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IMAM
ALI IBN AL-HUSSEIN (A.S)
Birth: 4th
Sha’ban 38 A.H. in Madinah al-Munawarrah
Parents:
Imam al-Hussein (a.s) & Bibi Shahrbanu (Shahzanan)
Kunniyya:
Abu Muhammad
Titles:
Zaynul-‘Aabideen (Ornament of the worshippers)
Sayyid al-Sajideen (Leader of Prostrators)
Ibnul-Khiyaratayn (The son of the best two)
The son
of the best two: The Quraysh from amongst the arabs and Persian from
amongst non-arabs.
Martydom:
25th Muharram 95 A.H.
HIS
MA’RIFAH OF ALLAH (SWT):
In his
childhood, Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein (a.s) once fell very ill. Like any
father, his father too showed affection towards him and asked,
“How are you feeling my son? Is there anything
you wish to have so that I can provide you with it?” As a small
child, he (a.s) responded, “O father! My wish is only one that Allah (SWT)
should place me amongst those who are ever pleased and satisfied with
whatever He destines for them”.
Thereupon
his father embraced him and said, “You have
indeed spoken words of Ma’rifah. Your answer is similar to that of
Prophet Ibrahim (a.s). When Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was thrown into fire
(by Nimrood), Jibrael met and asked him if he had any wish to which
Ibrahim replied: ‘Indeed but not from you’”. (Chauda Sitaare)
HIS
COURAGE:
After the
event of Karbala, once Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein (a.s) went for Hajj.
Whilst performing tawaaf, Abdulmalik bin Marwan happened to be behind
the Imam. Disappointed that the Imam had ignored him, he called out the
Imam and said, “O son of the Prophet! Have I killed your father that you
do not turn and even look at me?” Imam (a.s) responded,
“O Abdulmalik! Those who killed my father are
paying dearly for it in the hereafter, do you desire the same for
yourself?” The Umayyad caliph was silent for a while and then
said, “I did not mean this! What I meant is that if you stayed closer to
me, you would most certainly find me generous in my wealth towards you”.
Upon hearing this, the Imam (a.s) threw his cloak on the floor and
turning towards Ka’bah, said, “O Allah! Fill
this for me”. Abdulmalik saw that the cloak of Imam was suddenly
filled with precious pearls which the Imam (a.s) took and distributed
them to the needy muslims. Then turning towards Abdulmalik, he said,
“O Abdulmalik! We do not need your wealth for
Allah is our sole Provider”. (Dam’at al-Sakibah)
HIS
SERMON TO KUFIANS:
When the
Ahlul-Bayt (a.s) were brought into Kufa as captives, Imam Ali ibn
al-Hussein (a.s) delivered a sermon addressing the people of Kufa. He (a.s)
began by praising and glorifying Allah (SWT) and saluted the Holy
Prophet (saww). Thereafter, he (a.s) said,
“O people! Whoever recognizes me knows me and whoever does not, let me
tell him that I am Ali son of Hussein son of Ali bin Abi Talib. I am the
son of the man whose sanctity was violated, whose wealth was plundered
and whose children have been seized. I am the son of the one who was
slaughtered by the Euphrates in worst manner. This suffices me to be
proud.
Did you not write to my father and then deceive him? Did you not swear
an oath of allegiance to him and then fought him? May you be ruined !
How will you face the messenger of Allah when he tells you: YOU KILLED
MY PROGENY, VIOLATED MY SANCTITY, SO YOU DO NOT BELONG TO MY NATION!”
The
effect of this sermon was such that the people of Kufa began to cry
loudly and said to each other, “You are perished yet you are not aware
of it!”. (Karbala and Beyond)
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Imam-e-Zamana (AJ) and to all the
Shia’hs and followers of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s) on the martyrdom of Imam Ali
ibn al-Hussein (a.s).
Mulla
Mujaheedali Sheriff
mulla@almahdi.org.uk |