Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was born some thirty years after the birth of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He belonged the most respectable family of Quraish, the Banu Hashim (i.e. Hashmites). His father Hazrat Abu Talib was the real uncle of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who brought him up after the death of the Holy Prophet’s grandfather. Hazrat Ali’s mother was Hazrate Fatimah bint Asad, who belonged to Banu Hashim. Hazrat Ali’s patronymic name was "Abul Hasan". The Holy Prophet gave him another name, "Abu Turab" which was most liked by Hadrat Ali. The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam took Ali in his childhood from his father, Abu Talib, and brought up him like his own son.

When the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam started revelations Hazrat Ali was about ten years old. The Holy Prophet disclosed his mission before Ali and he accepted it immediately, thus he became the first youth to enter the folds of Islam. When the Holy Prophet started to preach openly, he invited all of his family members to a feast and announced his mission before them. Nobody listened to him, but young Ali stood up and said. "Though my eyes are sore, my legs are thin and I am the youngest of all those present here yet I will stand by you, 0 Messenger of Allah." Hearing this all the leaders of Quraish laughed but Ali proved his words to be true after supporting the Holy Prophet in his mission from the beginning till the end.

The beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam loved him very much. The night when the beloved was migrating to Medina sharif, his house was surrounded by the bloodthirsty tribesmen, who had plotted to assassinate him. They were ready to kill any person who came out of the house. In such a situation, the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked Hazrat Ali to sleep in his bed. He followed the command gladly and immediately jumped in the bed.

Hadrat Ali (R.A.) was very close to the Holy Prophet, and the closeness was changed to a permanent relationship when he married his most beloved daughter, Syeda Fatimah (R.A.) to Hazrat Ali (R.A.).

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) also had the distinguished honour that the progeny of the Holy Prophet continued through Hazrat Ali’s sons from syeda Fatimah (R.A.) namely Hazrat imam Hasan and imam Husain (R.A.). The two children were the most beloved of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

When the Holy Prophet (pbuh) went to the expedition of Tabuk in 9 A.H. he left Hadrat Ali in charge of Medina. On this some hypocrites remarked that the Holy Prophet did not like Hadrat Ali. On this the Holy Prophet remarked, "You are in the same position in relation to me as Aaron was with relation to Moses. But the only difference is: there is no prophet after me."

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was a very brave man. He participated in almost all the battles during the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). The stories of his bravery are famous in history.

Ali (R.A.) was not only a great warrior but a great scholar as well. The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said about him, I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate." He was one of the great jurists among the Companions. The Holy Prophet appointed him as the Qadi (Judge) of Yemen during his life time. He was a master of Arabic and his writings were as effective as his speech.

Hadrat Ali (R.A.) was a very straight-forward man who considered the "Khilafat" (Caliphate) as a great trust. His aim was to establish peace in the State which should be the first aim of every good ruler in such a place where certain elements try to destroy the order. According to leading Islamic Jurists it is quite right for a Muslim ruler to delay the cases of murder etc. in order to establish peace in an Islamic State (as mentioned by Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi in his book "Ahkam-ul-Qur’an’. If we look at the current example of the rulers of Iraq sentencing Saddam Hussein to death while the country was unstable then we can see that this would not have been carried out during the caliphate of Ali (R.A.).

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was a model of simplicity and self denial. He led a simple life from the cradle to the grave, and was a true representative of the Holy Prophet  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Ali (R.A.) had neither a servant nor a maid when syeda Fatima (R.A.) the most beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet was married to him. She would grind corn with her own hands. Purity of motives and selflessness were the keynote of his life. He was a wise counsellor, a true friend and a generous foe.

He did not have a desire for the Khilafat after Hazrat Usman’s (third caliphate after the martydom, but when he was selected he tried his best to fulfil his responsibility.

He was very honest and trustworthy. His trustworthiness can well be imagined from the fact that the Holy Prophet entrusted to him all the cash and other things, he was having in his trust, at the time of his migration to Medina so that Ali (R.A.) would return them to the owners. Once some oranges came to Bait-ul Mal, Hazrat Hasan and Husain took one orange each. When Hazrat Ali saw them having the oranges he took the fruit away from them and distributed them among the poor. Whenever any booty came to be distributed according to the Islamic law, he distributed it very honestly. Once he distributed all the revenue of the Bait-ul Mal (Public Treasury), then broomed it and offered two rak’at Salat in the room.

He did not leave his simplicity even though he was the Khalifah and the ruler of a vast state. Once a person named ‘Abdullah ibn Zarir had an opportunity to take meals with him. The meal was very simple. ‘Abdullah asked, "0 Amirul Mu’minin, don’t you like the meat of birds?" Hazrat Ali replied, "The Khalifah has a right in Muslim (Public) property only to the extent sufficient for him and his family." Hazrat Ali was a very generous Muslim. He never refused a beggar. Sometimes he gave all of his property to the poor and sold his arms to get food.

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was a great worshipper and used to offer long Salats (prayers). He was Hafiz of the Holy Qur’an (memorized the Quran by heart). He was so punctual for the "Tasbih" (the famous Tasbih-i-Fatima) i.e. remembrance of Allah that he never left it, even during battles.

He was very kind to others. He showed his kindness even to his enemies. Once one of his enemies fell down naked because of his attack. Seeing his condition he did not kill him and left him so that he might not be ashamed of his nakedness. During the time of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam once he overcame an opponent in a fight, and sat on his chest to kill him. The opponent spat at his face. Hazrat Ali at once left him. Seeing this the man was very much surprised and asked the reason. Ali (R.A.) said, "I was killing you for Allah’s sake but when you spat on my face, my sincerity was endangered because of the personal feelings." Hearing this the man immediately accepted Islam.

His character and morals were so high that even Amir Mu’awiyah (who did not accept Ali (R.A) as a caliphate) praised Him. Once Amir Mu’awiyah asked Dirar Asadi, one of his friends, to tell some of Ali’s high quality. Dirar Asadi refused first but when Amir Mu’awiyah insisted Dirar said, "He was a man of strong will power and determination. He always gave a just judgement, and was a fountain of knowledge. His speech was full of wisdom. He hated the pleasure of this world and loved the darkness of night to cry before Allah. His dress was most simple and he liked simple meals. He lived like a common man and when anybody put any question before him, he replied with outmost politeness.

Whenever we asked him to wait for us he waited like a common man. Although he was very near to us because of his high morals, we were afraid of him sometimes of his grandeur and eminence due to his nearness to Allah.

He always respected a pious man and a scholar. He was nearest to the poor. He never allowed a powerful man to take advantage of his power. The weak were never disappointed of his justice. I bear witness that in many battles he woke up during the night and took hold of his beard and started to cry and weep before Allah as though he was in a state of commotion and exclaimed: "0 world! do not try to betray me. I have divorced (left) you long ago. Do not have any desire for me. I hate you. Your age is short and your end is despised. 0! the provision is very little and the journey is too long (i.e., the journey to hereafter), and way is full of danger ….." Hearing this Hadrat Amir Mu’awiyah started to weep and cry and said, "May Allah bless Abul Hasan (i.e. Ali). I swear by Allah he was a person of the character, you described."

At this point it should be noted that the differences of the Companions were not like that of us. They differed with each other for the sake of Allah but always admired each other’s good habits. Although Amir Mu’awiyah was having differences with Hazrat Ali, he admired the excellence of Ali throughout his life and often said that he could never be equal to Hazra Ali (R.A.). As a matter of fact the degree of their sincerity could not be imagined. We think every thing in terms of worldly benefit, they considered every matter in terms of love with Allah, love with the Prophet of Allah and the success in the hereafter.

O cowards! Who amongst you can be like my master Ali?
The reality is, crows, dogs, vulture’s 
do not represent Lions ! 

How can drops be representative of oceans?
How can the flea resemble a lion?  

Haq! Ali Imam-e-Mansto Manam Gulame Ali