After Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) passed away, Sayyiduna Ali
(radi Allahu anhu) waselected as the fourth Caliph by the Muslims.
During the period of the first three Caliphs, Madinatul Munawwarah
continued to be the capital of the Muslim world, but Sayyiduna Ali
(radi Allahu anhu) transferred the Islamic capital to Kufah in Iraq.
EARLY LIFE
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was the sonof Abu Taalib, an uncle of
Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Ali
(radi Allahu anhu) was married to Sayyadah Bibi Fathima (radi Allahu
anha) , the daughter of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) . They had 3 sons, Sayyiduna Hassan, Sayyiduna Hussain and
Sayyiduna Mohsin (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in).
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) took part inthe battle of Badr,
Khandaq and Khaibar. AtKhaibar, it was Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu
anhu) who subdued the Jews with his furious assault. He also held many
important positions during the time of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) and the first 3 Caliphs before him.
He had a love for learning and was a greatand learned person himself.
He had been given the title of "BaabulI'lm" or "Gate of Learning" by
Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He was also
called "Asaadullah" or "Lion of Allah."
OPPOSITION The situation in Madinatul Munawwarah after the murder
(Shahaadah) of Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) was serious.
Sayyiduna Ali ( radi Allahu anhu's) first task was to rid Madinatul
Munawwarah of the rebels and to return the situation to normal.
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was able to force the rebels to
withdraw from Madinatul Munawwarah and to establish peace and order in
the city. The powerful governor of Syria, Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (radi
Allahu anhu) , challenged Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) and
refusedto pay homage to him. Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (radi Allahu anhu)
insisted that Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) arrest the murderers of
Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) and hand them over to him.
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was a man with a deep sense of
justice and did not want to accuse the wrong people. He needed a
peaceful period to trace the culprits. But, Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (radi
Allahu anhu) beganaccusing him of protecting the murderers, and in
this way the old enmity between the two families were revived.
SAYYIDUNA MU'AWIYAH (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) Unlike most of Sayyiduna
'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu's) governors, Sayyiduna Muaawiyah (radi
Allahu anhu) displayed great administrative ability and was very
popular. He was a God-fearing man and especially known for his mercy.
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was very strict in piety and straight
forward. Sayyiduna Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) declared his
disobedience to him, because he felt that he was better qualified to
lead the Muslim world.
BATTLE OF THE CAMEL Another serious development took place.Sayyadah
Aishah (radi Allahu anha) and two leading Sahaba, Sayyiduna Talha and
Sayyiduna Zubair (radi Allahu anhuma) declaredtheir opposition to the
Khilaafat of Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) . They left Madinatul
Munawwarah for Makkatul Mukarramah and from there travelled to Basrah
where they rallied men and new supporters.
Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) had to crush all opposition. A bloody
battle took place near Basrah on the 9th of December 656 A.C. This
battle was sparked off by a third force who were the real
troublemakers. Just before the battle, both parties had already
reached an agreement to settle the dispute. But this third force, the
real assassinators of Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), launched
an overnight attack on both camps simultaneously. Each side were under
the impression that the other had attacked. The battle began. Several
thousand men were lost including the two Sahaba. Sayyadah Aishah (radi
Allahu anha) was safe. She was ridinga camel during the battle-hence
the name "Battle of the Camel." Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu)
treated her in a most noble and dignified manner and respectfully sent
her back to Madinatul Munawwarah. She praised him and deeply regretted
opposing Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu). Kufa was now made the
capital of the Islamic world.
BATTLE OF SIFFIN Sayyiduna Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) ralliedan army
to face Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu). A battle took place at
Siffin on the Syrian border in the July of 567 A.C. Sayyiduna
Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) was no match for Sayyiduna Ali (radi
Allahu anhu) andbegan to retreat. By the clever proposal of Sayyiduna
Amr bin Al As (radi Allahu anhu), the retreating army raised pieces of
the Holy Quran on their spears demanding judgement between the two
parties. Many pious Muslims on the side of Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu
anhu) refused to fight seeing the Holy Quran displayed in the air.
JUDGEMENT
Two men, one from eachside, were appointed to settle the dispute.
Sayyiduna Abu Musa (radi Allahu anhu) , a pious Sahaba from Sayyiduna
Ali (radi Allahu anhu's) side, and the skilled Sayyiduna Amr (radi
Allahu anhu) from Sayyiduna Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhu's) side.
Sayyiduna Musa (radi Allahu anhu) declared in front of the Muslims
that it was decided to recommend the removal of both Sayyiduna Ali and
Sayyiduna Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhuma) and that the Muslims should
select another man for the Khilaafat. Sayyiduna Amr (radi Allahu anhu)
replied that: "He has declared the removal of his leader, while I
would conform Muaawiyah as the Caliph." Chaos followed.
KHAARIJEES Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) prepared tomeet Sayyiduna
Muaawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) again in battle, but he was moved from
his task by a serious conflict that occurred among his men. Some
narrow-minded people accused Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) of
accepting a man-made judgement. Their slogan was: "There is no
judgment but with Allah." They declared that Sayyiduna Ali, Sayyiduna
Muaawiyah and Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in) were
unbelievers and that Jihad should be declaredagainst them. Ever since
this event, they have been known as the "Khaarijees" , which means,
"those who left the fold." They maintained that the Khilaafat should
be given to the most eligible Muslim, regardless of his origin. The
Kharijees are not regarded as Muslims.
ASSASSINATION On the 17th of July 659 A.C., Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu
anhu) overcame the Khaarijees in a battlenear Nahrawan, in which, it
is said, that 40 000 lives were lost.
In the early morning of the 24th of January 661 A.C., Abdul Rahman bin
Muljim, a Khaariji fanaticlay in ambush in the Masjid of Kufah and
stabbed Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) when he entered the musjid.
He passed away from thewound. He was 63 years old.
PERSONAL LIFE Sayyiduna Ali (radi allahu anhu) lived a simple life. He
refused any luxury food and wore simple clothes thinking of the poor.
He should sleep on the ground and even sit on the floor. He repaired
hisown clothes and shoes and even did manual labour. He spent nights
in Salaah and should fastfor three days in a row. Honesty, piety,
justice and love of truth were the main marks of his character.
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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