Martyrdom of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)

Mar 21

Martyrdom of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)

Friday 21 Ramadan, 1446

Who was Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ?

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the fourth and the last Rashidun Caliph (Rightly Guided Caliph) in the history of Islam. He was born in 600 CE in Ka’aba, which is a unique honor for him. He was the son of Abu Talib (uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ). The name of his mother is Fatima Bint Assad. With that reference, he was the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Later on, he was married to Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, who was the daughter of the Prophet.

So, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was also the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He was the first among the youth who accepted Islam at the age of around 9 or 10 years. He grew up with the family of the Prophet, right from his childhood, under the supervision and patronage of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He was the father of Hazrat Hassan and Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. With that family background, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ holds a unique, most honorable, and significant status in the history of Islam.

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is known for his bravery and wisdom. He is also known as one of the most knowledgeable persons in the entire history of Islam, especially in religious matters:

  • Bravery – There are so many historical events representing the courage and bravery of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. One of the glaring examples of his courage and bravery is the event of the Prophet’s migration from Mecca to Medina. On that occasion, he slept in place of the Prophet while the Prophet secretly left Mecca for migration to Medina. On this occasion, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ fearlessly slept in the bed of the Prophet, risking his life. Later on, he played a key role in different Ghazwat (Battles), such as the Battle of Badr, Uhud, and Trench. Another historical event was the battle of Khyber, where Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ lifted the mighty door of the fort of Khyber. In recognition of his heroic roles on different occasions, he was given the title "Assadullah – Lion of Allah” by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
  • Wisdom – Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a wise man who had a complete grip on all sorts of disputes and controversies between different groups. He held a great wisdom in deciding such matters, with complete authority and justice. People, including the renowned companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ often referred to such matters to seek his guidance and final verdict. The best part of it was that all the stakeholders always turned out to be satisfied and gladly accepted his verdict.
  • Knowledge – It is a common belief that Hazrat Ali was once given the title “Bab al-ilm – Door of Knowledge” by the Prophet. It generally implies the overall knowledge and, specifically, the knowledge of religious matters. The background of this title is that the Prophet is believed to have said, "I am the Home of Knowledge, and Ali is its door.” It indicates that Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ possessed complete knowledge of all the issues and matters pertaining to the Religion. Hence, after the passing of the Prophet, people used to seek his guidance and interpretation of various Quranic verses and sayings of the Prophet. His verdict on different religious matters was taken as final and most authentic.

Caliphate of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

After the martyrdom of the third Caliph Hazrat Uthman رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was elected the fourth Rashidun Caliph in 656 CE, corresponding to 35 AH. His election was unanimous, and he got the “Pledge of Allegiance” (Bayʿah بَيْعَة) from almost the entire community and notables. Despite being elected unanimously, the period of his Caliphate saw internal political unrest, which resulted in a sort of civil war within the Muslim community. Soon after his assuming the office of Caliphate, he had to face unprecedented challenges. The martyrdom of the third Caliph had resulted in resentment in a large faction of the Muslim community.

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was under immense pressure to take revenge of the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. The outcome of this resentment was a war between the forces of the Caliph and the forces led by Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا and her allies, Hazrat Talha and Zuhayr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. This event is often referred to as “First Fitna" and more commonly as the "Battle of Camel". This war was fought in 656 CE, with a win by the forces of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Both, Hazrat Talha and Zubayr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا lost their lives in this battle, whereas Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was safely sent back to Medina by the Caliph Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.

Later on, in the year 657 CE (37 AH), Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ had to face another internal war, known as the "battle of Siffin”. It was fought between the forces of the Caliph and the ousted Governor of Syria, Mu'awiya. It ended in a stalemate, with the formation of an arbitration committee to resolve the issue in the Spirit of the Quran, although the balance of war is believed to be in favor of the Caliph Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Quite a large part of the Caliph's men were not in favor of such an arbitration. However, the outcome of this arbitration could not prevent the ongoing conflict.

Resultantly, a large group, later on, referred to as "Kharjiites,” went severely against the Caliph and ultimately decided to assassinate him.

When Did Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ Attain Martyrdom?

As a result of the battle of Siffin and later encounter known as the battle of Nahrawan, a large group of Kharjiites turned deadly against the Caliph Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and decided to assassinate him. Eventually, Ibn Muljim struck Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ on his head with a poisoned sword, during the morning prayers, on the 19th of Ramadan 40 AH, corresponding to the 28th of January 661 CE. He was severely wounded and lost his life after two days, on the 21st of Ramadan, 40 AH, in Kufa.

His martyrdom marked a turning point in Islamic history. With that, the golden era of the Rashidun Caliphate ended, resulting in a form of dynastical rulership commonly known as the “Umayyad Caliphate.”  

Significance of His Martyrdom

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a prominent personality among the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. His martyrdom was the most significant event in the earlier history of Islam, as he was not only a great leader but was the most authentic scholar of Islam, as a religion. He was known for his wisdom and unparalleled justice while resolving sensitive issues between different factions of the society.

Above that, he was deeply devoted to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. His martyrdom totally changed the political scenario, which resulted in the end of the Rashidun Caliphate and led to a major shift in the form of governance in the Islamic world, paving the way for the establishment of a dynastical form of Governance. His martyrdom marked the end of the era of the true Islamic Caliphate.

Impact of His Passing

The martyrdom of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ had a deep and long-term impact in the coming days of Islamic history. It is marked by reshaping the political, religious, and sectarian developments in Islam's early history after the Rashidun Caliphate’s end.

Some of the glaring and instant impacts of his martyrdom are:

  • End of the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • Rise of the Umayyad Caliphate.
  • The shift from Elective Leadership (Shura) to a hereditary form of governance.
  • Political unrest persisted for centuries.
  • Division of the Muslim community into two distinct factions, Sunni and Shia.
  • The inception of the concept of Imamate, the Shia community believed Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the first Imam.
  • His sermons and sayings were later compiled in the form of a book, titled "Nahj Al-Balagha”, which forms a basic document on Islamic Philosophy and Governance, in Shia theology.
  • Internal wars within the Muslims, which were initiated during his Caliphate, continued even after his martyrdom. The Battle of Karbla, is one of the most tragic incidents in this context, where Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was martyred in 680 CE.

His martyrdom is remembered as the symbol of resistance against the oppression. His sayings, sermons, and teachings are a continuous source of inspiration for the entire Muslim world, irrespective of the factions.

Hazrat Ali’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ Contributions to Islam

His contributions to Islam are enormous in various fields, such as religious knowledge, leadership, military service, and spirituality. He was the first youth to accept Islam. He played a key role in spreading the Message of Islam. His courage and bravery in different Islamic wars, such as Badr, Uhud, Trench, and Khyber, are exemplary.

He possessed a complete knowledge of the Islamic jurisprudence. As a political leader during his Caliphate, he displayed a sense of responsibility, patience, and wisdom and always tried to resolve the issues without entering into a conflict. His verdicts on various social and religious issues served as a source of inspiration for the generations to come.

Impact of Hazrat Ali’s Martyrdom on the Muslim world

The immediate result of his martyrdom was the end of the Rashidun Caliphate and the emergence of a hereditary form of Governance in the shape of the Umayyad Caliphate. The Islamic world lost the most wise and knowledgeable person. Muslims were deprived of a powerful political and religious leader. His martyrdom resulted in a comprehensive shift in Islamic history, especially in the field of Governance.

It also resulted in the division of the Muslim community into two distinct factions, Sunni and Shia. Moreover, the civil wars, which were initiated during his Caliphate, continued even after his martyrdom; the Battle of Karbala being the most tragic event in the history of Islam, where Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was martyred.

Why is Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ Revered by both Sunni and Shia Muslims?

There are several reasons behind it. He was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He was the first among the youth to accept Islam. He grew up in the family of the Prophet under his direct supervision and patronage. His wisdom and knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence were exemplary. He always displayed an attitude of patience and tried to keep away from the conflicts. Many of the notable companions of the Prophet used to seek his guidance in various religious interpretations.

Above all, he was a unanimous choice of almost the entire Muslim community for the position of the Caliph after the martyrdom of the third Caliph. So, he is revered by all the Muslim factions, including Sunni and Shia Muslims. His wisdom, bravery, knowledge, and capability of interpreting the most tricky religious and social issues were exemplary, honored, and acknowledged by the entire Muslim world, irrespective of what school of thought they follow. 

FAQs:

Ibn Muljim, along with his two accomplices, attacked Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ during the morning prayers on the 19th of Ramadan. He died after two days on the 21st of Ramadan, 40 AH.

He was buried in Najaf, a place near Kufa, which later on grew into the present-day city of Najaf.