Remembering Hazrat Ali on 13 Rajab

On this 13^th Rajab 1435 A.H, we remember Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib who was born on 13^th of Rajab 23 B.H, around 1458 years ago; he was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), ruling over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661. A son of Abu Talib, Ali was also the first person who accepted Islam.

Except for Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), there is no one in Islamic history about who as much has been written in Islamic languages as Hazrat Ali. He is respected for his courage, knowledge, belief, honesty, unbending devotion to Islam, deep loyalty to Muhammad, equal treatment of all Muslims and generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies, and therefore is central to mystical traditions in Islam such as Sufism.

He retains his stature as an authority on Quranic exegesis, Islamic jurisprudence and religious thought. Hazrat Ali holds a high position in almost all Sufi orders which trace their lineage through him to Muhammad. Hazrat Ali's influence has been important throughout Islamic history.

As Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was returning from his last pilgrimage in 632 AD he halted the caravan at Ghadir Khumm, gathered the returning pilgrims for communal prayer and began to address them.

Taking Ali by the hand, he asked of his faithful followers whether he, Muhammad (P.B.U.H), was not closer (awlā) to the Believers than they were to themselves; the crowd cried out:

“It is so, O Apostle of God!” he then declared: “He of whom I am the mawla, of him Ali is also the mawla (man kuntu mawlāhu fa-ʿAlī mawlāhu)”.

The Sufis interpret the episode as the transfer of Muhammad's spiritual power and authority to Ali, whom they regard as the wali par excellence.

Almost all Sufi orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through Ali, an exception being Naqshbandi, who go through Hazrat Abu Bakr. Even in this order, there is Ja'far al-Sadiq, the great grandson of Hazrat Ali. Sufis believe that Hazrat Ali inherited from Muhammad the saintly power wilayah that makes the spiritual journey to God possible.

Eminent Sufi's such as Ali Hujwiri claim that the tradition began with Ali and Junayd of Baghdad regarded Ali as the Sheikh of the principals and practices of Sufism.

Sufi's recite Manqabat Ali in the praise of Hazrat Ali.

The compilation of sermons, lectures and quotations attributed to Hazrat Ali are compiled in the form of several books.

·         Nahj al-Balagha (Peak of Eloquence) contains eloquent sermons, letters and quotations attributed to Hazrat Ali. This book has a prominent position in Arabic literature. It is also considered an important intellectual, political and religious work in Islam.

·         Supplications (Du'a), translated by William Chittick.

·         Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim (Exalted aphorisms and Pearls of Speech) which is compiled by Abd al-Wahid Amidi. Consists of over ten thousands short sayings of Hazrat Ali.

·         Nuzhat al-Absar va Mahasin al-Asar, Hazrat Ali's sermons which have compiled by Ali ibn Muhammad Tabari Mamtiri.

·         Divan-i Ali ibn Abu Talib (poems which are attributed to Hazrat Ali ibn Abu Talib)

The following are the appreciatory words by many eminent non-Muslim thinkers about Hazrat Ali:

Person	Quote
Edward Gibbon (British 18th century historian)	The zeal and virtue of Ali were never outstripped by any recent proselyte. He united the qualifications of a poet, a soldier, and a saint; his wisdom still breathes in a collection of moral and religious sayings; and every antagonist, in the combats of the tongue or of the sword, was subdued by his eloquence and valor. From the first hour of his mission to the last rites of his funeral, the apostle was never forsaken by a generous friend, whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent, and the faithful Aaron of a second Moses.
Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian, critic, and sociological writer)	As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection, of fiery daring. Something chivalrous in him; brave as a lion; yet with a grace, a truth and affection worthy of Christian knighthood.
Dr. Henry Stubbe (Classicist, polemicist, physician, and philosopher)	He had a contempt of the world, its glory and pomp, he feared God much, gave many alms, was just in all his actions, humble and affable; of an exceeding quick wit and of an ingenuity that was not common, he was exceedingly learned, not in those sciences that terminate in speculations but those which extend to practice.
Khalil Gibran(poet)	In my view, Alī was the first Arab to have contact with and converse with the universal soul. He died a martyr of his greatness; he died while prayer was between his two lips. The Arabs did not realize his value until appeared among their Persian neighbors some who knew the difference between gems and gravels.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali