Ali
Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Mu'minin)
This mosque near an-Najaf, Iraq, is believed by Shias to house the tombstone of Ali
Reign	656 – 661[1]
Full name	ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib
Titles	Father of Hasan (Arabic: Abu Al-Hasan) Father of Dust/Soil (Arabic: Abu Turab) Murtada (“One Who Is Chosen and Contented”) Lion of God (Arabic: Asad-ullah) Lion (Arabic: Heydar)[1] First Ali (Turkish: Birinci Ali)
Born	March 17, 599(599-03-17) or March 17, 600(600-03-17)[1][2]
	Kaaba, Mecca[1]
Died	February 28, 661 (aged 61)
	Kufa[1]
Buried	Imam Ali Mosque, Najaf, Iraq
Predecessor	Uthman Ibn Affan
Successor	Hasan[3]
Wife/wives	Fatimah[1]
	Fatima binte Hizam (Ummul Banin)
Issue	Hasan Husayn (See:Descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib )
Royal House	Ahl al-Bayt Banu Hashim
Father	Abu Talib
Mother	Fatima bint Asad

Ali ibn Abu Talib (Arabic: علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب; Transliteration: ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, 13_th Rajab, 24 BH – 21_st Ramadan, 40 AH; approximately, March 17, 599 or 600^[4]- January 27, 661^[5]) was the cousin, son-in-law and one of the Ahl al-Bayt, people of the house, of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, reigning over the Rashidun empire from 656 to 661. Sunnis revere Ali as the fourth and final Rashidun (Rightly Guided Caliph). Shia Muslims glorify Ali as the first infallible Imam and consider him and his descendants as the rightful successors to Muhammad. This disagreement split the Muslim community into the Sunni and Shi'a branches.^[1][6] Sunnis hold him in high respect as one of the Ahl al-Bayt and the last of the Four Righteously Guided Caliphs. ... This is a parallel sub-article to Shia and Ali This article is about the Shia view of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Sunni Caliph and first Shia Imam. ... Some non-Muslim scholars reject all hadith as fabrications, which colors their views. ... Arabic redirects here. ... Due to the fact that the Arabic language has a number of phonemes that have no equivalent in English or other European languages, a number of different transliteration methods have been invented to represent certain Arabic characters, due to various conflicting goals. ... Rajab (Arabic: ) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. ... The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري; at-taqwÄ«m al-hijrÄ«; Persian: تقویم هجري قمری ‎ taqwÄ«m-e hejri-ye qamari; also called the Hijri calendar) is the calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate... Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: ) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events The Chinese win the war at Ordos. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Caliph Ali Ben Abu Talib is assassinated. ... Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: ) is a phrase meaning People of the House, or family. ... Prophets of Islam are male human beings who are regarded by Muslims to be prophets chosen by God. ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... The Islamic Empire (بلاد الإسلامية ) or Rashidun Empire or Rashidun Caliphate ( خلافت راشدہ) is the term conventionally used to describe the Empire controlled by the first four successors of Muhammad (the Rightly Guided caliphs). ... Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. ... The Rightly Guided Caliphs or The Righteous Caliphs ( transliteration: ) is a term used in Sunni Islam to refer to the first four Caliphs. ... For main article see: Caliphate The Caliph (pronounced khaleef in Arabic) is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Sharia. ... Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ... According to Twelver Shia Islam The Fourteen Infallibles (Maasumin - معصومين) are Historical figures that commited no sins and never made a mistake. ... This article is about the Shia concept, for the more general Islamic term, see Imam. ... The Succession to Muhammad concerns the different viewpoints and beliefs that are held in relation to the succession to the leadership of the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Some sources, especially Shi'ite ones, record that Ali was the only person born in the Kaaba sanctuary in Mecca. His father was Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and his mother was Fatima bint Asad^[1] but he was raised in the household of Muhammad. When Muhammad reported receiving a divine revelation, a ten year old Ali was among the first to accept his message, dedicating his life to the cause of Islam.^[7][8][5][9] The Kaaba (Arabic: ; IPA: ) , also known as (), ( The Primordial House), or ( The Sacred House), is a large cuboidal building located inside the mosque known as al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ... AbÅ« Ṭālib ibn ‘Abd al-MutÌ£tÌ£alib (Arabic: )(b. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Wahy is the Arabic word for revelation. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Ali migrated to Medina shortly after Muhammad. There Muhammad told Ali that he had been ordered by God to give his daughter, Fatimah, to Ali in marriage.^[1] For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service, leading parties of warriors on battles, and carrying messages and orders. Ali took part in almost all the battles fought for Islam. For other uses, see Hijra. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... For other persons of the same name, see Fatima (name). ...

Ali was appointed caliph by Muhammad's companions in Medina after the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan.^[10] He encountered defiance and civil war (First Fitna) during his reign. In 661 CE, Ali was attacked while praying in the mosque of Kufa, dying a few days later.^[11] For main article see: Caliphate The Caliph (pronounced khaleef in Arabic) is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Sharia. ... In Islam, the SÌ£aḥābah (Arabic: ‎ companions) were the companions of Muhammad. ... For other uses of the name, see Uthman. ... The First Fitna, 656–661 CE, followed the assassination of the caliph Uthman ibn Affan, continued during the brief caliphate of Ali ibn Abu Talib, and was ended, on the whole, by Muawiyas assumption of the caliphate. ... The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as it exists today A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ...

Muslims greatly respect Ali for his knowledge, belief, honesty, unbending devotion to Islam, deep loyalty to Muhammad, equal treatment of all Muslims and generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies. Ali retains his stature as an authority on Qur'anic exegesis, Islamic jurisprudence and religious thought.^[12][6] Ali holds a high position in almost all Sufi orders which trace their lineage through him to Muhammad.^[1] Ali's influence has thus continued throughout Islamic history. A tafsir ( (Arabic: تفسير) tafsīr, Arabic explanation) is Quranic exegesis or commentary. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Tariqah ( transliteration: ; pl. ... Muslim history began in Arabia with Muhammads first recitations of the Quran in the 7th century. ...

In Mecca

Birth and childhood

Ambigram depicting Muhammad and Ali written in a single word. The 180 degree inverted form shows both words.

Main articles: Family tree of Ali and Birthplace of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali's father Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib was the custodian of the Kaaba and a sheikh of Banu Hashim, an important branch of the powerful Quraysh tribe. He was also an uncle of Muhammad. Ali's mother Fatima binte Asad also belonged to Banu Hashim, making Ali a descendant of Ismael, the son of Ibrahim.^[13] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... An animation of a rotationally symmetric ambigram for the word ambigram An ambigram, also sometimes known as an inversion, is a graphical figure that spells out a word not only in its form as presented, but also in another direction or orientation. ... ‘AlÄ« ibn AbÄ« Ṭālib ()‎ (599 – 661)[1] was an early Islamic leader. ... Ali ibn Abi Talib (ca 599-661 CE) was a prominent figure in early Islamic history. ... AbÅ« Ṭālib ibn ‘Abd al-MutÌ£tÌ£alib (Arabic: )(b. ... The Kaaba (Arabic: ; IPA: ) , also known as (), ( The Primordial House), or ( The Sacred House), is a large cuboidal building located inside the mosque known as al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. ... For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... BanÅ« Hāshim (Arabic: بنو هاشم) was a clan in the Quraish tribe. ... Quraish (sura) is also the name of a Surah in the Quran. ... Fatimah binte Asad (Arabic: فاطمه بنت اسد) was the mother of first Shi’a Imam Ali bin Abu Talib, and the mother-in-law of the Islamic Prophet Mohammeds daughter, Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad. ... Ishmael or Yishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל God hears or obeys, Standard Hebrew , Tiberian Hebrew , Arabic إسماعيل) is Abrahams eldest son, born by his servant Hagar. ... Ibrahim (Arabic: ابراهيم), also known as Abraham, is very important in Islam, both in his own right as prophet and as the father of the prophet Ismail (Ishmael), his firstborn son, who is considered the Father of the Arabs. ...

Muhammad had a close relationship with Ali's parents. When Muhammad was orphaned and later lost his grandfather Abdul Muttalib, Ali's father took him into his house.^[1] Ali was born two or three years after Muhammad married Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.^[14] This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Khadijah bint Khuwaylid or Khadijah al-Kubra (555 AD – 623 AD) was the first wife of Muhammad. ...

Many sources, especially Shi'a ones, record that Ali was the only person born inside the Kaaba in the city of Mecca, where he stayed with his mother for three days. Some sources contend that he was born beside the Kaaba. According to the tradition, Muhammad was the first person whom Ali saw as he took the newborn in his hands. Muhammad named him Ali, meaning "the exalted one".^[1][15] This is a subarticle to reports of unusual religious childbirths and Kaaba. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ...

When Ali was five or six years old, a famine occurred in and around Mecca, affecting the economic conditions of Ali's father, who had a big family to support. Muhammad was then requested to become Ali's guardian.^{[7] [16] [1]}

Conversion to Islam

Main article: Identity of first male Muslim

The second period of Ali's life begins in 610 when he converted to Islam and ends with the Hijra of Muhammad to Medina in 622.^[1] When Muhammad reported that he had received a divine revelation, Ali, then only about ten years old, believed him and professed to Islam.^{[5][1][7][17]} According to Ibn Ishaq, Ali was the first male to enter Islam. Tabari adds other traditions making the similar claim of being the first Muslim in relation to Zayd or Abu Bakr.^[18] Some historians and scholars believe Ali's conversion is not worthy enough to consider him as the first male Muslim because he was a child at the time.^[19] There is some disagreement among Muslims, and among historians of Islam, as to the identity of the first male convert to Islam (Muhammad excluded). ... Events October 4 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas and becomes Emperor. ... For other uses, see Hijra. ... Events Hijra - Muhammad and his followers withdraw from Mecca to Medina - year one of the Islamic calendar. ... Revelation of the Last Judgment by Jacob de Backer Revelation is an uncovering or disclosure via communication from the divine of something that has been partially or wholly hidden or unknown, which could not be known apart from the unveiling (Goswiller 1987 p. ... Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Yasar, or simply Ibn Ishaq (Arabic: , meaning the son of Isaac) (died 767, or 761 (Robinson 2003, p. ... Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity, or a change from one religious identity to another. ... Balamis 14th century Persian version of Universal History by al-Tabari Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari 838–923 (father of Jafar, named Muhammad, son of Jarir from the province of Tabaristan, Arabic الطبري), was an author from Persia, one of the earliest, most prominent and famous Persian...

Shi'as believe that in keeping with Ali's divine mission, he converted to Islam before he took part in any pre-Islamic Meccan traditional religion rites, regarded by Muslims as polytheistic (see shirk) or paganistic. Hence the Shi'a say of Ali that his face is honored - that is, it was never sullied by prostrations before idols.^[7] Ali, along with some members of the Banu Hashim clan, were Hanifs prior to the coming of Islam. Pre-Islamic Arabia, the history of Arabia before the rise of Islam in the 630s, is not known in great detail. ... Arabian mythology is the ancient beliefs of the Arabs. ... Polytheism is belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Pagan and heathen redirect here. ... (Arabic , plural حنفاء) is an Arabic term that refers to pre-Islamic non-Jewish nor Christian Arabian monotheists. ...

After conversion to Islam

For three years Muhammad invited people to Islam in secret. Then he started inviting people publicly. When, according to the Qur'an, he was commanded to invite his closer relatives to come to Islam^[20] he gathered the Banu Hashim clan in a ceremony. Allameh Tabatabaei narrates from al-Tabari, Ibn Athir and Abu al-Fida that M told clearly that whoever would be the first to accept his invitation would become his successor and inheritor. Ali, who was 13 or 14 years old at that time, stepped forth and submitted to help him as his vazir. This invitation was repeated three times but only Ali answered Muhammad. Then Muhammad declared this person is his brother, inheritor and vicegerent and people must obey him. Others laughed at them and dispersed.^[21] This event is known as Hadith Yawm Al-Dar or Yawm Al-Enzar among Muslim historians and scholars. Banū Hāshim (Arabic: بنو هاشم) was a clan in the Quraish tribe. ... Allameh Tabatabaei (1892-1981) is one of the most prominent thinkers of contemporary Shia Islam. ... The name al-Tabari means simply from Tabaristan, thus more than one Muslim scholar is known by this designation: Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari, Ali the scholar from Tabiristan (838-870 A.D.) was the writer of a medical encyclopedia and the teacher of the scholar physician Zakariya al... Ibn Athir is the family name of three brothers, all famous in Arabian literature, born at JazIrat ibn Umar in Kurdistan. ... أبو الفدا or Abu al-Fida or Abul Fida Ismail ibn Kathir (fully Abu Al-fida Ismail Ibn Kathir imad Ad-din, (also transliterated Abulfeda, Abu Alfida, and other ways) ( 1301 - 1373) was an Syrian historian and mufassir. ... A Vizier (وزير, sometimes also spelled Vizir, Wasir, Wazir, Wesir - grammatical voyel changes are common in many oriental languages) is an oriental, originally Persian, term for a high-ranking political (and sometimes religious) advisor or Minister, often to a Muslim monarch such as a Caliph, Amir, Malik (king) or Sultan. ... The warning hadith is a famous islamic hadith , that is recorded in all muslim books throught different chain of narraraion , which is condsidred to be a mutawter and an authentic hadith . ...

During persecution of Muslims and boycott of Banu Hashim in Mecca, Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad.^[22] In the early days of Islam at Mecca, the new Muslims were often subjected to abuse and persecution. ... This is a sub-article to Muhammad before Medina The Meccan boycott of the Hashemites by the Quraish was proclaimed in 617. ...

Migration to Medina

See also: Hijra (Islam)

In 622 CE, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot, so that Muhammad could escape in safety.^[1][7][23] This night is called Laylat al-mabit. According to some hadith, a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of Hijra which says, "And among men is he who sells his nafs (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah"^[24][25] For other uses, see Hijra. ... Hadith ( transliteration: ) are oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of Prophet Muhammad. ... Drawing from Quranic verses, virtually all Sufis distinguish Lataif-e-Sitta (The six subtleties), Nafs, Qalb, Sirr, Ruh, Khafi & Akhfa. ... Allah is the Arabic language word for God. ...

Ali survived the plot, but risked his life again by staying in Mecca to carry out Muhammad's instructions: to restore to their owners all the goods and properties that had been entrusted to Muhammad for safekeeping. Ali then went to Medina with his mother, Muhammad's daughter Fatima and two other women.^[7][5]

In Medina

During Muhammad's era

See also: Muhammad in Medina and Ali the Warrior

Ali was 22 or 23 years old when he migrated to Medina. When Muhammad was creating bonds of brotherhood among his companions (sahaba) he selected Ali as his brother.^[5][7][26] The period when Muhammad in Medina started with the Migration to Medina in 622 and ended with the Conquest of Mecca in 630. ... This article should belong in one or more categories. ... A system of Brotherhood among the Sahaba was created in the Islamic prophet Muhammad, each Muslim being paired with another one. ... In Islam, the Ṣaḥābah (Arabic: ‎ companions) were the companions of Muhammad. ...

For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service, serving in his armies, the bearer of his banner in every battle, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders.^[27] As one of Muhammad’s lieutenants, and later his son-in-law, Ali was a person of authority and standing in the Muslim community.

Family life

See also: Ahl al-Bayt

The calligraphy which shows Allah at center and Ahl al-Bayt around it.

In 623, Muhammad told Ali that God ordered him to give his daughter Fatimah Zahra to Ali in marriage.^[1] Muhammad said to Fatimah: "I have married you to the dearest of my family to me."^[26] This family is glorified by Muhammad frequently and he declared them as his Ahl al-Bayt in events such as Mubahala and hadith like Hadith of the Event of the Cloak. They were also glorified in the Qur'an in several cases such as "the verse of purification".^[28][29] Ali had four children born to Fatimah, the only child of Muhammad to have progeny. Their two sons (Hasan and Husain) were cited by Muhammad to be his own sons, honored numerous times in his lifetime and titled "the leaders of the youth of Jannah" (Heaven, the hereafter.) Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: ) is a phrase meaning People of the House, or family. ... Allah is the Arabic language word for God. ... Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: ) is a phrase meaning People of the House, or family. ... Fāţimah Zahrā’ also called Faatemah Az-Zahraa (Arabic: ) was the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija. ... Mubahala (Arabic: مباهلة Cursing) or Li’an (Arabic: لعان) refers in Islamic tradition to invoking the curse of God on the erring party as a means to prove ones truthfulness. ... The Hadith Of The Cloak (Arabic: ; transliterated: Hadiyth al-Kisa), is an account of an incident where the Islamic prophet Muhammad gathered Hassan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, Ali and Fatimah (various members of his immediate family) under his cloak. ... The Qur’ān [1] (Arabic: , literally the recitation; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Al-Quran) is the central religious text of Islam. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib ()‎ (Fifteenth of Ramadan, 3 AH – Twenty-eighth of Safar, 50 AH) [6] was the grandson of Muhammad, and was the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib (fourth Sunni Caliph and first Shia Imam) and Fatima Zahra (a daughter of Muhammad). ... Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. ...

Theirs was a simple life, in fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. Even often there was no food in her house. One day she said to Ali: "I have ground until my hands are blistered." and Ali answered "I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest,"^[26][30]

Their marriage lasted about ten years and ended when Fatimah died. Although polygamy was permitted, Ali did not marry another woman while Fatimah was alive, and his marriage to her possesses a special spiritual significance for all Muslims because it is seen as the marriage between the greatest saintly figures surrounding Muhammad. After Fatimah's death, Ali married other wives and fathered many children.^[1] Polygamy has been a feature of human culture since earliest history. ...

In battles

Main article: Ali the Warrior

Scene of Battle of Badr from the film The Messenger of God: The Muslim army sends out its champions including Ali. Zulfiqar is in the foreground.

Zulfiqar, a fictional representation of the sword of Ali.

With the exception of the Battle of Tabouk, Ali took part in all battles and expeditions fought for Islam.^[7] As well as being the standard-bearer in those battles, Ali led parties of warriors on raids into enemy lands. This article should belong in one or more categories. ... Combatants Muslims of Medina Quraish of Mecca Commanders Muhammad Amr ibn Hishām Strength 300-350 <900-1000 Casualties 14 killed 50-70 killed 43-70 captured The Battle of Badr (Arabic: ), fought March 17, 624 CE (17 Ramadan 2 AH in the Islamic calendar) in the Hejaz of western... The Banu Qaynuqa (also spelled Banu Kainuka, Banu Kaynuka, Banu Qainuqa, Arabic: ) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan Strength 700 3,000 Casualties 70 dead 22 The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina, in what is now north-western Arabia, and a force from Mecca, the... Banu Nadir (Arabic: ) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Strength 3,000 10,000 Casualties only few few hundreds or more The Battle of the Trench or Battle of the Ditch (Arabic غزوة الخندق), also known as or Battle of Confederates (Arabic غزوة الاحزاب) was an attack by the non-Muslim Ahzab... Detail from miniature painting The Prophet, Ali, and the Companions at the Massacre of the Prisoners of the Jewish Tribe of Beni Qurayzah, illustration of a 19th century text by Muhammad Rafi Bazil. ... This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... Combatants Muslim army Jews of Khaybar oasis Commanders Muhammad  ? Strength 1,600  ? Casualties 16  ? The Battle of Khaybar was fought in the year 629 between Muhammad and his followers against the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar,