WHO WAS HADHRAT ALI RADHIALLAHU-ANHU)?

1. He whose childhood was in the house of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
2. He was blessed with Imaan in his childhood.
3. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) treated him as his own brother.
4. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) counted him amongst the "Ashara Mubashshara" The Blessed Ten - those people who received glad tidings of Jannah in this world.
5. He was married to Hadhrat Fathima (Radhiallaahu Anha).
6. He was amongst the very first to accept Islaam.
7. He was given glad tidings of Jannah in this world.
8. During his youth he was very brave because of this he was given the title "The Lion of Allaah."
9. His entire life was free from idol worship.
10. During the Battle of Tabook, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made him a Khalif to look after the women folk at home.
11. For the Battle of Khaibar, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sent him as a mediator for the Muslims.
12. On the day of Mubahalah, when two parties faced to curse each other, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) took him not-withstanding that he was a close relative. The Mabuhalah did not take place because the kuffar (Christians) said that "If Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) brings his close family withdraw the Mubahalah."
13. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to phrase "Ahl" (Household people) on him.
14. He was classified friend of all by Nabi (Sallahu alayhi wasallam) at the Pond of Ghum thus ending any Deeni differences between the Household of Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahabah (RA).
15. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) accepted him as his beloved.
16. For the steadfastness of his heart and the safe-guarding of his tongue. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made this dua for him "Ya Allah guide his heart and safeguard his tongue."
17. After this dua he never doubted in any of his Islaamic decisions.
18. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used him once during his lifetime for a special decision.
19. Whose love Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) regarded as his love.
20. Whose hatred Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) regarded as his hatred.
21. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu-anhu) regarded him as the best decision maker.
22. Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu-anhu) accepted his decisions without any doubt.
23. According to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhiallaahu Anhu), Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu-anhu) was an expert in the field of inheritance.
24. Before sending him to the Battle of Khaiber, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) put his own saliva on Hadhrat Ali's (Radhiallahu-anhu) eyes.
25. He whose decision and judgement left the world amazed.
26. He reached high ranks in the knowledge of the Qur'aan.
27. In memorisation of the Qur'aan there was no equal to him.
28. He used to spend days and nights in the recitation of the Qur'aan.
29. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) gave him glad tidings of victory before he departed for the Battle of Khaiber…
30. At the time of the anger of Hadhrat Fathima, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) addressed him "Abu Turab". i.e. Father of Sand.
31. In relations to the narration of Ahaadith, he himself reported 586 Ahaadith from Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
32. From whom the other Sahabah and Tabieens related many Ahaadith.
33. He sent Abdullah bin Abbaas (RA) to Kufa to care for the goodwill of the people.
34. Because of his intelligence Kufa became like a tent over the Sahabah.
35. Through the blessing of his efforts thousands of Muhadditheen, i.e. Scholars of Ahadith were born in Kufa.
36. Without him no one had the courage to talk to Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) whilst he was angry.
37. The signs of bravery showed visibly on his body.
38. Through the blessing of the saliva of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) his eyes never pained till his death.
39. Through the blessing of the saliva of Nabi (Saliallahu alayhi wasallam) he had no pain in his eyes till his death.
40. To love him excessively may sometimes become a means of demolition of ones Imaan.
41. And to hate him may also destroy one's Imaan.
42. About whom Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) prophesied his assassination.
43. According to the narration of Askary if Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) regarded Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu) as the eyes and ears of a body, then he would regard Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu-anhu) as the head.
44. For the night of Hijrat. If Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) trusted Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu) with Allah's trust then he trusted, Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu-anhu) with the creations trust.
45. According to the narration of Wakidi the ayat "These people who spend their wealth day and night" was revealed concerning Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu-anhu).
46. Due to the fear of Allah he shed tears most of the time.
47. He returned his brother Akeel with his own expense and did not let any decrease come to the Baitul Maal.
48. After the Martyrdom of Hadhrat Uthman (Radhiallahu-anhu), without Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu-anhu) people were very unsettled about the next leadership.
49. Although there was a war between Hadhrat Muawiyah and himself, with great sympathy and regret he explained to the people after the war that between and Hadhrat Muawiyah (RA) and himself Islaamically and religiously there was absolutely no difference, i.e. their Islaamic beliefs were the same.
50. He increased by 4000 yearly the income derived from land revenue.
51. He abolished Zakaat on horses.
52. He kept a close eye on his governors characters.
53. He began checking written agreements.
54. He appeared before his own appointed judge, Qazi Shuraih (RA), as a defendant.
55. Because of his honesty a Christian was blessed with Islaam.
56. He became famous for keeping a watchful eye in the bazaar on the peoples' measuring and dealings.
57. He used to constantly advise the buyers and sellers of their Islaamic rights and the need for honesty.
58. Because his childhood was in the house of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the effect of Nabuwaat brushed off on him.
59. It was just part of his nature to reach the depth of masaail.
60. After the friendship of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) for 30 years he attained the precise knowledge of the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
61. He was one of the writers of Wahi during Nabi's (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) life.
62. In Islamic Fiqh masaa'il he reached high ranks.
63. Besides having Ilmi discussions, solving Fiqh Masaa'il was very simple for him.
64. He used to have Ilmi discussion with the other great Sahaaba.
65. Even the fountain heads of Sufism are dependent on him.
66. He established the grammar of Arabic and favoured the entire Muslim community with it.
67. By nature he was a very stable person.
68. He whose entire life was soaked in piety.
69. Neither his poverty nor his authority affect him.
70. Even after becoming a leader he did not build any house for himself.
71. His life's simplicity did not allow him to have even a servant.
72. Concerning whom Hadhrat Ayesha's (RA) quote was famous: "Ali is one who stands in Salaah the entire night and fasts the whole day".
73. Making excessive Ruku and Sajda fitted his natural habit.
74. Because of his family relationship with Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) his contact with Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was even closer.
75. He used to always speak very high of the pious people.
76. There was absolutely no doubt in his simple lifestyle regarding showing of riches or status.
77. Even during his leadership he used to visit and protect the bazaar.
78. Showing lost travellers the correct route made him very happy.
79. His daily food was simple.
80. He used to stay away from a very high style of food.
81. Knowledge gushed out from every limb, and wisdom dripped from him.
82. Despite the peoples' adulation, he did not accept responsibility for Khalifat before its time.
83. He named his children after Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu) and Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu-anhu) and proved his love for them both.
84. Helping the poor and needy was his profession.
85. He performed his Salaah behind Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu) and completed the right of his Imaan.
86. In the marriage of Hadhrat Asma (RA) he gave preference to Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu).
87. He did not refuse at any time that Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) and Hadhrat Umar (RadhiAllaahu- anhu) be buried next to Rasulullah (SallAllaahu alaybi wasallam).
88. He took a pledge at the hand of Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (Radhiallahu-anhu) and saved the Muslims from being split.
89. For the upbringing of the orphan Muhammad bin Abu Bakr (RA), Hadrat Ali (RA) married his mother Asma binte Umais (RA).
90. He explained the Deen of Hadhrat Farouk as the Deen of Allaah and testified to the oneness and unity of Allaah.
91. He called Hadhrat Umar's RadhiAllaahu-anhu army the army of Allaah through which Islaam became stronger.
92. He testified that Hadhrat Umar (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) was the refuge of all Muslims and sealed the mouths of the enemies.
93. He praised the companions of Nabi (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) and strengthened the sect of the Ahlus Sunnah.
94. He, with the Ahlus Sunnah, accepted the given Deen of Allaah and his Rasul (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) happily.
95. He once proclaimed to Hadhrat Uthmaan (RadhiAllaahu-anhu), "You are more closer to Nabi (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) because you have been blessed by marrying two of his daughters". After this comment all doubts were cleared as to who held the higher status.
96. To prove his sincerity he sent his two sons, Hasan and Hussain to safe-guard the house of Hadhrat Uthman (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) while, the rebels surrounded his house.
97. He did not divide the special orchard in Khaibar and expressed his agreement with Hadhrat Abu-Bakr (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) physically.
98. Before Nabi's (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) demise when he asked for a pen and paper, Hadhrat Umar (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) did not do so seeing the condition of Nabi (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) and Hadhrat Ali (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) also did not bring the pen and paper supporting Hadhrat Umar's (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) reasoning.
99. He was like the sun guiding towards the valid path but was fatally wounded by the poisoned sword of Ibn Muljim. By this wound he passed away on the 20 of Ramadhan 40 Hijri

Allamah Doust Muhammad Quraishi

Islamic Info - History and Personalities

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)