پہلے امام علی علیہ السلام ابن ابو طالب
13 رجب المرجب 30 اموفل جمعہ کا دن تھا حضرت ابو طالب کی اہلیہ حضرت فاطمہ بنت اسد خانہ کعبہ میں داخل ہوئیں اور اللہ تعالیٰ سے دعا کی کہ اے میرے محافظ میری تکلیف کو آسان فرما۔ اچانک کعبہ کی دیوار کھل گئی اور وہ گویا کسی نادیدہ قوت سے خانہ کعبہ کے اندر چلی گئیں اور دیوار بند ہوگئی۔ابو طالب کے سب سے چھوٹے بیٹے علی علیہ السلام خانہ کعبہ کے اندر پیدا ہوئے۔ وہ تین دن تک اندر رہی۔ تیسرے دن وہ دروازے سے باہر آئی اور محمد باہر انتظار کر رہا تھا۔ اس نے محمد (ص) کو بتایا کہ لڑکے نے دودھ نہیں پیا۔ محمد نے اسے اپنے منہ سے پہلا دودھ پلایا اور اس کے بعد اپنے چچا ابو طالب سے کہا کہ وہ بچہ گود لینا چاہتے ہیں۔علی اپنی پیدائش کے پہلے دن سے ہی محمد کے گھر میں داخل ہوئے۔ علی کی والدہ فاطمہ بنت اسد بھی وہیں رہتی تھیں جنہوں نے اپنے بیٹے اور محمد (ص) کی اس قدر دیکھ بھال کی کہ بعد میں آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ وہ اپنی ماں جیسی ہے۔
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شاہ ولی اللہ محدث دہلوی اپنی کتاب "اعزالات الخلفاء" میں اپنی مستدرک حصہ 3 صفحہ 483 میں امام حاکم سے حوالہ دیتے ہوئے لکھتے ہیں۔ قد تواتر الاخبار انا فاطمہ بنت اسد ولدت علیان فی الجوفل کعبہ۔ پرانے مکتبہ فکر کے ایک اور مصنف سبطیل الخواص کی کتاب التزوا میں پرانی کتاب کے صفحہ 483۔ 7 میں اسی حقیقت کا ذکر ہے کہ علی کعبہ کے اندر پیدا ہوئے تھے۔خواجہ معین الدین چشتی اجمیری نے اپنی مشہور چوتھائی میں اس حقیقت کا تذکرہ کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ جب علی علیہ السلام خانہ کعبہ کے اندر پیدا ہوئے تو آسمان اور زمین نور سے بھر گئے اور جبرائیل نے اعلان کیا کہ خدا کے گھر میں ایک بچہ پیدا ہوا ہے۔مولانا رومی اپنی مثنوی میں لکھتے ہیں کہ جو شخص علی علیہ السلام کی قبر کی زیارت کے لیے نجف کا سفر کرتا ہے اسے اس حقیقت کا علم ہونا چاہیے کہ کعبہ کا موتی اس سے ہماری شدید محبت کی وجہ سے ہمیں تحفظ فراہم کرنے کے لیے موجود ہے۔مشہور مورخ مسعودی اپنی کتاب تاریخ مروج الذہب میں لکھتے ہیں کہ علی علیہ السلام خانہ کعبہ کے اندر محمد رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے حکم پر پیدا ہوئے۔علی (ع) کے گود لینے کے بعد وہ اپنے گھر میں رسول اللہ کے ساتھ رہتے تھے۔محمد(ص) جہاں بھی جاتے علی(ع) ہر وقت ان کے ساتھ ہوتے تھے۔ حتیٰ کہ کوہ حرا میں جب محمد (ص) مراقبہ کے لیے جاتے تھے تو علی (ع) اکثر ان کے ساتھ جاتے تھے۔ کبھی وہ پہاڑ پر 3 یا 4 دن ٹھہرتے۔ کبھی کبھی علی (ع) اپنا کھانا وہاں لے جاتے تھے۔ نہج البلاغہ میں حضرت علی علیہ السلام نے فرمایا کہ میں رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ اس طرح جاتا تھا جیسے اونٹ کا بچہ اپنی ماں کے ساتھ جاتا ہے۔بعض مورخین یہ بتانے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں کہ جب محمد (ص) نے اپنی نبوت کا اعلان کیا تو علی (ع) مرد بچوں میں سب سے پہلے اسلام قبول کرنے والے تھے۔ یہاں مطلب یہ ہے کہ اس اعلان سے پہلے محمد (ص) اور علی (ع) دونوں کافر تھے۔یہ قرآنی فیصلے کے خلاف ہے جس میں کہا گیا ہے کہ ابراہیم ایک مسلمان تھے اور انہوں نے اپنی اولاد کو مسلمان ہونا سکھایا تاکہ جب نبی ابراہیم کی اولاد میں اسماعیل کی نسل سے پیدا ہوئے تو وہ مسلمان پیدا ہوئے اور اسی طرح علی بھی۔ صحیح بات یہ ہے کہ جب محمد (ص) نے اپنی نبوت کا کھلم کھلا اعلان کیا تو علی (ع) نے بغیر کسی ہچکچاہٹ کے فوراً ہی اس اعلان پر عمل کیا۔کعبہ میں نماز میں نظر آنے والے تین افراد محمد، خدیجہ اور علی تھے جو کسی اور کے اسلام قبول کرنے سے پہلے تھے۔ 3 سال سے مکہ کے نوجوان اور غریب لوگ چھپ کر اسلام قبول کر رہے تھے۔ پہلا کھلا اعلان اس وقت آیا جب قرآنی آیت نبی سے کہتی ہے کہ "کھل کر باہر آؤ اور اپنے قبیلے کے لوگوں کو خبردار کرو۔"بنو ہاشم کے سرداروں کو دعوتیں بھیجی گئیں کہ وہ محمد (ص) کے گھر عشائیہ پر آئیں۔ ان میں سے چالیس لوگ آئے، کھانا کھایا اور پھر محمد (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) کو ان کے مشن کے بارے میں سنا کہ اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں اور محمد (ص) اللہ کے رسول ہیں اور جو کوئی اس دین کی تبلیغ میں مدد کرے گا وہ اس کا نائب اور جانشین ہوگا۔علی (ع) کے سوا کوئی کھڑا نہ ہوا۔ 3 بار اس کا اعلان کرنے کے بعد محمد (ص) نے اعلان کیا کہ علی (ع) ان کے مشن کے نائب ہوں گے اور ان کے بعد ان کے جانشین ہوں گے۔ لوگوں نے اسے مذاق سمجھا کہ ایک 13 سال کا لڑکا اس پیغمبرانہ مشن کا نائب بننا ہے۔یہاں تک کہ ابو لہب نے مذاق میں ابو طالب سے کہا کہ جاؤ اپنے بیٹے کی بات مانو جسے ابو طالب نے مسکرا کر قبول کر لیا۔ علی (ع) نے محمد (ص) کے مشن میں مدد کرنے کا وعدہ کیا اور اس وعدے کو عمر بھر نبھایا۔اگلی چیز جو ہمیں علی علیہ السلام کی زندگی میں نظر آتی ہے وہ اس وعدے کی عکاسی ہے جو انہوں نے اس مقام پر قریش کے سرداروں کے سامنے کیا تھا۔ہم دیکھتے ہیں کہ علی (ع) محمد (ص) کو اسلام کے دشمنوں کی زیادتیوں سے بچا رہے ہیں۔ جب محمد (ص) طائف میں تبلیغ اسلام کے لیے قریبی شہر تشریف لے گئے تو طائف کے بچوں نے پتھر پھینکے اور یہ علی (ع) تھے جنہوں نے پیغمبر کی حفاظت کی اور پتھر پھینکنے والے بچوں کو پیغمبر سے دور ہٹا دیا۔حضرت علی علیہ السلام جوانی میں مضبوط، مضبوط بازو، چوڑا سینہ اور بہت مضبوط بہادر اور چمکدار چہرہ تھے۔ اس کی عمر کے بچے اور اس سے بڑے بھی اس سے خوفزدہ تھے اور جب بھی انہوں نے پیغمبر کا مذاق اڑانے کی کوشش کی تو علی (ع) کو حفاظت کے لئے کھڑے دیکھ کر ہمیشہ بھاگ گئے۔وقت گزرتا گیا اور قریش کی دشمنی اس قدر بڑھ گئی کہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے محمد (ص) کو مکہ چھوڑنے کا حکم دیا۔ علی (ع) بغیر کسی ہچکچاہٹ کے محمد کے بستر پر سو گئے اور جب کافر محمد (ص) کے گھر میں قتل کرنے کے لئے داخل ہوئے تو انہوں نے علی (ع) کو گھر میں 40 تلواروں کے داخل ہونے کے مقام پر پایا جو بالکل بھی خوفزدہ نہیں تھے۔جب انہوں نے علی سے سوال کیا کہ محمد کہاں ہیں تو اس نے بہادری سے جواب دیا کہ کیا تم نے انہیں میری قید میں چھوڑ دیا ہے؟ جب محمد کے جانے کے 3 دن بعد علی نے محمد کے سپرد کیا گیا تمام سامان ان کے مالکوں کو واپس کر دیا تو وہ باقی خاندان کے ساتھ مکہ سے مدینہ کے لیے روانہ ہوئے۔علی (ع) کے ساتھ ان کی والدہ فاطمہ بنت اسد، ان کی خالہ، حمزہ کی بیوی، اور محمد (ص) کی بیٹی فاطمہ اور دیگر بہت سی خواتین تھیں۔ مکہ کے کافروں نے علی (ع) کو جانے سے روکنے کی کوشش کی لیکن علی (ع) نے مقابلہ کیا، کفار کو بھگا دیا اور بحفاظت مدینہ پہنچ گئے۔ محمد (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) قصبے کے باہر گھر والوں کا انتظار کر رہے تھے۔ وہ علی (ع) اور باقی خاندان کے ساتھ شہر میں داخل ہوا۔رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے مسلمانوں کے درمیان اخوت کا رشتہ قائم کیا، علی علیہ السلام کو اپنا مسلمان بھائی بنا کر فرمایا کہ اے علی تم دنیا میں بھی میرے بھائی ہو اور آخرت میں بھی۔ایک بار جب یہ خاندان نئے گود لیے گئے شہر مدینہ میں آباد ہوا تو ان کا پہلا کام اس مسجد کو مکمل کرنا تھا جس کے ارد گرد ان کے گھر بھی بنائے گئے تھے۔ علی شروع میں اپنی والدہ کے ساتھ رہے لیکن جب انہوں نے رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی بیٹی فاطمہ سے شادی کی تو انہیں مسجد کے پہلو میں نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ ایک مکان دیا گیا۔ غزوہ بدر سے کئی دن پہلے ان کی منگنی ہوئی تھی۔لیکن شادی تین ماہ بعد منائی گئی۔ علی کی عمر تقریباً 23 سال تھی اور فاطمہ کی عمر 18 سال تھی۔ یہ سب سے خوش کن اور جشن کی شادی تھی۔ ان کے اپنے کرداروں کی انفرادیت ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ اتنی اچھی طرح گھل مل گئی کہ انہوں نے کبھی ایک دوسرے سے جھگڑا اور شکایت نہیں کی اور ایک خوشگوار اور انتہائی متنازعہ زندگی گزاری۔مادی طور پر جوڑے کے پاس زیادہ نہیں تھا، روحانی طور پر وہ رضامندی کے اعلیٰ درجے پر تھے۔ انہیں کوئی فکر نہیں تھی کہ وہ بھوکے ہیں یا ان کے کپڑوں پر پیچ ہیں۔ وہ زیادہ فکر مند ہوں گے اگر کوئی یتیم بغیر کھانا لیے ان کے دروازے سے چلا جائے۔تاریخ مکہ کے حملہ آوروں کے خلاف اسلام کا دفاع کرنے میں اگلے دس سال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ مدینہ میں علی کی زندگی کو سب سے مصروف قرار دیتی ہے۔ علی (ع) اس طرح کی تمام جنگوں میں ہمیشہ پرچم اسلام کے علمبردار تھے اور ان کی بہادری افسانوی ہو گئی۔نہج البلاغہ کے معتزلی مفسر ابن ابی الحدید کہتے ہیں کہ: علی علیہ السلام کی ایک ایسی شخصیت تھی جس میں مخالف خصوصیات اس قدر جمع ہو گئی تھیں کہ یہ یقین کرنا مشکل تھا کہ انسان کا ذہن اس طرح کے امتزاج کو ظاہر کر سکتا ہے۔ وہ وہ بہادر ترین آدمی تھا جس کا تاریخ حوالہ دے سکتی ہے اور ایسے بہادر لوگ ہمیشہ سخت دل، ظالم اور خون بہانے کے خواہشمند ہوتے ہیں۔اس کے برعکس علی رحمدل، ہمدرد، جوابدہ اور گرم دل انسان تھے، ان کے کردار کے دوسرے مرحلے کے بالکل برعکس اور متقی اور پرہیزگار لوگوں کے لیے زیادہ موزوں تھے۔ علی کی شجاعت اور تقویٰ دونوں ہی افسانوی بن گئے۔ مدینہ منورہ کی زندگی حضرت علی کے لیے سب سے زیادہ مصروف زندگی تھی۔ لیکن وہ ان اوقات کو اپنی زندگی کے بہترین اوقات کے طور پر یاد کرتا ہے۔ وہ نہج البلاغہ میں کہتے ہیں کہ ’’میرے بھائی کے ساتھ زندگی آرام اور خوشی کی زندگی تھی۔‘‘بدر، احد، خندق اور خیبر کی جنگیں دفاع میں لڑی گئیں اگر اسلام علی (ع) کے ہاتھوں جیت گیا۔ آپ ان معرکوں میں نہ صرف پرچم اسلام کے علمبردار تھے بلکہ کفر کے مقابلے میں ہمیشہ اسلام کی افواج کی قیادت کرتے رہے اور فتح یاب ہوئے۔ خیبر ان لڑائیوں کا عروج تھا جب علی کی فتح نے مسلمانوں کی صفوں میں خوشحالی لا دی۔نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی زوجہ محترمہ عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا نے ایک مرتبہ فرمایا کہ خیبر کی فتح تک ہم نے رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے گھر میں بغیر کھانا کھائے دن گزارے۔ خیبر کے بعد ہی گھر میں زندگی قدرے آسان ہوگئی۔ اس طرح علی (ع) نے بدر، احد اور خندق کے تین معرکوں میں قریش کی دشمنیوں کا خاتمہ کیا۔ان کے بہترین جنگجو مارے گئے، اسلام کے خلاف ان کے اتحاد کو کچل دیا گیا، ان کے غرور کو ذلیل کر دیا گیا اور عرب قبیلوں کے سامنے ان کی عزت کو اس نے اور صرف اسی نے پست کر دیا۔ خیبر نے علی (ع) کے ہاتھوں عرب میں یہودیوں کی بالادستی کا خاتمہ دیکھا۔صلح حدیبیہ کا معاہدہ علی علیہ السلام نے لکھا تھا اور مکہ کی پرامن فتح کے وقت رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے علی علیہ السلام کی مدد سے کعبہ کے بتوں کو گرا دیا تھا۔ان جنگوں کی تفصیلات نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی زندگی میں دکھائی گئی تھیں۔حنین کی جنگفتح مکہ نے بہت سے کافروں کو اسلام میں داخل کیا۔ عام طور پر دیکھا جائے تو تین قسمیں تھیں جنہوں نے اسلام قبول کیا۔ خوف، لالچ اور اسلام اور اس کے اصولوں کی صحیح سمجھ۔ بعض اہل مکہ اپنی جان کے خوف سے مسلمان ہو گئے، انہیں ڈر تھا کہ نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم انہیں قتل کر دیں گے، اور کچھ صرف اس بات سے خوفزدہ تھے کہ جبرائیل علیہ السلام کی مدد سے حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ان پر غضب الٰہی نازل کریں گے۔پھر لالچ تھا کہ اب اسلام فتح یاب ہو گیا ہے، اس لیے اگر وہ اچھی زندگی میں شامل ہو جائیں تو ان کا مفت میں ہو گا۔ ان میں سے بہت کم لوگوں نے اسلام کو صحیح معنوں میں سمجھا اور اسے سچے عقیدے کے طور پر قبول کیا۔ ان کے سچے ایمان کا امتحان سقوط مکہ کے فوراً بعد سامنے آیا جب مسلمان ابھی اس بے خونی فتح کی خوشی میں مگن تھے کہ مکہ سے باہر مختلف قبائل نے مسلمانوں سے لڑنے کے لیے بیس ہزار کا لشکر طائف میں جمع کیا۔دشمن قبائل نے حنین کے مقام پر حملہ کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا اور دو نمایاں جگہوں کا انتخاب کیا جہاں انہوں نے اپنے تیر اندازوں کو چھپا رکھا تھا۔ مسلمانوں کو مکہ میں اپنی کامیابی پر فخر تھا، لیکن مقابلے کے دوران ان کا رویہ بزدلانہ اور بزدلانہ تھا۔ قرآن ہمیں یہ بتاتا ہے (9:9):’’کئی موقعوں پر خدا تمہاری مدد کو آیا، حنین کے دن تمہاری فوجوں کی تعداد میں تمہارا غرور اور تکبر تمہارے کچھ کام نہ آیا، تم بری طرح شکست کھا گئے اور کوئی جائے پناہ نہ مل سکی، تم بے شرمی سے بھاگنے لگے۔‘‘یہ معرکہ ماہ شوال 8 ہجری (جنوری 630ء) میں ہوا۔ جب مسلمانوں کی فوج اس جگہ کی طرف بڑھی جہاں تیر انداز چھپے ہوئے تھے دشمن نے اس مہم کا آغاز اتنا شدید حملہ کیا کہ مسلم فوج اس کا مقابلہ نہ کر سکی۔ان کا حملہ شدید تھا اور مسلمانوں کی صفوں میں انتشار نے تیر اندازوں کو مزید دلیر بنا دیا اور وہ قریب آ کر سامنے اور دونوں طرف سے حملہ کرنے لگے۔ مسلمان حملہ کو برداشت نہ کر سکے اور بغیر کسی مزاحمت کے بھاگنے لگے اور جہاں نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو تنہا چھوڑنے کی فکر نہ ہو، (صحیح بخاری دیکھیں)۔سب سے پہلے جو بٹالین چلائی وہ خالد بن ولید کی کمان میں تھی (روضۃ الصفا جلد دوم صفحہ 137) اس کے بعد ایسی بے ترتیبی اور ہنگامہ خیز پرواز ہوئی کہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ 15000 کے لشکر میں سے صرف 10 آدمی رہ گئے۔ ان میں سے آٹھ بنی ہاشم کے تھے، (عباس، ان کے دو بیٹے، علی اور تین دیگر رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے چچازاد بھائی)عباس مسلمانوں کو واپس آنے کا نعرہ لگا رہے تھے، انہیں بیعت کی یاد دلاتے ہوئے اور کیے گئے وعدوں کی یاد دلاتے رہے، لیکن اس کا کوئی فائدہ نہ ہوا۔ جو لوگ لالچ، دولت اور اقتدار کے لیے اسلام قبول کرتے تھے وہ اپنی جان کو خطرے میں ڈالنے کو تیار نہیں تھے۔ان میں سے بہت سے جنہوں نے اپنی دشمنی کو ابھرتی ہوئی طاقت سے احتیاط سے چھپا رکھا تھا شکست پر خوش تھے۔ وہ ابو سفیان کے گرد جمع ہوئے، مبارکباد دینے لگے اور کہنے لگے کہ جھوٹے نبی کا جادو ٹوٹ گیا، وہ شرک کی واپسی کی دعائیں مانگ رہے تھے۔ 1۔ایک بار پھر پیغمبر اکرم اور اسلام کو بچانے کے لئے علی (ع) کے حصے میں آیا۔ بنی ہوازن اور بنو ثقیف کی فوجیں اپنے تیر اندازوں کی آڑ میں پہاڑی کی طرف بھاگ رہی تھیں اور ایک زبردست حملے کے لیے تیار ہو رہی تھیں۔علی (ع) نے وفادار سچے مسلمانوں کے چھوٹے گروہ کو تین حصوں میں تقسیم کیا۔ عبداللہ ابن مسعود، عباس ابن عبدالمطلب اور ابو بن حارث کو رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی حفاظت کی ذمہ داری سونپی، تینوں کو پیچھے کی حفاظت کا حکم دیا اور خود آپ کے ساتھ صرف تین جنگجوؤں کے ساتھ حملے کا سامنا کیا۔وہ لڑا، کئی جگہوں پر زخمی ہوا، لیکن لڑائی جاری رکھی جب اس کا مقابلہ دشمن فوج کے کمانڈر ابو جردل سے ہاتھا پائی میں ہوا اور اسے اپنی تلوار کے ایک وار سے قتل کر دیا۔ اس نے اکیلے ہی 30 سے زیادہ دشمن کو مار ڈالا اور اس بہادری سے اس کے مددگاروں نے بھی بہادری سے مقابلہ کیا اور دشمن کو شکست ہوئی۔وہ دن بچ گیا، دشمن کی فوج کا سپہ سالار مارا گیا، ان کی صفیں ٹوٹ گئیں، ان میں علی (ع) کا مقابلہ کرنے کی ہمت نہ رہی اور وہ پیچھے ہٹنے لگے۔ پسپائی میں طاقتور فوج کو دیکھ کر بھاگنے والے مسلمانوں کو دلیر بنا دیا اور وہ واپس لوٹ آئے کیونکہ ان کی فتح ہوئی 2۔دفاعی لڑائیاں ختم ہوئیں اور اسلام کا پرامن پھیلاؤ شروع ہوا۔ علی علیہ السلام پھر سب سے آگے تھے۔ آپ نے تمام قبیلہ بنی ہمدان کو تبلیغ کے ذریعے اسلام لایا۔ اسی طرح جب آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو یمن بھیجا گیا تو آپ نے اپنے خطبات سے پورے ملک کو اسلام کے دائرے میں لایا۔اس خبر سے رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو اس قدر خوشی ہوئی کہ آپ نے سجدہ میں سجدہ ریز ہو کر تین بار شکر ادا کیا اور بلند آواز سے کہا کہ سلام ہو بنی حمدان اور علی رضی اللہ عنہ پر۔ پھر 10 ہجری میں علی کا خطبہ اور تبلیغ اس قدر کارگر ثابت ہوئی کہ پورے صوبے نے ایک آدمی کی حیثیت سے اسلام قبول کر لیا۔9 ہجری میں مباہلہ کا مشہور واقعہ پیش آیا۔ نجران یمن کے صوبے کا ایک شہر تھا۔ یہ جنوبی عرب میں عیسائی مشنری سرگرمیوں کا مرکز تھا۔ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اسلام کی برکات کا احساس کرنے کے لیے شہر کے سردار کو خط لکھا تھا۔جواب میں انہوں نے لکھا کہ وہ ذاتی طور پر اس نئے مذہب کی تعلیمات پر بات کرنا چاہیں گے۔ اس کا نام حارث تھا۔ اسے مدعو کیا گیا اور وہ 14 پادریوں کے ایک گروپ کے ساتھ آیا۔یہ پجاری حضور کے مہمان ہیں۔ مدینہ میں ان کے 4 دن قیام کے دوران طویل گفتگو ہوئی۔ جب اتوار آیا تو سردار پادری اپنی اتوار کی خدمت کے لیے شہر سے باہر جانا چاہتا تھا۔ پیغمبر اسلام نے فرمایا کہ ان سب کو مسجد نبوی کے اندر اپنی مذہبی خدمات انجام دینے کی اجازت ہے جو انہوں نے بخوشی کی۔توحید آیات تثلیث کے بارے میں طویل بحثیں جاری رہیں اور معلوم ہوا کہ یہ پادری کھلے ذہن کے نہیں تھے، اس کے برعکس وہ توحید کے خلاف متعصب تھے۔ رب العزت نے حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو اس کی وضاحت کرنے کا حکم دیا:"بیشک عیسیٰ علیہ السلام اللہ کے نزدیک آدم کی طرح ہیں، اس نے آدم کو مٹی سے پیدا کیا، اس سے کہا کہ ہو جا، اور وہ تھا، یہ تیرے رب کی طرف سے حق ہے، اس لیے شک کرنے والوں میں سے نہ ہو، اور جو کوئی تجھ سے جھگڑے، ان سے کہیے، آؤ ہم اپنے بیٹوں اور اپنے بیٹوں کو، اپنی عورتوں کو، اپنی عورتوں کو، اپنی جانوں کو بلائیں اور ان پر لعنت بھیجیں جو اللہ پر لعنت بھیجیں۔" جھوٹ۔" (3:61)بی بی عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا کہتی ہیں کہ جب یہ آیت رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم پر نازل ہوئی تو آپ نے علی، فاطمہ، حسن اور حسین کو بلایا اور کہا: اے میرے رب یہ میرا خاندان (اہل بیت) ہے، رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اس چھوٹے سے خاندان کو اپنے ساتھ شہر کے باہر کھلی زمین پر لے گئے جہاں وہ سب جھوٹ بولنے والوں پر خدا کی لعنت بھیجنے کے لیے جمع ہوئے۔جب سردار پادری نے ان چہروں کو دیکھا تو اس نے اپنے ساتھیوں سے کہا کہ وہ ان چہروں کو دیکھ رہے ہیں کہ اگر وہ پہاڑ کو پکاریں گے تو پہاڑ ان کو چلا جائے گا۔ ان کے ساتھ مباہلہ نہ رکھو ورنہ تباہ ہو جاؤ گے۔ یہ سن کر سب نے حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو خراج عقیدت پیش کرنے اور اسلامی ریاست میں رہنے کے لیے سالانہ ٹیکس دینے پر اتفاق کیا اور منظر سے ہٹ گئے۔علی کو پیغمبر کا جانشین مقرر کرناتاریخ میں ایسے متعدد مواقع آئے جب رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے علی کو اپنا نائب اور جانشین بنایا۔ ذولشیرہ کے لمحے سے خیبر کی فتح تک اور جنگ تبوک کے موقعہ تک رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے یہ بات پوری طرح واضح کر دی کہ علی رضی اللہ عنہ سے زیادہ کوئی اس کا نائب اور جانشین ہونے کا مستحق نہیں ہے۔ لیکن غدیر کے وقت اللہ تعالیٰ کی طرف سے رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم پر نازل ہونے والی واضح آیت کے ذریعے واضح طور پر یہ حکم دیا گیا تھا۔ آیت نے کہا’’اے رسولؐ، جو کچھ آپ کے رب کی طرف سے آپ پر نازل ہوا ہے اس کا اعلان کر دو، کیونکہ اگر آپ نے ایسا نہ کیا تو گویا آپ نے اس کی رسالت کا فریضہ ہی ادا نہیں کیا، اور اللہ آپ کو شریروں سے محفوظ رکھے گا، بے شک اللہ کافروں کو ہدایت نہیں دیتا۔‘‘ (5:67)یہ واقعہ 10 ہجری میں آخری حج کے بعد کا تھا۔ نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے عرفات کوہ پر خطبہ دیا، خانہ کعبہ کا آخری چکر لگایا اور مدینہ کے لیے روانہ ہوئے۔ 120,000 سے زیادہ حاجی آپ کے ساتھ مکہ سے شمال کی طرف نکل رہے تھے۔ان کے سفر کے آدھے راستے میں جہاں مختلف زائرین کے لیے راستے الگ کیے گئے تھے، حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے پورے قافلے کو رکنے کا حکم دیا۔ آگے جانے والوں کو واپس بلایا گیا اور جو پیچھے تھے ان کے آنے کا انتظار کیا۔مقام غدیر تھا، پانی کے تالاب کے قریب۔ اسی لیے اس کا نام غدیرِ خم رکھا گیا۔ جب سب اس جگہ جمع ہوئے تو حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم منبر کے اوپر کھڑے ہوئے اور فرمایا کہ لوگو، عنقریب مجھے اپنے خالق کی طرف بلایا جائے گا جہاں مجھے حساب دینا ہے کہ میں نے اس کا پیغام تم تک کیسے پہنچایا اور تم سے باری باری پوچھا جائے گا کہ تم نے تعلیمات کو کیسے قبول کیا اور اس پر عمل کیا، اب بتاؤ تم کیا کہو گے؟اس کے بعد تمام حجاج نے ایک آدمی کے طور پر اعلان کیا، "خدا کے رسول، ہم گواہی دیتے ہیں اور اعلان کرتے ہیں کہ آپ نے خدا کا پیغام پوری طرح پہنچا دیا، آپ نے ہمیں سیدھی راہ بتانے کی پوری کوشش کی اور ہمیں اس پر چلنا سکھایا، آپ ہم پر بہت مہربان تھے اور آپ نے ہماری بھلائی کے علاوہ کبھی ہماری بھلائی نہیں چاہی، اللہ آپ کو اس سب کا بدلہ دے۔"اس کے بعد آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ کیا تم اس بات کی گواہی نہیں دیتے کہ اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں، محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اس کی مخلوق، اس کے بندے اور اس کے رسول ہیں، کہ جنت اور جہنم ہے، کہ تم میں سے ہر ایک کو موت آ جائے گی، کہ تم کو قبروں سے واپس لایا جائے گا کہ قیامت کا دن ضرور طلوع ہو گا اور انسانوں کو ان کے حساب سے دوبارہ اٹھا لیا جائے گا۔تمام مجمع نے یک زبان ہو کر اعلان کیا، "ہم ان سب باتوں پر یقین رکھتے ہیں اور گواہی دیتے ہیں۔" یہ سن کر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اعلان فرمایا کہ میں تمہارے درمیان دو اہم ترین چیزیں چھوڑے جا رہا ہوں، قرآن اور میری اولاد، ان کے ساتھ کیسا سلوک کرو گے، وہ ایک دوسرے سے جدا نہیں ہوں گے یہاں تک کہ حوض کوثر پر میرے پاس پہنچ جائیں۔پھر فرمایا کہ اللہ تعالیٰ میرا رب (مولا) ہے اور میں تمام مسلمانوں کا رب ہوں اور ان کی جانوں پر ان سے زیادہ حق اور طاقت رکھتا ہوں، کیا تم میرے اس دعوے پر یقین رکھتے ہو؟ سب نے یک آواز ہو کر جواب دیا "ہاں یا رسول اللہ، تین بار آپ نے ایک ہی سوال کیا اور تین بار آپ کو وہی جواب ملا۔اس پختہ اثبات میں فرمایا کہ سنو اور یاد رکھو کہ جس کا میں رب یا مولا ہوں، علی اس کا رب اور مولا ہے، وہی میرے لیے وہی ہے جو ہارون موسیٰ کے لیے تھا، اللہ تعالیٰ اپنے دوستوں کا دوست اور اس کے دشمن کا دشمن ہے، اس کی مدد کرنے والوں کی مدد فرما اور جو اس کے ساتھ خیانت کرتے ہیں ان کی مدد فرما۔یہ کہتے ہوئے اس نے علی رضی اللہ عنہ کو اپنے کندھوں پر اٹھایا تاکہ وہاں جمع تمام مسلمان دیکھ سکیں۔ اس کے بعد حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم پر آخری وحی نازل ہوئی:"آج میں نے تمہارے لیے تمہارا دین مکمل کر دیا ہے اور تم پر اپنی نعمتوں کا پیمانہ پورا کر دیا ہے اور میں اس بات پر راضی ہوں کہ اسلام تمہارا دین ہو" (5:3)۔اس تقریب کو انجام دینے اور مذکورہ وحی کے بعد حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم منبر سے نیچے تشریف لائے اور ایک خیمہ لگانے کا حکم دیا۔ اس میں علی (ع) کو اپنی جگہ پر بٹھایا گیا اور تمام مسلمانوں کو حکم دیا گیا کہ وہ آپ کو خراج عقیدت پیش کریں اور انہیں امیر المومنین کہہ کر مخاطب کریں، جس نے سب سے پہلے آپ کو مبارکباد دی اور اس طرح خطاب کیا وہ عمر ابن خطاب تھے، "میں آپ کو مبارکباد پیش کرتا ہوں، اے علی، آج آپ میرے مولا اور ہر مسلمان کا رب اور رب بن گئے ہیں۔غدیر کا واقعہ 18 ذی الحجہ 10 ہجری کو آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی آخری زیارت کے فوراً بعد پیش آیا۔ اس کے بعد وہ مدینہ واپس آئے اور واقعہ کے بعد صرف 70 دن زندہ رہے۔11 ہجری کا سال علی علیہ السلام کے لیے سب سے افسوسناک سال تھا۔ (جیسے) اس نے اپنے دو بہترین دوستوں کو کھو دیا۔ جن میں سے وہ ایک باپ کی طرح پیار اور تعظیم کرتے تھے، ایک آقا کی طرح اور ایک عزیز ترین دوست کی طرح، حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم جن کا وصال غدیر کے ٹھیک 70 دن بعد 28 صفر 11 ہجری کو ہوا۔ ان کی موت کے بعد ان کی عزیز ترین ساتھی ان کی اہلیہ فاطمہ، نورانی خاتون کی موت واقع ہوئی۔پیغمبر اکرم(ص) کی وفات کے فوراً بعد جنہیں علی(ع) نے اپنے چچا عباس اور تمام خاندان بنی ہاشم کی مدد سے دفن کیا تھا، حضرت علی(ع) کو سقیفہ کے واقعات کی خبر دی گئی کہ ابوبکر کو خلیفہ بنایا گیا ہے۔ ابوسفیان نے یہ خبر سنی کہ علی علیہ السلام کے پاس پہنچے اور ان سے کہا کہ ان کا حق ان سے چھین لیا گیا ہے۔ابو سفیان اگر چاہتا تو حضرت علیؓ کے حق خلافت کے دفاع کے لیے مدینہ شہر کو گھڑ سواروں سے بھر دیتا۔ علی کا جواب عام تھا، اس نے کہا کہ جب سے تم اسلام کے دوست ہو گئے ہو، تم مسلمانوں میں شدید انتشار پیدا کرنا چاہتے ہو۔ تم نے ہمیشہ اسلام کو نقصان پہنچانے کی کوشش کی ہے مجھے تمہاری ہمدردی یا مدد کی ضرورت نہیں ہے۔علی نے محسوس کیا کہ اس مرحلے پر کوئی بھی شدید اختلاف اسلام کے مقصد کو نقصان پہنچائے گا۔ ان کے سامنے حدیبیہ کی مثال موجود تھی اور جو کچھ ہو گا اس کی پیشین گوئی حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمائی تھی۔ علامہ علی ابن محمد (630ھ) اپنی کتاب اُصدالغابہ جلد 4 صفحہ 31 میں فرماتے ہیں کہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے علی سے فرمایا تھا کہ تمہاری حیثیت کعبہ کی ہے۔لوگ کعبہ جاتے ہیں لیکن وہ اگست والا گھر کبھی کسی کے پاس نہیں آتا۔ اس لیے میری وفات کے بعد اگر لوگ آپ کے پاس آئیں اور بیعت کریں تو آپ اسے قبول کر لیں اور اگر وہ آپ کے پاس نہ آئیں تو آپ ان کے پاس نہ جائیں۔علی کی اسلام سے محبت اتنی شدید تھی کہ وہ دنیاوی حکمرانی کی خاطر اسلام کو خطرے میں نہیں ڈال سکتے تھے۔ وہ بخوبی جانتا تھا کہ اس مرحلے پر خانہ جنگی ایک طرف بنو نضیر اور بنو قریظہ کے یہودی قبائل کو موقع دے گی اور دوسری طرف بازنطینی فوجیں منافقین (منافقین) کے ساتھ تیسری طرف سے نئے مذہب بدلنے والوں کو محض صورت حال سے فائدہ اٹھانے کا موقع دے گی۔جب وہ مسلمانوں کو ایک دوسرے کو قتل کرنے میں مصروف پائیں گے تو وہ انہیں لفظی طور پر ٹکڑے ٹکڑے کر دیں گے اور اسلام امن کے پیغام کے طور پر بالکل غائب ہو جائے گا۔ علی کی سب سے بڑی خواہش یہ تھی کہ اسلام اور عربوں کو ایک ہی ٹکڑے میں دیکھا جائے اور وہ چاہتے تھے کہ اسلام کے دشمن یہ سمجھیں کہ اسلام اتنا مضبوط ہے کہ وہ بطور "دین" اپنا دفاع کر سکے۔ یہاں تک کہ رسول اللہ کی وفات کے بعد۔اس کے پاس ایک اور اہم کام تھا کہ وہ قرآن کے مجموعہ کو اس کی تفسیر (تفسیر) کے ساتھ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی ہدایات کے مطابق مکمل کرنا ہے۔ قرآن ایک کتاب کے طور پر حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے پہلے ہی مکمل کیا تھا، اس کے بہت سے نسخے بنائے گئے اور تمام اسلامی دنیا میں مسلم کمیونٹیز میں پھیلائے گئے۔آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی رحلت کے اگلے چھ مہینوں میں علی نے جو کچھ کیا وہ یہ تھا کہ مختلف آیات کی تمام توضیحات، ان کے نزول کے اسباب اور ان کے مکمل سیاق و سباق کو جمع کرنا تھا۔ یہ یادگار کام اس نے چھ ماہ میں مکمل کیا اور شہر رسول میں مسلمانوں کے سامنے پیش کیا۔بدقسمتی سے اس کو حکمران جماعت نے نظر انداز کر دیا اور علی علیہ السلام اسے اپنے ساتھ واپس لے گئے۔ ان کا تبصرہ تھا "یہ بہت بڑا ہے اور لوگ اسے نہیں سمجھیں گے۔"اصل ساری زندگی علی (ع) کے ساتھ رہا اور پھر ان کے بیٹے حسن (ع) اور پھر حسین (ع) تک پہنچا جو پھر پیغمبر کے اہل بیت کے ساتھ جاری رہا۔ اب یہ بارہویں امام علیہ السلام کے پاس ہے۔تینوں خلفاء کے زمانے میں، اگرچہ علی (ع) نے کسی بھی جنگ میں حصہ نہیں لیا تھا، لیکن جب وہ دینی معاملات میں ان سے مشورہ طلب کرتے تھے تو وہ ہمیشہ دستیاب رہتے تھے۔ فقیہ کی حیثیت سے آپ کا مقام صحابہ کرام میں سرفہرست تھا۔خلیفہ دوم عمر بن خطاب نے واضح ہدایات دی تھیں کہ جب علی مسجد نبوی میں موجود ہوں تو دینی معاملات کے سوالات کے جوابات دینے میں کوئی ان پر سبقت نہ لے۔خلیفہ دوم کے زمانے میں ایسی ہی ایک ملاقات میں یہودی علماء کا ایک گروہ خلیفہ کے پاس آیا اور کہا کہ ہمارے پاس چند سوالات ہیں، اگر ہمیں ان سوالات کے صحیح جواب مل گئے تو ہم اسلامی عقیدہ قبول کر لیں گے۔ خلیفہ نے کہا، "جو پوچھنا ہو پوچھ لو۔" انہوں نے درج ذیل سوالات کئے۔1. جنت کے تالے اور کنجیاں کیا ہیں؟2. وہ رسول کون تھا جو نہ انسانوں میں سے تھا اور نہ جنوں میں سے اور جس نے اپنی قوم کو ڈرایا؟3. وہ 5 جاندار کون سے ہیں جو بیضہ دانی کی مدد کے بغیر پیدا ہوئے؟4 ایک، دو، تین، چار، پانچ، چھ، سات، آٹھ، نو، دس، گیارہ اور بارہ کیا ہیں؟خلیفہ نے کچھ دیر ان سوالات پر غور کیا، پھر کہا، مجھے ان سوالات کے جوابات معلوم نہیں۔ میں تمہیں ایک ایسے شخص کے پاس لے جاؤں گا جو خدا اور رسول کے احکام کا سب سے زیادہ علم رکھنے والا اور ہم میں سب سے بڑا ہے۔ اس کے بعد خلیفہ یہودی علماء کو علی (ع) کے پاس لے آیا۔ انہوں نے اس سے وہی سوالات کئے۔ علی علیہ السلام نے اس طرح جواب دیا:1. آسمانوں کے تالے ایک سے زیادہ خدا پر عقیدہ ہیں، اور اس کی کنجیاں "لا الہ الا اللہ، محمد الرسول اللہ" کے حروف ہیں۔2. وہ رسول جس نے اپنی قوم کو خبردار کیا وہ چیونٹی ہے جس نے جب سلیمان کا لشکر وہاں سے گزر رہا تھا تو اپنی قوم سے کہا کہ اپنے گھروں میں داخل ہو جاؤ تاکہ لشکر تمہیں (بغیر ارادہ) بھگا نہ دے۔ چنانچہ خدا قرآن پاک میں فرماتا ہے’’یہاں تک کہ وہ چیونٹیوں کی وادی میں پہنچے، ایک چیونٹی نے (وادی کی دوسری چیونٹیوں کو مخاطب کرتے ہوئے) کہا کہ اے چیونٹیاں تم اپنے گھروں میں داخل ہو جاؤ، تاکہ سلیمان اور اس کے لشکر تم کو کچل نہ دیں جب تک کہ انہیں خبر نہ ہو۔‘‘ (27:18)3. وہ پانچ مخلوقات جو بیضہ دانی سے پیدا نہیں ہوئی تھیں: آدم، حوا، موسیٰ کا عصا جو ازگر میں بدل جاتا تھا، صالح کی اونٹنی، اور ابراہیم کی بھیڑ (جو خدا کی طرف سے ابراہیم کے بیٹے اسماعیل کی زندگی کا فدیہ بننے کے لیے بھیجی گئی تھی)۔4. ایک وہ خدا ہے جس کا کوئی شریک نہیں، دو آدم اور حوا، تین مادے ہیں (یعنی غیر جاندار مادے، پودے اور جانور)، چار آسمانی کتابیں ہیں: موسیٰ کی تورات، عیسیٰ کی بائبل، داؤد کی زبور اور محمد (ص) کا قرآن۔روزانہ پانچ نمازیں ہیں۔ قرآن کی آیت کے مطابق آسمانوں اور زمین کی تخلیق کے چھ دن ہیں:"اور بے شک ہم نے آسمانوں اور زمین کو اور جو کچھ ان دونوں کے درمیان ہے، چھ ادوار میں پیدا کیا اور ہمیں کوئی تھکاوٹ نہیں پہنچی۔" (سورہ 50:38)۔ سات آسمان ہیں، قرآنی آیت کی روشنی میں: ’’اور ہم نے تمہارے اوپر سات مضبوط بنائے‘‘۔ (78:12)آٹھ وہ فرشتے ہیں جو آسمان کو اٹھائے ہوئے ہیں، قرآنی آیت کے مطابق:اور فرشتے اس کے اطراف میں ہوں گے اور اس دن ان کے اوپر تیرے رب کا عرش (عرش) اٹھائے ہوئے ہوں گے، ان میں سے آٹھ (69:17)نو وہ نو نشانیاں ہیں جو موسیٰ علیہ السلام کو دی گئی ہیں جیسا کہ خدا نے فرمایا:اور بیشک ہم نے موسیٰ کو نو کھلی نشانیاں دی تھیں، تو بنی اسرائیل سے پوچھ جب وہ ان کے پاس آئے تو فرعون نے اس سے کہا کہ میں تمہیں اے موسیٰ میں جادوگر سمجھتا ہوں۔(17:101)۔دس دس دن ہیں، یعنی خدا نے موسیٰ سے وعدہ کیا تھا کہ وہ تیس دن تک طور کے پہاڑ پر قیام کریں گے، اور بعد میں اس مدت میں مزید دس دن کا اضافہ کر دیا، جیسا کہ قرآن میں بیان ہوا ہے۔"اور ہم نے موسیٰ سے تیس راتوں کا وقت طے کیا اور دس راتوں کے ساتھ اسے پورا کیا۔" اس طرح ان کے رب کی مدت چالیس راتیں پوری ہوئیں اور موسیٰ نے اپنے بھائی ہارون سے کہا کہ تم میری امت میں میری جگہ لے لو، نیک عمل کرو اور فسادیوں کے راستے پر نہ چلو۔ (7:142)۔یعقوب کے بیٹے یوسف کے گیارہ بھائی ہیں جیسا کہ قرآن کہتا ہے،’’جب یوسف نے اپنے باپ سے کہا اے میرے ابا، میں نے (خواب میں) گیارہ ستارے اور سورج اور چاند کو دیکھا، میں نے دیکھا کہ وہ سب مجھے سجدہ کر رہے ہیں۔‘‘ (12:4)۔بارہ وہ بارہ پانی کے چشمے ہیں جو موسیٰ کے عصا سے ظاہر ہوتے ہیں، جیسا کہ خدا فرماتا ہے،اور (یاد کرو) جب موسیٰ نے اپنی قوم کے لیے پانی مانگا تو ہم نے کہا کہ اپنی لاٹھی چٹان پر مارو، پھر وہاں سے بارہ چشمے پھوٹ پڑے، ہر ایک نے اپنے پینے کی جگہ پہچان لی، اللہ کا رزق کھاؤ اور پیو اور زمین میں فساد نہ کرو۔ (2:60)جب یہودی علماء نے علی (ع) کا جواب سنا تو انہوں نے کہا کہ ہم گواہی دیتے ہیں کہ اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں اور محمد (ص) اس کے رسول ہیں اور علی (ع) وصی اور جانشین ہیں جیسا کہ ہارون موسیٰ کا وصی تھا، ان سب نے اسلام قبول کیا، اپنے قبیلے میں واپس چلے گئے اور تمام اسلام قبول کر لیا۔عثمان کی وفات کے بعد تیسرے خلیفہ علی علیہ السلام کو مسلمانوں کی بھاری اکثریت نے چوتھا خلیفہ منتخب کیا۔ وہ خلیفہ کا عہدہ قبول کرنے سے ہچکچا رہے تھے لیکن جب اکثریت نے دھکیل دیا تو یہ کہہ کر قبول کر لیا کہ وہ دنیاوی اقتدار کی باگ ڈور صرف اس لیے لے رہے ہیں کہ امت رسول اللہ کو راہ راست پر لے آئیں، حالانکہ اس دنیاوی خلافت کی قیمت بکری کی چھینک سے بھی کم ہے۔امام اور رہبر کی حیثیت سے ان کا مقام پہلے ہی تین پہلے خلفاء کے دور میں قائم ہو چکا تھا، اس نے دنیاوی طاقت کے ساتھ اس قسم کی حکمرانی کو قائم کرنے کا مشکل کام شروع کیا جو رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اپنے دور میں قائم کیا تھا۔امام بخاری نے اپنی صحیح میں ذکر کیا ہے کہ پہلی نماز جو حضرت علی (ع) نے مسجد نبوی میں بطور خلیفہ پڑھائی، بہت سے اصحاب نے کہا کہ آج ہم نے اسی طرح نماز پڑھی ہے جس طرح رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم پڑھا کرتے تھے۔لیکن گزشتہ 25 سالوں کے دوران بہت سے صحابہ کرام ؓ نے بیرونی سرزمینوں کی فتح سے زیادہ دولت آنے کی وجہ سے زمانہ جاہلیت کے جاگیرداروں کی طرح زندگی گزارنے کی عادت اختیار کر لی تھی۔ حضرت علی علیہ السلام نے بطور خلیفہ ان الفاظ کے ذریعے ان کو ضرورت سے زیادہ مال کے خطرات سے آگاہ کیا۔ ’’مال کے نشہ سے بچو‘‘۔علی (ع) کا راستہ کانٹوں سے بھرا ہوا تھا اور جیسے ہی انہوں نے رسول خدا کی سیرت کو قائم کرنے کی کوشش کی تو بہت سے دشمن پیدا کر دیئے۔ سب سے پہلے اور سب سے اہم شام کے گورنر معاویہ ابن ابی سفیان تھے۔اس نے طلحہ اور زبیر کو قائل کیا، جب انہیں علی علیہ السلام نے مختلف صوبوں کی گورنری سے انکار کر دیا، تو وہ علی کے خلاف بغاوت شروع کر دیں۔ (جیسے) وہ دونوں مدینہ سے نکلے، مکہ پہنچے اور کسی طرح رسول اللہ کی بیوہ بی بی عائشہ کو علی کے خلاف جنگ شروع کرنے پر آمادہ کیا۔ وہ مکہ سے بصرہ کی طرف روانہ ہوئے اور علی کے خلاف لشکر جمع کیا۔ (جیسے)اس نے انہیں خلیفہ کے خلاف جنگ کے خطرات سے خبردار کیا جس کے ہاتھ پر انہوں نے بیعت کی تھی، لیکن معاویہ کی طرف سے قائل اور مختلف صوبوں کی گورنری کے وعدے اس قدر مضبوط تھے کہ وہ کوئی مشورہ نہیں مانتے تھے۔ علی (ع) ان منحرفوں کے تعاقب میں مدینہ سے نکلے اور بصرہ کے قریب دو مسلم فوجیں آمنے سامنے ہوئیں۔جب بہت سے صحابہ کرام نے یہ دیکھا تو انہوں نے اس جنگ کے صحیح ہونے پر سوال کیا اور شک کیا کہ کون سی جماعت صحیح راستے پر ہے۔ علی (ع) نے ان شک کرنے والوں کو نہایت لطیف انداز میں جواب دیا۔ "حقیقت کو مردوں سے نہیں پہچانا جا سکتا، سچ کو تلاش کرو اور تمھیں حقدار مل جائے گا"۔جنگ جمال لڑی گئی، علی کا لشکر فتح یاب ہوا، طلحہ اور زبیر دونوں اپنے ہی آدمیوں کے ہاتھوں مارے گئے اور بی بی عائشہ کو ان کے بھائی محمد ابن ابی بکر کی حفاظت میں مدینہ واپس بھیج دیا گیا۔ اس نے ہمیشہ اس کام سے توبہ کی اور خدا سے معافی مانگی۔جب معاویہ کی ملی بھگت سے اس کے بھائی محمد ابن ابی بکر کو قتل کر دیا گیا اور اس کی لاش کو ایک مردہ اونٹ کے جسم میں ڈال کر جلا دیا گیا تو اس نے عمر بھر ہر نماز کے بعد دن میں پانچ بار معاویہ پر لعنت بھیجی۔صفین کی جنگ بھی دولت اسلامیہ کے خلاف معاویہ کی منحرف کارروائی کی وجہ سے لڑی گئی۔ علی رضی اللہ عنہ کے لشکر کے کچھ ساتھیوں نے معاویہ سے رشوت لے کر ان کا ساتھ چھوڑ دیا اور اس فریب کی وجہ سے صفین کی جنگ غیر فیصلہ کن رہی، نہ کوئی جیتا اور نہ ہارا۔اس دوران اس منحرف گروہ نے جسے بعد میں "خوارج" یعنی منحرف کا نام دیا گیا، دولت اسلامیہ کے اندر دیہاتوں کو لوٹ مار اور جلانے اور عورتوں اور بچوں کو قتل کر کے فساد پھیلانا شروع کر دیا کہ علی علیہ السلام ان کے خلاف لڑے اور جنگ نہروان ہوئی۔نہروان کے راستے میں علی علیہ السلام ایک خانقاہ سے گزرے۔ ایک بزرگ عیسائی راہب جو خود کو نجومی ہونے کا دعویٰ بھی کرتا تھا کہنے لگا: "اے اسلام کے لشکر، اپنے سردار کو میرے پاس آنے کو کہو، یہ سن کر علی علیہ السلام نے اپنا گھوڑا خانقاہ کی طرف موڑ دیا اور راہب کے پاس آئے، تم راہب سے پوچھو کہاں جاتے ہو، اسلام کے دشمنوں سے لڑنے کے لیے، علی علیہ السلام نے جواب دیا۔"اب لڑو مت کیونکہ اس وقت ستارے مسلمانوں پر احسان نہیں کرتے۔ چند دن انتظار کریں جب ستارے آپ کے لیے سازگار ہوجائیں گے۔ علی (ع) نے جواب دیا کہ کیا تم اللہ کی نافرمانی کرتے ہو اس کام کے لیے جو ہم اللہ کے حکم اور اس کے دین کے لیے کر رہے ہیں؟علی (ع) نے فرمایا: جب تم ستاروں کا علم رکھتے ہو تو مجھے فلاں ستارے کی حرکت کے بارے میں بتاؤ۔ بوڑھے نے کہا خدا کی قسم میں نے کبھی اس ستارے کا نام نہیں سنا۔ علی علیہ السلام نے اس سے آسمانوں کے بارے میں ایک اور سوال کیا اور جب بوڑھے نے جواب نہ دیا تو فرمایا: اب معلوم ہوا کہ تم آسمانوں کے بارے میں نہیں جانتے۔کیا میں تم سے زمین کے بارے میں پوچھوں؟ مجھے بتاؤ کہ جس جگہ تم کھڑے ہو وہاں تمہارے قدموں کے نیچے کیا دفن ہے؟ مجھے نہیں معلوم کہ بوڑھے راہب نے کہا، "ایک برتن میں چاندی کے اتنے زیادہ سکوں سے بھرا ہوا ہے اور سکوں پر فلاں فلاں نشان ہے، آپ کو کیسے معلوم کہ راہب سے پوچھا؟""خدا کے فضل سے۔" علی علیہ السلام نے فرمایا۔ پھر علی نے کہا کہ آئندہ لڑائی میں اسلامی لشکر کے دس سے کم لوگ مارے جائیں گے اور مخالف لشکر کے دس سے کم لوگ بچ جائیں گے۔ بوڑھے راہب نے حیرانی سے سنا۔ علی کے حکم کے مطابق جب راہب کے قدموں کے نیچے سے زمین کھودی گئی تو چاندی کے سکوں سے بھرا ہوا ایک برتن برآمد ہوا جیسا کہ علی علیہ السلام نے بیان کیا ہے۔علی (ع) نہروان کی طرف روانہ ہوئے اور اس کے بعد ہونے والی لڑائی میں خوارج کو بری طرح شکست ہوئی۔ خوارج کے چار ہزار آدمیوں میں سے صرف نو فرار ہوئے اور اسلامی لشکر کے صرف نو آدمی اس جنگ میں مارے گئے۔ (روضۃ الشہداء، کوکب الدّری)جنگ سے واپسی پر علی (ع) خانقاہ سے گزرے اور راہب نے پورا واقعہ سنا تو فوراً اسلام قبول کر لیا۔علی علیہ السلام نے بھی آپ کو علم نجوم پر اپنے عقیدہ کے بارے میں نصیحت کی۔ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: ”کیا تم سمجھتے ہو کہ تم وہ گھڑی بتا سکتے ہو جب آدمی باہر نکلے اور اس پر کوئی مصیبت نہ آئے، جو اس کی گواہی دیتا ہے وہ قرآن کو جھوٹا قرار دیتا ہے اور اپنے مطلوبہ مقصد کے حصول اور ناپسندیدہ کاموں سے بچنے میں اللہ سے غافل ہو جاتا ہے۔پھر علی علیہ السلام نے اپنے سپاہیوں سے مخاطب ہو کر فرمایا: ستاروں کی سائنس سیکھنے سے بچو سوائے اس کے کہ جس سے خشکی یا سمندر میں رہنمائی حاصل کی جائے، کیوں کہ یہ علم الٰہی کی طرف لے جاتا ہے اور نجومی جادوگر کی طرح ہے، جادوگر جادوگر کی طرح ہے، جادوگر کافر کی طرح ہے اور کافر کا مقام ہے۔علی (ع) کی خلافت کے چار سال اور دس ماہ کو بہت سے مورخین نے پیغمبر اسلام کی وفات کے بعد اسلامی ریاست کا بہترین نمونہ قرار دیا ہے، اس حقیقت کے باوجود کہ ابو سفیان کے خاندان نے اسے تباہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی۔امام ابو حنیفہ کے مشہور شاگرد امام ابو یوسف اپنی کتاب تاریخ خلافت راشدین میں اپنی کتاب کے عنوان کے اوپر اعلان کرتے ہیں کہ حضرت علی علیہ السلام کا زمانہ خلافت اسلامی ریاست کے انتظام میں سب سے بہترین اور سب سے زیادہ منصفانہ تھا۔بہت سے یورپی مورخین نے علی کا نام پیار اور محبت سے ذکر کیا۔ کارلائل اپنے ہیروز اینڈ ہیروورشپ میں لکھتے ہیں کہ ’’علی ایسی شخصیت کے مالک تھے کہ ہر کوئی اسے پسند کرتا تھا، پیار کرتا تھا اور اس کی تعظیم کرتا تھا، وہ بہترین کردار کا آدمی تھا پیار کرنے والا اور پیار کرنے والا، اس قدر بہادر تھا کہ اگر کوئی چیز اس کی بہادری کے خلاف کھڑی ہوتی تو اسے آگ کی طرح بھسم کر دیتی تھی، پھر بھی وہ اس قدر نرم مزاج اور مہربان تھا کہ وہ ایک عیسائی ماڈل کی رات کی نمائندگی کرتا تھا۔مشہور مصری عالم محمد عبدہ دوسرے خلیفہ کے دور میں اسکندریہ کی فتح کے وقت کا ایک قصہ بیان کرتے ہیں۔ انہیں وہاں ایک عظیم لائبریری ملی اور وہ نہیں جانتے تھے کہ اس کے ساتھ کیا کرنا ہے۔مدینہ سے حکم جاری ہوا کہ اگر یہ کتابیں قرآن کریم کے مطابق ہیں تو ہمیں ان کی ضرورت نہیں اور اگر وہ قرآن کریم کے خلاف کوئی بات کہیں تو ہمیں ان کی ضرورت نہیں۔ اس لیے انہیں ہر صورت جلا دینا چاہیے۔ (اخبار العلماء و اخبار الحکمہ ابن قفتی، صفحہ 232 اور 233، مطبوعہ قاہرہ)۔جب علی (ع) کو اس کی خبر ملی تو آپ نے ان کو حکم جاری کرنے سے باز رکھنے کی کوشش کی۔ اس نے ان سے کہا کہ یہ کتابیں علم کا خزانہ ہیں اور یہ قرآن کریم کے خلاف کچھ نہیں کہہ سکتیں۔اس کے برعکس اس میں موجود علم مقدس کتاب کی تفسیر کا کام کرے گا اور اس علم کی مزید وضاحت میں مدد کرے گا جیسا کہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے پیش کیا ہے۔ علم انسان کا اثاثہ ہے اور انسان کا پیدائشی حق ہے۔ اسے تباہ نہیں کرنا چاہیے۔‘‘یہ 19 رمضان المبارک 41 ہجری کا دن تھا جب علی (ع) صبح کی نماز پڑھا رہے تھے اور دوسری رکعت کے دوسرے سجدے میں تھے کہ ابن ملجم کی تلوار گر گئی اور عظیم جنگجو ولی کی جان اپنے مہربان رب کے پاس لے گئی۔لبنان کے مشہور عیسائی مصنف جارج جردق نے اپنی کتابوں میں حضرت علی علیہ السلام کے بارے میں لکھا ہے کہ ابن ملجم کی تلوار کی اس ایک ضرب سے دنیا اس شخص سے محروم ہو گئی جو اگر چند سال اور زندہ رہتا تو دنیا کو ایک ایسا نظام حکومت دیتا جس سے آنے والی نسلیں طویل عرصے تک مستفید ہوتیں۔درحقیقت ان کا مصر کے گورنر مالکی اشٹر کو لکھا گیا خط جس میں انہیں "ریاست کی کامیاب انتظامیہ کے لیے کیا کریں اور نہ کریں" کا مشورہ دیا گیا ہے، جو تاریخ کی تاریخ میں ایک نشان ہے۔ ہم صرف اتنا کہہ سکتے ہیں کہ علی کی اعلیٰ ترین حکمت ایک ایسے قد کی رہنمائی فراہم کرتی ہے جس کی نوع انسانی کی خواہش ہو سکتی ہے۔زہریلی تلوار کے زخم سے زخمی علی (ع) دو دن تک زندہ رہے۔ ان دو دنوں میں اس نے اپنی وصیت اور آخری وصیت اپنے بیٹے حسن علیہ السلام کو سنائی جو پھر سے ادبی تاریخ کا ایک روشن حصہ ہے۔اس نے اپنے بڑے بیٹے کو نصیحت کی کہ خدا سے محبت کرو اور اس کی اطاعت کرو اور خدا کی راہ میں لوگوں کی خدمت کے لئے زندگی گزارو۔ "اور پھر اپنے بہترین وقت کو خدا کے ساتھ ملانے کے لیے الگ کرنا نہ بھولیں، حالانکہ آپ کا ہر لمحہ اس کے لیے ہے، بشرطیکہ یہ آپ کے لوگوں کی خدمت میں خلوص نیت سے صرف کیا جائے۔"علی علیہ السلام کے خطبات، جو چوتھی صدی (ہجری) میں سید رازی کے ذریعہ جمع کیے گئے، عربی ادب کے سب سے شاندار نمونے کی مثالیں ہیں جو قرآن کریم اور پیغمبر اسلام کی صحیح حدیث کے بعد اب تک پیش کی گئی ہیں۔سید رازی نہج البلاغہ میں جو کچھ جمع کر سکے اس میں علی علیہ السلام کے تمام خطبات، خطوط اور اقوال موجود نہیں ہیں۔ مسعودی (متوفی 346) نے اپنی مشہور کتاب تاریخ مروج الذہب میں کہا ہے کہ صرف علی علیہ السلام کے خطبات جو مختلف لوگوں نے محفوظ کیے ہیں ان کی تعداد 480 سے زیادہ ہے۔یہ عجیب و غریب تقریریں تھیں، لوگوں نے ان کو ایک دوسرے سے نقل کیا اور کتابی شکلوں میں مرتب کیا، انہوں نے ان کا حوالہ دیا اور اپنی کتابوں میں ان کے حوالے نقل کیے ہیں۔ حضرت علی علیہ السلام کے مشہور صحابی اور شاگرد حسن البصری نے ایسا انتظام کیا تھا کہ ان کا ایک دوست مسجد کوفہ میں دیا گیا خطبہ حفظ کرے گا اور بصرہ میں اگلے جمعہ کی نماز میں بیان کرے گا۔ اس سے ظاہر ہوتا ہے کہ ان کے اپنے زمانے کے لوگوں کی ان خطبات اور اقوال میں گہری دلچسپی تھی۔بظاہر ان 480 خطبوں میں سے کچھ ضائع ہو گئے اور سید رضی صرف 245 خطبوں پر ہاتھ ڈال سکے۔ ان کے علاوہ انہوں نے تقریباً 75 خطوط اور 489 اقوال جمع کیے ہیں۔ نہج البلاغہ میں جمع ہونے والے تقریباً ہر ایک خطبات، اقوال اور خطوط میں ایسے مصنفین کی کتابیں ملتی ہیں جو سید رضا کی پیدائش سے بہت پہلے فوت ہو گئے تھے۔یہاں ہم نہج البلاغہ سے علی علیہ السلام کے چند منتخب اقوال نقل کرتے ہیں، جو کہ پاکستان سے سید علی رضا کے انگریزی ترجمے میں دیئے گئے ہیں۔1. شہری فساد کے دوران اس نوجوان اونٹ کی طرح ہو جس کی نہ تو پیٹھ اتنی مضبوط ہو کہ وہ سوار ہو سکے اور نہ ہی دودھ دینے کے لیے تھن ہو۔‘‘ (1، صفحہ 568)2. جو لالچ کو عادت بنا لیتا ہے وہ اپنے آپ کو گرا دیتا ہے، جو اپنی سختی کو ظاہر کرتا ہے وہ ذلت پر آمادہ ہوتا ہے، اور جو اپنی زبان کو اپنے نفس پر غالب آنے دیتا ہے وہ نفس کو ذلیل کرتا ہے (2 صفحہ 569)5. علم ایک قابل احترام جائیداد ہے، حسن اخلاق نیا لباس ہے اور سوچ ایک واضح آئینہ ہے۔ (5، صفحہ 569)7. صدقہ ایک مؤثر علاج ہے، اور لوگوں کے اعمال ان کی موجودہ زندگی میں اگلی زندگی میں ان کی آنکھوں کے سامنے ہوں گے۔ (7، صفحہ 570)10. لوگوں سے اس طرح ملو کہ اگر تم مرجاؤ تو وہ تمہارے لیے روئیں اور اگر تم زندہ رہو تو وہ تمہارے لیے ترسیں (10، صفحہ 571)27۔ جب تک ہو سکے اپنی بیماری میں چلتے رہو۔" (27، صفحہ 576) ورزش کے ذریعے ایک آسان علاج اور بیماری کو جہاں تک ممکن ہو نظر انداز کرنا)31. ایمان چار چیزوں پر قائم ہے: صبر، یقین، انصاف اور جہاد پر۔ (31 صفحہ 576)40. عقلمند کی زبان اس کے دل کے پیچھے ہوتی ہے اور احمق کا دل اس کی زبان کے پیچھے ہوتا ہے (40 صفحہ 579)45. اگر میں اس تلوار سے مومن کی ناک پر مجھ سے نفرت کی وجہ سے مار ڈالوں تو بھی وہ مجھ سے نفرت نہیں کرے گا اور اگر میں مجھ سے محبت کرنے پر دنیا کی ساری دولت منافق کے سامنے ڈھیر کر دوں تو بھی وہ محبت نہیں کرے گا۔ اس لیے کہ اس کا تلفظ پیارے نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی زبان سے ہوتا ہے۔ اے علی، مومن تم سے کبھی بغض نہیں رکھے گا اور منافق (مسلمان) تم سے کبھی محبت نہیں کرے گا (45 صفحہ 580)54. حکمت جیسی کوئی دولت نہیں، جہالت جیسی تنگی نہیں، تطہیر جیسی کوئی میراث نہیں اور مشورے جیسی کوئی سہارا نہیں۔(54 صفحہ 584)64۔ دنیا کے لوگ ایسے مسافروں کی طرح ہیں جو سوتے ہوئے اٹھائے جاتے ہیں۔ 64، صفحہ 584)67. تھوڑے دینے میں شرم محسوس نہ کرو کیونکہ انکار اس سے چھوٹا ہوتا ہے (67، صفحہ 584)90. اسلام کا کامل فقیہ وہ ہے جو لوگوں کو اللہ کی رحمت سے ناامید نہ ہونے دے، اللہ کی رحمت سے مایوس نہ کرے اور اللہ کے عذاب سے محفوظ نہ رکھے (90 صفحہ 589)117. میری وجہ سے دو قسم کے لوگ برباد ہوں گے۔ وہ جو مجھ سے مبالغہ آرائی سے محبت کرتا ہے اور وہ جو مجھ سے شدید نفرت کرتا ہے۔ (صفحہ 117 594)146۔ صدقہ سے اپنے ایمان کی حفاظت کرو، اللہ کا حصہ ادا کرکے اپنے مال کی حفاظت کرو، اور دعا کے ذریعے آفات کی لہروں سے بچو۔ (146 صفحہ 600)334۔ تنہائی میں اللہ کی نافرمانی سے بچو، کیونکہ گواہ بھی منصف ہے۔مشہور فرانسیسی مورخ اور مستشرقین گیبریل اینکیری اپنی مشہور کتاب ’’لی شیولیئر ڈی اسلام‘‘ میں لکھتے ہیں کہ ’’علی کے انتہائی عمدہ، عظیم الشان اور عظیم کردار میں دو خصلتیں ایسی تھیں جن کا یقین کرنا مشکل ہے کہ ایک آدمی میں یکجا ہو سکتا ہے۔علی علیہ السلام کے علاوہ تاریخ کسی دوسرے آدمی کو نہیں دکھا سکتی جس نے ان دونوں صفات کو ایک ہی وقت میں اور ہر ایک کو اس طرح نمایاں کیا ہو کہ کوئی اس سے آگے نہ بڑھ سکے۔1. وہ اپنے وقت کا سب سے بڑا مارشل تھا (یہاں تک کہ ہر وقت کا) اور، 2. وہ سب سے زیادہ عقلمند آدمی تھا جو مذہب، فلسفہ، سائنس، سماجیات اور اخلاقیات کو اس انداز میں سمجھا اور بیان کر سکتا تھا جو کہ نہیں تھا اور جس کو بہتر نہیں کیا جا سکتا۔ یہ اور بات ہے کہ وہ اتنے عظیم مقرر تھے کہ ان کی تقریریں ان کی وفات کے بعد بھی چودہ صدیاں آپ کو مسحور کر دیتی ہیں۔
In English
The First Imam, ‘Ali (as) Ibn Abu Talib
It was Friday 13th of Rajab 30 Amulfeel Hazrat Fatima binte Asad, the wife of Hazrat Abu Talib entered the precincts of the Kaaba and prayed to Allah saying O’my protector ease my pain.’All of a sudden the wall of the Kaaba opened up and she, as if by some unseen force went inside the Kaaba and the wall closed.
‘Ali (as) the youngest son of Abu Talib was born inside the Holy Kaaba. She stayed inside for three days. On the 3rd day she came out through the door and Muhammad was waiting outside. She told Muhammad (S) that the boy had not taken any milk. Muhammad gave him the first feed from his mouth and afterwards asked his uncle Abu Talib that he wished to adopt the baby.
‘Ali entered the house of Muhammad from the very first day of his birth. ‘Ali’s mother Fatima binte Assad Also lived there who looked after his own son as well as Muhammad (S) so much so that later the Holy Prophet used to say that she was like his own mother.
Shah Waliullah, Mohadith-e-Dehlvi writes in the book “Izalatul Kholafa” giving reference from Imam Hakim in his Mustadrak Part 3, Page 483. Qud Tawatarul Akhbar Inna Fatimah Binte Asad woledat Aliyan Fi Jaufil Kaaba”. Another writer of the old school Sibtel Jauzi in his book Tazkeratul Khawas ul Umma, page 7 mentions the same fact that ‘Ali was born inside the Kaaba.
Khawja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri mentions this fact in his famous Quartet saying that when ‘Ali was born inside the kaaba the Sky and the earth was filled with a light and Angel Gabriel announced that a child was born in the house of God.
Maulana Rumi in his Mathnawi writes, “ O’one who travels to Najef to visit the tomb of ‘Ali must know the fact that the pearl of the Kaaba lies there to give us security because of our intense love for him.”
Masoodi the famous historian writes in his book of history Muruj el Zahab, that ‘Ali was born inside the Kaaba on the orders of Muhammad the Messenger of God.
It was after the adoption of ‘Ali (as) that he lived with the Holy Prophet in his house.
Wherever Muhammad (S) went ‘Ali (as) was with him all the time. Even in the Mountain of Hira when Muhammad (S)went for meditation ‘Ali (as) went with him most of the time. Sometimes they stayed on the mountain for 3 or 4 days. Sometimes ‘Ali (as) took his food there. In Nahjul Balagha ‘Ali (as) said that “ I used to go with the Holy Prophet like the baby camel goes with his mother.”
Some historians try to show that when Muhammad (S) declared his prophet hood ‘Ali (as) was the first among male children who accepted Islam. The implication here is that both Muhammad (S) and ‘Ali (as) were non -believers before this declaration.
This is against the Qur’anic verdict which says that Ibrahim was a Muslim and he taught his children to be Muslims so that when the Prophet was born among the descendants of Ibrahim through the line of Ismael he was born a Muslim and so was ‘Ali. The correct thing to say would be that when Muhammad (S)declared his prophet hood openly ‘Ali (as) immediately adhered to the declaration without hesitation.
The three persons seen in prayers in the Kaaba were Muhammad, Khadija and ‘Ali before anyone else accepted Islam. For 3 years young and poor persons of Makka were accepting Islam secretly. The first open declaration came when the Qora’nic verse tells the Prophet to "come out openly and warn the people of your own clan."
Invitations were sent to leaders of the Banu Hashim to come to the house of Muhammad (S)for Dinner. Forty of them came, ate food and then heard Muhammad (S)about his mission of ‘ No god but Allah and Muhammad (S) as the messenger of Allah and whoever offers his help to propagate this religion will be his deputy and successor.
No one stood up except ‘Ali (as) . After announcing this 3 times Muhammad (S) declared that ‘Ali (as) will be his deputy to his mission and will be his successor after him. People thought it as a joke that a 13 year old boy was to be a deputy of this prophetic mission.
Even Abu Lahab jokingly told Abu Talib, go and obey your son to which AbuTalib smilingly accepted. ‘Ali (as) promised to help Muhammad (S) in his mission and kept this promise all his life.
The next thing which we see in the life of ‘Ali (as) is the reflection of this promise he gave at this place in front of the leaders of the Quraish.
We see ‘Ali (as) protecting Muhammad (S) from the abuses of the enemies of Islam. When Muhammad (S)went to Taif a nearby town to preach Islam children of Taif hurled stones and it was ‘Ali (as) who protected the Prophet and drove the stone throwing children away from the Prophet.
As a youth ‘Ali (as) was strongly built, strong arms, wide chest and a very strong brave and shining face. Children of his age and even older to him were frightened of him and whenever they tried to mock the Prophet, they always ran away when they saw ‘Ali (as) standing by for protection.
Time passed and hostility of the Quraish increased so much so that Muhammad (S) was ordered by Allah to leave Makka. ‘Ali (as) slept on Muhammad’s bed without hesitation and when the non-believers entered the house of Muhammad (S) to kill, they found ‘Ali (as) who was not afraid at all at the site of 40 swordsmen entering the house.
When they questioned ‘Ali: ”where is Muhammad” he bravely replied, did you leave him in my custody? When after 3 days of Muhammad’s departure ‘Ali returned all the goods entrusted to Muhammad to their owners, he set out to leave Makka for Madina with the rest of the family.
‘Ali (as) had with him his mother Fatima binte Asad, His aunt, the wife of Hamza, and Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad (S) and many other ladies. Non-believers of Makka tried to stop ‘Ali (as) from his departure but ‘Ali (as) fought back, drove the infidels away and safely reached Madina. Muhammad (S) was waiting for the family outside the precincts of the town. He entered the city with ‘Ali (as) and the rest of the family.
The Holy Prophet created a bond of brotherhood between the Muslims, making ‘Ali (as) as his Muslim brother saying O’’Ali, you are my brother in this world as well as in the next.
Once the family settled in the newly adopted city of Madina their first task was to complete the mosque around which their houses were also built. ‘Ali initially stayed with his mother but when he married Fatima the daughter of the Prophet he was given a house next to the Prophet by the side of the mosque. He had been betrothed to her several days before the battle of Badr.
But the marriage was celebrated three months later. ‘Ali was about 23 years old and Fatima was 18. This was most happy and celebrated marriage. The distinctiveness of their respective characters blended so well with each other that they never quarreled and complained of one another and led a happy and most contended life.
Materially the couple did not possess much, spiritually they were at the highest level of assent. They had no worries if they go hungry or their clothes had patches. They would be more concerned if an orphan goes away from their door without receiving any food.
History records ‘Ali’s life in Madina with the Holy Prophet for the next ten years as the busiest in defending Islam against the attackers from Makka. ‘Ali (as) was always the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in all such battles and his bravery became legendary.
Ibne Abil Hadid, the Motazelli commentator of Nahjul Balagha says that: ‘Ali (as) had a personality in which opposite characteristics had so gathered that it was difficult to believe a human mind could manifest such a combination. He was the bravest man that history could cite and such brave men are always hard hearted, cruel and eager to shed blood.
On the contrary ‘Ali was kind, sympathetic, responsive and warmhearted person, qualities quite contrary to the other phase of his character and more suited to pious and God fearing persons.’Ali’s bravery and piety both became legendry. Life in Madina while the Holy Prophet was alive was the busiest for ‘Ali. But he remembers these times as the best times of his life. He says in Nahjul Balagha ‘Life with my brother was a life of ease and happiness.’
The battles of Badr, Ohud, Khandaq and Khyber were fought in the defense if Islam and won on the hands of ‘Ali (as) . He was not only the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in these battles, but always led the forces of Islam against Kufr and came out victorious. Khyber was the climax of these battles when ‘Ali’s victory brought prosperity in the Muslim ranks.
Ayesha the wife of the Prophet said once that until the victory of Khyber we in the house of the Prophet spent days without food. It was only after Khyber that life at home became a little easier. Thus ‘Ali (as) brought an end to the hostilities of Quraish in three encounters of Badr, Ohud and Khandaq.
Their best warriors were killed, their unity against Islam was crushed, their pride was humiliated and their prestige before Arab clans was lowered by him and by him alone. Khyber saw an end to the hegemony of Jews in Arabia at the hands of ‘Ali (as) .
The peace agreement of Hodaibiya was written by ‘Ali (as) and at the time of the peaceful victory at Makka, the idols of the Kaaba were demolished by the Holy Prophet with the help of ‘Ali (as) .Details of these battles were shown in the life of the Prophet.
It was Friday 13th of Rajab 30 Amulfeel Hazrat Fatima binte Asad, the wife of Hazrat Abu Talib entered the precincts of the Kaaba and prayed to Allah saying O’my protector ease my pain.’All of a sudden the wall of the Kaaba opened up and she, as if by some unseen force went inside the Kaaba and the wall closed.
‘Ali (as) the youngest son of Abu Talib was born inside the Holy Kaaba. She stayed inside for three days. On the 3rd day she came out through the door and Muhammad was waiting outside. She told Muhammad (S) that the boy had not taken any milk. Muhammad gave him the first feed from his mouth and afterwards asked his uncle Abu Talib that he wished to adopt the baby.
‘Ali entered the house of Muhammad from the very first day of his birth. ‘Ali’s mother Fatima binte Assad Also lived there who looked after his own son as well as Muhammad (S) so much so that later the Holy Prophet used to say that she was like his own mother.
Shah Waliullah, Mohadith-e-Dehlvi writes in the book “Izalatul Kholafa” giving reference from Imam Hakim in his Mustadrak Part 3, Page 483. Qud Tawatarul Akhbar Inna Fatimah Binte Asad woledat Aliyan Fi Jaufil Kaaba”. Another writer of the old school Sibtel Jauzi in his book Tazkeratul Khawas ul Umma, page 7 mentions the same fact that ‘Ali was born inside the Kaaba.
Khawja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri mentions this fact in his famous Quartet saying that when ‘Ali was born inside the kaaba the Sky and the earth was filled with a light and Angel Gabriel announced that a child was born in the house of God.
Maulana Rumi in his Mathnawi writes, “ O’one who travels to Najef to visit the tomb of ‘Ali must know the fact that the pearl of the Kaaba lies there to give us security because of our intense love for him.”
Masoodi the famous historian writes in his book of history Muruj el Zahab, that ‘Ali was born inside the Kaaba on the orders of Muhammad the Messenger of God.
It was after the adoption of ‘Ali (as) that he lived with the Holy Prophet in his house.
Wherever Muhammad (S) went ‘Ali (as) was with him all the time. Even in the Mountain of Hira when Muhammad (S)went for meditation ‘Ali (as) went with him most of the time. Sometimes they stayed on the mountain for 3 or 4 days. Sometimes ‘Ali (as) took his food there. In Nahjul Balagha ‘Ali (as) said that “ I used to go with the Holy Prophet like the baby camel goes with his mother.”
Some historians try to show that when Muhammad (S) declared his prophet hood ‘Ali (as) was the first among male children who accepted Islam. The implication here is that both Muhammad (S) and ‘Ali (as) were non -believers before this declaration.
This is against the Qur’anic verdict which says that Ibrahim was a Muslim and he taught his children to be Muslims so that when the Prophet was born among the descendants of Ibrahim through the line of Ismael he was born a Muslim and so was ‘Ali. The correct thing to say would be that when Muhammad (S)declared his prophet hood openly ‘Ali (as) immediately adhered to the declaration without hesitation.
The three persons seen in prayers in the Kaaba were Muhammad, Khadija and ‘Ali before anyone else accepted Islam. For 3 years young and poor persons of Makka were accepting Islam secretly. The first open declaration came when the Qora’nic verse tells the Prophet to "come out openly and warn the people of your own clan."
Invitations were sent to leaders of the Banu Hashim to come to the house of Muhammad (S)for Dinner. Forty of them came, ate food and then heard Muhammad (S)about his mission of ‘ No god but Allah and Muhammad (S) as the messenger of Allah and whoever offers his help to propagate this religion will be his deputy and successor.
No one stood up except ‘Ali (as) . After announcing this 3 times Muhammad (S) declared that ‘Ali (as) will be his deputy to his mission and will be his successor after him. People thought it as a joke that a 13 year old boy was to be a deputy of this prophetic mission.
Even Abu Lahab jokingly told Abu Talib, go and obey your son to which AbuTalib smilingly accepted. ‘Ali (as) promised to help Muhammad (S) in his mission and kept this promise all his life.
The next thing which we see in the life of ‘Ali (as) is the reflection of this promise he gave at this place in front of the leaders of the Quraish.
We see ‘Ali (as) protecting Muhammad (S) from the abuses of the enemies of Islam. When Muhammad (S)went to Taif a nearby town to preach Islam children of Taif hurled stones and it was ‘Ali (as) who protected the Prophet and drove the stone throwing children away from the Prophet.
As a youth ‘Ali (as) was strongly built, strong arms, wide chest and a very strong brave and shining face. Children of his age and even older to him were frightened of him and whenever they tried to mock the Prophet, they always ran away when they saw ‘Ali (as) standing by for protection.
Time passed and hostility of the Quraish increased so much so that Muhammad (S) was ordered by Allah to leave Makka. ‘Ali (as) slept on Muhammad’s bed without hesitation and when the non-believers entered the house of Muhammad (S) to kill, they found ‘Ali (as) who was not afraid at all at the site of 40 swordsmen entering the house.
When they questioned ‘Ali: ”where is Muhammad” he bravely replied, did you leave him in my custody? When after 3 days of Muhammad’s departure ‘Ali returned all the goods entrusted to Muhammad to their owners, he set out to leave Makka for Madina with the rest of the family.
‘Ali (as) had with him his mother Fatima binte Asad, His aunt, the wife of Hamza, and Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad (S) and many other ladies. Non-believers of Makka tried to stop ‘Ali (as) from his departure but ‘Ali (as) fought back, drove the infidels away and safely reached Madina. Muhammad (S) was waiting for the family outside the precincts of the town. He entered the city with ‘Ali (as) and the rest of the family.
The Holy Prophet created a bond of brotherhood between the Muslims, making ‘Ali (as) as his Muslim brother saying O’’Ali, you are my brother in this world as well as in the next.
Once the family settled in the newly adopted city of Madina their first task was to complete the mosque around which their houses were also built. ‘Ali initially stayed with his mother but when he married Fatima the daughter of the Prophet he was given a house next to the Prophet by the side of the mosque. He had been betrothed to her several days before the battle of Badr.
But the marriage was celebrated three months later. ‘Ali was about 23 years old and Fatima was 18. This was most happy and celebrated marriage. The distinctiveness of their respective characters blended so well with each other that they never quarreled and complained of one another and led a happy and most contended life.
Materially the couple did not possess much, spiritually they were at the highest level of assent. They had no worries if they go hungry or their clothes had patches. They would be more concerned if an orphan goes away from their door without receiving any food.
History records ‘Ali’s life in Madina with the Holy Prophet for the next ten years as the busiest in defending Islam against the attackers from Makka. ‘Ali (as) was always the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in all such battles and his bravery became legendary.
Ibne Abil Hadid, the Motazelli commentator of Nahjul Balagha says that: ‘Ali (as) had a personality in which opposite characteristics had so gathered that it was difficult to believe a human mind could manifest such a combination. He was the bravest man that history could cite and such brave men are always hard hearted, cruel and eager to shed blood.
On the contrary ‘Ali was kind, sympathetic, responsive and warmhearted person, qualities quite contrary to the other phase of his character and more suited to pious and God fearing persons.’Ali’s bravery and piety both became legendry. Life in Madina while the Holy Prophet was alive was the busiest for ‘Ali. But he remembers these times as the best times of his life. He says in Nahjul Balagha ‘Life with my brother was a life of ease and happiness.’
The battles of Badr, Ohud, Khandaq and Khyber were fought in the defense if Islam and won on the hands of ‘Ali (as) . He was not only the standard bearer of the Flag of Islam in these battles, but always led the forces of Islam against Kufr and came out victorious. Khyber was the climax of these battles when ‘Ali’s victory brought prosperity in the Muslim ranks.
Ayesha the wife of the Prophet said once that until the victory of Khyber we in the house of the Prophet spent days without food. It was only after Khyber that life at home became a little easier. Thus ‘Ali (as) brought an end to the hostilities of Quraish in three encounters of Badr, Ohud and Khandaq.
Their best warriors were killed, their unity against Islam was crushed, their pride was humiliated and their prestige before Arab clans was lowered by him and by him alone. Khyber saw an end to the hegemony of Jews in Arabia at the hands of ‘Ali (as) .
The peace agreement of Hodaibiya was written by ‘Ali (as) and at the time of the peaceful victory at Makka, the idols of the Kaaba were demolished by the Holy Prophet with the help of ‘Ali (as) .Details of these battles were shown in the life of the Prophet.
Battle of Honain
The Victory of Makka brought many non believers into the fold of Islam. Broadly speaking there were three types who embraced Islam. Fear, greed and the true understanding of Islam and its principles. Some of the Makkans became Muslims for fear of their lives, they were afraid that the Prophet would kill them, others were simply frightened that the Holy Prophet with the help of Angel Gabriel would bring the wrath of God on them.
Then there was greed that Islam was now victorious, so if they joined in the good life would be theirs for free. Very few of them truly understood Islam and accepted it as a true faith. The Test of their true faith came immediately after the fall of Makka while Muslims were still in the sweet pleasure of this bloodless victory, that various tribes outside Makka gathered an army of 20,000 in Taif to fight the Muslims.
The hostile tribes decided to attack at a vantage point at Hunain and selected two prominent places where they concealed their archers. The Muslims were proud of their success in Makka, but their behavior during the encounter was timorous and cowardly. The Qur’an tells us this in (9:9):
“God came to your help on so many occasions, on the day of Honain, your vanity in the number of your soldiers and your arrogance did not prove any avail to you, you were badly defeated and could not find any place of shelter, you started running away without shame.”
This encounter took place in the month of Shawwal 8th Hijri (Jan 630 AD). When the Muslim army marched towards the place where archers were concealed the enemy opened the campaign with such a severe onslaught that the Muslim army could not stand it.
Their assault was fierce and confusion in the Muslim ranks made the archers bolder and they came nearer and attacked from both flanks and from the front. The Muslims could not stand the attack and started running without putting any resistance and where not concerned to leave the Prophet alone, (see Saheeh Bukhari).
The first battalion to run was the one in the command of Khalid ibne Waleed(Rauzathus Safa vol II page 137) This was followed by such a disorderly and tumultuous flight that only 10 people were left out of an army of 15,000 with the Holy Prophet. Eight of them were of Bani Hashim,(.Abbas, two of his sons, ‘Ali and three other cousins of the Holy Prophet)
Abbas was shouting to the Muslims to come back, reminding them of the oath of allegiance taken and promises made, but it was to no avail. Those who accepted Islam for greed , wealth and power were not willing to risk their lives.
Many of them who had carefully hidden their enmity from the rising power were happy at the defeat. They gathered round Abu Sofian, started congratulating him and saying, "The magical circle of the lying Prophet is broken,” They were praying for the return of Polytheism. 1.
Once again it fell to the lot of ‘Ali (as) to save the Holy Prophet and the Islam. Armies of Bani Hawaazen and Banu Saqeef under cover of their archers were rushing the hillock and were getting ready for a fierce onslaught.
‘Ali (as) divided the small band of faithful true Muslims in three divisions; to Abdullah Ibne Masood, Abbas ibne Abdul Muttalib and Abu bin Harris has assigned the duty of protecting the Holy Prophet, to three he ordered to guard the rear and he himself faced the onslaught with only three warriors with him.
He fought, wounded at many places, but continued fighting when he faced the commander of the hostile army, Abu Jerdal in hand to hand fight and killed him with one stroke of his sword. He alone killed over 30 of the enemy and with this bravery his aids also fought bravely and enemy was defeated.
The day was saved, the commander of the enemy’s army was killed, their ranks were broken they had no courage to face ‘Ali (as) and they started retreating. The sight of the powerful army in retreat, made the fleeing Muslims bold and they came back as victory was won for them 2.
The defensive battles were over and the peaceful spread of Islam began. ‘Ali (as) was again in the forefront. He brought the whole tribe of Bani Hamdan to Islam by preaching . Similarly when he was sent to Yemen he brought the whole country in to the fold of Islam by his sermons.
This news so pleased the Holy Prophet that he bowed down in Sajdah to thank God three times and said loudly, peace be to Bani Hamdan and to ‘Ali. Again in the year 10th of Hijra ‘Ali’s sermon and preaching proved so effective that the whole province embraced Islam as one man.
In the 9th year of Hijra the famous event of Mobahela took place. Najran was a city in the province of Yemen. It was the center of Christian Missionary activities in southern Arabia. The Holy Prophet had written to the Chief Priest of the City to realize the blessings of Islam.
In reply he wrote that he personally would like to discuss the teachings of this new religion. His name was Haris. He was invited and came with a group of 14 priests.
These priests as guest of the Holy Prophet. Long discussions took place during the course of 4 days of their stay in Madina. When Sunday came the Chief priest wanted to go out of the city to have their Sunday Service. Prophet Islam said that they all have permission to conduct their religious service inside the mosque of the Prophet which they happily did.
Long discussions continued about monotheism verses trinity and it was realized that these priests were not open minded, on the contrary they were prejudiced against monotheism. The Almighty Lord ordered the Holy Prophet to explain to that:
“Verily Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created Adam from dust. He said unto him, Be, and he was. This is truth from thy Lord. be not therefore one of those who doubt, and whoever shall dispute thee, say unto them, “come let us call together our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our Selves and your Selves, then let us make imprecations and lay the curse of God upon those who lie.” (3:61)
According to Bibi Ayesha when the above verse was revealed to the Apostle of God, he called ‘Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn and said, “Lord, this is my family (Ahlul Bayt). The Holy Prophet took this small family with them to the open land outside the city where they all assembled to bring the curse of God on those who lie.
When the Chief priest saw these faces, he told his companions that he was looking at the faces that if they call the mountain, the mountain will go them. Do not have Mobahela with them or you will be destroyed. On hearing this they all agreed to pay homage to the Holy Prophet and an annual tax for living in the Islamic State and withdrew from the scene.
The Victory of Makka brought many non believers into the fold of Islam. Broadly speaking there were three types who embraced Islam. Fear, greed and the true understanding of Islam and its principles. Some of the Makkans became Muslims for fear of their lives, they were afraid that the Prophet would kill them, others were simply frightened that the Holy Prophet with the help of Angel Gabriel would bring the wrath of God on them.
Then there was greed that Islam was now victorious, so if they joined in the good life would be theirs for free. Very few of them truly understood Islam and accepted it as a true faith. The Test of their true faith came immediately after the fall of Makka while Muslims were still in the sweet pleasure of this bloodless victory, that various tribes outside Makka gathered an army of 20,000 in Taif to fight the Muslims.
The hostile tribes decided to attack at a vantage point at Hunain and selected two prominent places where they concealed their archers. The Muslims were proud of their success in Makka, but their behavior during the encounter was timorous and cowardly. The Qur’an tells us this in (9:9):
“God came to your help on so many occasions, on the day of Honain, your vanity in the number of your soldiers and your arrogance did not prove any avail to you, you were badly defeated and could not find any place of shelter, you started running away without shame.”
This encounter took place in the month of Shawwal 8th Hijri (Jan 630 AD). When the Muslim army marched towards the place where archers were concealed the enemy opened the campaign with such a severe onslaught that the Muslim army could not stand it.
Their assault was fierce and confusion in the Muslim ranks made the archers bolder and they came nearer and attacked from both flanks and from the front. The Muslims could not stand the attack and started running without putting any resistance and where not concerned to leave the Prophet alone, (see Saheeh Bukhari).
The first battalion to run was the one in the command of Khalid ibne Waleed(Rauzathus Safa vol II page 137) This was followed by such a disorderly and tumultuous flight that only 10 people were left out of an army of 15,000 with the Holy Prophet. Eight of them were of Bani Hashim,(.Abbas, two of his sons, ‘Ali and three other cousins of the Holy Prophet)
Abbas was shouting to the Muslims to come back, reminding them of the oath of allegiance taken and promises made, but it was to no avail. Those who accepted Islam for greed , wealth and power were not willing to risk their lives.
Many of them who had carefully hidden their enmity from the rising power were happy at the defeat. They gathered round Abu Sofian, started congratulating him and saying, "The magical circle of the lying Prophet is broken,” They were praying for the return of Polytheism. 1.
Once again it fell to the lot of ‘Ali (as) to save the Holy Prophet and the Islam. Armies of Bani Hawaazen and Banu Saqeef under cover of their archers were rushing the hillock and were getting ready for a fierce onslaught.
‘Ali (as) divided the small band of faithful true Muslims in three divisions; to Abdullah Ibne Masood, Abbas ibne Abdul Muttalib and Abu bin Harris has assigned the duty of protecting the Holy Prophet, to three he ordered to guard the rear and he himself faced the onslaught with only three warriors with him.
He fought, wounded at many places, but continued fighting when he faced the commander of the hostile army, Abu Jerdal in hand to hand fight and killed him with one stroke of his sword. He alone killed over 30 of the enemy and with this bravery his aids also fought bravely and enemy was defeated.
The day was saved, the commander of the enemy’s army was killed, their ranks were broken they had no courage to face ‘Ali (as) and they started retreating. The sight of the powerful army in retreat, made the fleeing Muslims bold and they came back as victory was won for them 2.
The defensive battles were over and the peaceful spread of Islam began. ‘Ali (as) was again in the forefront. He brought the whole tribe of Bani Hamdan to Islam by preaching . Similarly when he was sent to Yemen he brought the whole country in to the fold of Islam by his sermons.
This news so pleased the Holy Prophet that he bowed down in Sajdah to thank God three times and said loudly, peace be to Bani Hamdan and to ‘Ali. Again in the year 10th of Hijra ‘Ali’s sermon and preaching proved so effective that the whole province embraced Islam as one man.
In the 9th year of Hijra the famous event of Mobahela took place. Najran was a city in the province of Yemen. It was the center of Christian Missionary activities in southern Arabia. The Holy Prophet had written to the Chief Priest of the City to realize the blessings of Islam.
In reply he wrote that he personally would like to discuss the teachings of this new religion. His name was Haris. He was invited and came with a group of 14 priests.
These priests as guest of the Holy Prophet. Long discussions took place during the course of 4 days of their stay in Madina. When Sunday came the Chief priest wanted to go out of the city to have their Sunday Service. Prophet Islam said that they all have permission to conduct their religious service inside the mosque of the Prophet which they happily did.
Long discussions continued about monotheism verses trinity and it was realized that these priests were not open minded, on the contrary they were prejudiced against monotheism. The Almighty Lord ordered the Holy Prophet to explain to that:
“Verily Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created Adam from dust. He said unto him, Be, and he was. This is truth from thy Lord. be not therefore one of those who doubt, and whoever shall dispute thee, say unto them, “come let us call together our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our Selves and your Selves, then let us make imprecations and lay the curse of God upon those who lie.” (3:61)
According to Bibi Ayesha when the above verse was revealed to the Apostle of God, he called ‘Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn and said, “Lord, this is my family (Ahlul Bayt). The Holy Prophet took this small family with them to the open land outside the city where they all assembled to bring the curse of God on those who lie.
When the Chief priest saw these faces, he told his companions that he was looking at the faces that if they call the mountain, the mountain will go them. Do not have Mobahela with them or you will be destroyed. On hearing this they all agreed to pay homage to the Holy Prophet and an annual tax for living in the Islamic State and withdrew from the scene.
Designation of ‘Ali as successor to the Prophet
In history there were numerous occasions when the Holy Prophet designated ‘Ali as his Deputy and successor after him. From the moment of Zulasheera to the time of the conquest of Khyber and the occasion of the battle of Tabuke the Holy Prophet made it abundantly clear that no one deserved more than ‘Ali to be his Deputy and successor. But at the time of Ghadeer this was clearly ordered by Allah through a clear verse revealed on the Prophet. The Verse said,
"O’ apostle; proclaim the whole of that which hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord, for if thou dost it not, it will be as if thou hast not at all performed the duty of His Prophethood. And God will protect thee from evil men, verily God guideth not the unbelievers.” (5:67.)
The occasion was after the last pilgrimage in 10th Hijri. The Prophet delivered his Sermons on Mount Arafat, had the final rounds of the Kaaba and left for Madina. More than 120,000 pilgrims were coming out with him from Makka going to the North.
Half way through their journey where the routes were separated for various pilgrims, the Holy Prophet ordered the whole caravan to halt. All those who went ahead were called back and for those who were behind they waited for them to arrive.
The place was Ghadeer, near the pool of water. That is why it was named Ghadeer-e-Khom. When all assembled at this place the Holy Prophet stood up on top of the pulpit and said, "People, shortly I shall be called towards my creator where I shall have to give an account as to how I have conveyed His message to you and you in your turn will be asked as to how you have accepted and carried out the teachings. Now tell me what you will say”.
Thereupon all the pilgrims declared as one man, "Apostle of God, we testify and declare that you have conveyed the message of God fully, you have strived your utmost to guide us to the Right Path and taught us to follow it. You were most kind to us and you never wished for us but our good, may God repay you for all that."
After that the Prophet said, "Do you not testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His creature, His servant, and His apostle, that there is the Heaven and the Hell, that death will overtake every one of you, that you will be brought back from your graves that the Day of Judgement will surely dawn and human beings will be resurrected from their graves to account for their deeds.
The whole crowd declared in unison, "We believe and testify all this." Hearing this the Apostle declared, "I am leaving amongst you two most important things worthy of obedience, the Qur’an and my progeny (Ahlul Bayt). Take care how you treat them, they will not separate from each other till they reach me at the fountain of Kauser.”
Then he said, “The Almighty God is my Lord (Maula) and I am the Lord of all Muslims and have more right and power on their lives than they themselves. Do you believe in this assertion of mine?" They all in one voice replied “Yes O’Apostle of God. Three times he asked the same question and three times he received the same affirmative reply.
At this solemn affirmation he said, “Hear and remember that to whomever I am Lord or Maula, ‘Ali is the Lord and Maula to him. He is to me what Aaron was to Musa. The Almighty God is a friend to his friends and a foe to his foe, help those who help him and frustrate those who betray him.
While saying this he raised ‘Ali High over his shoulders in order to be seen by all the Muslims assembled there. Thereupon the Holy Prophet received the final revelation:
"This day I have perfected your religion for you and have filled up the measure of my bounties upon you and I am pleased with Islam to be your Deen," (5:3).
After performing this ceremony and receiving the above revelation the Holy Prophet came down from the pulpit and ordered a tent to be erected. In this ‘Ali (as) was made to take his seat and all Muslims were ordered to pay homage to him and address him as Amirul Momeneen (Lord of the faithful) The first person to congratulate and address him as such was Omar Ibne Khattab saying, “I congratulate you, O’’Ali, today you have become my Maula and Lord and Lord of every Muslim man and woman. 1.
The event of Ghadeer was on 18th of Zilhijja 10th Hijri, immediately after the last pilgrimage by the Holy Prophet. He then arrived back in Madina and lived only for 70 days after the event.(130 Prominent Companions of the Holy Prophet narrated this Hadith including the first three Kholafa-e-Rashidoon)
The year 11th AH was the saddest year for ‘Ali. (as) He lost two of his best friends. One of whom he loved and venerated like a father, like a master and like a dearest friend, the Holy Prophet(S) who died on 28th Safar 11th Hijri, exactly 70 days after the event of Ghadeer. His death followed by the death of his dearest companion his wife Fatima, the Lady of Light.
Immediately after the death of the Holy Prophet who was buried by ‘Ali (as) with the help of his uncle Abbas and all the family of Bani Hashim, the news was given to ‘Ali (as) about the events at the Saqeefa that Abubakr was made Caliph. Abu Sofian heard the news came to ‘Ali (as) and told him that his Right was taken away from him.
If he wishes, Abu Sofian would fill the city of Madina with horsemen to defend ‘Ali’s Right of Khilafat. ‘Ali’s reply was typical, he said,” since when you have become friends of Islam”, you want to create serious dissension amongst the Muslims. You have always tried to harm Islam I do not need your sympathies or help.”
‘Ali realized that any serious dissension at this stage would harm the cause of Islam. He had before him the example of Hodaibiya and he had been foretold by the Holy Prophet of all that would happen. Allama ‘Ali Ibne Mohammed (630 AH) in his book Usdul Ghaba Vol iv page 31 says, The Holy Prophet had told ‘Ali, your status is like that of Kaaba.
People go to Kaaba but that August house never approaches anybody. Therefore after my death, if people come to you and swear the oath of allegiance you accept it and if they do not come to you then you do not go to them.”
‘Ali’s love for Islam was so intense, he could not, for the sake of worldly rule, endanger Islam. He knew fully well that a civil war at this stage would give chances to the Jewish tribes of Banu Nuzair and Banu Qoraiza on the one side, and the Byzantine armies in the north with the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) the new converts on the third side to simply take advantage of the situation.
When they would find the Muslims busy killing each other they would literally cut them to pieces and Islam would totally disappear as a message of peace. ‘Ali’s utmost desire was to see Islam and the Arabs in one piece and wanted the enemies of Islam to realize that Islam was strong enough to defend itself as “Deen”. even after the demise of the Apostle of God.
He had another important job to complete that is the completion of the collection of Qur’an with its Tafseer (explanations) according to the instructions of the Holy Prophet. Qur’an as a book was already completed by the Holy Prophet, many copies were made and circulated among the Muslim communities all over the Islamic world.
What ‘Ali did in the next six months after the demise of the Holy Prophet was to collect all the explanations of the various verses, reasons behind their revelation and their full context. This monumental job he completed in six months and brought before the Muslims in the city of the Prophet.
Unfortunately this was ignored by the ruling party and ‘Ali (as) took it back with him. Their comment was "this is too bulky and people will not understand it.”
The original remained with ‘Ali (as) all his life and then passed on to his son Hasan (as) and then to Husayn (as) which then continued with the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet. It is now with the 12th Imam (as) .
During the time of the three Kholafa, although ‘Ali (as) did not take part in any of the battles, he was always available when they sought his advice on religious matters. His position as the jurist was on the top of the list among the companions of the Holy Prophet.
Omar Ibne Khattab the 2nd Caliph had given clear instructions that when ‘Ali was present in the mosque of the Prophet no one should take precedence over him in answering questions on religious matters.
In one such encounter during the time of the 2nd Caliph, a group of Jewish scholars approached the caliph and said, “ We have a few questions. If we get the answers to these questions correctly, we will accept the Islamic faith. “Ask whatever you want to ask," said the caliph. They asked the following questions.
1. What are the locks and keys of heaven?
2. Who was the messenger who was neither of the human nor of the jinn and who warned his people?
3. Which are the 5 beings that were created without the aid of ovaries?
4 What are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve?
The caliph thought over these questions for a time, then said, I do not know the answers to these questions. I will take you to a man who is most knowledgeable in the commandments of God and the Prophet and the greatest among us. The caliph then brought the Jewish scholars to ‘Ali (as) . They asked the same questions to him. ‘Ali (as) answered thus:
1. The locks of the heavens are beliefs in more than one God, and its keys are the letters of “La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad-Ur-Rasulallah.”
2. The messenger who warned his people is the ant who, when Solomon’s army was passing by, said to his people, “ Enter your houses so that the army may not stamp you out (without intention)”. So God states in the Holy Qur’an,
“Until they came to the valley of the Ants, said an ant (addressing the other ants of the valley) O” you ants’ enter into your dwellings, so that Solomon and his hosts may not crush you while they know it not”. (27:18)
3. The five beings that were not born of ovaries are: Adam, Eve, the staff of Moses which used to change into a python, the camel of Saleh, and the sheep of Ibrahim (which was sent by God to become a ransom of the life of Ibrahim’s son Ismael).
4. One is God who has no partners, two are Adam and Eve, three are the substances ( i.e. non-living matter, plants and animals), four are the Heavenly books: Torah of Moses, Bible of Jesus, Zubur of Dawood and the Qur’an of Muhammad (S).
Five are the daily prayers. Six are the days of creation of the heavens and earth, as per the verse of the Qur’an:
“And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them two, in six periods and touched us not any fatigue.” (Surah 50:38). Seven are the seven heavens, in the light of the Qur’anic Verse: “And we have erected above you the seven strong ones.” (78:12)
Eight are those angels who bear the heavens, as per the Qur’anic Verse:
“And the angels shall be on the side of it; and above them shall bear that day ‘Arsh’(the throne of authority). of your Lord, eight of them (69:17)
Nine are the nine signs given to Moses as stated by God:
“And indeed we gave Moses nine clear signs (miracles); so ask the children of Israel when he came to them, Pharaoh said to him; “Verily I deem you O’Moses one bewitched.”
(17:101).
Ten are the ten days, i.e. God had promised Moses that he would stay on the mountain of Toor for thirty days, and later added ten more days to this duration, as it is stated in the Qur’an.
“And we made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and completed it with ten more;” Thus was completed the term of his Lord, forty nights, and (before he went up) Moses said to his brother Aaron: You take my place among my people, act rightly and follow not the path of the mischief-makers.” (7:142).
Eleven are the brothers of Joseph, son of Jacob, as the Qur’an states,
“When said Joseph to his father, O’my father; Verily I did see (dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon,, I saw them all prostrating to me.” (12:4).
Twelve are the Twelve water-springs manifested by the staff of Moses, as God states,
“And (remember) when Moses sought water for his people; said We, ‘Strike the rock with your staff’ Then gushed out therefrom twelve springs; each people knew their drinking place; “Eat and drink God’s provision, and commit not evil in the earth acting mischievously.” (2:60)
When the Jewish scholars heard the replies of ‘Ali (as) they said, “We bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (S) is His Messenger and ‘Ali (as) is the “Wasi” and successor of the Messenger of God as Aaron was the Wasi of Moses. They all embraced Islam, went back to their tribe and converted all of them to Islam.(Kaukabe Durri).
After the death of Osman the 3rd Caliph ‘Ali (as) was elected by the overwhelming majority of Muslims as the 4th Caliph. He was reluctant to accept the office of the caliph but when pushed by the majority , accepted it by saying that he was taking the reins of worldly authority only to bring back the Ummah of the Prophet on the Right Path, though the value of this worldly khilafat is less than the sneeze of a goat.
His position as an Imam and guide was already established during the period of three earlier khulafa, with worldly power he began the daunting task of establishing the type of rule the Messenger of God had established during his time.
Imam Bukhari mentioned in his Saheeh that the very first prayers which ‘Ali (as) led in the mosque of the Prophet as the Caliph, many companions of the prophet said that “today we have prayed as the Messenger of God used to pray”.
But during the past 25 years many companions of the Prophet had, due to excessive wealth coming in from the conquest of the foreign lands, changed into the habit of living like feudal lords of the period of Jahiliya of pre-Islamic days. ‘Ali (as) as caliph warned them of the dangers of excessive wealth by these words. " Beware of the intoxication of wealth”.(Masudi,Muruj el Zahab).
The path of ‘Ali (as) was full of thorns and as soon as he tried to establish the austere path of the Messenger of God, he created many enemies. The first and foremost was the Governor of Syria Moawiya ibne Abi Sofian.
He persuaded Talha and Zubair,when they were denied the Governorship of various provinces by ‘Ali (as) , to start a revolt against ‘Ali. (as) Both of them left Madina, arrived in Makka and somehow persuaded bibi Ayesha the widow of the Prophet to start a fight against ‘Ali. (as) They left Makka for Basra and assembled an army against ‘Ali. (as) .
He warned them of the dangers of war against the caliph upon whose hand they had taken the oath of allegiance, but persuasion from Moawiya and promises of Governorship of various provinces was so strong that they would not hear any advice. ‘Ali (as) left Madina in pursuit of these deviants and two Muslim armies faced each other near Basra.
When many companions of the Prophet saw this they questioned the validity of this war and cast doubt as to which party was on the right path. ‘Ali (as) replied in the most subtle way to these doubters. “ Truth cannot be identified from men, find the truth and you will find the deserving person”.
The battle of Jamal was fought, ‘Ali ‘s army was victorious, both Talha and Zubair were killed by their own men and bibi Ayesha was sent back to Madina under the escort of her brother Muhammad ibne Abibakr. She always repented this venture and asked forgiveness from God.
When with the connivance of Moawiya her brother Muhammad ibne abi bakr was killed and his body was put into the body of a dead camel and burnt, she cursed Moawiya five times a day after every prayer, throughout her life..
The Battle of Siffin was also fought due to the deviant action of Moawiya against the Islamic State. Some companions of ‘Ali’s army deserted him by accepting bribes from Moawiya and due to this deceitful action the battle of Siffin remained indecisive, no one won and no one lost.
In the meantime this deviant group which was later named as “Khawarij” meaning deviant, began to spread trouble within the Islamic State by looting and burning villages and killing women and children that ‘Ali (as) fought against them and the battle of Nahrwan took place.
On the way to Nahrwan ‘Ali (as) passed a monastery. An old Christian monk who also claimed to be an astrologer of some repute called out, “ O’ army of Islam, ask your leader to come to me. Upon hearing this ‘Ali (as) turned his horse towards the monastery and approached the monk. Where do you go ask the monk. To fight the enemies of Islam, replied ‘Ali (as) .
Do not fight now, because at this moment the stars do not favor the Muslims. Wait for a few days when the stars will become favorable for you. ‘Ali (as) replied, do you defy Allah for this action we are taking on the orders of Allah and for His Deen.
‘Ali (as) said, “ since you profess knowledge of the stars, tell me about the movement of such and such star.” The old man said, By God, I have never heard the name of this star. ‘Ali (as) asked him another question about the skies and when the old man failed to reply said “It is now known that you do not know about the skies.
Shall I ask you about the earth? Tell me what is buried beneath your feet at the spot where you stand. I do not know said the old monk, “There is a vessel filled with so many silver coins and the coins bear such and such emblem. How do you know enquired the monk”.
“By God’s grace.” said ‘Ali (as) . Then ‘Ali proceeded to say that in the ensuing fight, less than ten persons of Islamic army would be killed whereas less than ten persons from the opposing army would escape. The old monk listened astonished. As per ‘Ali’s command, when the earth beneath the feet of the monk was dug, a vessel filled with silver coins was found exactly as described by ‘Ali (as)
‘Ali (as) proceeded to Nahrwan and in the ensuing fight, the Khawarij were thoroughly defeated. Out of the four thousand men of the Khawarij only nine escaped and only nine men of the Islamic army were killed in this battle. (Rawdhatul Shuhada, Kaukab el Durri )
Returning from the battle ‘Ali (as) passed the monastery and when the monk heard the full story he embraced Islam immediately.
‘Ali (as) also admonished him about his belief in astrology. He said “ do you think you can tell the hour when a man goes out and no evil befall him. Whoever testifies this falsifies the Qur’an and becomes unmindful of Allah in achieving his desired objective and in warding off the undesirable.”
Then ‘Ali (as) addressed to his own soldiers and said “Beware of learning the science of stars except that with which guidance is sought on land or sea, because it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner, while a diviner is like the sorcerer, the sorcerer is like the unbeliever and the unbeliever’s place is in hell.”(Nahjul Balagha)
The four years and ten months of the Khilafat of ‘Ali (as) has been regarded by many historians as the best example of Islamic State after the Prophet of Islam’s death, in spite of the fact that the family of Abu Sofian tried their best to destroy it.
Imam Abu Yousuf the famous disciple of Imam Abu Hanifa in his book about the history of Kholafae Rashedun declares above the title of his book that ‘Ali’s (as) time of Khilafat was the best in the management of the Islamic State and most just.
Many European historians mentioned ‘Ali’s name with love and affection. Carlyle writes in his Heros and Heroworship that” ‘Ali had such a personality that he was liked, loved and venerated by everybody. He was the man of excellent character loving and lovable, so intensely brave that if anything stood against his bravery it was consumed as if by fire, yet he was so gentle and kind that he represented the model of a Christian Knight.”
The famous Egyptian scholar Mohammad Abdoh relates a story about the time of the conquest of Alexandria during the reign of the 2nd caliph. They found a great library there and did not know what to do with it.
Orders were issued from Madina that ‘if these books are according to the Holy Qur’an, then we do not need them and if they say anything contrary to the Holy Qur’an then we do not want them. Therefore, in any case they ought to be burnt. (Akhbarul Ulama wa Aakhbarul Hukama of Ibne Quftee, pages 232 and 233,Printed Cairo).
When ‘Ali (as) heard the news of this, he tried to pursuade them to refrain from issuing such order. He told them, “These books are treasures of knowledge and they cannot say anything against the Holy Qur’an.
On the contrary the knowledge contained therein would act as commentaries of the Holy Book and would assist and help in further explanations of the knowledge as presented by the Holy Prophet. Knowledge is an asset for human beings and a birth right of man. It should not be destroyed.”
It was 19th of Ramadan 41 Hijri while ‘Ali (as) was leading the morning prayers and was in the second Sajdah of the 2nd Rakaat that Ibne Muljim’s sword fell and the life of the greatest warrior saint was taken away to his merciful Lord.
The famous christian writer of Lebanon George Jurdaq writes in his books on ‘Ali (as) that with this one blow of the sword of Ibne Muljim the world was deprived of the person who, if had lived a few more years would have given the world a system of administration that future generations would have benefited for a long time to come.”
In fact the letter to his Governor of Egypt Malike Ashter advising him of the “Do’s and Don’ts for a successful administration of the State is the hall mark in the annals of history”. We can only say that ‘Ali’s supreme wisdom provides the guidance of a stature that mankind can aspire to.
‘Ali (as) injured with the wound from the poisonous sword lived for two days. In these two days he dictated his Will and last testament to his son Hasan (as) which is again a brilliant part of literary history.
He advised his eldest son to love God and obey Him and to live for the service of the people in the way of God. “And then do not forget to set apart the best of your time for communion with God, although every moment of yours is for Him, provided it is spent sincerely in the service of your people.”
‘Ali’s (as) sermons, collected by Sayyid Razi in the 4th century (AH) are the examples of the most brilliant piece of Arabic literature that after the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet of Islam, ever produced.
What Sayyid Razi could compile in Nahjul Balagha does not contain all the Sermons, letters and sayings of ‘Ali (as) . Masoodi (d.346) in his famous book of history Muruj-al-Zahab says that the only Sermons of ‘Ali, (as) which have been preserved by various people, number more than 480.
These were extempore orations, people have copied them from one another and compiled them in the book forms’ they have cited them and quoted passages from them in their books. The famous companion and pupil of ‘Ali (as) Hasan al Basri had made such arrangements that one of his own friends would memorize the sermons delivered in the mosque of Kufa and relate the same in the next Friday prayer in Basra. This shows the deep interest people of his own time had in these sermons and sayings.
Apparently out of these 480 sermons some were lost and Sayyid Razi could lay hands on only 245 sermons. Besides them he has collected about 75 letters and 489 sayings. Almost every one of the sermons, sayings and letters collected in Nahjul Balagha is to be found books of authors who died long before Sayyid Raza was even born.
Here we quote a few selected sayings of ‘Ali (as) from Nahjul Balagha, The numbers given as they appear in the English translation by Sayyid ‘Ali Raza from Pakistan.
1. During civil disturbance be like an adolescent camel that has neither a back strong enough for riding nor udders for milking.”( 1, page 568)
2. He who adopts greed as a habit devalues himself, he who discloses his hardship agrees to humiliation, and he who allows his tongue to overpower his Nafs debases the Nafs.(2 page 569)
5. Knowledge is a venerable estate, good manners are new dresses and thinking is a clear mirror. ( 5, page 569)
7. Charity is an effective cure, and actions of people in their present life will be before their eyes in the next life.( 7, page 570)
10.Meet people in such a manner that if you die they should weep for you and if you live they should long for you.( 10, page 571)
27." Keep walking in your sickness as long as you can."(27, page 576)-A simple cure through exercise and ignoring the sickness as much as possible)
31. Faith stands on four supports: on endurance, conviction, justice and Jihad.(31 page 576)
40. The tongue of the wiseman is behind his heart and the heart of the fool is behind his tongue.(40 page 579)
45. Even if I strike the nose of a believer with this sword for hating me, he will not hate me, and even if I pile all the wealth of the world before a hypocrite for loving me he will not love. This is because it is pronounced by the tongue of the beloved Prophet. O’’Ali, a believer will never hate you and a hypocrite (Muslim) will never love you.( 45 page 580)
54. There is no wealth like wisdom, no destitution like ignorance, no inheritance like refinement and no support like consultation.(54 page 584)
64. The people of the world are like travelers who are being carried while asleep. 64, page 584)
67. Do not feel ashamed for giving little, because refusal is smaller than that.( 67, page 584)
90. The perfect jurist of Islam is he who does not let people lose hope from the mercy of Allah, does not make him despondent of Allah’s kindness and does not make him feel safe from Allah’s punishment.( 90 page 589)
117. Two categories of persons will face ruin on account of me; he who loves me with exaggeration and he who hates me intensely. (117 page 594)
146. Protect your belief by charity, guard your wealth by paying Allah’s share, and ward off the waves of calamity by praying.(146 page 600)
334. Beware of disobeying Allah in solitude, for the witness is also the judge.(334. page 648)
The famous French historian and Orientalist Gabriel Enkiri writes in his famous book ‘Le chevalier de Islam’, In the extremely superfine, grand and noble character of ‘Ali, there were two traits which, it is difficult to believe that can be united in one man.
Besides ‘Ali, history cannot show any other man who has displayed these two qualities at one and the same time, and each one, in such a marked way that none can surpass him.
1. He was the greatest marshal of his time (even of all time) and , 2. He was the wisest man who could explain and expound religion, philosophy, science, sociology and ethics, in a style which was not and which cannot be improved; what is more, he was such a great speaker that his speeches enchant you even fourteen centuries after his death”.
In history there were numerous occasions when the Holy Prophet designated ‘Ali as his Deputy and successor after him. From the moment of Zulasheera to the time of the conquest of Khyber and the occasion of the battle of Tabuke the Holy Prophet made it abundantly clear that no one deserved more than ‘Ali to be his Deputy and successor. But at the time of Ghadeer this was clearly ordered by Allah through a clear verse revealed on the Prophet. The Verse said,
"O’ apostle; proclaim the whole of that which hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord, for if thou dost it not, it will be as if thou hast not at all performed the duty of His Prophethood. And God will protect thee from evil men, verily God guideth not the unbelievers.” (5:67.)
The occasion was after the last pilgrimage in 10th Hijri. The Prophet delivered his Sermons on Mount Arafat, had the final rounds of the Kaaba and left for Madina. More than 120,000 pilgrims were coming out with him from Makka going to the North.
Half way through their journey where the routes were separated for various pilgrims, the Holy Prophet ordered the whole caravan to halt. All those who went ahead were called back and for those who were behind they waited for them to arrive.
The place was Ghadeer, near the pool of water. That is why it was named Ghadeer-e-Khom. When all assembled at this place the Holy Prophet stood up on top of the pulpit and said, "People, shortly I shall be called towards my creator where I shall have to give an account as to how I have conveyed His message to you and you in your turn will be asked as to how you have accepted and carried out the teachings. Now tell me what you will say”.
Thereupon all the pilgrims declared as one man, "Apostle of God, we testify and declare that you have conveyed the message of God fully, you have strived your utmost to guide us to the Right Path and taught us to follow it. You were most kind to us and you never wished for us but our good, may God repay you for all that."
After that the Prophet said, "Do you not testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His creature, His servant, and His apostle, that there is the Heaven and the Hell, that death will overtake every one of you, that you will be brought back from your graves that the Day of Judgement will surely dawn and human beings will be resurrected from their graves to account for their deeds.
The whole crowd declared in unison, "We believe and testify all this." Hearing this the Apostle declared, "I am leaving amongst you two most important things worthy of obedience, the Qur’an and my progeny (Ahlul Bayt). Take care how you treat them, they will not separate from each other till they reach me at the fountain of Kauser.”
Then he said, “The Almighty God is my Lord (Maula) and I am the Lord of all Muslims and have more right and power on their lives than they themselves. Do you believe in this assertion of mine?" They all in one voice replied “Yes O’Apostle of God. Three times he asked the same question and three times he received the same affirmative reply.
At this solemn affirmation he said, “Hear and remember that to whomever I am Lord or Maula, ‘Ali is the Lord and Maula to him. He is to me what Aaron was to Musa. The Almighty God is a friend to his friends and a foe to his foe, help those who help him and frustrate those who betray him.
While saying this he raised ‘Ali High over his shoulders in order to be seen by all the Muslims assembled there. Thereupon the Holy Prophet received the final revelation:
"This day I have perfected your religion for you and have filled up the measure of my bounties upon you and I am pleased with Islam to be your Deen," (5:3).
After performing this ceremony and receiving the above revelation the Holy Prophet came down from the pulpit and ordered a tent to be erected. In this ‘Ali (as) was made to take his seat and all Muslims were ordered to pay homage to him and address him as Amirul Momeneen (Lord of the faithful) The first person to congratulate and address him as such was Omar Ibne Khattab saying, “I congratulate you, O’’Ali, today you have become my Maula and Lord and Lord of every Muslim man and woman. 1.
The event of Ghadeer was on 18th of Zilhijja 10th Hijri, immediately after the last pilgrimage by the Holy Prophet. He then arrived back in Madina and lived only for 70 days after the event.(130 Prominent Companions of the Holy Prophet narrated this Hadith including the first three Kholafa-e-Rashidoon)
The year 11th AH was the saddest year for ‘Ali. (as) He lost two of his best friends. One of whom he loved and venerated like a father, like a master and like a dearest friend, the Holy Prophet(S) who died on 28th Safar 11th Hijri, exactly 70 days after the event of Ghadeer. His death followed by the death of his dearest companion his wife Fatima, the Lady of Light.
Immediately after the death of the Holy Prophet who was buried by ‘Ali (as) with the help of his uncle Abbas and all the family of Bani Hashim, the news was given to ‘Ali (as) about the events at the Saqeefa that Abubakr was made Caliph. Abu Sofian heard the news came to ‘Ali (as) and told him that his Right was taken away from him.
If he wishes, Abu Sofian would fill the city of Madina with horsemen to defend ‘Ali’s Right of Khilafat. ‘Ali’s reply was typical, he said,” since when you have become friends of Islam”, you want to create serious dissension amongst the Muslims. You have always tried to harm Islam I do not need your sympathies or help.”
‘Ali realized that any serious dissension at this stage would harm the cause of Islam. He had before him the example of Hodaibiya and he had been foretold by the Holy Prophet of all that would happen. Allama ‘Ali Ibne Mohammed (630 AH) in his book Usdul Ghaba Vol iv page 31 says, The Holy Prophet had told ‘Ali, your status is like that of Kaaba.
People go to Kaaba but that August house never approaches anybody. Therefore after my death, if people come to you and swear the oath of allegiance you accept it and if they do not come to you then you do not go to them.”
‘Ali’s love for Islam was so intense, he could not, for the sake of worldly rule, endanger Islam. He knew fully well that a civil war at this stage would give chances to the Jewish tribes of Banu Nuzair and Banu Qoraiza on the one side, and the Byzantine armies in the north with the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) the new converts on the third side to simply take advantage of the situation.
When they would find the Muslims busy killing each other they would literally cut them to pieces and Islam would totally disappear as a message of peace. ‘Ali’s utmost desire was to see Islam and the Arabs in one piece and wanted the enemies of Islam to realize that Islam was strong enough to defend itself as “Deen”. even after the demise of the Apostle of God.
He had another important job to complete that is the completion of the collection of Qur’an with its Tafseer (explanations) according to the instructions of the Holy Prophet. Qur’an as a book was already completed by the Holy Prophet, many copies were made and circulated among the Muslim communities all over the Islamic world.
What ‘Ali did in the next six months after the demise of the Holy Prophet was to collect all the explanations of the various verses, reasons behind their revelation and their full context. This monumental job he completed in six months and brought before the Muslims in the city of the Prophet.
Unfortunately this was ignored by the ruling party and ‘Ali (as) took it back with him. Their comment was "this is too bulky and people will not understand it.”
The original remained with ‘Ali (as) all his life and then passed on to his son Hasan (as) and then to Husayn (as) which then continued with the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet. It is now with the 12th Imam (as) .
During the time of the three Kholafa, although ‘Ali (as) did not take part in any of the battles, he was always available when they sought his advice on religious matters. His position as the jurist was on the top of the list among the companions of the Holy Prophet.
Omar Ibne Khattab the 2nd Caliph had given clear instructions that when ‘Ali was present in the mosque of the Prophet no one should take precedence over him in answering questions on religious matters.
In one such encounter during the time of the 2nd Caliph, a group of Jewish scholars approached the caliph and said, “ We have a few questions. If we get the answers to these questions correctly, we will accept the Islamic faith. “Ask whatever you want to ask," said the caliph. They asked the following questions.
1. What are the locks and keys of heaven?
2. Who was the messenger who was neither of the human nor of the jinn and who warned his people?
3. Which are the 5 beings that were created without the aid of ovaries?
4 What are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve?
The caliph thought over these questions for a time, then said, I do not know the answers to these questions. I will take you to a man who is most knowledgeable in the commandments of God and the Prophet and the greatest among us. The caliph then brought the Jewish scholars to ‘Ali (as) . They asked the same questions to him. ‘Ali (as) answered thus:
1. The locks of the heavens are beliefs in more than one God, and its keys are the letters of “La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad-Ur-Rasulallah.”
2. The messenger who warned his people is the ant who, when Solomon’s army was passing by, said to his people, “ Enter your houses so that the army may not stamp you out (without intention)”. So God states in the Holy Qur’an,
“Until they came to the valley of the Ants, said an ant (addressing the other ants of the valley) O” you ants’ enter into your dwellings, so that Solomon and his hosts may not crush you while they know it not”. (27:18)
3. The five beings that were not born of ovaries are: Adam, Eve, the staff of Moses which used to change into a python, the camel of Saleh, and the sheep of Ibrahim (which was sent by God to become a ransom of the life of Ibrahim’s son Ismael).
4. One is God who has no partners, two are Adam and Eve, three are the substances ( i.e. non-living matter, plants and animals), four are the Heavenly books: Torah of Moses, Bible of Jesus, Zubur of Dawood and the Qur’an of Muhammad (S).
Five are the daily prayers. Six are the days of creation of the heavens and earth, as per the verse of the Qur’an:
“And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them two, in six periods and touched us not any fatigue.” (Surah 50:38). Seven are the seven heavens, in the light of the Qur’anic Verse: “And we have erected above you the seven strong ones.” (78:12)
Eight are those angels who bear the heavens, as per the Qur’anic Verse:
“And the angels shall be on the side of it; and above them shall bear that day ‘Arsh’(the throne of authority). of your Lord, eight of them (69:17)
Nine are the nine signs given to Moses as stated by God:
“And indeed we gave Moses nine clear signs (miracles); so ask the children of Israel when he came to them, Pharaoh said to him; “Verily I deem you O’Moses one bewitched.”
(17:101).
Ten are the ten days, i.e. God had promised Moses that he would stay on the mountain of Toor for thirty days, and later added ten more days to this duration, as it is stated in the Qur’an.
“And we made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and completed it with ten more;” Thus was completed the term of his Lord, forty nights, and (before he went up) Moses said to his brother Aaron: You take my place among my people, act rightly and follow not the path of the mischief-makers.” (7:142).
Eleven are the brothers of Joseph, son of Jacob, as the Qur’an states,
“When said Joseph to his father, O’my father; Verily I did see (dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon,, I saw them all prostrating to me.” (12:4).
Twelve are the Twelve water-springs manifested by the staff of Moses, as God states,
“And (remember) when Moses sought water for his people; said We, ‘Strike the rock with your staff’ Then gushed out therefrom twelve springs; each people knew their drinking place; “Eat and drink God’s provision, and commit not evil in the earth acting mischievously.” (2:60)
When the Jewish scholars heard the replies of ‘Ali (as) they said, “We bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (S) is His Messenger and ‘Ali (as) is the “Wasi” and successor of the Messenger of God as Aaron was the Wasi of Moses. They all embraced Islam, went back to their tribe and converted all of them to Islam.(Kaukabe Durri).
After the death of Osman the 3rd Caliph ‘Ali (as) was elected by the overwhelming majority of Muslims as the 4th Caliph. He was reluctant to accept the office of the caliph but when pushed by the majority , accepted it by saying that he was taking the reins of worldly authority only to bring back the Ummah of the Prophet on the Right Path, though the value of this worldly khilafat is less than the sneeze of a goat.
His position as an Imam and guide was already established during the period of three earlier khulafa, with worldly power he began the daunting task of establishing the type of rule the Messenger of God had established during his time.
Imam Bukhari mentioned in his Saheeh that the very first prayers which ‘Ali (as) led in the mosque of the Prophet as the Caliph, many companions of the prophet said that “today we have prayed as the Messenger of God used to pray”.
But during the past 25 years many companions of the Prophet had, due to excessive wealth coming in from the conquest of the foreign lands, changed into the habit of living like feudal lords of the period of Jahiliya of pre-Islamic days. ‘Ali (as) as caliph warned them of the dangers of excessive wealth by these words. " Beware of the intoxication of wealth”.(Masudi,Muruj el Zahab).
The path of ‘Ali (as) was full of thorns and as soon as he tried to establish the austere path of the Messenger of God, he created many enemies. The first and foremost was the Governor of Syria Moawiya ibne Abi Sofian.
He persuaded Talha and Zubair,when they were denied the Governorship of various provinces by ‘Ali (as) , to start a revolt against ‘Ali. (as) Both of them left Madina, arrived in Makka and somehow persuaded bibi Ayesha the widow of the Prophet to start a fight against ‘Ali. (as) They left Makka for Basra and assembled an army against ‘Ali. (as) .
He warned them of the dangers of war against the caliph upon whose hand they had taken the oath of allegiance, but persuasion from Moawiya and promises of Governorship of various provinces was so strong that they would not hear any advice. ‘Ali (as) left Madina in pursuit of these deviants and two Muslim armies faced each other near Basra.
When many companions of the Prophet saw this they questioned the validity of this war and cast doubt as to which party was on the right path. ‘Ali (as) replied in the most subtle way to these doubters. “ Truth cannot be identified from men, find the truth and you will find the deserving person”.
The battle of Jamal was fought, ‘Ali ‘s army was victorious, both Talha and Zubair were killed by their own men and bibi Ayesha was sent back to Madina under the escort of her brother Muhammad ibne Abibakr. She always repented this venture and asked forgiveness from God.
When with the connivance of Moawiya her brother Muhammad ibne abi bakr was killed and his body was put into the body of a dead camel and burnt, she cursed Moawiya five times a day after every prayer, throughout her life..
The Battle of Siffin was also fought due to the deviant action of Moawiya against the Islamic State. Some companions of ‘Ali’s army deserted him by accepting bribes from Moawiya and due to this deceitful action the battle of Siffin remained indecisive, no one won and no one lost.
In the meantime this deviant group which was later named as “Khawarij” meaning deviant, began to spread trouble within the Islamic State by looting and burning villages and killing women and children that ‘Ali (as) fought against them and the battle of Nahrwan took place.
On the way to Nahrwan ‘Ali (as) passed a monastery. An old Christian monk who also claimed to be an astrologer of some repute called out, “ O’ army of Islam, ask your leader to come to me. Upon hearing this ‘Ali (as) turned his horse towards the monastery and approached the monk. Where do you go ask the monk. To fight the enemies of Islam, replied ‘Ali (as) .
Do not fight now, because at this moment the stars do not favor the Muslims. Wait for a few days when the stars will become favorable for you. ‘Ali (as) replied, do you defy Allah for this action we are taking on the orders of Allah and for His Deen.
‘Ali (as) said, “ since you profess knowledge of the stars, tell me about the movement of such and such star.” The old man said, By God, I have never heard the name of this star. ‘Ali (as) asked him another question about the skies and when the old man failed to reply said “It is now known that you do not know about the skies.
Shall I ask you about the earth? Tell me what is buried beneath your feet at the spot where you stand. I do not know said the old monk, “There is a vessel filled with so many silver coins and the coins bear such and such emblem. How do you know enquired the monk”.
“By God’s grace.” said ‘Ali (as) . Then ‘Ali proceeded to say that in the ensuing fight, less than ten persons of Islamic army would be killed whereas less than ten persons from the opposing army would escape. The old monk listened astonished. As per ‘Ali’s command, when the earth beneath the feet of the monk was dug, a vessel filled with silver coins was found exactly as described by ‘Ali (as)
‘Ali (as) proceeded to Nahrwan and in the ensuing fight, the Khawarij were thoroughly defeated. Out of the four thousand men of the Khawarij only nine escaped and only nine men of the Islamic army were killed in this battle. (Rawdhatul Shuhada, Kaukab el Durri )
Returning from the battle ‘Ali (as) passed the monastery and when the monk heard the full story he embraced Islam immediately.
‘Ali (as) also admonished him about his belief in astrology. He said “ do you think you can tell the hour when a man goes out and no evil befall him. Whoever testifies this falsifies the Qur’an and becomes unmindful of Allah in achieving his desired objective and in warding off the undesirable.”
Then ‘Ali (as) addressed to his own soldiers and said “Beware of learning the science of stars except that with which guidance is sought on land or sea, because it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner, while a diviner is like the sorcerer, the sorcerer is like the unbeliever and the unbeliever’s place is in hell.”(Nahjul Balagha)
The four years and ten months of the Khilafat of ‘Ali (as) has been regarded by many historians as the best example of Islamic State after the Prophet of Islam’s death, in spite of the fact that the family of Abu Sofian tried their best to destroy it.
Imam Abu Yousuf the famous disciple of Imam Abu Hanifa in his book about the history of Kholafae Rashedun declares above the title of his book that ‘Ali’s (as) time of Khilafat was the best in the management of the Islamic State and most just.
Many European historians mentioned ‘Ali’s name with love and affection. Carlyle writes in his Heros and Heroworship that” ‘Ali had such a personality that he was liked, loved and venerated by everybody. He was the man of excellent character loving and lovable, so intensely brave that if anything stood against his bravery it was consumed as if by fire, yet he was so gentle and kind that he represented the model of a Christian Knight.”
The famous Egyptian scholar Mohammad Abdoh relates a story about the time of the conquest of Alexandria during the reign of the 2nd caliph. They found a great library there and did not know what to do with it.
Orders were issued from Madina that ‘if these books are according to the Holy Qur’an, then we do not need them and if they say anything contrary to the Holy Qur’an then we do not want them. Therefore, in any case they ought to be burnt. (Akhbarul Ulama wa Aakhbarul Hukama of Ibne Quftee, pages 232 and 233,Printed Cairo).
When ‘Ali (as) heard the news of this, he tried to pursuade them to refrain from issuing such order. He told them, “These books are treasures of knowledge and they cannot say anything against the Holy Qur’an.
On the contrary the knowledge contained therein would act as commentaries of the Holy Book and would assist and help in further explanations of the knowledge as presented by the Holy Prophet. Knowledge is an asset for human beings and a birth right of man. It should not be destroyed.”
It was 19th of Ramadan 41 Hijri while ‘Ali (as) was leading the morning prayers and was in the second Sajdah of the 2nd Rakaat that Ibne Muljim’s sword fell and the life of the greatest warrior saint was taken away to his merciful Lord.
The famous christian writer of Lebanon George Jurdaq writes in his books on ‘Ali (as) that with this one blow of the sword of Ibne Muljim the world was deprived of the person who, if had lived a few more years would have given the world a system of administration that future generations would have benefited for a long time to come.”
In fact the letter to his Governor of Egypt Malike Ashter advising him of the “Do’s and Don’ts for a successful administration of the State is the hall mark in the annals of history”. We can only say that ‘Ali’s supreme wisdom provides the guidance of a stature that mankind can aspire to.
‘Ali (as) injured with the wound from the poisonous sword lived for two days. In these two days he dictated his Will and last testament to his son Hasan (as) which is again a brilliant part of literary history.
He advised his eldest son to love God and obey Him and to live for the service of the people in the way of God. “And then do not forget to set apart the best of your time for communion with God, although every moment of yours is for Him, provided it is spent sincerely in the service of your people.”
‘Ali’s (as) sermons, collected by Sayyid Razi in the 4th century (AH) are the examples of the most brilliant piece of Arabic literature that after the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet of Islam, ever produced.
What Sayyid Razi could compile in Nahjul Balagha does not contain all the Sermons, letters and sayings of ‘Ali (as) . Masoodi (d.346) in his famous book of history Muruj-al-Zahab says that the only Sermons of ‘Ali, (as) which have been preserved by various people, number more than 480.
These were extempore orations, people have copied them from one another and compiled them in the book forms’ they have cited them and quoted passages from them in their books. The famous companion and pupil of ‘Ali (as) Hasan al Basri had made such arrangements that one of his own friends would memorize the sermons delivered in the mosque of Kufa and relate the same in the next Friday prayer in Basra. This shows the deep interest people of his own time had in these sermons and sayings.
Apparently out of these 480 sermons some were lost and Sayyid Razi could lay hands on only 245 sermons. Besides them he has collected about 75 letters and 489 sayings. Almost every one of the sermons, sayings and letters collected in Nahjul Balagha is to be found books of authors who died long before Sayyid Raza was even born.
Here we quote a few selected sayings of ‘Ali (as) from Nahjul Balagha, The numbers given as they appear in the English translation by Sayyid ‘Ali Raza from Pakistan.
1. During civil disturbance be like an adolescent camel that has neither a back strong enough for riding nor udders for milking.”( 1, page 568)
2. He who adopts greed as a habit devalues himself, he who discloses his hardship agrees to humiliation, and he who allows his tongue to overpower his Nafs debases the Nafs.(2 page 569)
5. Knowledge is a venerable estate, good manners are new dresses and thinking is a clear mirror. ( 5, page 569)
7. Charity is an effective cure, and actions of people in their present life will be before their eyes in the next life.( 7, page 570)
10.Meet people in such a manner that if you die they should weep for you and if you live they should long for you.( 10, page 571)
27." Keep walking in your sickness as long as you can."(27, page 576)-A simple cure through exercise and ignoring the sickness as much as possible)
31. Faith stands on four supports: on endurance, conviction, justice and Jihad.(31 page 576)
40. The tongue of the wiseman is behind his heart and the heart of the fool is behind his tongue.(40 page 579)
45. Even if I strike the nose of a believer with this sword for hating me, he will not hate me, and even if I pile all the wealth of the world before a hypocrite for loving me he will not love. This is because it is pronounced by the tongue of the beloved Prophet. O’’Ali, a believer will never hate you and a hypocrite (Muslim) will never love you.( 45 page 580)
54. There is no wealth like wisdom, no destitution like ignorance, no inheritance like refinement and no support like consultation.(54 page 584)
64. The people of the world are like travelers who are being carried while asleep. 64, page 584)
67. Do not feel ashamed for giving little, because refusal is smaller than that.( 67, page 584)
90. The perfect jurist of Islam is he who does not let people lose hope from the mercy of Allah, does not make him despondent of Allah’s kindness and does not make him feel safe from Allah’s punishment.( 90 page 589)
117. Two categories of persons will face ruin on account of me; he who loves me with exaggeration and he who hates me intensely. (117 page 594)
146. Protect your belief by charity, guard your wealth by paying Allah’s share, and ward off the waves of calamity by praying.(146 page 600)
334. Beware of disobeying Allah in solitude, for the witness is also the judge.(334. page 648)
The famous French historian and Orientalist Gabriel Enkiri writes in his famous book ‘Le chevalier de Islam’, In the extremely superfine, grand and noble character of ‘Ali, there were two traits which, it is difficult to believe that can be united in one man.
Besides ‘Ali, history cannot show any other man who has displayed these two qualities at one and the same time, and each one, in such a marked way that none can surpass him.
1. He was the greatest marshal of his time (even of all time) and , 2. He was the wisest man who could explain and expound religion, philosophy, science, sociology and ethics, in a style which was not and which cannot be improved; what is more, he was such a great speaker that his speeches enchant you even fourteen centuries after his death”.
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