Complete Life History of Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS), Imam-ul-Muttaqeen
Birth and Early Life in the Holy Kaaba
Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS) was born under the most extraordinary and unique circumstances in human history. He was the only individual ever to be born inside the sacred precincts of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca . This event took place on the 13th of Rajab, approximately 23 years before the Hijrah (595-600 CE), when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) was about 30 years old .
His mother, Hazrat Fatima bint Asad, was performing her circumambulation (Tawaf) around the Kaaba when labor pains began. According to historical accounts, the wall of the Kaaba miraculously opened for her, and she entered the sacred sanctuary where she gave birth to Ali (ASWS). This divine miracle signaled that this child would be a man of exceptional spiritual and worldly status.
His father was Abu Talib, the uncle and guardian of the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), who had raised the Prophet as his own son . His mother, Fatima bint Asad, was a woman of great piety and devotion. Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was the youngest of four brothers—his siblings were Aqeel, Ja’far (who later became a renowned martyr), Umm-e-Haani, and Jumanah .
His Appearance and Titles
Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS) was described as having a moderate height, large eyes, and a blessed face resembling the full moon . He had broad shoulders, heavy palms, and strong hands that made him robust. He possessed a slender neck, dark hair at the back of his head, and a flowing, naturally dark beard .
His titles reflect his multifaceted personality and status:
- Ali-ul-Murtaza– The Chosen One
- Asadullah– The Lion of God
- Haydar– The Brave-hearted
- Abu Turab– Father of Dust, given by the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), a title he was always happy to be addressed by
- Amir al-Mu’minin– Commander of the Faithful
- Abu al-Hasanand Abu al-Hasanain – Father of Hasan and Hussain
Childhood Under the Prophet’s Care
When Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was about six years old, due to a severe famine in and around Mecca, the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) requested that he leave his father’s house and come under his direct guardianship . The young Ali was placed under the custody of the Prophet and grew up in the blessed household of his cousin .
From early childhood, he was always in the company of the Prophet, learning the finest morals, habits, and spiritual teachings. He avoided idol worship completely—unlike the people of Mecca—and was raised on the pure, monotheistic faith of Islam .
Ali later recalled these precious moments, saying: “Every year he (the Prophet) used to go in seclusion to the Cave of Hira’, where I saw him but no one else did” .
Acceptance of Islam – The First Male Muslim
When the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) received his first revelation in the cave of Hira’ and began to preach Islam, the first person to embrace the faith was his wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA). The first man to accept Islam was Hadrat Ali (ASWS), who was only 10 years old at the time .
In a historic gathering, the Prophet invited his relatives and declared: “The first person to accept my call will be my vicegerent, inheritor, and deputy.” Among all those present, only young Ali rose to accept the faith, and the Prophet accepted his declaration .
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was unique in that he never believed in or bowed down to false idols—neither before nor after the advent of Islam . He was thus a Muslim by birth and conviction, having never been tainted by the polytheism of the age of ignorance.
The Night of Migration (Hijrah)
When the enemies of Islam plotted to assassinate the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) and surrounded his house in Mecca, it was Hadrat Ali (ASWS) who risked his life by sleeping in the Prophet’s bed . While the infidels intended to strike the Prophet in his bed at dawn, the Prophet had already escaped from Mecca in the dead of night and departed for Medina.
Ali (ASWS) remained behind in Mecca and, after the Prophet’s departure, returned all the trusts and charges that people had left with the Prophet . He then migrated to Medina with his mother, Fatima bint Asad, and other women of the household .
Upon arriving in Medina, the Prophet established bonds of brotherhood (Mu’akhat) between the Muhajireen (migrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (helpers from Medina). After pairing all others, Ali (ASWS) came to the Prophet with teary eyes, saying, “You have not paired me with a brother.” The Prophet replied: “You are my brother, in this world and the Hereafter” .
Marriage to Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA)
In the second year after the Hijrah, Hadrat Ali (ASWS) married the Prophet’s beloved daughter, Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA). The Prophet gave his daughter in marriage to Ali with a simple dower (Mahr) of 500 dirhams, which Ali raised by selling his armor from the Battle of Badr .
This marriage was not merely a union of two individuals but the creation of the most blessed household in Islam. From this union were born:
- Imam Hasan-al-Mujtaba (ASWS) – The first grandson
- Imam Hussain (ASWS) – The second grandson
- Mohsin (ASWS) – Who passed away in childhood
- Syeda Zainab (SA) – The heroine of Karbala
- Syeda Umm Kulthum (SA)
The Prophet declared about Ali: “Ali is never separated from the Truth nor the Truth from Ali” .
Participation in All Islamic Battles
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) participated in every major battle fought by the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), with the sole exception of the Battle of Tabuk, where he was commanded to stay in Medina . He never retreated in any battle, and his courage was legendary .
Battle of Badr (2 AH)
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) first distinguished himself as a warrior in the Battle of Badr in 624 CE. He defeated the Umayyad champion Walid ibn Utbah in a fierce one-on-one duel . His sword, Zulfiqar, played a crucial role in defeating many renowned warriors of the enemy .
Of the seventy enemy polytheists killed in this battle, Ali (ASWS) single-handedly killed thirty-five champions and commanders, including the most prominent warriors of Mecca . The historian Tabari mentioned all thirty-six commanders by name who were killed by Ali in this battle .
The Prophet recognized him as one of the greatest warriors of his era .
Battle of Uhud (3 AH)
In March 625 CE, a Meccan army of 3,000 warriors led by Abu Sufyan marched to confront the Muslims. Ali (ASWS) served as the primary commander and standard-bearer . During the initial duels, Ali faced Talha ibn Abi Talha, the Meccan standard-bearer, and successfully struck him down—boosting the morale of the Muslims .
According to historian Ibn Athir, Ali (ASWS) eventually killed eight or nine standard-bearers of the Meccan army as they attempted to raise their fallen flag .
When the Muslims suffered a setback due to archers abandoning their positions, Ali (ASWS) defended the Prophet who was left with only a few soldiers. Under the Prophet’s direction, Ali repeatedly charged and dispersed various units of the Meccan army . It was during this defense that the famous proclamation about Ali and his sword, Zulfiqar, was reportedly heard .
Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) (5 AH)
In this battle, also known as the Battle of the Khandaq, Ali (ASWS) demonstrated his extraordinary courage by confronting the fearsome warrior Amr ibn Abd al-Wud .
Amro, the champion of the enemy, repeatedly taunted the Muslims, calling out for a challenger. Many Muslims were terrified of this infamous warrior. Each time, Ali asked the Prophet for permission to fight. Upon the third request, the Prophet told him, “He is Amro…” to which Ali replied, “And I am Ali” .
The Prophet granted permission, and the two engaged in a fierce duel. Ali (ASWS) was initially struck and injured on the head, but he retaliated and gained victory over Amro, killing him .
The Prophet commented on this event with the profound statement:
“The challenge that ‘Ali met Amro with on the Day of the Trench (Khandaq) is greater than the deeds of my entire nation until the Day of Judgment” .
Battle of Khaybar (7 AH)
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) played a pivotal role in the conquest of the Jewish fortress of Khaybar, which was heavily fortified and had resisted siege for many days . The Prophet declared: “I will give the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by them.” He then called Ali (ASWS), who was suffering from an eye ailment, and after the Prophet applied his saliva to Ali’s eyes, his ailment was cured.
Ali (ASWS) then proceeded to the fort. In a display of superhuman strength, he reached the ring of the fort’s door and with a sudden motion tore it off and cast it away—a feat that remains unparalleled in history . He then led the Muslim forces to victory.
Conquest of Mecca (8 AH)
When Mecca was conquered peacefully, the Prophet ordered the idols in the Kaaba to be broken. The largest idol, Hubal, was a giant stone statue placed on top of the Kaaba. Following the Prophet’s command, Ali (ASWS) placed his feet on the Prophet’s shoulders, climbed to the top of the Kaaba, pulled Hubal from its place, and cast it down .
The Event of Ghadir Khumm (10 AH)
On the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) delivered a momentous sermon at Ghadir Khumm. Taking Ali’s hand in his presence, the Prophet declared:
“For whomever I am the Leader (Maula), ‘Ali is the Leader.”
He then prayed:
“O God… love those who love him, detest those who detest him… and turn the Truth with him, whichever way he turns” .
The Prophet also emphasized the importance of the Ahl al-Bayt, saying:
“I am leaving with you two weighty things: The Book of God (the Qur’an) and my family (Ahl al-Bayt). As long as you hold onto them both, you will never go astray… Indeed, God has told me that these two will not separate until they reach me at the pond (in heaven)” .
The Period of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (11-35 AH)
Following the death of the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), political disputes enveloped the nascent community. Though Ali was foremost in religious virtues, he was pushed aside from the caliphate . He retreated to his house and spent the twenty-five years of the rule of the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman) in isolation .
During this time, he focused on:
- Training competent individuals in the Divine sciences
- Preserving and teaching the esoteric aspects of the Qur’an
- Devising Arabic grammar to preserve the Qur’an’s form of expression
Though he did not engage in armed conflict, he continued to advise the rulers insofar as the greater benefit of serving the truth was concerned .
His Caliphate (35-40 AH)
After the martyrdom of the third caliph, Uthman, in 656 CE, people gave their allegiance to Hadrat Ali (ASWS), and he was chosen as the fourth caliph of Islam . His caliphate lasted for approximately 4 years, 8 months, and 9 days .
During this period, Ali (ASWS) followed the way of the Prophet, giving his caliphate the form of a spiritual movement and renewal. He initiated many reforms, which naturally went against the interests of those who sought their own benefit .
Battle of the Camel (Jamal) – 36 AH
One of the first major challenges during his caliphate was the uprising led by Talhah, Zubayr, and A’ishah (the “Mother of the Faithful”), who demanded justice for the death of Uthman . This led to the Battle of the Camel near Basra, where A’ishah was seated on a camel in the battlefield, from which the battle derives its name .
The Imam led his army with firmness and determination. He attacked the enemy holding the flag in his left hand and wielding the Zulfiqar in his right . Despite his reluctance to fight fellow Muslims, the conflict was unavoidable, and Ali (ASWS) emerged victorious.
Battle of Siffin (37-38 AH)
The second major conflict was against Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, the governor of Syria, who refused to pledge allegiance to Ali (ASWS) . This battle lasted for one and a half years on the border of Iraq and Syria .
The conflict was long and bloody. When Mu’awiyah was on the verge of defeat, he employed a trick by having his soldiers raise pages of the Qur’an on their lances, calling for arbitration. Many of Ali’s supporters, who were intensely pious, were deceived by this tactic and insisted on accepting arbitration, which allowed Mu’awiyah to escape defeat .
Battle of Nahrawan (38 AH)
The third conflict was against the Khawarij (Kharijites), a faction that had initially supported Ali but then turned against him when he accepted arbitration in the conflict with Mu’awiyah . The Khawarij believed that “judgment belongs only to God” and declared both Ali and Mu’awiyah to be unbelievers.
When they began terrorizing Muslims and killing innocent people, Ali (ASWS) was forced to confront them at Nahrawan. This resulted in a fierce battle where most of the Khawarij were killed .
Piety, Asceticism, and Worship
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was without equal in religious asceticism and worship of God . Abu Darda’, one of the companions, once saw Ali’s body in a palm plantation of Medina lying on the ground as stiff as wood. He went to Ali’s house to express condolences to Syeda Fatimah (SA), believing he had died. The daughter of the Prophet replied: “My cousin (Ali) has not died. Rather, in fear of God he has fainted. This condition overcomes him often” .
In response to some who complained of Ali’s anger toward them, the Prophet said: “Do not reproach Ali for he is in a state of Divine ecstasy and bewilderment” .
Ali (ASWS) was also renowned for his kindness to the lowly, compassion for the needy, and generosity toward those in misery and poverty. He spent all he earned to help the poor and lived in the strictest and simplest manner . His endowments, known as the “alms of Ali,” had an income of twenty-four thousand gold dinars toward the end of his life .
His Sword – Zulfiqar
Hadrat Ali’s (ASWS) legendary sword, Zulfiqar, became a symbol of his courage and victories . The Prophet himself gave this sword to Ali and made it a symbol of his superiority. It was a double-bladed sword, and the Muslims would often say in praise of Ali: “There is no brave youth like Ali, and there is no sword like Zulfiqar”.
This sword was used in countless battles to defeat the enemies of Islam and became an enduring symbol of Ali’s power and righteousness.
Knowledge and Wisdom
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was the most learned of the companions of the Prophet and of Muslims in general . He was the first in Islam to open the door for logical demonstration and proof and to discuss the “divine sciences” or metaphysics (ma’arif-i ilahiyah) .
He was the most eloquent Arab in speech, and his words of wisdom have been preserved in the renowned collection Nahj al-Balaghah (The Path of Eloquence) . He also devised Arabic grammar to preserve the Qur’an’s form of expression .
Some of his famous sayings include:
- “Take care of the likes of your brother, treat him well then you will attain your favourite thing from him”.
- “Do not hate anyone, for you might be his enemy tomorrow”.
Martyrdom – The Final Act
Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS) had prophesied his departure from this world several days beforehand. On the day of his martyrdom, he expressed a mysterious desire for his sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (ASWS), to offer their morning prayers in the house and not to accompany him to the mosque of Kufa as they usually did .
As Imam Ali (ASWS) was leaving his abode, the household birds began making a great noise. When a servant attempted to quiet them, Imam Ali said, “Leave them alone, for their cries are only lamentations foreboding my death” .
The Assassination
On the 19th of Ramadan, 40 AH (January 28, 661 CE) , Hadrat Ali (ASWS) came to the mosque in Kufa for his morning prayers. He gave the call for prayer (Adhan) and became engaged in leading the congregation .
Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam, one of the Khawarij who had been sentenced to death by Ali for his involvement in the killings at Nahrawan, was waiting in the mosque . He pretended to be praying and stood just behind Imam Ali (ASWS). When Imam Ali was in a state of prostration (Sajdah) during the prayer, Ibn Muljam dealt a heavy stroke with a sword, inflicting a deep wound on his blessed head .
The Assassin’s Motive
Ibn Muljam and two other Khawarij had plotted to assassinate Ali (ASWS), Mu’awiyah, and Amr ibn al-As simultaneously to avenge their fellow Khawarij killed at Nahrawan. While the others failed in their missions, Ibn Muljam succeeded in striking Ali (ASWS) .
The Final Days
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) suffered from his wound for three days, passing away on the night of the 21st of Ramadan, 40 AH . He was 63 years old at the time of his martyrdom .
In his final moments, he advised his sons on how to treat their killer. He instructed that Ibn Muljam should be given food and water and killed with a single blow of the sword, saying: “If I survive, I will decide what to do with him, and if I die, then strike him with a single blow of the sword, and do not mutilate him, for the Prophet forbade mutilation”.
The Tragic Reality
As the news of his martyrdom spread, the poor of Kufa realized that they had stopped receiving charity they had awaited so anxiously. They came to understand that the mysterious angel who used to come to give them charity at night had been none other than Imam Ali (ASWS) .
He was martyred at his finest time—the hour of standing before Allah during the prayer of submission, in the best of days while fasting during the month of Ramadan, while preparing to wage jihad, and in the highest and purest divine place, the Mosque of Kufa .
Burial
Hadrat Ali (ASWS) was buried in Najaf al-Ashraf (Iraq), a city that has since become one of the most important centers of Islamic learning and pilgrimage . His shrine in Najaf remains a place of veneration for Muslims worldwide.
He was born in the House of Allah (the Kaaba) and martyred in the House of Allah (the Mosque of Kufa), making him unique in all of human history .
Legacy
Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS) left behind an enduring legacy that transcends religious and political boundaries. He is:
- Venerated by Sunni Muslimsas the fourth and last rightly-guided caliph
- Venerated by Shia Muslimsas the first Imam and the rightful successor to the Prophet
- Revered by Sufi mysticsfor his piety and spiritual insight
His influence in the Islamic tradition is far-reaching. He is remembered for his:
- Piety and righteousness
- Chivalry and bravery
- Adherence to justice and principle
- Knowledge of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet
His sermons, letters, and sayings continue to inspire people across the world. His life serves as a timeless example of how to uphold truth, justice, and faith against all forms of tyranny and oppression.
References:
- Hadrat Ali was born inside the Holy Kaaba on 13th Rajab
- He was the first male to embrace Islam
- He participated in all battles except Tabuk
- The Prophet declared: “Ali is never separated from the Truth nor the Truth from Ali”
- His caliphate lasted for 4 years, 8 months, and 9 days
- He was martyred on 19th Ramadan 40 AH in Kufa Mosque and passed away on 21st Ramadan
- He was buried in Najaf al-Ashraf, Iraq
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS), his blessed wife Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA), his pure sons Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (ASWS), and his entire blessed progeny.