Eulogising Hazrat Ali (RA)
A man with unmatched bravery, unlimited knowledge and exemplary sagacity was born to Hazrat Fatima Bint-i-Asad inside the Kaba (the most holiest place of Islam) on 13th Rajab named as Ali.
He was only baby who took birth within precinct of holy sanctuary of Kabatullah throughout Islamic history. After the birth, the Last Prophet (SAWW) took him in his hands and said that Allah had commanded him to name this child as ‘Ali’ and put his Holy saliva into his mouth.
Additionally, When he reached the age of 10, Holy Prophet adopted him for nourishment, since then, he was with him wherever he went whether for trading, , preaching , worshing or appointment. He, Ali, was very dear to Holy Apostle, He expressed his affection with these words, “Ali is the most beloved of God and His Prophet in all of creation.” (Kenz Al-Omal, 5/33).
In accordance with the traditions, Hazrat Ali is first person who embraced Islam after Bibi Khadija, wife of Prophet, when Prophet of Islam proclaimed of Prophethood. Similarly, he is on those two who offered first Namaz of Islam behind Prophet.
Inter alia, His eloquence and wisdom , knowledge and bravery, valour and selfless services for the spread of Islam earned him number of epithets like Fatih-i-Khyber, conqueror of Khyber, Asad Ullah, (lion of Allah), Haider e Karaar, An aggressive lion, Murtaza, the one pleasing God or chosen, Baab-ul—Ilm, gate of city of knowledge, Abu Turab, father of dust, Ameer ul Mo’mineen, leader of faithfuls, Sultan ul Auliya, crown of saints and last but not least , Mazhar al Ajaaib, the manifestation of marvels.
His sermons, axioms and verdicts extend guidance almost related to every man belonging to any field as an statesman, politician, leader, justice, father, teacher , businessman, scholar and many more to mention. Because, the Last Prophet (SAWW) had awarded him appellation of gate of knowledge plus wisdom.
Resultantly, whenever he spoke, he spoke wonders. However, Khulafa-i-Rashideen also seek guidance if they would feel any hesitation in provision of justice in their tenure that’s why Hazrat Umar (RA) on many occasions said, he would have perished if Ali had not been with him.
Moreover, Imam Ali was appointed by the Holy Prophet as the chief judge of Yemen in his lifetime. Before he had left, the Imam said to the Holy Prophet.
“O Allah’s Messenger, you are sending me to assume this office while I am still too young to gain mastery in adjudication”. The Last Prophet (SAWW) answered,” Set out! Allah shall guide your heart and fix your tongue on the truth”.
Because of Prophet’s prayer, he never encounter hesitation in ruling. Here is glimpse of his marvellous insight and jurisprudence.
Once in the time of Prophet, a group of men shared in purchasing a she-slave and they all copulated with her in the same period of her purity from menstruation. She was thus pregnant. When she gave birth to a male baby, each one of the men claimed the baby to have been his son.
They provided the case before Imam Ali (‘a) who cast lots and decided the father of the baby accordingly. He then sentenced the father to the payment of the two thirds of the amount of the blood money to the other partners. The Imam (‘a) reproached them and warned against interfering in such matters.
When the judgment was provided before the Holy Prophet (S), he, praising Imam Ali’s sagacity, said, All praise be to Allah Who made one of us the Ahl Al-Bayt pass judgment according to the laws of Prophet David.
Secondly, when Hazrat Umar (RA) was Caliph, a young man complained to ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab against a woman whom he claimed to be his mother while she disavowed him.
When ‘Umar summoned her, she came along with her four brothers and other forty persons who were ready to swear that she had no family relation with that young man and that she was still unmarried.
Imam Ali, who was present, asked ‘Umar to permit him judging between the two litigants. ‘Umar shouted, ‘How strange this is! How can I not permit you judging in this case after I have heard the Messenger of Allah (S) saying, ‘The most knowledgeable of all of you is Ali ibn Abi Talib?’’ The Imam (‘a) turned his face towards the woman and asked,’ Do you have witnesses?’ ‘Yes, I do,’ she said.
The witnesses thus testified to the woman. The Imam (‘a) said to the attendants,’ This day, I will issue such a judgment that will please the Lord from above His Throne. I learnt it from my dear the Messenger of Allah (S).’
He then said to the woman, ‘Do you have a guardian? ’She answered, ‘Yes, I do. My guardians are these brothers of mine. ’The Imam (‘a) then said to her brothers, ‘Do you allow me to decide about your sister and you?’ ‘Yes, we do,’ they answered.
The Imam (‘a) thus said,’ I call Allah and the Muslims who are attendant to witness that I have given this woman to this young man in marriage with a dowry of four hundred dirhams, which I will pay.’ He (‘a) then shouted at his servant, ‘O Qambar, bring me four hundred dirhams.’
Qambar thus fetched the dirhams and the Imam (‘a) immediately put them in the hand of the young man to pay them as dowry to the woman and ordered him to prepare himself for the wedding party.
The young man did what Imam Ali (‘a) had ordered him and ordered the woman to accompany him. Immediately, the woman cried out of fear, ‘This is the Fire! This is the Fire! O cousin of Muhammad, do you want to give me in marriage to my own son? By Allah, this young man is my son.
My brothers gave me in marriage to a man whose tribe was not known (i.e. of no good reputation among the other tribes). So, I gave birth to this young man. When he became young, my brothers ordered me to disavow and reject him. By Allah, this young man is my son.
Besides, Ali not only earned laurels from people sharing his faith but non-Muslim intellectuals couldn’t help complimenting as a law-lord. Waki’, a famous writer and judge, says, ‘The most prominent of all judges is Ali ibn Abi Talib”.
Another western scholar ,Philip Hitti In his book History of the Arabs, assessed the character of Hazrat Ali as follows: “Valiant in battle, wise in council, eloquent in speech, true to his friends, magnanimous to his foes, Ali became both the paragon of Muslim nobility and chivalry, and the Solomon of Arabic tradition”.
“Ali was a gallant, remarked, Professor Nicholson In his book A Literary History of the Arabs, warrior, a wise counsellor, a true friend and generous foe.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Rawalpindi.
