Biography of Hazrat Ali رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ

The glory and elegance of the fourth caliph, the dominator of all saints, Abul Hassan Hazrat Sayyiduna Ali-ul-Murtaza کرّم اللہ تعالٰی وجہہ الکریم is very high. His bounties and excellences are countless. He got an honor to marry with the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم , Hazrat Fatima رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا . He is one of those who were given the good news of entering the Jannah. The love of Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم for him was inimitable. His name is “Ali” and his father’s name is Abu Taalib and his mother name is Fatima bint e Asad. The kunyah of 'Ali was Abu al-Hasan, after his oldest son al-Hasan, who was one of the children of his wife Fatima رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا , the daughter of the beloved Rasool of Allah عزّوجلّ . He was also known by Abu Turaab, which was given to him by the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم and He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was always happy to be addressed by it.

He is cousin and son in law in relationships with Holy prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم . Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was born thirty years after the birth of Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم so that he is thirty years younger than Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم .He was grown up under the guardianship of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم . Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ remained in the company of The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم from his childhood due to this reason he is a best example of the noble character of beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم . This was one of the greatest blessings that Allah عزّوجلّ bestowed upon Hazrat Ali ر رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ as he was raised and educated by the one who was guided by Allah عزّوجلّ . Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was the first child who believed the Islam thus he was the first child to become Muslim.

On the occasion of migration from Makkah to Madina, Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم ordered Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ to sleep on His صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم bed and migrate to Madina after returning the entrusted items to their owners. There was a great impact of Holy Quran upon him. The verses that Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ heard from the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ had an impact on the formation of his character. They purified his heart and soul and illuminated his mind, and his soul interacted with them. Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ lived his life with the Qur'an, reading it, memorizing it, understanding it and acting in accordance with it.

He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ benefitted from the commentary of the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ and he conveyed what he learned from the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ to the people. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ used to ask from Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم whatever he did not understand from thenoble Quran. Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was one of the Makkans who were able to read and write in an illiterate society, which is indicative of his love for knowledge from an early age. Hazrat e Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was very keen to memorize, understand and ponder over the Noble Qur'an..

There was great love between the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ and 'Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ .Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was one of those who gave bath to Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ along with Fazal bin Abbas and Usama bin Zaidرضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما . Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ said: "I washed the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ and I checked to see what is usually seen in one who is deceased, but I did not see anything; he looked good in life and in death. “He said: "May my father be sacrificed for the good (meaning the Prophet); how good you looked in life and in demise. Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was among those who went down into the grave of the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ and buried him, along with Fazal ibn Abbas, Qaasam ibne Abbas and Shuqran رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما , the freed slave of the Messenger of Allahعزّوجلّ .

Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was a sincere adviser to Abu Baker Siddique رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ . While studying the biography of Hazrat Ali رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ we see that there are many signs of his sincerity to Abu Bakar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and of his keenness to protect the position of the caliphs and to uphold Muslim unity. Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ accepted the caliphate of Abu Bakar Siddique رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and took part in his managing the affairs of the Ummah. He accepted gifts from him, referred cases to him for judgement, prayed behind him, loved him and bated those who hated him.

Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was a prominent member of the consultative committee of Hazrat Umar farooq’s state, indeed, he was the main consultant. Hazrat Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ acknowledged Hazrat Ali’s virtue, understanding of Islam and wisdom. It is proven that he said concerning him: "The best of us in judiciary matters is 'Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ . Ibn al-Jawzi said: "Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to consult him, and Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ used to say: 'I seek refuge with Allah from a problem that Abu al-Hasan ('Ali) cannot handle." Hazrat Umarرضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ had such great respect for the family of the Messenger of Allah عزّوجلّ that be preferred them to his own sons and family. Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ had a distinctive personality. One cannot comprehend the level of knowledge and wisdom of Sayyidunā ‘Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ

The life of Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom. He had a strong will in matters of Allah عزّوجلّ and in the support of Islam. He talked in a decisive manner and resolved issues with great justice. He was not interested in the worldliness. His heart was full with the fear of Allah عزّوجلّ , and had been very tearful. He used to hold hisNafsaccountable. The story of Caliph Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ tells us that he would like to wear rough and thick clothes and would eat thick bread. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ had a majestic personality that people felt reluctant to talk to him but whenever anyone visited him he always came forward to meet with warm welcome. He رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ answered their queries and accepted their invitations.

The virtues and excellences of Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ are beyond description may Allah عزّوجلّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake.