115.

Ali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2011, April 17). Retrieved April 18, 2011, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali

Sarwar, G. (1996). Islam Beliefs and Teachings. London: The Muslim Educational Trust.