Sayyiduna Suhail reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) declared on the Day of Khaybar: “I shall certainly give this standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and through whose hands Allah will grant victory.” Umar ibn Al-Khattab remarked: “I never longed for leadership except on that day.” He approached with the hope of being chosen, but Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) called for Ali ibn Abi Talib, conferred the honor upon him, and commanded: “Proceed, and do not look back until Allah grants you victory.”

This Hadith serves as profound evidence of Sayyiduna Ali’s deep love for Allah and His Prophet (ﷺ). His full name was Ali ibn Abi Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim. Born into the noble Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, he was the cousin of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and one of the ten companions promised Paradise. He later became the fourth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Rashidun). Ali was born ten years before the start of the Prophetic mission and twenty-three years before the Hijrah. His father, Abu Talib, was an honorable and respected leader of the Quraysh, a tribe distinguished by its service to the pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah. When Ali was five, a severe drought struck the Quraysh, straining Abu Talib’s resources. In response, the Prophet (ﷺ) appealed to his uncle Al-Abbas to assist Abu Talib during the crisis, and he himself took Sayyiduna Ali into his care. Consequently, Ali was raised in the blessed household of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Lady Khadijah.

     When Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) received the revelation from Allah, Sayyiduna Ali did not hesitate to embrace Islam. Having lived in the Prophet’s household since the age of five, he was intimately witness to his sublime ethics and noble character. Ibn Ishaq narrates that Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.) once returned home to find the Prophet (ﷺ) and his noble wife, Khadijah (R.A.), in prayer. When Ali inquired about their actions, the Prophet (ﷺ) explained that this was the true religion of Allah, which commands the worship of Him alone without any partners. Initially, Ali remarked that he had never heard of such a faith and felt he should consult his father, Abu Talib. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) requested that he keep the matter confidential for the time being. The following morning, Ali returned to the Prophet (ﷺ) and whole-heartedly declared his Islam.

At first, he kept his faith secret, fearing his father’s reaction. Yet, when Abu Talib eventually discovered his son’s conversion, he approved of it and encouraged Ali to adhere to his new faith, even though Abu Talib himself declined to abandon the religion of his ancestors until his passing. Known for his legendary bravery, Sayyiduna Ali—then only twenty years old—was asked by the Prophet (ﷺ) to sleep in his blessed bed during the night of the Hijrah. This was a strategic move to mislead the Quraysh, who had conspired to assassinate the Prophet (ﷺ). Furthermore, the Prophet (ﷺ) entrusted Ali with the crucial task of remaining in Makkah to return the trusts and deposits—cash and gold—that the people had left in his safe-keeping. Once he had honorably fulfilled these obligations, Sayyiduna Ali migrated to Madinah to rejoin the Prophet (ﷺ).

His marriage to lady Fatima az-Zahra

    Many companions had proposed to the Prophet’s daughter, Lady Fatima Az-Zahra, yet the Prophet (ﷺ) declined their offers as she was still young. However, when Sayyiduna Ali proposed, the Prophet (ﷺ) accepted, and they were married following the Battle of Badr. At the time, Ali was twenty-five years old and Lady Fatima was fifteen. Notably, Sayyiduna Ali never took another wife during Fatima’s lifetime, despite polygyny being a common practice at the time—a testament to his profound devotion to her and his deep respect for the Prophet (ﷺ). They were blessed with two sons, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn.

It was narrated by Hubshi ibn Junadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ”Ali is of me and I am of Ali, and none shall represent me except myself or Ali.” May Allah be pleased with the “Father of Dust” (Abu Turab), Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib.