Who was Ali

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Ali ibn Abu Talib

Ali was son of Abu Talib and cousin of Prophet Mohammad. Ali was Muhammad's right hand man. At the age only 14, Prophet appointed Ali his successor and executor.
When Allah comanded Prophet to warn his kinsmen about Day of Judgement and about Fire of Hell if they do not accept the truth which is coming down in the Holy Quran.

The young Ali made preparations to welcome the family guests.

Hadith of warning

The warning hadith, also known as "invitation of the close families" - Da‘wat dhul-‘Ashīrah) is a famous Islamic hadith, that is recorded in all Muslim books through different chain of narration, which is considered to be mutawatir and sahih. The Shia's use this hadith to prove that Ali (Ali ibn Abi Talib) is the rightful successor of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.

For three years Muhammad invited people to Islam in secret. Then he started inviting people publicly. When, according to the Quran he was commanded to invite his closer relatives to come to Islam,[Quran 26:214] and gathered the Banu Hashim in a ceremony and told them clearly that whoever would be the first to accept his invitation would become his successor and inheritor. Ali who was 13 or 14 years old at that time was the one to step forth and embrace Islam.

Imam Ali, the one narrating the hadith, says he was ordered to cook food for forty people by Muhammad, for the exact number of family members attending the event.

After the food was presented and the people ate and drank, Muhammad stood up and said, "O sons of Abd al-Muttalib, by Allah, I do not know of any person among the Arabs who has come to his people with better than what I have brought to you and I have verily came to you with the best of this world and the hereafter, and Allah has ordered me to invite you to it. So who of you, will help me in this mission and to be my brother (akhí), my successor (wasiyyí), and my caliph (khalifatí) among you?"

Muhammad repeated this three times, no one present responded to him except the youngest of them — ‘Ali b. Abí Tãlib. He stood up and said, "I will be your helper, O Prophet of God."

Muhammad then put his hand on the back of Ali's neck and said, "Inna hadhã akhhí wa wasiyyí wa khalífatí fíkum, fasma‘û lahu wa atí‘û — Verily this is my brother, my successor, and my caliph amongst you; therefore, listen to him and obey."[2]. However a handful of the people then laughed and said to Abu Talib that Muhammed has ordered you to obey your son.

References:

Sunni sources: at-Tabari, at-Ta’ríkh, vol. 1 (Leiden, 1980 offset of the 1789 edition) p. 171-173; Ibn al-Athír, al-Kãmil, vol. 5 (Beirut, 1965) p. 62-63; Abu ’l-Fidã’, al-Mukhtasar fi Ta’ríkhi ’l-Bashar, vol. 1 (Beirut, n.d.) p. 116-117; al-Khãzin, at-Tafsír, vol. 4 (Cairo, 1955) p. 127; al-Baghawi, at-Tafsír (Ma‘ãlimu ’t-Tanzíl), vol. 6 (Riyadh: Dar Tayyiba, 1993) p. 131; al-Bayhaqi, Dalã’ilu ’n-Nubuwwa, vol. 1 (Cairo, 1969) p. 428-430; as-Suyuti, ad-Durru ’l-Manthûr, vol. 5 (Beirut, n.d.) p. 97; and Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanzu ’l-‘Ummãl, vol. 15 (Hyderabad, 1968) pp. 100, 113, 115. Further references: ‘Abdu ’l-Husayn al-Aminí, al-Ghadír, vol. 2 (Beirut, 1967) pp. 278-289.


Non-Muslim view of Ali

Some non-Muslim scholars reject all hadith as fabrications, which colors their views. Others, like Wilferd Madelung, accept the hadith literature.

Hadith

Some other Islamic Scholars do not accept narrations collected in later periods, and only study the early collections of narrations. This leads them to regard certain reported events as inauthentic or irrelevant.

Among events that these scholars reject on the grounds that they are not included in what they call "early sources" (meaning, essentially, the Sirat Rasul Allah of Muhammad ibn Ishaq) include:
Ali was prominent in the battlefield of Uhud and was wounded there seventeen times.

In 9 A.H. (630 CE), Muhammad prepared to lead an expedition against Syria. This was the well-known expedition of Tabuk. He left Ali behind in charge of Madinah, saying: "Will you not be pleased that you will be to me like Aaron to Moses? But there will be no prophet after me.".

That this was the only battle Muhammad engaged in without Ali at his side.

Wilferd Madelung has rejected the stance of indiscriminately dismissing everything not included in "early sources". He wrote in the preface to his book The Succession to Muhammad:

"work with the narrative sources, both those that have been available to historians for a long time and others that have been published recently, made it plain that their wholesale rejection as late fiction is unjustified and that with [not without] a judicious use of them a much more reliable and accurate portrait of the period can be drawn than has so far been realized."

Non-muslim views on Ali:

Edward Gibbon (Considered the greatest British historian of his time)

“ The zeal and virtue of Ali were never outstripped by any recent proselyte. He united the qualifications of a poet, a soldier, and a saint; his wisdom still breathes in a collection of moral and religious sayings; and every antagonist, in the combats of the tongue or of the sword, was subdued by his eloquence and valour. From the first hour of his mission to the last rites of his funeral, the apostle was never forsaken by a generous friend, whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent, and the faithful Aaron of a second Moses. ”


Sir William Muir (Scottish scholar and statesman)

“ Endowed with a clear intellect, warm in affection, and confiding in friendship, he was from the boyhood devoted heart and soul to the Prophet. Simple, quiet, and unambitious, when in after days he obtained the rule of half of the Moslem world, it was rather thrust upon him than sought.”


Khalil Gibran

“ In my view, Alī was the first Arab to have contact with and converse with the universal soul. He died a martyr of his greatness, he died while prayer was between his two lips. The Arabs did not realise his value until appeared among their Persian neighbors some who knew the difference between gems and gravels. ”


Dr. Henry Stubbe (Classicist, polemicist, physician, and philosopher)

“ He had a contempt of the world, its glory and pomp, he feared God much, gave many alms, was just in all his actions, humble and affable; of an exceeding quick wit and of an ingenuity that was not common, he was exceedingly learned, not in those sciences that terminate in speculations but those which extend to practice ”


Robert Durey Osborn

“ With him perished the truest hearted and best Moslem of whom Mohammadan history had preserved the remembrance ”


Washington Irving (American author, essayist, biographer and historian)

“ He was of the noblest branch of the noble race of Koreish. He possessed the three qualities most prized by Arabs: courage, eloquence, and munificence. His intrepid spirit had gained him from the prophet the appellation of The Lion of God, specimens of his eloquence remain in some verses and sayings preserved among the Arabs; and his munificence was manifested in sharing among others, every Friday, what remained in the treasury. Of his magnanimity, we have given repeated instances; his noble scorn of everything false and mean, and the absence in his conduct of everything like selfish intrigue.”

“ He was one of the last and worthiest of the primitive Moslems, who imbibed his religious enthusiasm from companionship with the Prophet himself, and followed to the last the simplicity of his example. He is honourably spoken of as the first Caliph who accorded some protection to Belles-Lettres. He indulged in the poetic vein himself, and many of his maxims and proverbs are preserved, and have been translated in various languages. His signet bore this inscription: 'The kingdom belongs to God'. One of his sayings shows the little value he set upon the transitory glories of this world, 'Life is but the shadow of a cloud - the dream of a sleeper'. ”


Simon Ockley (British Orientalist and Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge)

“ One thing particularly deserving to be noticed is that his mother was delivered of him at Mecca, in the very mosque itself; which never happened to any one else ”


Philip Khuri Hitti

“ Valiant in battle, wise in counsel, eloquent in speech, true to his friends, magnanimous to his foes, he became both the paragon of Muslim nobility and chivalry (futuwah) and the Solomon of Arabic tradition, around whose name poems, proverbs, sermonettes and anecdotes innumerable have clustered”.”


Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian, critic, and sociological writer)

"As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection, of fiery daring. Something chivalrous in him; brave as a lion; yet with a grace, a truth and affection worthy of Christian knighthood."


Gerald de Gaury

Gerald opines that Ali was to be forever the paragon of Muslim nobility and chivalry.


Charles Mills

“ As the chief of the family of Hashem and as the cousin and son-in-law of him whom the Arabians respected …, it is apparently wonderful that Ali was not raised to the Caliphate immediately on the death of Mohammad. To the advantages of his birth and marriage was added the friendship of the Prophet. The son of Abu Talib was one of the first converts to Islamism and Mohammad’s favourite appellation of his was the Aaron of a second Moses. His talents as an orator, and his intrepidity as a warrior, were grateful to a nation in whose judgement courage was virtue and eloquence was wisdom."


Shia view of Ali

Ali ibn Abi Talib (599-661), the cousin and son-in-law to Prophet Muhammad, member of the Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt and first Caliph.

Ali is regarded as the first Imam and is considered, along with his descendants, to be one of the divinely appointed successors of Muhammad who are the only legitimate religious and political leaders of the Muslim community. Though Imam Ali was regarded, during the lifetime of Muhammad, as the Prophet's initial successor, it would be 25 years before he was recognized with the title of Caliph (successor).

Tradition states that Ali was born in Mecca (inside the Ka'ba), to the tribe Quraysh. Ali's father, Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, was custodian of the Ka'ba and a Sheikh of Banu Hashim; an important branch of the powerful tribe of the Quraysh. His mother was Fatimah binte Asad who was also from Banu Hashim. In Arab culture, this was a great honor for Ali that both of his parents were belong to Banu Hashim. Ali was also one of descendants of Ismail the son of Ibrahim.

During his childhood, Ali had spent his first six years under his father's house until, as a result of famine in and around Mecca, he was requested by the Prophet to leave his father's house and come to the house of his cousin, the Prophet Muhammad. It would be another four years until Muhammad would announce his Prophethood. When the divine command came for Muhammad to begin to preach, Imam Ali, only a child of ten years, arose and was the first male to publicly announce his support for his cousin. Over the coming years, Ali stood firmly in his support of Muhammad during the persecution of Muslims in Mecca.

Ali migrated to Medina shortly after Muhammad. There Muhammad told Ali that he had been ordered by God to give his daughter, Fatimah, to Ali in marriage. For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders. With the exception of Tabuk, Ali took part in all the battles fought for Islam during this time.

After the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan, the Companions of Muhammad in Medina selected Ali to be the new Caliph. He encountered defiance and civil war (First Fitna) during his reign. Tragically, while Ali was praying in the mosque of Kufa, Ibn Muljam, a Khawarij assassin, struck him with a poison-coated sword. Ali died on the 21st of Ramadan in the city of Kufa in 661 CE. Imam Ali is highly regarded for his knowledge, belief, honesty, devotion to Islam, loyalty to Muhammad, his equal treatment of all Muslims, and his generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies. In addition, he is respected as the rightful successor of Prophet Muhammad. Ali retains his stature as the foremost authority on the Tafsir (Quranic exegesis), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and religious thought.

The compilation of sermons, lectures, and quotations attributed to Ali are compiled in the form of several books. Nahj al-Balagha is the most revered of them. It is considered by historians and scholars to be an important work in Islamic literature.

Early life

Fatimah binte Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, pregnant with Ali, completed her pregnancy term of 270 days but had not yet been induced into labor to give birth to the post-term baby. Abu Talib suggested to his wife that she perform circumambulations around the Ka'ba and pray for divine assistance. In the midst of performing her rounds, she went into labor; at one corner of the Ka'ba, designated as the Rukne Yamani, the Ka'ba split open and she was given a push from behind towards the direction of the opening.



Inside the Ka'ba Fatimah gave birth to Ali, and it wasn't until Muhammad had looked upon the infant that the infant's eyelids opened. At the time of Ali's birth a special relationship was hence imparted between Muhammad and Ali, and would be manifested from the time of the Prophet's Call in the year 610 A.D. until the Prophet's demise in the year 632. Imam Ali would be given the privilege of being to only person to be born inside the Ka'ba.

In a Muslim tradition regarded as authentic by Shias and included in Mawaddat al-Qurba and Peshawar Nights, Alis mother Fatima bint Asad named him after her father, Asad. Abu Talib did not agree with her and said:

"O Fatima! Let us go to the Qubais hills, and invoke Allah (some reporters say that he said they should go to the Al-Masjid al-Haram). He may tell us the name of this child."

The answer to the prayer was Ali, derived from one of 99 Names of God, Al Ali (The Exalted).

Upbringing

When Ali was about six years of age, Muhammad was granted permission from his uncle Abu Talib to bring him up as his own child. From his earliest days, Ali came directly under the tutelage of Muhammad, to share his high ethics and morals. For ten years, Imam Ali remained in the care of Muhammad, who kept him so close and inseparable that he was one with him in character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, forbearance, bravery, kindness, generosity, oratory and eloquence. From his very infancy, he prostrated himself before God along with Muhammad, as he himself said, "I was the first to pray to God along with the Holy Prophet."

Muhammad's era

Ali was the first person to delcare in public his belief in Muhammad, and his message of Islam - though Ali had been born a muslim. His announcement came with Muhammad's first speech, directed to his family, about his divinely appointed mission. Tradition states that when the verse "And warn your close tribe (Quran 26:214)" was revealed to Muhammad, he called Ali and said to him,

"Ali, God has commanded me to warn my tribe of near kindred. I was troubled by this, since I knew that when I discuss the matter to them they would respond in a way which I would not like. I kept silent until Gabriel came to me and said "If you do not do what you are commanded, your Lord will punish you." So prepare a measure of wheat for us, add a leg of lamb to it, fill a large bowl of milk for us, and then invite sons of Abd al-Muttalib for me so that I may speak to them what I have been commanded to tell them."

Once Muhammad had gathered the members of Banu Abd al-Muttalib he spoke to them, saying,
"Banu Abd al-Muttalib, I don't know of any young man among Arabs who has brought for his people something better than what I have brought to you. I bring the best of this world and the world after, since God has commanded me to summon you to him. Which of you will aid me in this matter, so that he will be my brother, my executor (Wasi), my successor (Caliph) among you?"

They all held back from the words of Muhammad, and though Ali was the youngest, he replied,

"I will be your helper, O' Prophet of Allah." He put his hand on the back of Ali's neck and said "This is my brother, my executor (Wasi), my successor (Caliph) among you, so listen to him and obey him."

Some Banu Abd al-Muttalib rose up laughing and saying to Ali's father, Abu Talib, "He has commanded you to obey your son and to obey him!"

Marriage with Fatimah

The Shia believe that there were never any arguments or differences between ‘Alī and Fātimah, and believe that ‘Alī never sought the hand of Abu Jahl's daughter in marriage. They also believe that Muhammad did not grant him the title "Abū Turāb" in displeasure, but rather from his delight at the battle of al-Ashira.

Boycott of Banu Hashim

Muhammad’s denunciation of the Meccan traditional religion was especially offensive to his own tribe, the Quraysh, as they were the guardians of the Ka'aba. So they persecuted Muslims. According to the tradition, the leaders of Makhzum and Abd Shams, two important clans of Quraysh, declared a public boycott against the clan of Banu Hashim, their commercial rival in order to put pressure on the clan.

At this time, Muhammad arranged for some of his followers to emigrate to Ethiopia. The boycott lasted for three years. Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad during the years of persecution of Muslims and boycott of Banu Hashim in Mecca.

Migration to Medina

In 622 CE, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot, so that Muhammad could escape in safety. This night is called "Laylat Al-mabit". According to some hadith a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of hijrah which says "And among men is he who sells his NAFS (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah"
Ali survived the plot, but risked his life again by staying in Mecca to carry out Muhammad's instructions: to restore to their owners all the goods and properties that had been entrusted to Muhammad for safekeeping. Then he went to Medina with Fatima binte Asad (his mother), Fatimah (the daughter of Muhammad), and two other women.

Then Muhammad went on his final Hajj (pilgrimage) and when returning, he called all those who were ahead to come back and those who were behind to come ahead. They had stopped at a place called Khumm. Muhammad sat on a pulpit made of saddles. He then said "man kuntu mawla hu fa hadha aliun mawla." which is translated as whoevers' master I am, Ali is also his master. The Sunni's translate it however as howevers 'friend' I am Ali is also his friend.

Succession to Muhammad

After Muhummad's death, a sudden panic overcame the many tribes within the Arabian Peninsula.[citation needed] The question of succession as to who would receive the Caliphate. Though it was well known through many traditions related by the Prophet and Quran as to who was to succeed Muhammad (Imam Ali), a small number of prominent companions took to the "Saqifah Bani Sa'ida" or Saqifah, a roofed building used by the tribe of Sa'ida, in the city of Medina, to decide amongst themselves as to who was going to lead the muslims. Such companions as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Sa'd ibn Ubadah ,who was killed at Saqifah, were present. The small secret band of companions exchanged arguments until the majority gave their bay'at (allegiance) to Abu Bakr.

Abu Bakr's era

Shia believe that the reason Ali did not aid Abu Bakr in the Rida wars was that those getting killed by Abu Bakr were his Shia.

Umar's era

Ali Asgher Razwy, a 20th century Shia Twelver Islamic scholar states:

“ Umar, on his deathbed, had appointed six Muhajireen as members of a panel which was to choose one out of themselves as the future khalifa of the Muslims. They were Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uthman, Talha, Zubayr, Abdur Rahman bin Auf and Saad bin Abi Waqqas. Except Ali, all other members of the panel were capitalists, or rather, neo-capitalists. When they came from Makkah, they were penniless and homeless but within twelve years, i.e., from the death of Muhammad Mustafa in 632 to the death of Umar in 644, each of them, except Ali, had become rich like Croesus. Between these two dates, they had accumulated immense wealth, and had become the richest men of their times. Ali did not qualify as a member of this exclusive "club" but Umar admitted him anyway. Apart from the fact that Ali made his living as a gardener whereas his other five co-members lived on the revenues of their lands and estates, there was another gulf, even more unbridgeable, that separated him from them. In character, personality, temperament, attitudes, philosophy and outlook on life, Ali and the rest of them were the antithesis of each other.”

Uthman's era

A narration attributed to Ali reports:

“ `Othman ordered that I should have audience with him on a very hot day. I placed my garment on my head and went to see him. I entered, and he was on his bed, a rod in hand, surrounded by rich wealth: two heaps of gold and silver. He said, `Take of this whatever you wish so you may have enough (i.e. buy enough food) to fill your stomach, for you have burnt me.’ I said to him, `You have surely been kind to your kin! If this wealth is an inheritance which you have inherited, or a giver gave it to you personally, or you earned it from a trade deal, I would then be one of two: I may either take of it or simply thank you for your offer [but not accept it], or I may refrain so I may work hard (to earn my living). But if it is a wealth that belongs to Allah, and the Muslims are to partake of it, and so are the orphans and the wayfarers, then by Allah, you have no right to give me any of it, nor do I have any right to take any of it.’ He said, `I, by Allah, insist that you should do what you have refused to do.’ Then he kept hitting me with the rod. By Allah, I did not keep his hand away from me till he had enough. I pulled my garment over my head and went back home. I said, `Allah is between you and me if I enjoined on you to do what is right or prohibited you from doing wrong. ”

Etiquette

When the Shia refer to ‘Alī, they normally add "peace be upon him" ("‘alayhis salām") after it. Alternatively, the phrase "Allah has honoured his face" ("karram-allāhu wajhahu") is also used after his name, in reference to the Shia belief that ‘Alī converted to Islām at such a young age that he never joined in any idol worship of the traditional Meccan gods. His face, they say, was never defiled by prostrations before the idols.


Sunni view of Ali

Sunni Muslims hold Ali in high respect as one of the Ahl al-Bayt, a foremost authority on the Quran and Islamic law, and as the last of the four Sunni Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Sunnis maintain that Ali was the first male to convert to Islam, when he was 10 years old.

Sunnis view Ali as one of the greatest warrior champions of Islam. Examples include taking on the Quraish champion at the Battle of the Trench when nobody else dared. After multiple failed attempts of breaking the fort in the Battle of Khaybar, Ali was summoned, miraculously healed and conquered the fort.

He is also seen as honored for marrying a daughter of Muhammed, an honor they believe is shared with Uthman, whom Sunni Muslims believe married two of the Prophets daughters.However, Ali is given distinction in this regard due to the high status accorded to Fatima in Islam, her being the sayyeda of the women of paradise.


Umayyad tradition of cursing Ali

It has been confirmed from both Shiites and Sunni sources that there was an Umayyad tradition of cursing Ali, that is said to have started with Muawiyah I, a practice put to end by Umar II. this allegation is completely denied by Sunni sects who confirm that Ali Bin Abi Taleb is one of the highly honored companions of the Mohammad ,and cursing him is Blasphemy. But this is prominently mentioned by Shia when retelling the history of Islam. It is an established fact as narrated in many authentic Sunni references that Mu'awiya used to openly curse Ali.

Ibn Kathir records in his Al Bidayah wa al Nahayah, "When Mu'awiya went for hajj, he held the hand of Saad bin Abi Waqas and said to him: 'Oh Abi Ishaq! We are the people who abandoned hajj because of wars till we almost forgot some of its laws, so we performed Tawaf (circumambulation) to imitate your Tawaf'. When they completed (hajj), he (Muawiya) entered him (Saad) to a conference room and sat with him on his sofa, then he (Muawiya) mentioned Ali bin Abi Talib and cursed him. He (Saad) said: 'You brought me to your house and made me sit on your sofa and then you begun to curse Ali?'

Some people who chose death over cursing Ali include: Atiyya ibn Sa'd and Hujr ibn Adi.

Hadith

A narration attributed to Sahl ibn Sa'd reports: [Sahih Muslim, 31:5924]

“ A person from the offspring of Marwan was appointed as the governor of Medina. He called Sahl ibn Sa'd and ordered him to abuse Ali. Sahl refused to do that. He (the governor) said to him: If you do not agree to it (at least) say: May Allah curse Abu Turab. Sahl said: There was no name dearer to Ali than Abu Turab (for it was given to him by the Holy Prophet himself) and he felt delighted when he was called by this name. He (the governor) said to him: Narrate to us the story of his being named as Abu Turab. He said: Allah's Messenger came to the house of Fatima and he did not find 'Ali in the house; whereupon he said: Where is your uncle's son? She said: (There cropped up something) between me and him which had annoyed him with me. He went out and did not rest here. Allah's Messenger said to a person to find out where he was. He came and said: Allah's Messenger, he is sleeping in the mosque. Allah's Messenger came to him and found him lying in the mosque and saw that his mantle had slipped from his back and his back was covered with dust and Allah's Messenger began to wipe it away from him (from the body of Hadrat 'Ali) saying: Get up, covered with dust (Arabic:Abu Turab); get up, covered with dust. ”

Sunnis tend to view this as Sahih and have included it in Sahih Muslim.

Another hadith from Sahih Muslim is:

A narration attributed to Amir b. Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas reports: [Sahih Muslim, 31:5915]

“ This hadith has been narrated. on the authority of Shu'ba with the same chain of transmitters. Amir b. Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas reported on the authority of his father that Muawiya b. Abi Sufyin appointed Sa'd as the Governor and said: What prevents you from abusing Abu Turab (Hadrat 'Ali), whereupon he said: It is because of three things which I remember Allah's Messenger having said about him that I would not abuse him and even if I find one of those three things for me, it would be more dear to me than the red camel. I heard Allah's Messenger say to Ali as he left him behind in one of his campaigns (that was Tabuk). Ali said to Allah's Messenger, you leave me behind along with women and children. Thereupon Allah's Messenger said to him: Aren't you satisfied with being unto me what Aaron was unto Moses but with the exception that there is no prophethood after me. And I (also) heard him say on the Day of Khaibar: I would certainly give this standard to a person who loves Allah and his Messenger and Allah and his Messenger love him too. He (the narrator) said: We have been anxiously waiting for it, when he (the Holy Prophet) said: Call 'Ali. He was called and his eyes were inflamed. He applied saliva to his eyes and handed over the standard to him, and Allah gave him victory. (The third occasion is this) when the (following) verse was revealed:" Let us summon our children and your children." Allah's Messenger called 'Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husain and said: O Allah, they are my family. ”

Sunnis tend to view this as Sahih and have included it in Sahih Muslim.


Imam al-Nawawi said: "The ulamas said: Any hadith that appear to refer to intra-Sahaba enmity is interpreted figuratively. In this hadith there is nothing that states that Mu`awiya actually ordered Sa`d to curse `Ali, but he only asked him for the reason why he refrained from cursing him: was it Godwariness? in which case, well done; or fear? etc. It may be that Sa`d was observed among a group that cursed `Ali, but he himself abstained from it although unable to reprimand them, then they were subsequently reprimanded, and Mu`awiya asked him this question. Another possible interpretation is: What prevented you from proving `Ali wrong in his opinion and ijtihad, and tell people the rightness and correctness of our position and ijtihad?"

Ali ibn al-Athir, a 13th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

“ Marwan the architect of Umayyad dynastic rule, clearly recognized the importance of cursing as a tool of the government. He told 'Ali's grandson Ali ibn al-Husayn privately: 'No one [among the Islamic nobility] was more temperate (akaff) towards our master than your master'. The harmless son of al Husayn asked him: 'Why do you curse him then from the pulpits? 'He answered: 'Our reign would not be sound without that (la yastaqimu l-amru illa bi-dhalik)

[ Baladhuri, AnsabII, 184-5 and ; Ibn Asakir, 'Ali, III, 98-9].


Shia Islam

Shia Islam is the second largest denomination of Islam, after Sunni Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shias but the terms Shiites or Shiites are common Anglicisations. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shiatu Ali, meaning "the followers of Ali" or "the faction of Ali" or simply "The Party".

Similar to other schools of thought in Islam, Shia Islam is based on the teachings of the Islamic holy book, the Qurān and the message of the final prophet of Islam, Muhammad. In contrast to other schools of thought, Shia Islam holds that Muhammad's family, the Ahl al-Bayt ("the People of the House"), and certain individuals among his descendants, who are known as Imams, have special spiritual and political authority over the community. Shia Muslims further believe that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the first of these Imams and was the rightful successor to Muhammad and thus reject the legitimacy of the first three caliphs.

Shias regard Ali as the second most important figure after Prophet Muhammad. According to them, Muhammad suggested on various occasions during his lifetime that Ali should be the leader of Muslims after his demise. According to this view, Ali as the successor of Muhammad not only ruled over the community in justice, but also interpreted the Sharia Law and its esoteric meaning. Hence he was regarded as being free from error and sin (infallible), and appointed by God by divine decree (Nass) to be the first Imam. Ali is known as "perfect man" (al-insan al-kamil) similar to Muhammad according to Shia viewpoint. As a result, Shias exclusively use sermons attributed to Ali, in contrast to the Sunni traditions where the sunnah is largely narrated by companions. Subsequently, the hadith contrasts between the Shias and Sunnis are one of the main reasons for friction between them, as Sunnis do not accept Shia hadith and vice versa.

The position of Ali is supported by numerous Hadith, including Hadith of the pond of Khumm, Hadith of the two weighty things, Hadith of the pen and paper, Hadith of the invitation of the close families, and Hadith of the Twelve Successors. In particular, the Hadith of the Cloak is often quoted to illustrate Muhammad's feeling towards Ali and his family by both Sunni and Shia scholars. Therefore, the Shia believe that the Family of the Prophet's hadiths are exclusively to be followed.

The Shia Islamic faith is vast and inclusive of many different groups. Shia theological beliefs, and religious practise such as prayers slightly differ from the Sunnis. While Sunnis pray 5 times daily, Shias have the option of praying certain prayers together into 3 prayers, as there are 3 distinct times mentioned in the Quran. Shia Islam embodies a completely independent system of religious interpretation and political authority in the Muslim world. The Shia identity emerged during the lifetime of Muhammad, and Shia theology was formulated in the second century. The first Shia governments and societies were established by the end of the third century (after Hijra). The fourth century AH /tenth century CE has been referred by Louis Massignon ‘the Shiite Ismaili century in the history of Islam’.

Whereas Sunnis believe the Mahdi will appear sometime in the future, Shias believe the Mahdi was already on earth, is currently the "hidden imam" who works through mujtahids to intepret Quran; and will return at the end of time.

Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe that God chose ‘Alī to be the successor, infallible and divinely chosen. Thus they say that Muhammad, before his death, appointed Ali as his successor.

Ali was Muhammad's first cousin and closest living male relative, as well as his son-in-law, having married his daughter Fatimah. ‘Ali would eventually become the fourth Muslim caliph.

Shia Muslims believe that after the last pilgrimage, Muhammad ordered the gathering of Muslims at the pond of Khumm and it was there that Muhammad nominated Ali to be his successor.The Hadith of the pond of Khumm refers to the saying (i.e. Hadith) about a historical event of appointment, crucial to Islamic history. This event took place on 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah of 10 AH in the Islamic calendar( March 10, 632 AD) at a place called Ghadir Khumm, which is located near the city of al-Juhfah, Saudi Arabia. Shia Muslims believe it to be an appointment of Ali by Muhammad as his successor.

They further believe the wordings of sermon delivered by Muhammad was as follows;

"Oh people! Reflect on the Quran and comprehend its verses. Look into its clear verses and do not follow its ambiguous parts, for by Allah, none shall be able to explain to you its warnings and its mysteries, nor shall anyone clarify its interpretation, other than the one that I have grasped his hand, brought up beside myself, [and lifted his arm,] the one about whom I inform you that whomever I am his master (Mawla), this Ali is his master (Mawla); and he is Ali Ibn Abi Talib, my brother, the executor of my will (Wasiyyi), whose appointment as your guardian and leader has been sent down to me from Allah, the mighty and the majestic."

When Muhammad died, ‘Ali and Muhammad's closest relatives made the funeral arrangements. While they were preparing his body, Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and Abu ‘Ubayda met with the leaders of Medina and elected Abu Bakr as khalifa ("caliph"). ‘Ali and his family were dismayed, but accepted the appointment for the sake of unity in the early Muslim community.

It was not until the murder of the third khalifa, ‘Uthman, that the Muslims in Medina invited ‘Ali to become the fourth khalifa.

‘Ali's rule over the early Muslim community was often contested, to the extent that wars were waged against him. As a result, he had to struggle to maintain his power against the groups who broke away after giving him allegiance, or those who wished to take his position. After Ali's murder in 661 CE, his main rival Mu‘awiya claimed the caliphate. Some of the problems came from the very people who had initially supported ‘Ali's claim to rule. While the rebels who accused ‘Uthman of nepotism affirmed ‘Ali's khilafa, they later turned against him and fought him.

‘Ali ruled from 656 to 661 when he was assassinated while prostrating (sujud) in prayer. Shī‘as add "and Ali is the wali (chosen one) of God" (wa-‘Aliyun waliyu l-Lāh), to the adhan and shahada but this is not obligatory. Ali is regarded as the foremost authority on the Tafsir and hadith.

Ismah

Ismah is the concept of infallibility or "divinely bestowed freedom from error and sin" in Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad and other prophets in Islam possessed ismah. Shia Muslims also attribute the quality to Imāms as well as to Fatima Zahra, daughter of Muhammad.

According to Shia theologians, infallibility is considered a rational necessary precondition for spiritual and religious guidance. They argue that since God has commanded absolute obedience from these figures they must only order that which is right. The state of infallibility is based on the Shia interpretation of the verse of purification.[Quran 33:33] Thus they are, the most pure ones, the only immaculate ones preserved from, and immune to, all uncleanness. It does not mean that supernatural powers prevent them from committing a sin, but it is due to the fact that they have an absolute belief in God so that they find themselves in presence of God. They have also complete knowledge about God's will. They are in possession of all the knowledge brought by the angels to the prophets (nabi) and the messengers (Rasul). Their knowledge encompasses the totality of all times. Thus they act without fault in religious matters.

It is variously estimated that 10–20% of the world's Muslims are Shia, while the remaining larger percentage follow Sunni Islam.

They may number up to 200 million as of 2010. The Shia majority countries are Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain. They also constitute 36.3% of entire local population and 38.6% of local Muslim population of Middle East.

Shia Muslims constitute over 35% of the population in Lebanon, over 45% of the population in Yemen, 20-40% of the population in Kuwait, over 20% in Turkey, 10–20% of the population in Pakistan, and 15-19% of Afghanistan's population.

12 Imams

The Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad for the Twelvers. According to the theology of Twelvers, the successor of Muhammad is an infallible human individual who not only rules over the community with justice, but also is able to keep and interpret the Divine Law and its esoteric meaning. Muhammad and imams' words and deeds are a guide and model for the community to follow; as a result, they must be free from error and sin, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass, through Muhammad. Each Imam was the son of the previous Imam, with the exception of Husayn ibn Ali, who was the brother of Hasan ibn Ali. The twelfth and final Imam is Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed by the Twelvers to be currently alive, and in occultation.

‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib (600–661), also known as Amīru l-Mu'minīn "Commander of the Faithful" in Arabic and in Persian as Shāh-e Mardan "King of the Men"

Hasan ibn ‘Alī (625–669), also known as Al-Hasan al-Mujtaba
Husayn ibn ‘Alī (626–680), also known as Al-Husayn ash-Shaheed
‘Alī ibn Husayn (658–713), also known as Ali Zayn-ul-'Abideen
MuHammad ibn ‘Alī (676–743), also known as Muhammad al-Bāqir
Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (703–765), also known as Ja'far al-Sādiq
Mūsá ibn Ja‘far (745–799), also known as Mūsá al-Kāżim
‘Alī ibn Mūsá (765–818), also known as Ali ar-Riża
Muhammad ibn ‘Alī (810–835), also known as Muhammad al-Jawad, and at-Taqi
‘Alī ibn Muhammad (827–868), also known as ‘Alī al-Hādī and ‘Alī an-Naqī
Hasan ibn ‘Alī (846–874), also known as Hasan al Askari
Hujjat ibn Hasan (869–?), also known as al-Hujjat ibn al-Hasan, Mahdī, Imāmu l-Asr


Principles of the Religion (Usūl al-Dīn)

In Twelver Shia Islam, the Principles of the Religion (Usūl al-Dīn) are the five main theological beliefs that Shia Muslims must possess. The Shia Roots of Religion are a set of theoretical theological beliefs, in contrast to the ten practices prescribed in the Shia Branches of Religion. It is from these articles that the Branches of Religion are derived.

The five articles of faith in the Shia Roots of Religion are:

Tawhīd (Oneness)
Adl (Justice)
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Imāmah (Leadership)
Yawm al Qiyyamah(Ma'ad) (The Day of Resurrection)

Ancillaries of the Faith (Furū al-Dīn)

Salat (Prayer)
Sawm (Fast)
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Zakāh (2.5% of savings to the poor)
Khums (20% of savings of which the first half (Sihmu 'l-Imam) must be given to the Imam of Ahlul-Bayt aka Ayatollah [99][100])
Jihād (Struggle)
Amr-Bil-Ma'rūf (Enjoining what is good)
Nahi-Anil-Munkar (Forbid what is evil)
Tawallá (To love Muhammad and his Ahl al-Bayt)
Tabarrā' (To hate, curse and disassociate from the enemies of Muhammad and his Ahl al-Bayt)

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