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.” Sayyiduna Ali was renowned for his valor, courage, and integrity. It was he whom the Prophet (ﷺ) entrusted to return the deposits (Amanat) to their owners when he migrated to Madinah. Furthermore, he was among the noble companions who scribed the Holy Quran as it was revealed. Following the Hijrah, as the Islamic state expanded and messengers were dispatched to spread the teachings of Islam, this rapid growth provoked neighboring rulers to oppose the rising faith. Thus, it became essential to establish a formidable army whose very reputation would safeguard the Islamic state against any invaders. Sayyiduna Ali (R.A.) participated in nearly every battle during the Prophet’s (ﷺ) lifetime, with the sole exception of the Battle of Tabuk in 9 AH, when the Prophet (ﷺ) appointed him as the governor of Madinah in his absence. Although Sayyiduna Ali yearned to join the expedition, the Prophet (ﷺ) reassured him, saying: ”You are to me as Harun was to Musa, except that there is no Prophet after me.” He also declared: ”Whomsoever I am his mawla (master), Ali is his mawla.” In the Battle of Badr—a pivotal turning point in Islamic history—Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib was one of the three companions chosen by the Prophet (ﷺ) for the opening duels. Later, in the Battle of Uhud, he was entrusted with the standard (flag) following the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr.

The Fourth Khalifa Of Islam
Ali Ibn Abi Talib

     In 35 AH, following the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, the Muslims recognized the urgent need for a leader, as leaving the position vacant was perilous. Consequently, the leading Muhajirun and Ansar gathered in the Prophet’s Mosque and reached a consensus to ask Ali (R.A.) to take charge and steer the ship of state to safety. A delegation then called upon Ali, requesting him to accept the responsibility. Al-Tabari mentions in his History that the companions almost mobbed Ali, insisting that the Ummah was without a leader and the government without a head. They emphasized that he was the most qualified to fill the void, not only due to his close kinship with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) but also because of his personal merits and immense services to Islam.

    Initially, Sayyiduna Ali declined the offer, stating that he preferred to serve as an adviser rather than the Caliph. However, the companions persisted, saying: ”No man has rendered more distinguished service to Islam, nor is anyone closer to Muhammad (ﷺ) than you. We consider you the worthiest of all to be our Caliph.” They appealed to him: ”We implore you in the name of Allah to accept the Caliphate. Do you not see the state of the Ummah? Do you not see the new perils rising throughout the lands of Islam? Who will confront them if not you?” Finally, he accepted the responsibility. On the 25th of Dhul-Hijjah, 35 AH (June 24, 656 CE), the pledges of loyalty (Bay’ah) were sworn to Sayyiduna Ali (R.A.).

   Despite the instability that characterized the caliphate of Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib, he remained steadfast in addressing the needs of the Muslims, particularly those performing Hajj and Umrah, as well as those seeking to learn the tenets of Islam. His reign was marked by significant challenges, including political unrest and the emergence of dissenting factions; yet, Sayyiduna Ali upheld the principles of justice and strove to maintain the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Unlike the eras of the previous three caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman ibn Affan—his rule witnessed internal disputes among the Muslims. Ibn Taymiyyah noted: ”People during the era of Imam Ali were of three types: those who fought alongside him, those who fought against him, and those who remained neutral, fighting neither with nor against him.” Furthermore, the capital of the Islamic state was shifted from Madinah to Kufa in Iraq, owing to its strategic and central location within the expanding Islamic territories.

the Martyrdom of Ali Ibn Abi Talib

   He was renowned for his profound wisdom and eloquence, which have been immortalized in his sermons and letters. On that fateful day, Ali entered the Great Mosque of Kufa and called the Adhan. As he took his place in the mihrab (alcove), the worshippers gathered behind him in disciplined ranks, and the prayer commenced. Standing in the front row, disguised among the faithful, were Abdur Rahman ibn Muljam and his conspirators. Hidden beneath their cloaks were swords, sharpened and steeped in deadly poison. At the precise moment Ali touched his forehead to the ground in sujud (prostration), ibn Muljam crept forward. As Ali raised his head, the assassin struck a fatal blow to his forehead with such force that it inflicted a deep, mortal wound. As blood flowed from the wound, Ali (R.A.) proclaimed his famous final words: “By the Lord of the Kaaba, I have succeeded.”

May Allah have mercy on Ali Ibn AbiTalib and be pleased with him and gather us among his company.