'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib — The Lion of Allah
🦁 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib — The Lion of Allah
"أَنَا مَدِينَةُ الْعِلْمِ وَعَلِيٌّ بَابُهَا"
"I am the city of knowledge and 'Alī is its gate."
— The Prophet ﷺ [Tirmidhī 3723]
📖 Introduction
He was the first child to embrace Islam.
He slept in the Prophet's ﷺ bed on the night the assassins were waiting.
He was the son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ, the father of his descendants.
He was the gate to the city of knowledge.
His name: 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib — Asadullāh, the Lion of Allah.
📋 Identity Card
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib ibn 'Abd al-Muṭṭalib al-Hāshimī |
| Nickname | Abū al-Ḥasan, Abū Turāb |
| Title | Asadullāh (أسد الله) — The Lion of Allah |
| Birth | ~600 CE, Mecca (30 years after the Prophet ﷺ) |
| Conversion | First child to embrace Islam (~10 years old) |
| Death | 40 AH (661 CE), Kufa — ~63 years old, assassinated |
| Caliphate | 35-40 AH (5 years) |
| Primary Wife | Fāṭima bint Muḥammad ﷺ |
| Children | Al-Ḥasan, al-Ḥusayn, Zaynab, Umm Kulthūm, and others |
🌅 Childhood in the Prophet's ﷺ House
Raised by the Prophet ﷺ
'Alī was not just the Prophet's ﷺ cousin — he was raised in his house.
When 'Alī was about 6 years old, a famine struck Quraysh. The Prophet ﷺ, though he had not yet received revelation, offered to his uncle Abū Ṭālib ('Alī's father):
"Let me take 'Alī to my home to lighten your burden."
Thus, 'Alī grew up under the roof and direct education of the Prophet ﷺ.
The First Muslim Child
When revelation came, 'Alī was about 10 years old.
One day, he found the Prophet ﷺ and Khadīja praying.
📜 The Scene
'Alī: "What are you doing?"
The Prophet ﷺ: "This is the religion of Allah that He has chosen for Himself and for which He sent His messengers. I invite you to Allah, the One."
'Alī: "Let me ask my father."
The Prophet ﷺ: "If you do not convert, keep the secret."
[The next morning]
'Alī: "Allah created me without consulting Abū Ṭālib. Why would I consult him to worship Him?"
He embraced Islam — the first child in Islamic history.
🏆 His Accomplishments for Islam
1. The Night of Sacrifice
When the Quraysh decided to kill the Prophet ﷺ, Allah informed him and ordered him to emigrate.
But the assassins were surrounding his house.
The Prophet ﷺ asked 'Alī:
"Sleep in my bed tonight."
'Alī accepted without hesitation — knowing the assassins might kill him.
He slept, covered by the Prophet's ﷺ green cloak.
The assassins waited all night. At dawn, when they discovered it was 'Alī, the Prophet ﷺ was already far away.
Allah revealed:
﴾ وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ﴿
"And among the people is he who sells himself seeking the pleasure of Allah."
— [Sūrah Al-Baqara: 207]
2. The Hero of Badr and Khaybar
'Alī was a legendary warrior. At Badr, he killed several champions of Quraysh.
But it was at Khaybar that his legend reached its peak.
⚔️ The Battle of Khaybar
The Prophet ﷺ had besieged the fortress for days. At night, he announced:
The Prophet ﷺ: "لَأُعْطِيَنَّ الرَّايَةَ غَدًا رَجُلًا يُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ — Tomorrow, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love."
Every Companion hoped to be that man. In the morning, the Prophet ﷺ called:
The Prophet ﷺ: "Where is 'Alī?"
The Companions: "He is suffering from his eyes, O Messenger of Allah."
'Alī was brought, his eyes painful. The Prophet ﷺ spat in his eyes — and they were instantly healed.
Then 'Alī marched toward the fortress. He tore the gate from its hinges — a gate that several men could not move — and used it as a shield.
The fortress fell.
3. Marriage to Fāṭima
Among all the suitors for Fāṭima's hand, it was 'Alī whom the Prophet ﷺ chose.
Their marriage was simple:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dowry | 'Alī's armor (400 dirhams) |
| Bed | A sheepskin |
| Food | Dates and water |
But from this union were born al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn — the two masters of the youth of Paradise, and the descendants of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"فَاطِمَةُ بَضْعَةٌ مِنِّي، مَنْ أَغْضَبَهَا أَغْضَبَنِي"
"Fāṭima is a part of me. Whoever angers her angers me."
4. The Scholar Par Excellence
'Alī was known for his profound knowledge:
| Field | His Mastery |
|---|---|
| Quran | He knew the time and context of every revelation |
| Fiqh | The Companions consulted him for complex questions |
| Arabic Language | He established the foundations of Arabic grammar |
| Eloquence | His sermons are masterpieces (Nahj al-Balāgha) |
| Justice | 'Umar said: "Without 'Alī, 'Umar would have perished" |
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"أَقْضَاكُمْ عَلِيٌّ"
"The best of you in judgment is 'Alī."
😢 His Caliphate and Martyrdom
A Difficult Caliphate
'Alī became caliph after the assassination of 'Uthmān, during a period of fitna (discord).
He had to face:
| Trial | Description |
|---|---|
| Battle of the Camel | Against 'Ā'isha, Ṭalḥa, and al-Zubayr (by misunderstanding) |
| Battle of Ṣiffīn | Against Mu'āwiya |
| The Khārijites | Those who turned against him |
Despite these trials, 'Alī remained just and merciful toward his adversaries.
The Assassination
On 17 Ramaḍān 40 AH, as he was going to the Fajr prayer, a Khārijite named 'Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Muljam struck him on the head with a poisoned sword.
'Alī said:
"فُزْتُ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ"
"I have succeeded, by the Lord of the Ka'ba!"
He died two days later, at 63 years old — the same age as the Prophet ﷺ.
His last instructions:
"Treat my assassin well. If I survive, it is my right (to forgive or not). If I die before him, do not mutilate his body."
💬 His Famous Sayings
| Saying | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ فَإِذَا مَاتُوا انْتَبَهُوا" | "People are asleep; when they die, they wake up" |
| "قِيمَةُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا يُحْسِنُهُ" | "The value of every person is what they master" |
| "الْعِلْمُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَالِ، الْعِلْمُ يَحْرُسُكَ وَأَنْتَ تَحْرُسُ الْمَالَ" | "Knowledge is better than wealth: knowledge protects you, you protect wealth" |
| "خَالِطُوا النَّاسَ مُخَالَطَةً إِنْ مِتُّمْ بَكَوْا عَلَيْكُمْ" | "Interact with people such that if you die, they will weep for you" |
| "أَعْجَزُ النَّاسِ مَنْ عَجَزَ عَنِ اكْتِسَابِ الْإِخْوَانِ" | "The most incapable of people is he who cannot make friends" |
🔗 His Relationship with the Prophet ﷺ
The Hadith of Manzila
📜 Before the Expedition of Tabūk
During the expedition of Tabūk, the Prophet ﷺ left 'Alī in Medina to manage affairs.
🟣 'Alī: "Are you leaving me behind with the women and children?"
The Prophet ﷺ: "أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى، إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي — Are you not satisfied to be to me as Hārūn was to Mūsā, except that there is no prophet after me?"
Abū Turāb — The Father of Dust
One day, the Prophet ﷺ found 'Alī sleeping in the mosque, covered with dust. He said affectionately:
"قُمْ أَبَا تُرَابٍ"
"Get up, Abū Turāb (father of dust)!"
This nickname became a title of honor that 'Alī loved.
💎 Key Lessons
1. Sacrifice Without Hesitation
On the night of the Hijra, he slept in the Prophet's ﷺ bed surrounded by 40 assassins who wanted his head.
He didn't ask: "What's in it for me?" but: "What does Islam need?"
Would we sacrifice at this level? Or do we calculate everything?
2. Strength and Wisdom: A Rare Balance
"Lion of Allah" on the battlefield. "Gate to the city of knowledge" in jurisprudence.
'Alī proves that strength without knowledge is dangerous, and knowledge without courage is helpless.
The complete Muslim unites both.
3. Simplicity Despite Greatness
Son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ. Father of the prophetic lineage. Caliph of the Muslims.
And yet: his bed was a sheepskin, his food was bread and salt.
True greatness needs no display.
4. Justice Even Toward the Assassin
When Ibn Muljam struck him, he said:
"If I live, I decide his fate. If I die, do not mutilate him."
Justice even toward his killer. Are we just toward those who harm us?
5. Words That Cross Centuries
Nahj al-Balāgha — his sermons are studied 14 centuries later.
True words survive. False words die.
📊 Summary
| Aspect | 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib |
|---|---|
| Title | Asadullāh — The Lion of Allah |
| Rank | 4th Caliph, 4th best Companion |
| Family | Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ |
| Children | Al-Ḥasan, al-Ḥusayn (prophetic lineage) |
| Character | Bravery, knowledge, justice, simplicity |
| End | Martyr, assassinated during the month of Ramaḍān |
| Lesson | Sacrifice + knowledge + strength + justice |
📚 Sources
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī | Al-Bukhārī |
| Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim | Muslim |
| Nahj al-Balāgha | Compiled by al-Sharīf al-Raḍī |
| Siyar A'lām an-Nubalā' | Adh-Dhahabī |
| Al-Bidāya wa-n-Nihāya | Ibn Kathīr |
| Faḍā'il al-Ṣaḥāba | Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal |
And Allah knows best
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا — "O my Lord, increase me in knowledge"