Ali
Ibn Abi Talib (AS)
Birth
On the 13th of the month of Rajab,
twenty-three years before the migration of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) a
child was born in the family of Abu Talib, the light of whom kindled the
whole World. Kunaab Mecci narrates about his birth: "We and Abbas (Ibne
Abdul Mutalib) were sitting together when suddenly we saw Fatima
bint-e-Asad moving towards the Kaabah in the condition having delivery
pain and saying "Oh God I have faith in you and the Prophet (i.e.,
Abraham) who by your command laid the foundation of this house. O God! I
swear you by the same Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and swear you by the child in
my womb make this birth comfortable and easy for me."
This was the time when all of us saw
with our own eyes that the wall of Kaabah broke apart and Fatima
bint-e-Asad entered into the Kaabah. Then the wall again united.
We ran terrified and trembling to our
houses to send our women into the Kaabah for the help and assistance of
Fatima. We did our best but the door did not open. This event surprised
all the people of Mecca.
The women of Mecca were anxiously
counting moments to meet Fatima till the time she came out of the Kaabah
along with a beautiful baby, saying, "God has chosen me from among the
ladies of Mecca and He made me His guest in His house and gave me meals
and fruits of the heaven to eat.
The ladies who were surrounding her in
the form of a circle and escorting her to her home asked her, "What name
have you given to this child?"
She said: "When I was in the Kaabah, I
heard a hidden voice call," Name this child "ALI".
Yes! We are talking about Ali (A.S.)
the pious man whose childhood and infancy period lasted in such a pure
and chaste way that he himself stated in Nahjul Balaghah, "The Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) used to pick me in his lap and embrace me and chew the food
and put it into my mouth.
Early Youth
Ali Ibne Abi Talib describes this
enlightening period of his age as under: The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to
go the Cave of Hira but nobody except he (P.B.U.H.) and I did know about
it. At the time when the religion of Islam had not yet reached the
homes, he (P.B.U.H.) and his wife Khatija were the only Muslims. I was
the next person to them who saw the light of revelation and prophet hood
and smelled the fragrance of the Prophet hood.
When the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam
was ordered by God to invite his family members to embrace Islam Ali
(A.S.) according to the advice of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) invited forty
persons of the Prophet's family at his home. Although the food was quite
little but all of them ate fully well. After the meal was over the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) spoke to those present saying, "Oh the sons of Abdul
Mutalib, God has ordered me to invite you to embrace Islam and get you
introduced to it."
Whosoever, having believed in my
Prophet hood, promises to help and assist me shall be my brother, deputy
and successor and my caliph.
He repeated this sentence thrice but no
one except "Ali (A.S.)" gave a positive response. As many time as the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) addressed the persons present, nobody except Ali
(A.S.) answered. Ali (A.S.) was rising again and again to his feet and
promising help to him and announcing his faith.
Youth
This is the very reason why the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) said: "This Ali, is my brother and successor listen and lend
ears to what he says and obey his orders." When Ali (A.S.) entered from
his early youth into the phase of puberty, the part of age when all the
human energies and powers are strong and firm, even in this part of the
life he remained closely associated to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) like a
flying moth which moves around the Candle. He defended Islam and the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) with his strong, energetic arms.
When the enemy besieged and surrounded
the Muslims in the battle of Hunain and they abandoned and left behind
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) running away for their lives, it was only and
only Ali (A.S.) who defended and saved the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and made
the enemies retreat and take to their heals.
Ali (A.S.) killed Marhab the chief of
army of Jews in the Khyber battle, whose power and bravery was making
everybody tremble but Ali (A.S.) cut him into two and pulled apart the
gate of the Khyber fort which used to be opened and closed by twenty men
together. Ali (A.S.) used it as a bridge over the trench for the Islamic
army to cross over to the Khyber fort. Many such events are the
specimens and evidences about the faith, and spirit of self-sacrifice
and devotion of Ali (A.S.).
Self-Sacrifice and Devotion
There is no doubt to it that every body
loves his soul and very rarely gets ready to sacrifice it for another
person but because of the fact that Ali (A.S.) loved the soul of the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) even more than his own one, he got prepared to lay
his life for him.
The event takes shape like this. When
the polytheists saw that they are in danger, they jointly made a firm
determination to take the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) by surprise and martyr him.
So all of them gathered in "Dar un Nadva" and choose one person from
each family so that every tribe gets involved in getting Mohammad
(P.B.U.H.) killed and then no one could take the revenge of him.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had come to know
about this conspiracy through revelation. God ordered him (P.B.U.H.) to
migrate from Mecca in the darkness of the night. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
needed someone, prepared to sacrifice his life and must be a trustworthy
secret holder.
Hence, there was no one else except Ali
(A.S.) in whom he confided, and told him "God has informed me that the
infidels will break through the house to kill me so today you sleep on
my bed." Ali (A.S.) smilingly accepted it.
Then the time came when the darkness of
the night covered everything and Ali (A.S.) was sleeping on the
Prophet's (P.B.U.H.) bed calmly and peacefully and the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) came out of his house and started proceeding towards the Cave
of Saur. The infidels besieged the house and got prepared with their
swords and spears to attack it. The sooner they were instructed to make
it, they break through the house rushing with naked swords. But when
they found Ali (A.S.) laying on the bed of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) they
immediately moved out of the house desperate and astonished, and sent a
few horsemen to search the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). But not very long
afterwards they too returned defeated and hopeless.
Ali (A.S.) and Holy War
Islam is the religion of peace and
tranquility and does not like killing, plundering, and bloodshed. But if
some one kills another without any reason then Islam has strong
punishment to deal with him.
Of course, if an enemy attacks the
Muslims then by the standards of wits, common sense, and religious law,
self defense which as a form of Jehad becomes essential and
indispensable.
All the battles of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) in which Ali (A.S.) fought armed and truthfully were
defensive battles.
Ali (A.S.) was such a brave, faithful,
holy warrior who never got frustrated and upset and tired of the
fighting and battles. He was afraid of no one except God. He used to say
"By God if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all
the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those
reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path
of the right, against them.
Ali's (A.S.) way or Training
The city of Kufa was the capital of the
Islamic Government. People from all over the World used to gather at
that point to get the benefit of knowledge and learning from that great
Islamic University.
One of those days two men came across
each other in the vicinity of the city one of them was Ali (A.S.) and
the other was a Christian who did not recognize him. The Christian man
was moving towards the suburban area of Kufa, where as, Ali (A.S.) was
on his way to kufa.
They mutually agreed to accompany each
other for a while, talking to each other, so that they do not get tired.
They reached a point where two ways
split out, so that each one wanted to move on one of those two different
roads. The Christian bade Farwell and went on his way but he observed
that his Muslim companion, whose way was on the opposite side, was
moving towards him. So he stopped and questioned him, "Don't you want to
go to kufa?"
Ali (A.S.) said, "Yes". The Christian
man said, "Then why are you coming towards this direction?"
Ali (A.S.) replied, "I wish to
accompany you to a certain length of distance because the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) said, "when two persons are together on a way (journey
companions) they get a right over each other."
"Now that you have got a right upon me,
I go along with you up to a certain distance so that I must pay you
(discharge) that light of yours in this world. Then I will part off on
my own way." The Christian man was much pleased and moved by this
humanly attitude and conduct and he liked his talk and said, "It is
befitting that I should also embrace Islam which has such a culture and
students."
His amazement and astonishment was only
too enhanced when he discovered that his travel companion is Ali (A.S.),
the ruler of Islam. So he immediately accepted and embraced Islam at his
hand.
Self-preservation of Ali (A.S.)
When human being is in the normal and
natural condition, he can better be the master of his wits and control
himself and take distance and move away from the sins and bad acts and
get himself aside from them. But when the flames of anger, rage or
jealousy are lit, then it is only with difficulty that man could think
and keep in view fact and God. Therefore, most of the crimes are
committed at times when man looses his normal natural condition.
But, Ali (A.S.) who was a self made and
sublime person his approach and behavior was different than that of the
others. He, in all the conditions, kept his attention focused and
concentrated on God and took distance from anything which did not have
the approval of God, whether he was at home or in the battle field, both
in joy or anger.
We would better have a glance upon his
behavior and conduct in the battlefield to prove our point. In the
battle of "the trench" all the people of Medinah dug up a great trench
on the sides of the city and filled it up with water to block the
enemy's way. Amer bin Abduwad, the famous and gallant Arab warrior among
the enemy army, was challenged the Muslims to send him a match for the
fight. Nobody among the Muslims plucked the courage to give him a
response and came out to face him. On this occasion Ali (A.S.) came out
taking stable and strong steps to face him with a heart full of faith.
He said, "Oh Amro do not boast off too much about your bravery and
man-hood. The one who has the power and energy to fight you is standing
before you".
Amro viewed him and said: "You would
better turn back I do not like to kill you because I was a friend of
your father."
Ali (A.S.) replied: "By God, I like
killing you."
Amro got angry and climbed down from
the horse and quickly attacked Ali (A.S.) with his sword but the sword
did strongly strike Ali's (A.S.) shield and so it was not effective.
Then Ali (A.S.) by blowing a strike of his sword made him fall to the
earth and climbed upon his chest to kill him. But Amro, out of his rage
and anger spitted at Ali's (A.S.) face. Suddenly Ali (A.S.) came down
from his chest and started walking on the ground. Then he came again
towards him. Amro enquired him, "what is the meaning of it that firstly
you struck me an effective blow and then let me go free?"
Ali (A.S.) said, "Oh Amro I use my
sword for God and not myself? At the time when I saw you fall to the
ground and climbed your chest, you spit at my face and made me angry.
Had I killed you in such condition I would had no reward to my credit
because I was angry. Therefore, I got up from your chest and started
walking so that my anger and hot temper is cooled down and subsided and
I may do my job purely for God."
The bravery, ferocity,
self-preservation and control of Ali had a very deep effect over the
Arab champion. And attracted the attention and eyes of both the friends
and foes to such an extent that the friends raised the slogan of Takbeer
(Allaho Akbar) from the depth of their heart and the enemies hearts were
filled up with tenor and harassment, so far so, that it ended upon the
defeat of the enemy. This is the sole reason why his deed was decisive
and fate making such as the Prophet said about it. "The job that Ali
(A.S.) did on the day of the Khandak (battle of trench) and the sword
strike by him (against the enemy) is more precious to God then the
collective prayers of the mankind and jins together.
Ali's (A.S.) Mercy and Compassion
We learnt about the bravery and
dauntlessness of Ali (A.S.) in the battlefield but we should not omit
this point that if a man is brave, ferocious, and dauntless but he does
not possess the qualities of mercy and generosity then that bravery and
gallantry has no value. The bravery of Ali (A.S.), when he stepped into
the battlefield, was such that he did care and was attentive to the
injured, thirsty and hungry ones. He would attack an aggressive enemy
and kill him but when he came across an injured thirsty and hungry enemy
he would save him from thirst and hunger and if he was injured then he
would extend his treatment.
He did fiercely fight the enemy but
never killed him while he was in a thirsty or hungry condition and he
never destroyed and dismantled the houses of the enemy. Because he
considered all these acts as against the norms of nobility and
generosity. This is the reason, why having taken the river water from
the control of the Muawiyah's forces in the sifeen battle he ordered his
warriors to let the water free for all and sundry and do not resist
against the army men of Muawiyah if they wanted to use the water.
The army men of Ali (A.S.) objected and
said "the enemy having taken the water's control in their hand had
stopped us from using it. So that they wanted us to submit to them
through this way. We would better do the same to them."
Ali (A.S.) replied, "No we will fight
the enemy manly and we consider this act against the human nobility and
generosity. If we do the same what they did then what would be the
difference between them and us? Beware, works are for God and we should
not take steps against His wish and will."
Ali (A.S.) Conduct during his ruler
ship
1. Siding with the masses
Ali (A.S.), with all the difficulties
that he had to face, used to personally attend the affairs and works. He
would get himself informed about the problems of the people. He did not
drive away his enemies due to personal enmities. So far so that he used
to give them their rights from the bait-ul-mal (Islamic treasury).
Moreover, he did not give any privileges to his friends due to their
friendship. He continuously used to order his officials and workers to
have a conduct of justice with the people and if he observed any misdeed
or misconduct of his subordinates and workers he did not spare them. So
when one of the ladies known as Sooda approached him for justice, he was
then offering his prayers. He shortened his prayer and smilingly greeted
her and asked, "What is it that you want?"
With tears rolling on her face, Sooda
complained about the tax officer and his excesses.
He, in the same standing condition of
his prayers, wept and said: "Oh God be a witness that I have not ordered
them to commit excesses and aggressions against your slaves."
He at once picked up a skin piece and
jotted down the dismissal order of his official and gave it to Sooda to
take it to him as soon as possible.
Another day he received the information
that son of Hunaif (the Governor of Basra) made himself present on a
very colorful, richly provisioned dinner table of one of the nobles and
notables and possibly the blood thirsty and cruel chance seekers and
opportunists may make the most of his political station and position.
He got seriously annoyed and
reprimanded him for this act of his and wrote him a letter saying. "I
have heard that you joined a richly provisioned (colorful) dinner table
which the poor were not allowed to join. Be aware! That I am your Imam,
leader and chief if I wish and am inclined to it I can lay hand and
provide myself with the best food but I will not do such a thing because
it is possible that there might be some hungry people in the nooks and
corners of my country who go to sleep with empty stomachs. I have
contented myself with a simple dress and small quantity of food, which
is bread and dates, from this world of yours. Although you can not do
this, which I practice but try it that your way and path is not
segregated from that of mine."
He, through this letter, gave him a
good advice and exhortation and reminded him about his duty. Imam Ali
(A.S.) lived his life with such a justice and equity that when Muawiyah
a staunch and extreme enemy of Ali (A.S.) met one of his companions "Addi-bin-Hatim"
and asked him, "How did you find Ali (A.S.) during his reign and rule?"
He replied, "The oppressive and
coercive ones did not have the courage of oppression during his reign
and the weak ones always took benefit from his justice and never allowed
disappointment find its way towards them. So that he repeatedly used to
say, "Is it right and just that people consider and think I am their
leader and Imam but I do not share their difficulties and hardships?"
Still again, we read in the history
that one day the governors accompanied by his old friend Ibn-e-Abbas
came to see him.
They saw their leader repairing and
mending his shoes. Ali (A.S.) turned his face towards them and said,
"What do you think is the price of this shoe?" They replied, "It value
is not much. It cann't be more than a few Dirhams."
He said, "By Lord this post that I have
got, if I could not make use of it in connection with the salvation and
safety of the poor, have not and arresting and stopping the cruelties or
restoration of the right and truth, then for me it's value would be
lesser than this shoe."
2. Canceling the distinctions and
Privileges
The moment people took oath of an
allegiance at his hand and accepted his caliphate he climbed the pulpit
and tribune and addressed them, "By God till the time I possess even one
single palm date tree in Medinah. I will not take anything from the
bait-ul-mal (Islamic treasury).
His brother Aqeel stood up and said,
"Do you take me equal to a black skinned living in Medinah?"
He said, "Oh brother sit down, you do
not have any superiority over that black man except through faith and
piety."
One summer night his brother Aqeel
invited him to dinner at his house so that he may attract the attention
of his brother towards himself and he increases his monthly stipend.
He said, "Oh brother from where did you
procure and provide this dinner."
He replied "For a few days, I and my
wife spent lesser amount of money thus saved the surplus money to invite
you to dinner."
He said, "From tomorrow onwards I would
issue an order that your monthly salary may be curtailed and decreased
to the equal of the amount that you saved because, you can, as per your
own confession, spend lesser than that."
Aqeel was very much perturbed and
annoyed and he started shouting appealingly. Ali (A.S.) picked up a
piece of iron lying near him heated it up (on a nearby lamp) and took it
near his hand.
Aqeel cried, "Oh I am burnt."
Ali (A.S.) said, "What a surprise that
you are so much afraid and cry of a fire which is provided by me alone.
How are you prepared to get me burnt in the fire of God's anger? These
are the money and property of the people and I am the trustee and
custodian of them."
Again, we observe that a group of the
officials objected up on him and said, "Had you given a larger
contribution and portion to the rebellious and the governors, you could
run and manage the newly established Islamic government in a better way.
Then, you might have ruled with authority and justice.
Imam Ali (A.S.) replied, "What a
surprise you want me to lay the foundations of my government, which is
formed in the name of Islam, upon the pillars of excess and injustice?
By God, I will definitely never do such a work."
Moreover, had the Muslim's money and
property been my own property I would not have done this thing still
less all of it belongs to the people and I am not more than a trustee.
3. Attending the Complaints
Ali (A.S.) during his ruler ship
personally attented to the complaints. During the hot days of summer,
when all the people rested at their homes, he sat by the shadow of a
wall, so that if someone had a complaint he might reach him and tell him
about it.
One of the hot scorching summer days,
when he was perspiring sitting besides and leaning at the wall. A woman
who was depressed and disturbed came and said, "My husband has committed
excess and ousted me from the house in this hot weather. I wish you to
attend to my problem."
Ali (A.S.) hung his head down and said,
"Oh lady the weather is hot, and can you possibly wait till it becomes
better. Then I will accompany you and attend to your matter. The woman
said, "I am afraid that the temper and anger of my husband may shoot up
even higher. It is better that you do the needful right away.
Ali (A.S.) said, "very well, you walk
on and I follow you." Ali (A.S.), along with the lady, came to the door
of the young man and called him out of the house. He did not recognize
Ali (A.S.) and knew that his wife has called this man to her help.
Ali (A.S.) said, "This woman says you
turned her out of the house. I have come to advise you that you should
have the fear of God and be kind, nice and do good to your wife. The
self-loving, egotist giving an insulting reply to Ali (A.S.) said, "This
matter is not your concern. I would do whatever I please. Now, when she
has brought you along with her I shall burn her with fire."
Ali (A.S.) was angry and annoyed at
this response of the man and shouted objecting. Thereafter, he laid his
hand on his sword to punish the youth. When people heard the loud voice
of the Imam, they rushed out of their houses. As their eyes met Ali
(A.S.), they respectfully came close to him and saluted and greeted him.
The rude and impolite youth knew that he was facing Ali (A.S.). So he
got embarrassed, loosing his wits fell down to the ground and started
making excuses and apologizes and said, "I will accept whatever you say
and hereafter I shall respect my wife and not annoy her."
Ali (A.S.) said, "I hope you will do
the same." Then he addressed the woman saying, "return to your home, I
hope that you would also he a good wife to your husband."
The Ghadeer Affair
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) set out for the
pilgrimage of God's house with a large Caravan in the 10th Hijra, so
that the people may perform their Hajj rituals with great fervor, in
dignified and magnificent way, because that was the last Hajj of the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.). The rituals were performed very well and the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) returned to Medinah along with his companions. On his way
back, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was very anxious. His anxiety was about his
followers and the ummah. He was uneasy and anxious about the events,
which were to take place after his death. The actors and jugglers among
the ummah, were waiting for his death and had preplanned to deviate and
de-track the Imamate and leadership from its course. He sees all the
hypocrites who disguised as his friends; beat their heads and chests for
him. But they have not committed any blunder, folly and wrong yet, so
that he may publicly disgrace and dishonor them and prevent them (from
doing what they intend). He on one side, views all the incidents of the
history and on the other, he must perform the mission that God has
handed him in connection with Ali (A.S.), that duty and mission is the
caliphate of Ali (A.S.) that he must choose and select him as his
successor and heir, and put an end to the ambitions of the chance
seekers. Those who had nominated each one of themselves for the post of
caliphate and had made propaganda among the people that the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) will choose us as his heirs and successors.
The call of the angel of revelation is
reflecting in the heart and soul of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as if still
he is listening to what he said, "you have a great mission ahead, if you
did not perform this job then you have not done the Prophetic duty and
mission at all." You must know, that God will save you from the
deceitfulness and tricks of the enemy.
Yes, the successor of the sun of
Prophet hood should be the sun of Willayat (guardianship), possessing
all the perfections, completeness and values of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).
Who else could that be except Ali Ibne Abi Talib (A.S.)? Ali (A.S.), who
was many times introduced by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) with the words such
as: "'Ali (A.S.) is the wisest of all my ummah (followers).' 'I am the
city of knowledge and wisdom and Ali is (like) its gate.' 'Whosoever
desires to have access to my wisdom should learn it from Ali.'" This is
the very reason that only Ali (A.S.) can go up the cathedra (tribune)
and say amid the people. "Oh people, ask me whatsoever you desire,
before a time comes that you loose me."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) made up his mind
and decided it to choose Ali (A.S.) as his successor on the command and
at behest of God, so that, he may complete and make the Islam perfect,
as God had ordered him to do. The day of Ghadeer, became a day in the
history when God gave the good news to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and said,
"Today is the day when I have made Islam to be a perfect (religion) and
completed and finalized my blessings upon you (Muslims)." What a
fruitful Hajj and a holy return. There were approximately one hundred
and twenty thousand men accompanying the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).
All of them reached a place known as
"Ghadeer-e-Khum" on the land of "Juhfa". The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) ordered
them to stop. All of them did stop at the behest of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.). They were saying to themselves, "It appears that some
vitally important problem has confronted us." It was just the same that
they were thinking of.
They built a tribune with the camel
saddles for the Prophet (P.B.U.H), heralds were appointed amid the
gathering to repeat and call out the words of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), so
that, all the people may hear. He (P.B.U.H) went atop the tribune while
he was surrounded by his friends and said: "Oh people! I performed my
Prophetic mission and did put in endeavor to the maximum of my energy
that I possess. You should know that I leave two valuable (weighty)
things among you after myself (after my death) so that these two will
never at all get separated from each other.
- The Holy Quran, the Book of God.
- My Family (Ahlulbayt a.s)
Then, he took the hand of Ali (A.S.)
and hoisted it like a flag, so that all of the people might see.
Thereafter, he said, "I am the guardian (wali) of whosoever, (he should
know that) Ali is also his guardian. Oh God! Be the friend of the
friends of Ali and be the enemy of his enemies. Help those who help him
and be the enemy of anyone who fights him. Yes, those who are present
convey my words to those who are not present here. I hope they will lend
ears and accept it."
How did Ali (A.S.) get the
Government?
The opportunists, who had embraced
Islam for the sake of seeking power and made themselves, move along on
the path of Prophet (P.B.U.H.), held confidential and secret meetings to
oust the caliphate from the family of Bani Hashim. They were counting
days to achieve their ends and to put into practical shape what they had
planned to do, because they were aware that they are face to face with a
person whose past services for Islam are not hidden and are clear to
everybody. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had made a plenty of recommendations
about him and particularly invited all to swear in an oath of allegiance
for him. After the death of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), all the plans were
put into practice and materialized one after the other. So that Ali
(A.S.) became all alone, and did not have any alternative except
remaining silent. For, he only thought of Islam and did not pay any
attention towards his post and station. And had he drawn the sword then
the only desire of his enemies would have taken practical shape, that is
to say, no sign of Islam would have been left back.
The silence of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima
Zahra (A.S.) and the immoralities and irregularities of the previous
power seekers, particularly the cruelties and excesses of the officials
and agents of the Bani Ommayides dynasty, whose influence had gone up
during the regime of third Caliph Usman, had made the people aware and
all of them knew that the Islamic Caliphate had turned into the stage of
political actors and stooges and what God and the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had
meant was quite different from those things.
Resultantly the displeasure and
dissatisfaction of people reached it's climax and the spark of
revolution was kindled in the hearts of the people, which erupted like a
volcano, so that, no one had the means and power to resist and stand up
to it. People attacked the house of Usman in the shape of a flood,
showing camel like anger and grudge, a camel who throws foam out of its
mouth due to anger. These out numbered and countless people, who made
the attack, killed him.
People were so enraged and furious that
they even did not pay any attention and notice to Imam Hasan (A.S.) and
Imam Hussain (A.S.) who were sent by Imam Ali (A.S.) to prevent Usman
from being slain. Imam Hassan (A.S.) was injured in this disturbance.
People rushed towards Ali's (A.S.)
house with blood dripping out of their swords and they were burning with
fever and fervor of excitement and commotion. They insistently and
requesting dragged him out and took the oath of allegiance and chose him
as their leader and ruler.
Why Ali's (A.S.) Government faced
defeat?
Although Ali (A.S.) had told the
people, while they were taking the oath of allegiance, that, "I will act
upon the right and will not sell my religion for anybody's world
(wishing to gain material), and will not hand over the power to this
person or that person without seeing reason. I will take into
consideration their past activities and if I observe any violation and
breach of law by my officials I will not spare them, I will dismiss them
immediately. I will act decisively and peremptorinessly and will not
have any fear of any reproaching and blaming. I will not give
Baith-ul-mal's wealth to this and that person without reason though he
may be my son.
But alas, the materialist and ease and
comfort seekers did not welcome the right government of Ali (A.S.). They
abandoned and quit Ali (A.S.) at the initial stage and created chaos,
disorder and mutiny for him. Talha and Zubair, who were experienced men,
went to Mecca and provoked Ayesha (R.A.) to rise up for the sake of
taking vengeance of Usman's blood. They by taking benefit of the station
of Ayesha (R.A.), who was the wife of Prophet, gathered a large group
around her. And, with a big army, they moved hastily towards Ali (A.S.).
They had told the illiterate people that Ali (A.S.) was the murderer of
Usman. As a result, they shed the blood of a group of Muslims and
shifted its responsibility towards Ali (A.S.). After this incident
Muawiyah, that cunning fox, who was discharged by Ali (A.S.) perceived a
very good chance for his obstinacy and resistance. He rose against Ali
(A.S.) from Syria and declared war against him.
These battles were continuing, when a
group named Khwarij came into existence among the army men of Ali
(A.S.). This was a group, which considered neither of Ali (A.S.), nor
Muawiyah, and Amro Aas suitable for ruler ship. They, under the slogan
of "Rule is only for God," started a mutiny and adventure.
Finally, they martyred Ali (A.S.) but
they did not succeed in killing Muawiyah and Amro Aas. This is how Ali's
(A.S.) Government was defeated and sacrificed upon its own Justice
(righteousness) meaning thereby, if Ali (A.S.) had ruled cunningly
treacherously like Muawiyah he would had never been killed.
Martyrdom of Ali (A.S.)
After the battle of Neherwan was over,
group of Khwarij daily held a meeting in Mecca and wept over their dead,
those killed in Neherwan. One day, they told each other, "Sitting here
and weeping is of no use. We should kill these three persons Ali (A.S.),
Muawiyah and Amro Aas, who destroyed the Islamic State and killed our
brothers."
They invited three volunteers to
perform these errands. Ibn-e-Muljim stood and said, "I will kill Ali
(A.S.)." Hajjaj bin Abdullah, under took killing Muawiyah and Amro bin
Bakr Taimeemi said, "I will kill Amro Aas." The three of them made a
commitment together that they would materialize their plan on the 19th
of Ramadan. Then, each one of them moved towards the place of his
mission, so that they reach there and wait for the date, which was
fixed.
But alas, the other two did not succeed
in achieving there end, whereas, Ibn-e-Muljim did succeed. Ibn-e-Muljim
came to Kufa and contacted the enemies of Ali (A.S.) and lived in their
house till the 19th of Ramadan approached. One day Ali (A.S.) came
across him in the streets of Kufa. He wanted to hide himself. But Ali
(A.S.) said, "I know for what purpose you have come to Kufa."
As soon as Ibn-e-Muljim heard these
words, he trembled and his legs could no more carry him. He said to Ali
(A.S.), "Oh Ali (A.S.) when it is so (that you know) release the orders
of my being killed or put me in the prison or banish me off. Ali (A.S.)
had a look upon him and said, "Although I can put into practice each one
of your suggestions, but Islam does not deem pre-crime punishment, fair.
So I am obliged to let you go free. Perhaps you may repent upon your
decision.
At last, on the 19th of Ramadan of the
40th Hijra the son of Muradi opened apart Ali's (A.S.) head and the
mountain of faith and piety tumbled and crumbled down making the world
of Islam mournful.
After Ali (A.S.) cried on the prayer
place (when injured), "By the God of Kaabah I have succeeded." The
haven's angel Jabriel shouted, "By God, the pillars of guidance are
demolished. Ali (A.S.) has been martyred."
People rushed out of their houses and
arrested the killer of Ali (A.S.) and handed him over to Imam Hassan
(A.S.), and carried Ali (A.S.) with a blood stained face to his house.
Imam Hassan (A.S.) imprisoned the
killer and informed his father about it.
Imam Ali (A.S.) told his son, "Oh Son!
This man who is my killer and he is your prisoner, look after his food
and water and do not molest him. If I survive I know what to do with him
and if I die then do not strike him but one blow."
Alas, Ali (A.S.) did not survive for
this ummah. He passed away on the 21st of Ramadan at the age of 63 yean
His pure body was buried secretly at Najaf (Iraq). |