Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi Talib in a depicton painting.JPG Photo by unknown artist – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Ali ibn Abi Talib

He was a cousin, son-in-law, and companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled as the fourth rightly guided caliph from 656 until his assassination in 661.

He is one of the central figures in Shia Islam as the first Shia Imam and in Sunni Islam as the fourth of the rightly guided caliphs. However, the caliph was a name used to refer to the first four successors of Muhammad.

His parents were Abu Talib and Fatimah bint Asad. His children were Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab, and Umm Kulthum.

1. Among the first in Islam Faith

Rashidun Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib – Ali bin Abi Talib.svg Photo by Petermaleh – Wikimedia Commons

Muhammad took care of him when he was a child and he became one of the first believers in Islam at the age of about 9 to 11 years. He was transformed after Muhammad invited him to his close relatives.

He then publicly accepted his invitation to Yawm al-Inzar and Muhammad called him his brother, guardian, and successor. He helped Muhammad emigrate on the night of Laylat al-Mabit, by sleeping in his place.

After migrating to Medina and establishing a brotherhood pact between the Muslims, Muhammad chose him as his brother. In Medina, he was the flag bearer in most wars and became famous for his bravery.

2. The Intriguing Lift between the Muslims

Hakob Hovnatanian – Ali ibn Abi Talib.jpg Photo by Hakob Hovnatanyan – Wikimedia Commons

The issue of his right in the post-Muhammad caliphate caused a major rift between Muslims and divided them into Shia and Sunni groups. On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, at Ghadir Khumm, Muhammad uttered the phrase, “Whoever I am his Mawla, this Ali is his Mawla.”

But the meaning of Mawla was disputed by Shias and Sunnis. On this basis, the Shias believe in the establishment of the Imamate and caliphate regarding Ali, and the Sunnis interpret the word as friendship and love. 

While Ali was preparing Muhammad’s body for burial, a group of Muslims met at Saqifah and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Ali pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr, after six months, but did not take part in the wars and political activity, except for the election of the third caliph Uthman.

However, he advised the three caliphs in religious, judicial, and political matters whenever they wanted

3. The Intriguing Election of a Caliph

Ali ibn Abi Talib shrine.png Photo by Hassan Majed – Wikimedia Commons

After Uthman was killed, Ali was elected as the next Caliph, which coincided with the first civil wars between Muslims. Ali faced two separate opposition forces.

There was a group led by Aisha, Talha, and Zubayr in Mecca, who wanted to convene a council to determine the caliphate. The other group was led by Mu’awiya in the Levant, who demanded revenge for Uthman’s blood.

4. His First Battle

Combat between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Amr Ben Wad near Medina.JPG Photo by unknown artist – Wikimedia Commons

It is interesting that he fought his first battle defeating the first group in the Battle of the Camel; but in the end, the Battle of Siffin with Mu’awiya was militarily ineffective, and led to arbitration which ended politically against him.

Then, in the year 38 AH (658-659), he fought with the Kharijites – who considered Ali’s acceptance of arbitration as heresy, and revolted against him – in Nahrawan and defeated them.

Ali was eventually killed in the mosque of Kufa by the sword of one of the Kharijites, Ibn Muljam Moradi, and was buried outside the city of Kufa. Later his shrine and the city of Najaf were built around his tomb.

5. He Avoided Worldly Possessions

Despite the impact of religious differences on Muslim historiography, sources agree that Ali strictly observed religious duties and avoided worldly possessions.

Some writers accused him of a lack of political skill and flexibility.

6. He Avoided Politics and Corruption

According to Wilferd Madelung, Ali did not want to involve himself in the game of political deception which deprived him of success in life, but, in the eyes of his admirers, he became an example of the piety of the primary un-corrupted Islam,

Also, he shielded the chivalry of pre-Islamic Arabia. Several books are dedicated to the hadiths, sermons, and prayers narrated by him, the most famous of which is Nahj al-Balagha.

7. He Saved Muhammad’s Life

In 622, which later marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar, Muhammad was informed of an assassination plot by the Meccan elites. 

Ali informed him of the plot and slept in Muhammad’s bed instead of him in order to frustrate the assassins’ plan and facilitate Muhammad’s safe escape to Yathrib now known as Medina.

When the assassins entered Muhammad’s house with drawn daggers, they were surprised to find Ali there but did not harm him.

Ibn Abbas relates that it was when Ali risked his life that verse 2:207 was revealed, praising him, “But there is also a kind of man who gives his life away to please God.”

Ali stayed behind for a few days to return the goods entrusted to Muhammad, before escaping Mecca with Muhammad’s family. 

8. Ali Married Muhammad’s Daughter

According to Nasr and Afsaruddin, Ali was only 22 or 23 years old. Shia sources report that, shortly after the migration to Medina, Muhammad told Ali that God had commanded him to give his daughter, Fatima, in marriage to him.

9. The Intriguing Leadership Skills

Ali accompanied Muhammad in nearly all of his military expeditions except the Battle of Tabuk, during which he was left behind in charge of Medina.

He also commanded the expeditions to Fadak and Yemen in the absence of Muhammad. Ali’s bravery and his charges against the enemy later became legendary. 

He vigorously defended Muhammad in the difficult Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Hunayn. During the Battle of Uhud, Muhammad reported hearing a divine voice, which said, “No sword but Zulfiqar [Ali’s sword], no chivalrous youth (fata) but Ali.”

The victory of the Muslims in the Battle of Khaybar has been attributed to his courage, and he is reported to have torn off the iron gate of the enemy fort, according to a popular legend. 

Together with Zubayr, Ali is said to have overseen the killing of the Banu Qurayza men for treachery in 5 AH, though the historicity of this incident has been disputed.

10. He Conquered Mecca without Bloodshed

In 631, Ali was sent to Yemen to spread the teachings of Islam. At the request of Muhammad, Ali is said to have ensured that the Conquest of Mecca was bloodless and later rid Kaaba of its idols.