A Unique Leader in the
History of Mankind
By: Dr. S.A. Shahrokhi,
Professor - Khorramabad University.
The
history of mankind has witnessed many leaders over the ages. Many of
these leaders achieved leadership through might or inheritance and some
were chosen as leaders because of certain outstanding qualities that
they possessed. Among the latter group there have also emerged some
leaders whose works and contribution to humanity cannot be limited to
any particular time or place and their life-styles, their works and the
sayings of such heroes continue to inspire and motivate people,
generation after generation.
Amir al-Muminin, Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) is unique leader who stands out
among all other leaders. Besides Shi'as who believe in his Imamate and
Vilayat, many non-Muslims have praised his personality and unique
qualities and made attempts to highlight certain aspects of the
personality of this everlasting leader of ages and have written hundreds
of books and research papers about him.
Imam Ali (AS) was brought up by the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and under
his guardianship and was elevated to such a stage that it would be no
exaggeration to say that he is Islam's gift to the world of humanity.
Imam Ali's (AS) life was not the repetition of other people's life,
rather his life shed light on certain aspect of human life which had so
far been undiscovered. He was born in Allah's House (Ka'ba) and was
martyred in Allah's house (mosque) and his main principle throughout his
life was winning Allah's Satisfaction. Hence, one would not be wrong to
say that any research on Imam Ali's (AS) life and personality would
highlight an aspect of his life that could be taken up as a role model
for the people who seek truth; Muslim or otherwise.
Imam Ali (AS) from Birth
to the Dawn of Islam:
Ali (AS) was the son of Abu Talib ibn-e Mutallib and Fatima bint Asad
ibn-e Hashim. He was born on the 13th Rajab, 30 years after Amal-Fil.
His life began in the Holy Ka'ba, 1 which became the Qiblah of Muslims
and ended in the Mosque of Kufa (Iraq).
It was Allah's Will that from the early days of his life the Prophet of
Allah (SAW) became his guardian and Ali (AS) came to be brought up on
his lap. Mecca and Quraysh were struck by famine. Muhammad (SAW) met his
other paternal uncle Abbas who was a wealthy man and made a suggestion
to him to support Abu Talib (AS) by taking up the guardianship of some
of his children. Abbas welcomed the suggestion and they met Abu Talib
(AS) and informed him of their intention. Abu Talib (SA) said: "Leave
Aqil for me and the...." Muhammad (SAW) chose Ali (AS) and Abbas took
Ja'far. 2 Later on, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) is known to have said:
"I chose the one Allah had chosen for me." 3
Some writers are of the opinion that by accepting Imam Ali's (AS)
guardianship, the Prophet (SAW) meant to compensate for the favors he
had received from Abu Talib and Fatima (Ali's parents), who looked after
him like their own children during his childhood. However, from what the
Prophet (SAW) had said and from Ali's (AS) behavior - it is quite clear
that it was Allah's Will that Ali (AS) should grow up with the Prophet
(SAW) and under his guardianship.
The young Ali's (AS) personality was being shaped by Muhammad (SAW),
when the latter declared his prophethood. According to most historians,
Ali (AS) was the first among the men to embrace Islam4 Ali (AS) was the
only disciple of the Prophet (SAW) who had never bowed before or
worshipped idols. He had no other ideal but to seek Allah and His
Prophet's (SAW) satisfaction, and his sincerity, steadfastness,
sacrifice, and bravery in supporting `Tawhid' were some of his
outstanding qualities no one can ever deny.
From the Dawn of Islam
to the Prophet's (SAW) Demise:
The Dawn of Islam in Arabia, which was stricken with ignorance (Jahiliyah)
and superstitions, not only changed the course of history in that land
but also influenced other nations and peoples of the world. Savage
customs that were considered as values in those times - communal
rivalries, dacoity, burying baby-girls alive, etc., were rendered as
disgraceful and inhuman by the new religion of Islam. This change in the
social and individual beliefs and customs was the fruit of the years of
struggle and endeavor by the Prophet (SAW) and his close and sincere
companions of which Ali (AS) played the greatest role. His contribution
to the spread of Islam was exemplary and he is the greatest gift of
Islam and its Prophet (SAW) to humanity. A voluminous book is required
to write about Imam Ali's (AS) contribution towards the establishment of
Islam but in this discussion, we shall confine ourselves to reviewing
only a few of them.
1. Important Incidents
that took place in Mecca:
a) Yom al-Anzar
After the verse "... and warn your nearest relations ...," 5 was
revealed, the Prophet (SAW) was commissioned by Allah to make public,
the invitation to accept Islam. Thus, he asked Ali (AS) to prepare a
meal and invited his close relatives over. After the meal he publicly
announced his Prophethood and asked: "Which one of you will support me
in my mission to be my brother, successor and caliph?" Only Ali (AS)
stood up to swear allegiance, and the Prophet (SAW) introduced him as
his successor and caliph. 6
b) Laylatul-Mabit
Despite all the efforts by Quraysh to prevent Islam from spreading, the
people of "Yathreb" embraced Islam and swore allegiance to protect it
with their swords. This news outraged the Quraysh who in an emergency
meeting decided to assassinate the Prophet (SAW) collectively. On
uncovering this devious plot, the Prophet (SAW) requested Ali (AS) to
wear his mantle and to sleep in his place 7, in order to foil the evil
plans of the enemies of Islam and to facilitate his `Hejira' (Migration)
from Mecca to Medina. It was after this incident that reflected the deep
devotion, courage and commitment of Imam Ali (AS) towards the Messenger
of Allah (SAW) and his divine mission, that Jibrail (AS) conveyed the
news: "O' son of Abu Talib, there is none like you; Allah boasts to the
angels of the seven heavens about you!" 8
2- Important Events in
Medina:
The Prophet's (SAW) migration to Medina is a turning point in the
history of Islam after which it went through a lot of ups and downs. Ali
(AS) had an outstanding role in the events that followed the Prophet's
(SAW) migration, a few of which are mentioned hereunder:
a) Ali's (AS) Marriage with Fatima (SA)
After Prophet's (SAW) migration, Imam Ali (AS) was given the
responsibility of bringing Hazrat Fatima (SA), the beloved and devoted
daughter of the Prophet (SAW), to Medina. A few months later Ali (AS)
married Fatima (SA). Ya`qubi, the Muslim historian writes:
"A group of `Muhajers' (those who had migrated from Mecca to Medina) had
proposed for Fatima's (SA) hand in marriage. On hearing about her
marriage with Ali (AS), some of them raised objections. In reply to
their objections, the Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: “I did not marry
Fatima to Ali, rather it was Allah Who married her to Ali.” 9
Interestingly, the Prophet's (SAW) lineage has been through Fatima (SA)
and Ali (AS).
b) Brotherhood with the Prophet (SAW)
To bring the Muhajers and Ansars closer to each other, the Prophet (SAW)
decreed that the Muhajers and Ansars should make brotherhood pacts among
themselves; in pairs. However, he chose Imam Ali (AS) as his brother and
said to him: "You are my brother, successor and inheritor and I inherit
from you." 10
c) The Prophet's (SAW) Description of the Manner of Ali's Martyrdom
During the Battle of Lat al-Ashira, that took place in the second year
of Hejira, the Prophet (SAW) sent Ali (AS) and Ammar on a mission. After
some time the Prophet (SAW) joined them and found them sleeping. After
waking them up he said: "Should I inform you about the two most wretched
men of all people?" On receiving their positive response he then added:
`The man who slew Saleh's camel and the man who will hit you (Ali) on
the head and will make your blood flow to your beard." 11
d) Ali's Unique Bravery in the Battles
Except for the Battle of Tabuk in which Ali (AS) remained in Medina on
the Prophet's (SAW) order, he had participated actively in all the
battles and played a decisive role in all of them. Although it is not
possible to discuss Ali's (AS) role in all these battles, we shall
attempt to highlight a few of them.
i) Ali's role in the battle of Badr cannot be comparable to any of the
other companions. As written by some historians, he killed 32 enemy
soldiers single-handedly. 12 Interestingly, 33 years later when Ali (AS)
was forced to accept the caliphate, a group of Quraysh like Sa`id ibn-e
Aas and Walid ibn-e Aqrabeh, who later on participated in the battles of
Jamal and Siffin against Imam Ali (AS), were hesitant to swear
allegiance because he had killed their fathers in the Battle of Badr. 13
ii) Imam Ali (AS) was the only companion of the Prophet of Allah (SAW)
who never fled from the battlefield. History has recorded that many of
the close companions of the Prophet (SAW) fled during the battles of
Uhud, Kheybar and Hunayn.
e) Imam Ali (AS) was appointed to communicate `Surat al-Bara'at'
After the revelation of `Surat al-Bara'at', the Prophet (SAW) appointed
one of his companions to communicate the messages to the unbelievers.
However, before this companion reached Mecca, the Prophet (SAW) sent
Imam Ali (AS) to take the newly-revealed verse from him and to
personally communicate it to the unbelievers. On their return to Medina
this companion asked the Prophet (SAW) for the reason of this change of
decree, to which the Prophet (SAW) replied: "It was Allah's will that it
should be communicated by a member of my Household." 14
f) A Judge in Yemen during the last few years of the Prophet's (SAW)
Life.
After the Prophet's (SAW) migration to Medina from Mecca, Islam spread
rapidly in the Arabian Peninsula as a result of which Imam Ali (AS) was
often sent by the Prophet (SAW) to propagate Islam in different regions.
However, what is of great importance is the mission that was not given
to any other companion. Towards the end of his life, the Prophet of
Allah (SAW), asked Imam Ali (AS) to go to Yemen which was a rather
civilized society in those days, to discharge the duties of a judge (qazi).
It has been narrated that Imam Ali (AS) told the Prophet (SAW): "I am
young and do not know about judgement." The Prophet of Allah (SAW) put
his hand on the young Ali's (AS) chest and prayed: "O Allah! Guide his
heart and make him articulate in judgement." Here Belazari has quoted
Imam Ali (AS) as saying: "I swear by Allah that I have never been in
doubt while passing a judgement between the disputing parties."15
After the Prophet's (SAW) demise, the caliphs and particularly the
second caliph frequently asked for Ali's (AS) opinion on various issues
and in their judgements.
g) Ghadir-e-Khumm
Both the Sunni and Shi'a sources have narrated a number of incidents
that highlight the status and position of Imam Ali (AS). However,
undoubtedly one of the most important incidents is the `Ghadir-e-Khom'.
On his return from Hajjatul-Vida at a location famous as `Ghadir-e-Khom,
the Prophet (SAW) delivered a very important sermon and while holding
and lifting the hand of Imam Ali (AS), clearly asked the people gathered
there:
"O people! Is it not true that my `Vilayat' over you (believers) is of
more importance than your `Vilayat' over yourselves?" To this question,
the people answered in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (SAW)
announced: "The one whose Mawla (Master) I am, Ali is his Master. O
Allah! Love him who loves Ali, and be the enemy of the enemy of Ali...."
16
In that gathering at Ghadir-e-Khom, the Prophet (SAW) also spoke
regarding other important matters that stress on the importance of
Imamate and Vilayat in the Islamic context. One of his important
announcements was as follows:
"O people! I shall soon be departing from your midst. And you will meet
me at the Pond of `Kawthar'. Then I will ask you about two precious
things (Thaqalayn). So be careful as to how you treat these two, after
my demise."
Then the people inquired from the Prophet (SAW) regarding the "two
precious things" which he had referred to. The Prophet (SAW) explained:
"One of them is the Qur'an - one end of which is in Allah's Hand and the
other is in yours. So stick on tightly to it so that you protect
yourself from being misled. And the second one is my Pure Household." 17
At the end of the Prophet's (SAW) sermon, many of the people came
forward to congratulate Ali (AS) and to extend their hands in allegiance
to him. While yet others, were confounded with doubt and ambiguity.
However, as per reliable Islamic sources, this incident has strong
recorded evidence and it has been narrated through many chains of
transmission of both Shi'a and Sunni schools of thought. |