The Fourth Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Ali Appreciated by Muslims and Non-Muslims Alike
By Farhan Bokhari
February
24, 2021
Ahead
of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) this Friday (26th
February/13th Rajab al murajab), the rich legacy from the life of the
fourth caliph of Islam offers many enduring lessons.
Multiple
historical sources have documented Hazrat Ali’s birth for having taken
place inside the Kaaba in Mecca, when his mother, Bibi Fatima bint e
Asad – the wife of Hazrat Abu Talib, the paternal uncle of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) – entered the holy premises and gave birth to her
youngest son.
Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) quickly formed a close bond with the newborn infant. It was
this relationship which also saw Hazrat Ali (a.s.) becoming the first
among the children of Mecca to publicly embrace Islam. The relationship evolved
to the extent where Hazrat Ali (a.s.) married the Prophet's (pbuh)
daughter Bibi Fatima (a.s.), and stepped up as the Prophet’s (pbuh)
deputy on multiple occasions.
Known
to this day as the bravest of the brave and the wisest of the wise, there is no
singular trait to lead a tribute to Hazrat Ali. In narrations documented
in ‘Nahjul Balagha’ – a text of sermons, letters and sayings of Hazrat
Ali (a.s.) – there are lessons on a wide range of subjects from religion,
statecraft and world affairs to principles of humanity and relations between
individual members of a community.
..................................
Also
Read: The Friend of Allah
..................................
Beyond
this Friday’s remembrance which will see scores of Muslims paying their
respects either at the Holy Kaaba or Hazrat Ali’s final resting place in
Najaf e Ashraf, Iraq, it is vital to remember that few other individuals
in the history of Islam have impressed Muslim and non-Muslim scholars alike. In
brief, Hazrat Ali’s legacy remains unique.
A
widely acknowledged seventh century letter written by Hazrat Ali (a.s.)
to Maalik al-Ashtar upon the latter’s appointment as governor of Egypt –
then a province of the emerging Islamic empire – laid down some of the finest
principles of statecraft and governance which remain relevant for all times to
come. Listing the fundamental qualities of a fair and able ruler, Hazrat Ali
(a.s.) wrote that a successful ruler must choose his subordinates wisely
for their honesty, piety, trustworthiness and ability.
So
powerful was the impact of this document that former UN secretary general Kofi
Annan in a memorable speech recalled the lessons of governance and statecraft
as delivered by Hazrat Ali (a.s.) in that historical letter. Across the
world, many towering scholars have frequently commended Hazrat Ali (a.s.)
and his words of wisdom, for offering a rich guidance to humanity for all times
to come.
On
the battlefield, some of the most memorable encounters between Muslims and their
foes made Hazrat Ali (a.s.) a central figure in achieving a favourable
outcome for the former. In the year 628 AD, an oft remembered battle on the
plains of Khaybar known as ‘Ghazwa-e-Khaybar’ brought Hazrat
Ali (a.s.) to the centre stage yet again. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) notably
killed ‘Marhab’ – a prominent tribal chief with many previous victories
under his belt – and led the Muslim army to conquer a well-protected fort near
Medina.
To
this day, the ‘Naara-e-Haideri’ or the battle cry in the name of Haider,
a popular title for Hazrat Ali (a.s.) first given to him by his mother,
frequently resonates across Pakistan. From sporting encounters to military
engagements, the ‘Naara-e-Haideri’ remains a popular cry in daily lives.
Similar gestures drawing inspiration from the life and multiple victories of Hazrat
Ali (a.s.) have similarly become embedded in the popular culture in parts
of the Middle East.
..................................
Also
Read: Hazrat Ali –Man Of Knowledge
And Vision
..................................
For
Muslims at large, notably those confronting injustice, deprivation and tyranny,
Hazrat Ali’s life offers many powerful lessons. It is hardly surprising
that scholarly work inspired by Hazrat Ali’s many achievements has been
undertaken by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Notwithstanding
Hazrat Ali’s historical role among the first four rightly guided caliphs
after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) passed away, his followers today include Muslims
and non-Muslims alike. It is an exceptionally powerful legacy that has few
parallels in the history of humankind.
Original
Headline: Celebrating Hazrat Ali
Source:
The News.com
URL:
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia
in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism