Birth of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)

The birth of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the most honored events in Islamic history. Most probably, he is the only person who was born in Ka’aba, which is the holiest place on earth for Muslims. Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the son of Abu Talib, the most beloved uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Accordingly, he was the cousin of the Prophet and later married his beloved daughter Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. Hence, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was not only the cousin of the Prophet but was also his son-in-law.

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was raised by Abu Talib, after the death of his parents and grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. When Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was around five years old, the financial position of his father, Abu Talib, was declining. At this stage, the Prophet took the responsibility of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. So, he was raised in the household of the Prophet and his beloved wife Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا.

His birth is profoundly significant in many ways. He was the first of the youth to accept Islam. Later on, he became the fourth Rashidun Caliph. He is one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, who remained associated with him throughout his life. He played a key role in supporting and assisting the Prophet during the earlier phase of his Prophethood, at a time when the persecution by Quraysh was at its peak. He was entrusted with a sensitive role at the time of Hijrat-e-Medina. When the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was leaving Mecca secretly, he instructed Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to sleep in his place, which he bravely did, putting his life in danger.

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is remembered not only for his bravery but also for his wisdom, devotion to Islam, and deep knowledge of the Quran and Islamic teachings. His wisdom and knowledge were frequently acknowledged and honored by all the close companions of the Prophet. Despite some political conflicts, the earlier Rashidun Caliphs, including Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, used to seek his advice on important and sensitive religious matters.

Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is also remembered as the first Imam in the Shia Islam (the Twelver Shia). As such, he is one of those earlier companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ who are equally revered by both Sunnis and Shias.   

Date and Place of Birth

• Date of Birth – He was born in 600 CE. Some historians report that his date of birth corresponds to the 13^th of Rajab. The Shia Muslims celebrate this date as his day of birth.
• Place of Birth – He was born in Mecca, present-day Saudi Arabia. He was born inside the Ka'aba, the holiest place on earth for the Muslims. It was a unique and distinguished honor that belongs only to Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.

Family Lineage

• Father – Abu Talib Ibn Abdul Muttalib, the beloved uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• Mother – Fatima Bint Asad.
• Relationship with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ – He was the first cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• Wife – Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا.
• Children – Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا were his sons. Names of his daughters are Hazrat Zaynab and Hazrat Umm Kulthum رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا.

Significance of His Birth

The birth of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the most significant events in the early history of Islam. A brief overview of the importance of his birth is summarized here:

• Unique Birthplace – He is the only person in the known history who was born in the Ka'aba. It was a unique and unprecedented honor. It is recognized as a sign of his elevated status by the Muslim historians and scholars.
• Closeness to The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ – He is closely associated with the Prophet in many ways. He was the cousin of the Prophet and later became his son-in-law, when the Prophet married his daughter Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا with him. He holds the unique honor of being raised in the household of the Prophet since his early childhood. It left a great impact on his growth into a wise, brave, knowledgeable, pious, and trustworthy companion of the Prophet.
• First Youth to Embrace Islam – He was the first among the youth to accept Islam. In fact, he was among the first few persons to embrace Islam, alongside Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Some historians report that he embraced Islam before Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
• Symbol of Bravery and Religious Knowledge – He is popularly remembered as Asadullah (Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Lion), in recognition of his unparalleled bravery and courage. He is also known for his wisdom and knowledge and was given the title “Bab al-Ilm, which translates to the “Gate of Knowledge”.
• Continuation of The Lineage of Ahl al-Bayt – The lineage of the family of the Prophet continued through his marriage to Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا and through their sons Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. This status is equally revered in both Sunni and Shia Islam.
• The First Imam of Twelver Shias – He is considered the first Imam in the Shia Islam, with two of his sons, Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا being the second and third Imam, respectively.  
• The Fourth Rashidun Caliph – He became the fourth Rashidun Caliph and ruled for around 5 years.

Virtues of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is remembered, acknowledged, and praised for his bravery and courage, which earned him the title “Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Lion" (Asadullah). His virtues were marked by extraordinary courage, loyalty to the Prophet, and devotion to Islam. His early life is highlighted by his role as a defender and supporter of the Prophet against the hostile Quraysh of Mecca.

As a grown-up man, he took an active part in almost all the Battles (Ghazwat). It started with the Battle of Badr, where he fought with extreme courage and killed key enemies of Islam. His role in the Battle of Badr was a source of inspiration for the Muslims. In the setback at the Battle of Uhud, he played a key role in protecting the Prophet. It was a difficult time for the Muslims, where Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ even risked his life, while fearlessly and bravely protecting the Prophet.

The Battle of Khandaq (The Battle of Trench) is yet another example of his warriorship. He single-handedly killed the famous Quraysh leader and warrior, Amr Ibn Abd Wudd. It was a defining moment in this Battle, which paved the way for a significant win for the Muslims. His heroic role in the Battle of Khyber is a part of Islamic history. He broke the iron gate of the fort of Khyber and conquered the fort, making possible a decisive victory for Islam. This historic and highly virtuous event is narrated in Hadith 3702 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Translation of relevant Part - Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I will give the flag (to a man), or tomorrow a man whom Allah and His Apostle love will take the flag," or said, "A man who loves Allah and His Apostle; and Allah will grant victory under his leadership." Suddenly came `Ali, whom we did not expect. The people said, "This is `Ali." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave him the flag, and Allah granted victory under his leadership.

Apart from his role as a great warrior, he is also recognized and acknowledged for his deep knowledge of the Quran and other religious matters.

Legacy of His Birth

The birth of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a milestone in Islamic history. His life became a beacon of faith, sacrifice, and leadership that continues to inspire Muslims. His legacy continued by way of his Imamate, especially in Shia Islam, being the first Imam of the Twelver Shias. All the subsequent Imams descended from his family lineage, including his two sons, Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, being the second and third Imams.

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