Ali
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{{Infobox Monarch
| name=Ali
| title = '''Commander of the Faithful''' ([[Amir al-Mu'minin]])
| image = [[Image:Meshed ali usnavy (PD).jpg|200px|caption]]
| caption = This mosque near [[Najaf|an-Najaf]], [[Iraq]], is believed by [[Shia]]s to house the tombstone of Ali
| reign = [[656]] – [[661]]<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Nasr |first=Seyyed Hossein | authorlink=Seyyed Hossein Nasr | title=Ali |year=| encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica Online | accessdate=2007-10-12 |location=|publisher= Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9005712/Ali}}</ref>
| othertitles = <small>Father of Hasan (Arabic: ''Abu Al-Hasan'')<br/> Father of Dust/Soil (Arabic: ''[[Abu Turab]]'')<br/> Murtada (“One Who Is Chosen and Contented”) <br/>Lion of God (Arabic: ''[[Asad (name)|Asad]]-[[Allah|ullah]]'')<br/> Lion (Arabic: ''Heydar'')<ref name="Britannica"/><br/>First Ali (Turkish: ''Birinci Ali'')<small/>
| full name =ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib
| predecessor = [[Uthman Ibn Affan]]
| successor = [[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]]<ref>Madelung (1997), p. 311</ref>/[[Muawiya I]]
| spouse 1 = [[Fatimah]]<ref name="Britannica"/>
| spouse 2 = [[Fatima binte Hizam]] (Ummul Banin)
| issue = [[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]]<br/>[[Husayn ibn Ali|Husayn]]<br/><small> (See:[[Descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib]] )<small/>
| royal house = [[Ahl al-Bayt]]<br/>[[Banu Hashim]]
| father = [[Abu Talib]]
| mother = [[Fatima bint Asad]]
| date of birth = {{birth date|599|3|17|mf = y}} or {{birth date |600|3|17|mf = y}}<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>Ahmed (2005), p.234</ref>
| place of birth = [[Mecca]]<ref name="Britannica"/>
| date of death = {{death date and age|661|2|28|599|3|17|mf = y}}
| place of death = [[Kufa]]<ref name="Britannica"/>
| place of burial = [[Imam Ali Mosque]], [[Najaf]], [[Iraq]]
|}}
'''Ali ibn Abu Talib''' ({{lang-ar-at|a=علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب|t=ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib}}, 13<sup>th</sub> [[Rajab]], 24 [[Islamic calendar#Numbering the years|BH]] – 21<sup>st</sub> [[Ramadan (calendar month)|Ramadan]], 40 AH; approximately, [[March 17]] [[599]] or 600<ref>Ahmed (2005), p.234</ref> – [[January 27]] [[661]]<ref name="Iranica"/>) was the cousin, son-in-law and one of the ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]'', people of the house, of the [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]], reigning over the [[Rashidun empire]] from 656 to 661. [[Sunni]] Muslims consider Ali as the fourth and final [[Rashidun]] (Rightly Guided [[Caliph]]). [[Shia]] Muslims regard Ali as the first [[The Fourteen Infallibles|infallible]] [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Imam]] and consider him and his descendants as the [[Succession to Muhammad|rightful successors to Muhammad]]. This disagreement split the [[Ummah|Muslim community]] into the Sunni and Shi'a branches.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="firstfourcaliphs">[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/politics/firstfourcaliphs.html#ali Sunni view of Ali]</ref>
Most sources record that Ali was the only person born in the [[Kaaba]] sanctuary in [[Mecca]]. His father was [[Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib]] and his mother was [[Fatima bint Asad]]<ref name="Britannica"/> but he was raised in the household of Muhammad, who himself was raised by Abu Talib. When Muhammad reported receiving a [[Wahy|divine revelation]], Ali was among the first to accept his message, dedicating his life to the cause of [[Islam]].<ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref>Ashraf, (2005) p.14</ref><ref name="Iranica"/><ref name="Islam">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Muslim world; vol.1 | last = Diana | first = Steigerwald | title=Ali ibn Abi Talib | publisher = MacMillan | id = ISBN 0028656040}}</ref>
Ali [[Hijra (Islam)|migrated]] to [[Medina]] shortly after Muhammad. There Muhammad told Ali that he had been ordered by [[God]] to give his daughter, [[Fatimah]], to Ali in marriage.<ref name="Britannica"/> For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service, leading parties of warriors on battles, and carrying messages and orders. Ali took part in almost all the battles fought for Islam.
Ali was appointed [[caliph]] by Muhammad's [[Sahaba|companions]] in Medina after the assassination of the third caliph, [[Uthman Ibn Affan]].<ref>See:
* Ashraf, (2005) pp. 119-120
* Madelung (1997), pp. 141-145 </ref>
He encountered defiance and civil war ([[First Fitna]]) during his reign. In 661 CE, Ali was attacked while praying in the [[mosque]] of [[Kufa]], dying a few days later.<ref>See:
* Lapidus (2002), p.47
* Holt (1970), pp.70 - 72
* Tabatabaei (1979), pp.50 - 57 and 192</ref>
Muslims greatly respect Ali for his knowledge, belief, honesty, unbending devotion to Islam, deep loyalty to Muhammad, equal treatment of all Muslims and generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies. Ali retains his stature as an authority on [[Tafsir|Qur'anic exegesis]], [[Fiqh|Islamic jurisprudence]] and religious thought.<ref>Madelung (1997), 309-310</ref><ref name="firstfourcaliphs">[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/politics/firstfourcaliphs.html#ali Sunni view of Ali]</ref> Ali holds a high position in almost all [[Tariqah|Sufi orders]] which trace their lineage through him to Muhammad.<ref name="Britannica"/> Ali's influence has thus continued throughout [[Muslim history|Islamic history]].
==In Mecca==
{{Ali}}
===Birth and childhood===
[[Image:Ambigram - Muhammad and Ali.jpg|left|thumb|[[Ambigram]] depicting Muhammad and Ali written in a single word. The 180 degree inverted form shows both words.]]
{{main|Family tree of Ali|Birthplace of Ali ibn Abi Talib}}
Ali's father [[Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib]] was the custodian of the [[Kaaba]] and a [[sheikh]] of [[Banu Hashim]], an important branch of the powerful [[Quraysh]] tribe. He was also an uncle of Muhammad. Ali's mother [[Fatima binte Asad]] also belonged to Banu Hashim, making Ali a descendant of [[Ismael]], the son of [[Ibrahim]].<ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 5.</ref>
Muhammad had a close relationship with Ali's parents. When Muhammad was orphaned and later lost his grandfather [[Shaiba ibn Hashim|Abdul Muttalib]], Ali's father took him into his house.<ref name="Britannica"/> Ali was born two or three years after Muhammad married [[Khadijah bint Khuwaylid]].<ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 6-7.</ref>
Many sources, especially Shi'a ones, record that Ali was the only person [[People reported to be born in the Kaaba|born inside the Kaaba]] in the city of [[Mecca]], where he stayed with his mother for three days. Some sources contend that he was born beside the Kaaba. According to the tradition, Muhammad was the first person whom Ali saw as he took the newborn in his hands. Muhammad named him Ali, meaning "the exalted one".<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>
See:
* Ashraf (2005), p.6.
* [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/00_ali_bin_talib.htm Beyt Al-Hikama, Virtual library of witness pioneer]
</ref>
When Ali was five or six years old, a famine occurred in and around Mecca, affecting the economic conditions of Ali's father, who had a big family to support. Muhammad was then requested to become Ali's guardian.<ref name="Tabatabae191"> Tabatabae (1979), p. 191</ref>
<ref>*Ashraf (2005), p.7.</ref>
<ref name="Britannica"/>
===Conversion to Islam===
{{Islam}}
{{Mainarticle|Identity of first male Muslim}}
The second period of Ali's life begins in [[610]] when he converted to Islam and ends with the [[Hijra (Islam)|Hijra]] of Muhammad to Medina in [[622]].<ref name="Britannica"/> When Muhammad reported that he had received a [[Revelation#Divine Revelation in Islam|divine revelation]], Ali, then only about ten years old, believed him and professed to Islam.<ref name="Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia | title = Ali ibn Abitalib | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Iranica | accessdate = 2007-10-25|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v1f8/v1f8a043.html}}</ref><ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 14.</ref> According to [[Ibn Ishaq]], Ali was the first male to [[Religious conversion#Conversion to Islam|enter Islam]]. [[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari|Tabari]] adds other traditions making the similar claim of being the first Muslim in relation to Zayd or Abu Bakr.<ref> Watt (1953), p.xii</ref> Some historians and scholars believe Ali's conversion is not worthy enough to consider him as the first male Muslim because he was a child at the time.<ref>Watt (1953), p. 86</ref>
Shi'as believe that in keeping with Ali's divine mission, he converted to Islam before he took part in any [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|pre-Islamic]] Meccan [[Arabian mythology|traditional religion]] rites, regarded by Muslims as [[polytheism|polytheistic]] (see [[Shirk (polytheism)|shirk]]) or [[paganism|paganistic]]. Hence the Shi'a say of Ali that his face is honored - that is, it was never sullied by prostrations before idols.<ref name="Tabatabae191"/>
Ali, along with some members of the Banu Hashim clan, were [[Hanif]]s prior to the coming of Islam.
===After conversion to Islam===
For three years Muhammad invited people to Islam in secret. Then he started inviting people publicly. When, according to the Qur'an, he was commanded to invite his closer relatives to come to Islam<ref>{{cite quran|26|214|style = ref}}</ref> he gathered the [[Banu Hashim]] clan in a ceremony.
According to [[al-Tabari]], [[Ibn Athir]] and [[Abu al-Fida]] that Muhammad told clearly that whoever would assist him in his invitation would become his brother, trustee and successor. Only Ali, who was 13 or 14 years old at that time, stepped forth and submitted to help him. This invitation was repeated three times but only Ali answered Muhammad. Then Muhammad declared that Ali is his brother, inheritor and vicegerent and people must obey him. Others laughed at them and dispersed.<ref>See:
*Momen (1985), p. 12
*Tabatabae (1979), p.39.
</ref> This event is known as [[Hadith of warning|Hadith Yawm Al-Dar or Yawm Al-indhaar and Da‘wat dhul-‘Ashīrah]] among Muslim historians and scholars.
During [[Persecution of Muslims by the Meccans|persecution of Muslims]] and [[Meccan boycott of the Hashemites|boycott of Banu Hashim]] in Mecca, Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad.<ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 16-26.
</ref>
===Migration to Medina===
{{Seealso|Hijra (Islam)}}
In 622 CE, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot, so that Muhammad could escape in safety.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref>Ashraf (2005), pp.28-29</ref> This night is called ''Laylat al-mabit''. According to some [[hadith]], a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of Hijra which says, "And among men is he who sells his ''[[nafs]]'' (self) in exchange for the pleasure of [[Allah]]"<ref>{{cite quran|2|207|style = ref}}</ref><ref>[http://www.almizan.org/Tafseer/Volume3/Baqarah50.asp Tabatabae, Tafsir Al-Mizan]</ref>
Ali survived the plot, but risked his life again by staying in Mecca to carry out Muhammad's instructions: to restore to their owners all the goods and properties that had been entrusted to Muhammad for safekeeping. Ali then went to Medina with his mother, Muhammad's daughter Fatima and two other women.<ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref name="Iranica"/>
==In Medina==
===During Muhammad's era===
{{seealso|Muhammad in Medina|Ali the Warrior}}
Ali was 22 or 23 years old when he migrated to Medina. When Muhammad was creating bonds of [[Brotherhood among the Sahaba|brotherhood]] among his companions (''[[sahaba]]'') he selected Ali as his brother.<ref name="Iranica"><ref>Ashraf (2005), pp.30-32</ref><ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref name=" Fatima"> [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/history/biographies/sahaabah/bio.FATIMAH_BINT_MUHAMMAD.html Fatima Bint Muhammad]</ref>
For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service as his secretary and deputy, serving in his armies, the bearer of his banner in every battle, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders.
<ref>See:
*Momen (1985), pp.13 and 14
*Ashraf (2005) pp.28-118</ref> As one of Muhammad’s lieutenants, and later his son-in-law, Ali was a person of authority and standing in the Muslim community.
==== Family life====
{{Seealso|Ahl al-Bayt}} [[Image:panjetan.jpg|thumb|right|The calligraphy which shows [[Allah]] at center and [[Ahl al-Bayt]] around it.]]
In 623, Muhammad told Ali that God ordered him to give his daughter [[Fatimah Zahra]] to Ali in marriage.<ref name="Britannica"/> Muhammad said to Fatimah: "I have married you to the dearest of my family to me."<ref name=" Fatima"/> This family is glorified by Muhammad frequently and he declared them as his ''Ahl al-Bayt'' in events such as [[Mubahala]] and hadith like [[Hadith of the Event of the Cloak]]. They were also glorified in the [[Qur'an]] in several cases such as "[[the verse of purification]]".<ref>{{cite quran|33|33|style = ref}}</ref><ref>Madelung, 1997, pp. 14 and 15</ref>
Ali had four [[Ali#descendants|children]] born to Fatimah, the only child of Muhammad to have progeny. Their two sons ([[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]] and [[Husain ibn Ali|Husain]]) were cited by Muhammad to be his own sons, honored numerous times in his lifetime and titled "the leaders of the youth of Jannah" (Heaven, the hereafter.)
Theirs was a simple life, in fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. Even often there was no food in her house. One day she said to Ali: "I have ground until my hands are blistered." and Ali answered "I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest,"<ref name=" Fatima"/><ref>[[Sahih Muslim]] Book 031, Number 5955</ref>
Their marriage lasted about ten years and ended when Fatimah died. Although [[polygamy]] was permitted, Ali did not marry another woman while Fatimah was alive, and his marriage to her possesses a special spiritual significance for all Muslims because it is seen as the marriage between the greatest saintly figures surrounding Muhammad. After Fatimah's death, Ali married other wives and fathered many children.<ref name="Britannica"/>
====In battles====
{{Campaignbox Campaigns of Ali }}
{{mainarticle|Ali the Warrior}}
[[Image:The Message - Muslim Warriors.jpg|right|thumb|Scene of [[Battle of Badr]] from the film ''[[Mohammad, Messenger of God (film)|The Messenger of God]]'': The Muslim army sends out its champions including [[Ali]]. [[Zulfiqar]] is in the foreground.]] <!-- FAIR USE of THE MESSAGE - MUSLIM WARRIORS.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The Message - Muslim Warriors.jpg for rationale -->
[[Image:Dhulfiqar.png|thumb|right|Zulfiqar, a fictional representation of the sword of Ali.]]
With the exception of the [[Battle of Tabouk]], Ali took part in all battles and expeditions fought for Islam.<ref name="Tabatabae191"/> As well as being the [[standard-bearer]] in those battles, Ali led parties of warriors on raids into enemy lands.
Ali first distinguished himself as a warrior in 624 at the [[Battle of Badr]]. He defeated the [[Umayyad]] champion [[Walid ibn Utba]] as well as many other Meccan soldiers. According to Muslim traditions Ali killed between twenty and thirty-five pagans, most agreeing with twenty seven.<ref>See:
* Ashraf (2005), p.36
* Merrick (2005), p.247
</ref>
Ali was prominent at the [[Battle of Uhud]], as well as many other battles where he wielded a bifurcated sword known as [[Zulfiqar]].<ref name="Battles-of-Badr-and-Uhud">{{cite book
| last = Khatab| first = Amal| title = Battles of Badr and Uhud| publisher = Ta-Ha Publishers| date = May 1, 1996| id = ISBN 1-897940-39-4 }}</ref> He had the special role of protecting [[Muhammad]] when most of the Muslim army escaped at the battle of Uhud<ref name="Britannica"/> and it was said "There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar."<ref>Ibn Al Atheer, In his Biography, vol 2 p 107
"لا فتی الا علي لا سيف الا ذوالفقار" </ref> He was commander of the Muslim army in the [[Battle of Khaybar]].<ref>See:
* Ashraf (2005), pp. 66-68
* Zeitlin (2007), p. 134</ref> He also defended Muhammad in [[Battle of Hunayn]] in 630.<ref name="Britannica"/>
====Missions for Islam====
Muhammad designated Ali as one of the scribes who would write down the text of the [[Qur'an]], which had been revealed to Muhammad during the previous two decades. As [[Islam]] began to spread throughout Arabia, Ali helped establish the new Islamic order. He was instructed to write down the [[Treaty of Hudaybiyyah]], the peace treaty between Muhammad and the [[Quraysh]] in 628. Ali was so reliable and trustworthy that Muhammad asked him to carry the messages and declare the orders. In 630, Ali recited to a large gathering of pilgrims in Mecca [[At-Tawba|a portion of the Qur'an]] that declared Muhammad and the Islamic community were no longer bound by agreements made earlier with Arab [[polytheist]]s. During the [[Conquest of Mecca]] in 630, Muhammad asked Ali to guarantee that the conquest would be bloodless. He ordered Ali to break all the idols worshipped by the [[Banu Aus]], [[Banu Khazraj]], [[Tayy]], and those in the [[Kaaba]] to purify it after its defilement by the polytheism of the [[Jahiliyah|pre-Islamic era]]. Ali was sent to Yemen one year later to spread the teachings of Islam. Ali also was charged with settling several disputes and putting down the uprisings of various tribes.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="Iranica"/>
====The incident of Mubahala====
{{mainarticle|Mubahala|Hadith of Mubahala}}
{{Seealso|Ahl al-Bayt}}
According to [[hadith]] collections, in 631 an [[Arab Christians|Arab Christian]] envoy from [[Najran]] (currently in northern [[Yemen]] and partly in [[Saudi Arabia]]) came to Muhammad to argue which of the two parties erred in its doctrine concerning [[Jesus]]. After likening Jesus' miraculous birth to Adam's creation<ref>{{cite quran|3|59|style = ref}}</ref>, Muhammad called them to ''mubahala'' (cursing), where each party should ask God to destroy the lying party and their families.<ref>{{cite quran|3|61|style = ref}}</ref> Muhammad, to prove to them that he is a prophet, brought his daughter Fatimah and his surviving grandchildren, [[Hasan ibn Ali]] and [[Husayn ibn Ali]], and Ali ibn Abi Talib and came back to the Christians and said this is my family and covered himself and his family with a cloak. <ref>See:* [[Sahih Muslim]], Chapter of virtues of companions, section of virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4, p1871, the end of tradition #32
* Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p654
* Madelung, 1997, pp. 15 and 16
</ref> [[Allameh Tabatabaei]] explains in ''[[Tafsir al-Mizan]]'' that the word "Our selves" in this verse <ref>{{cite quran|3|61|style = ref}}</ref> refers to Muhammad and Ali. Then he narrates [[Imam Ali al-Rida]], eighth [[Twelve Imams|Shia Imam]], in discussion with [[Al-Ma'mun]], [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]], referred to this verse to prove the superiority of Muhammad's progeny over the rest of the [[Ummah|Muslim community]], and considered it as the proof for Ali's right for caliphate due to Allah made Ali like the self of Muhammad.<ref>[http://www.almizan.org/Tafseer/Volume6/6Imran2.asp Tabatabaei, Tafsir al-Mizan, v.6, Al Imran, verses 61-63] </ref>
====Ghadir Khumm====
[[Image:Investiture of Ali Edinburgh codex.jpg|thumb|250px|The Investiture of Ali, at Ghadir Khumm ([[MS Arab 161]], fol. 162r, AD 1309/8 [[Ilkhanid]] manuscript illustration).]]
{{Main|Hadith of the pond of Khumm|Hadith of the two weighty things}}
As Muhammad was returning from [[The Farewell Pilgrimage|his last pilgrimage]] in 632, he made statements about Ali that are interpreted very differently by Sunnis and Shias.<ref name="Britannica"/> He halted the caravan at [[Ghadir Khumm]], gathered the returning pilgrims for communal prayer and began to address them<ref>* Dakake (2008), pp.34 and 39</ref>:
<blockquote> "O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a message from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, (would bid good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said: The second are the [[Ahl al-Bayt|members of my household]] I remind you (of your duties) to the members of my family.<ref>See:
* Dakake (2008), pp.39 and 40
* Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/031.smt.html#031.5920 031.5920] The Book Pertaining to the Merits of the Companions (Allah Be Pleased With Them) of the Holy Prophet (May Peace Be Upon Him) (Kitab Al-Fada'il Al-Sahabah)</ref>." </blockquote>
This quote is confirmed by both Shi’a and Sunni, but they interpret the quote differently.<ref>Dakake (2008), pp.39 and 40</ref>
Some Sunni and Shi'a sources report that then he called ''Ali ibn Abi Talib'' to his sides, took his hand and raised it up declaring<ref>Dakake (2008), p. 34, 36 and 37</ref>
<blockquote>"For whoever I am a [[Mawla]] of, then Ali is his Mawla<ref>See:
* Dakake (2008), pp. 34 and 35
* Ibn Taymiyyah, Minhaaj as-Sunnah 7/319
* [http://www.al-islam.org/ghadir/incident.htm Event of Ghadir Khumm]
"من كنت مولاه فهذا علي مولاه"</ref>."
</blockquote>
The Shia's regard these statements as constituting the investiture of Ali as the [[succession to Muhammad|successor of Muhammad]] and as the first [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Imam]]; by contrast, the Sunnis take them only as an expression of Muhammad's closeness to Ali and of his wish that Ali, as his cousin and son-in-law, inherit his family responsibilities upon his death.
<ref>See:
* Dakake (2008), pp.43-48
* Tabatabae (1979), page 40</ref> Many [[Sufism|Sufis]] also interpret the episode as the transfer of Muhammad's spiritual power and authority to Ali, whom they regard as the [[wali]] par excellence.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>Dakake (2008), pp.33-35
</ref>
On the basis of this hadith, Ali later insisted on his religious authority superior to that of [[Abu Bakr]] and [[Umar]].<ref>Madelong, 1997 p.253</ref>
===Succession to Muhammad===
{{Succession to Muhammad}}{{Shia Islam}}
{{seealso|Succession to Muhammad|Saqifah|Rashidun}}
After uniting the [[Tribes of Arabia|Arabian tribes]] into a single Muslim religious polity in the last years of his life, Muhammad's death in 632 signalled disagreement over who would succeed him as leader of the [[Ummah|Muslim community]].<ref>Lapidus (2002), p.31 and 32</ref>While Ali and the rest of Muhammad's close family were washing his body for burial, at a gathering attended by a small group of Muslims at [[Saqifah]], a close companion of Muhammad named [[Abu Bakr]] was nominated for the leadership of the community. Others added their support and Abu Bakr was made the first caliph. The choice of Abu Bakr disputed by some of the Muhammad's companions, who held that Ali had been designated his successor by Muhammad himself.
<ref>See:
* Holt (1970), p.57
* Madelung (1996), pp.26-27, 30-43 and 356-360
</ref><ref name="Islam"/>
Following his election to the caliphate, Abu Bakr and [[Umar]] with a few other companions headed to [[Umar at Fatimah's house|Fatimah's house]] to obtain homage from Ali and his supporters who had gathered there. Then Umar threatened to set the house on fire unless they came out and swore allegiance with Abu Bakr. <ref> Madelung, 1997, p. 43</ref> There isn't consensus among the sources about what happened next. Some sources say upon seeing them, Ali came out with his sword drawn but was disarmed by Umar and their companions. [[Fatimah]], in support of her husband, started a commotion and threatened to "uncover her hair", at which Abu Bakr relented and withdrew.<ref name=EoI>"Fatima", Encyclopedia of Islam. Brill Online.</ref> Ali is reported to have repeatedly said that had there been forty men with him he would have resisted.<ref> Madelung, 1997, p. 43</ref> When Abu Bakr's selection to the caliphate was presented as a fait accompli, Ali withheld his oaths of allegiance until after the death of Fatimah. Ali did not actively assert his own right because he did not want to throw the nascent Muslim community into strife.<ref name="Iranica"/>
This contentious issue led Muslims to later split into two groups, Sunni and Shi'a. Sunnis assert that even though Muhammad never appointed a successor, [[Abu Bakr]] was elected first caliph by the Muslim community. The Sunnis recognize the first four caliphs as [[Rashidun|Muhammad's rightful successors]]. Shi'as believe that Muhammad explicitly named his successor Ali at [[Ghadir Khumm]] and Muslim leadership belonged to him who had been determined by [[Nasb|divine order]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last= |first= | authorlink= | title=Sunnite |year=| encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica Online | accessdate=2007-04-11|location=|publisher= Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9070378/Sunnite}}</ref><ref name="Islam"/>
The two groups also disagree on Ali's attitude towards Abu Bakr, and the two caliphs who succeeded him: [[Umar]] and [[Uthman Ibn Affan]]. Sunnis tend to stress Ali's acceptance and support of their rule, while the Shi'a claim that he distanced himself from them, and that he was being kept from fulfilling the religious duty that Muhammad had appointed to him. Sunnis maintain that if Ali was the rightful successor as ordained by God Himself, then it would have been his duty as leader of the Muslim nation to make war with these people (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman) until Ali established the decree. Shias contend that Ali did not fight Abu Bakr, Umar or Uthman, because firstly he did not have the military strength and if he decided to, it would have caused a civil war amongst the Muslims.<ref>Sahih Bukhari [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/057.sbt.html#005.057.050 5.57.50]</ref> Ali also believed that he could fulfil his role of Imam'ate without this fighting .<ref>Chirri (1982)</ref>
Ali himself was firmly convinced of his legitimacy for [[caliphate]] based on his close kinship with Muhammad, his intimate association and his knowledge of Islam and his merits in serving its cause. He told Abu Bakr that his delay in pledging allegiance (''[[bay'ah]]'') as caliph was based on his belief of his own prior title. Ali did not change his mind when he finally pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr and then to Umar and to Uthman but had done so for the sake of the unity of Islam, at a time when it was clear that the Muslims had turned away from him.<ref>See:
* Madelung (1996), pp.141 and 270
* Ashraf (2005), pp. 99 and 100
</ref><ref name="Islam"/>
According to historical reports, Ali maintained his right to the caliphate and said:
<blockquote>"By Allah the son of Abu Quhafah (Abu Bakr) dressed himself with it (the caliphate) and he certainly knew that my position in relation to it was the same as the position of the axis in relation to the hand-mill...I put a curtain against the caliphate and kept myself detached from it... I watched the plundering of my inheritance till the first one went his way but handed over the Caliphate to Ibn al-Khattab after himself.<ref name="Sermon 3">
* [[Nahj Al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/SermonDetail.php?Sermon=3 Nahj Al-Balagha Sermon 3]
* For Isnad of this sermon and the name of the names of scholars who narrates it see [http://books.google.com/books?id=zQjKHj0vA1IC&pg=PA112&dq=Ali+axis++hand-mill&ei=GEPmR5jmDZG0yQSY9InCAg&sig=LitcBMh39oXValrXDMsMwnFTXKA#PPA108,M1 Nahjul Balagha, Mohammad Askari Jafery (1984), pp. 108-112] </ref>
</blockquote>
===Inheritance===
{{Mainarticle|Fadak}}
{{seealso|Hadith of Muhammad's inheritance}}
After Muhammad died his daughter, [[Fatimah]], asked Abu Bakr to turn over their property, the lands of [[Fadak]] and [[Khaybar]] but he refused and told her that [[Prophets of Islam|prophets]] didn't have any legacy and Fadak belonged to the Muslim community. Abu Bakr said to her, "Allah's Apostle said, [[Prophet of Islam|we]] do not have heirs, whatever we leave is [[Sadaqa]]." Ali together with [[Umm Ayman]] testified to the fact that Muhammad granted it to Fatimah Zahra, when Abu Bakr requested Fatima to summon witnesses for her claim. Fatimah became angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude until she died.<ref>See:
* Madelung (1997) pp.50 and 51
* Ordoni (1990) p. 211
*{{cite quran|27|16}}
*{{cite quran|21|89}}
*{{Bukhari|4|53|325}}
*{{Bukhari|5|59|546}}
*{{muslim|19|4352}}
</ref>
After Fatima's death Ali again claimed her inheritance during Umar's era, but was denied with the same argument. Umar, the caliph who succeeded Abu Bakr, did restore the estates in Medina to [[`Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib]] and Ali, as representatives of Muhammad's clan, the [[Banu Hashim]]. The properties in Khaybar and Fadak were retained as state property.<ref>
* Madelung (1997) pp.62-64
*{{Bukhari|4|53|326}}</ref>
===Life after Muhammad===
{{seealso|Origin and development of the Qur'an}}
Another part of Ali's life started in 632 after death of Muhammad and lasted until assassination of [[Uthman Ibn Affan]], the third caliph in 656. During these years, Ali neither took part in any battle or [[Muslim conquests|conquest]].<ref name="Iranica"/> nor did he assume any executive position. He withdrew from political affairs, especially after the death of his wife, [[Fatima Zahra]]. He used his time to serve his family and worked as a farmer. Ali dug a lot of wells and gardens near Medina and endowed them for public use. These wells are known today as ''[[Abar Ali]]'' ("Ali's wells").<ref>[http://www.eurohajjmission.org/Intro/History.htm History of Mecca, Medina and all other Ziyarats]</ref> He also made gardens for his family and descendants.
Ali compiled a complete version of the Qur'an, ''[[mus'haf]]''.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last = Nasr |first = Seyyed Hossein | authorlink = Seyyed Hossein Nasr | title = Qur'an |year = 2007| encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Britannica Online | accessdate = 2007-11-04|location = |publisher = |http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-68890/Quran}}</ref> six months after the death of Muhammad. The volume was completed and carried by camel to show to other people of Medina. The order of this ''mus'haf'' differed from that which was gathered later during the [[Uthman Ibn Affan|Uthman]]ic era. This book was rejected by several people when he showed it to them. Despite this, Ali made no objection or resistance against [[Origin and development of the Qur'an#Standardization|''standardized mus'haf'']].<ref>See:*Tabatabaee, 1987, chapter 5
*Observations on Early Qur'an Manuscripts in San'a
*The Qur'an as Text'', ed. Wild, Brill, 1996 ISBN 90-04-10344-9</ref>
===Ali and the Rashidun Caliphs===
{{Seealso|Rashidun|The election of Uthman}}
Ali did not give his oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr until some time after the death of his wife, Fatimah.<ref name="Iranica"/> Ali participated in the funeral of Abu Bakr but did not participate in the [[Ridda Wars]].<ref>
See:
*Ashraf (2005), p. 100 and 101
*Madelung (1996), p.141
*{{Bukhari|5|59|546}}
*{{Bukhari|8|82|817}}
*{{muslim|19|4352}}
*[[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari]], vol. 3, p.208; [[Ibn Qutaybah]], vol. 1, p.29; [http://islamichistory.wordpress.com/files/2006/12/the-succession-to-muhammad-web-edition.ppt quoted in Ayoub, 2003, 18]
*[[Sa'id Akhtar Rizvi|Rizvi, Sa'id Akhtar]], Imamate: The Vicegerency of the Prophet by , quoting [[Ibn Qutaybah]] [http://www.al-islam.org/imamate/3.htm 18. SUNNI VIEWS ON THE CALIPHATE]
*[http://www.al-islam.org/Organizations/Aalimnetwork/msg00166.html Shi'a encyclopedia] quoting from [[Ibn Qutaybah]], [[Muhammad al-Bukhari]], [[Massudi]], [[Ibn Abu al-Hadid]]
*[[The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]] by [[Edward Gibbon]], section [http://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume2/chap50.htm Reign of Abubeker; A.D. 632, June 7.]</ref>
He pledged allegiance to the second caliph [[Umar ibn Khattab]] and helped him as a trusted advisor. Caliph Umar particularly relied upon Ali as the Chief Judge of Medina. He also advised Umar to set [[Hijra]] as the beginning of the [[Islamic calendar]]. Umar used Ali's suggestions in political issues as well as religious ones. <ref>See
* Ashraf (2005), pp.107-110
* [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/37_ali_bin_talib.htm The Caliphate of Umar]
</ref>
Ali was one of [[The election of Uthman|the electoral council to choose the third caliph]] and one of the two major candidates. According to [[Comments on the Peak of Eloquence (Ibn Abi al-Hadid)|Ibn Abi al-Hadid's Comments on the Peak of Eloquence]] Ali insisted on his prominence there, but most of the electors supported Uthman and Ali was reluctantly urged to accept him.<ref>See:
* Madelung 1997 p. 70 - 72
* Dakake (2008), p.41
</ref>
===Siege of Uthman===
{{main|Siege of Uthman}}
[[Uthman Ibn Affan]], expressed generosity toward his kin, [[Banu Abd-Shams]], who seemed to dominate him and his supposed arrogant mistreatment toward several of the earliest [[Sahaba|companions]] such as [[Abu Dharr al-Ghifari]], [[Abd-Allah ibn Mas'ud]] and [[Ammar ibn Yasir]] provoked outrage among some groups of people. Dissatisfaction and resistance openly arose since 650-651 CE throughout most of the empire.<ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 87 and 88</ref> The dissatisfaction with his regime and the governments appointed by him was not restricted to the provinces outside [[Arabia]].<ref>Madelung (1997), p. 90</ref> When Uthman's kin, especially [[Marwan I|Marwan]], gained control over him, the noble companions including most of the [[The election of Uthman|the members of elector council]], turned against him or at least withdrew their support putting pressure on the caliph to mend his ways and reduce the influence of his assertive kin.<ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 92-107</ref>
Finally, dissatisfaction led to rebellion in [[Egypt]], [[Kufa]] and [[Basra]]. At the start of the rebellion, people demanded that the exiled be returned to their homes, the deprived be provided sustenance, the men of strength and integrity be appointed as governors, and so on.<ref>* Madelung (1997), p. 129</ref> They requested Ali to speak to Uthman on their behalf and to admonish him for their sake.<ref name="Iranica"/> Ali told Uthman "The people are behind me and they have made me an ambassador between you and themselves." He forewarned Uthman that he should change his manner immediately or he would be killed. Ali told him "I swear to you by Allah that you should not be that Imam of the people who will be killed because it has been said that, 'An imam of this people will be killed after which killing and fighting will be made open for them till the Day of Judgment, and he will confuse their matters and spread troubles over them. As a result, they will not discern truth from wrong.'"<ref>See:
* al-Tabari (1990), v.XV pp.141 and 142
* Madelung (1997), pp. 111 and 114 </ref>
Later, when Egyptian rebels gathered near [[Medina]], Uthman asked Ali to speak with them. The delegates of ''[[Muhajirun]]'' led by Ali beside [[Ansar]]i delegates led by [[Muhammad Ibn Maslamah]] met them and persuade them to return, by promising them in the name of the caliph, redress for all their grievances and agreeing to act as guarantors. Due to their mediation and Uthman's commitment, the rebellion settled down but then rose up again. Marwan persuaded Uthman to change his ways again. Ali warned Uthman that Marwan wants to ruin him. Gradually the relation between Uthman and Ali became worse.<ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 111-112</ref>
When Egyptian rebels returned to Medina, outraged by the official letter ordering the punishment of their leaders, Ali as the guarantor of Uthman's promises asked him to speak with the people directly. Uthman denied any knowledge about the letter and Ali and Muhammad Ibn Maslamah attested. At this time, however, the choices offered by the rebels amounted to resignation or abdication of Uthman and selection of another caliph. Ali left them when turmoil broke out. Ali seems to have broken with Uthman in despair over his own ability to break the disastrous influence of Marwan on the caliph. Ali intervened only when informed that the rebels were preventing the delivery of water to the besieged caliph. <ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 112, 113 and 130</ref> He tried to mitigate the severity of the siege by his insistence that Uthman should be allowed water.<ref name="Iranica"/> There are different reports about Ali's role while rebels besieged his palace. Some historians, like [[Leone Caetani]], accuse him as the chief culprit in the murder of the caliph, some others such as Madelung say Ali did not support Uthman while others report that Ali even sent his own sons to protect Uthman's house when he was in danger of being attacked.
<ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 107 and 134</ref>
<ref name="Britannica"/>
<!-- Later Ali said he had neither helped him nor tried to kill him. According to his viewpoint Uthman appropriated wealth and did it badly. Rebels protested against it and committed excess therein.<ref>See:
*[[Nahj al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/sermons.php Sermon 30] </ref>-->
There is controversy among historians about the relationship between Ali and [[Uthman Ibn Affan|Uthman]]. Although pledging allegiance to Uthman, Ali disagreed with some of his policies. In particular, he clashed with Uthman on the question of religious law. He insisted that [[Hudud|religious punishment]] had to done in several cases such as [[Ubayd Allah ibn Umar]] and [[Walid ibn Uqba]]. In 650 during [[Hajj|pilgrimage]], he confronted Uthman with reproaches for his change of the prayer ritual. When Uthman declared that he would take whatever he needed from the [[fey']], Ali exclaimed that in that case the caliph would e prevented by force. Ali endeavored to protect companions from maltreatment by the caliph such as [[Ibn Mas'ud]]. <ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 109 and 110</ref> Therefore, some historians consider Ali as one the leading members of Uthman's opposition, if not the main one. Because he could clearly be expected to be the prime beneficiary of the overthrow of Uthman. But [[Madelung]] rejects their judgment due to the fact that Ali did not have the [[Quraysh]]'s support to be elected as a caliph. According to him, there is even no evidence that Ali had close relations with rebels who supported his caliphate or directed their actions.
<ref>See:
* Holt (1970), pp. 67 - 68
* Madelung (1997), pp. 107 and 111
</ref> Some other sources says Ali had acted as a restraining influence on Uthman without directly opposing him.<ref name="Iranica"/> However Madelung narrates [[Marwan I|Marwan]] told [[Zayn al-Abidin]], the grandson of Ali, that
<blockquote>No one [among the Islamic nobility] was more temperate toward our master than your master.<ref> Madelung (1997), p.334</ref></blockquote>
==Caliphate==
{{seealso|Rashidun Empire|Ali caliphate}}
===Election as Caliph===
Ali was [[Caliphate|caliph]] between 656 and 661 CE, during one of the more turbulent periods in [[Muslim history]], which also coincided with the [[First Fitna]].
Uthman's assassination meant that rebels had to select a new caliph. This met with difficulties, the rebels dividing into several groups comprising the ''[[Muhajirun]]'', ''[[Ansar]]'', [[Egypt]]ians, [[Kufa]]ns and [[Bassorah|Basntes]]. There were three candidates Ali, [[Talhah]] and [[Al-Zubayr]]. First they referred to Ali and asked him to accept the caliphate. Some of Muhammad's [[Sahaba|companions]] tried to persuade him to accept the office,<ref name="Sermon 3"/><ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 119</ref><ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 141-143</ref> but he refused and suggested to be a counselor not a chief.<ref>Hamidullah (1988), p.126</ref>
Talhah, al-Zubayr and some other companions refused the rebels' offer of caliphate. Therefore they threatened that, unless the people of Medina choose a caliph within one day, they would be forced to take some drastic action. In order to resolve the deadlock, the Muslims gathered in the [[Al-Masjid al-Nabawi|Mosque of the Prophet]] on [[June 18]], [[656]] CE (19th [[Dhu al-Hijjah]] 35AH.) to choose the caliph. Ali refused to accept the caliphate by the fact that the people who pressed him hardest were the rebels, and he therefore declined at first. However, when the notable companions of Muhammad, as well as the people who resided in Medina urged him to accept, he finally agreed.
According to [[Abu Mekhnaf]]'s narration, Talhah was the first prominent companion who gave his pledge, but other narrations claim they did not do so or someone forced them. In addition, Talhah and al-Zubayr later claimed they did so reluctantly. Regardless, Ali refused these claims and stated that they recognized him as caliph voluntarily. [[Wilferd Madelung]] believes that force did not urge people to give their pledge and they pledged publicly in the mosque.<ref>Ashraf (2005), pp. 119-120</ref><ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 141-145</ref><ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
While the overwhelming majority of people who lived in Medina as well as rebels gave their pledge, some major figures did not do so. [[Umayyad]]s, kins of Uthman, escaped to the [[Levant]] or remained in their houses and later refused Ali's legitimacy. [[Sa`ad ibn Abi Waqqas]] was absent and [[Abdullah ibn Umar]] abstained from offering his allegiance, but both of them assured Ali that they wouldn't act against him.<ref>Ashraf (2005), pp. 119-120</ref><ref>Madelung (1997), pp. 141-145</ref> Another prominent figure in [[Mecca]] at that time, and who later opposed Ali, was Muhammad's widow [[A'isha]].
===Reign as Caliph===
[[Image:Mohammad adil rais-Rashidun Caliphate-different phases.gif|thumb|right|375px|Domains of [[Rashidun empire]] under [[Rashidun|four caliphs]]. The divided phase relates to [[Ali caliphate]].
{{legend|#009900|Strongholds of Rashidun Caliphate}}
{{legend|#00ff00|Vassal states of Rashidun Caliphate}}
{{legend|#ef1000|Region under the control of [[Muawiyah I]] during civil war 656-661}}
{{legend|#5200FA|Region under under the control of [[Amr ibn al-As]] During civil war 658-661}}]]
Ali told people that Muslim polity had come to be plagued by dissension and discord; he wanted to purge Islam of all evil. Ali advised people to behave as true Muslims, warning all concerned that he would tolerate no sedition and all found guilty of subversive activities would be dealt with harshly. <ref>Ashraf (2005), p. 121</ref>
Ali soon found that he was helpless and the prisoner of the people who did not obey him. The caliphate was a gift of the rebels and Ali did not have enough force to control or punish them.<ref>
Ashraf (2005), p. 121
</ref>
While [[A'isha]], Talhah, Al-Zubayr and Umayyad especially [[Muawiyah I]] wanted to take revenge for Uthman's death and punish the rioters who had killed him. However some historians believe that they use this issue to seek their political ambitions due to they found Ali's caliphate against their own benefit.<ref name="Iranica"/><ref name="Tabatabae191"/><ref>See:
* Madelung (1997), pp.147 and 148
</ref>
Soon after Ali became caliph, he dismissed provincial governors who had been appointed by Uthman, and replaced them with trusted aides. He acted against the counsel of [[Mughrah ibn Shobah]] and [[Ibn Abbas]], who had advised him to proceed cautiously. Madelung says Ali was deeply convinced of his right and his religious mission, unwilling to compromise his principles for the sake of political expediencey, ready to fight against overwhelming odds.<ref>See:
* Madelung (1997), pp.148 and 149</ref> Muawiyah, kinsman of Uthman and governor of [[Levant]] refused to submit to Ali's orders - the only governor to do this.<ref name="Iranica"/><ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
After the [[Battle of Bassorah]], Ali transferred his capital from Medina to Kufa, the Muslim garrison city in [[Iraq]]. Kufa was in the middle of Islamic land and had strategic position.<ref>[http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/SHIA/ALI.HTM 'Ali]</ref><ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
Ali resumed the land granted by Uthman and swore to resume anything the elites had taken before him. He opposed the centralization of capital control over provincial revenues, favoring an equal distribution of [[Islamic tax|taxes]] and booty among the Muslims again. He distributed the entire revenue of the [[Bayt al-mal|treasury]] among Muslims. Ali did not give anybody something more, even if he would his brother, [[Aqil ibn Abi Talib]]<ref name="Iranica"/><ref>See:
* Lapidus (2002), p. 46
* Madelung (1997), pp. 150 and 264
</ref>
<!-- Ali believed that people and governors have rights over each other and God created these rights so as to equate with one another. The greatest of these rights that Allah has made obligatory is the right of the ruler over the ruled and the right of the ruled over the ruler. If the ruled fulfill the rights of the ruler and the ruler fulfills their rights, then right attains the position of honor among them, the ways of religion become established, signs of justice become fixed and the [[sunnah]] gains currency. He wrote directions for his officials which clearly show what form of regime he wanted to introduce. It was not to be a regime whose officers had an upper hand and were fattened on public money. It was to be a regime where the governed and the tax-payers were at premium. It was their convenience for which the State was to function. It was a welfare-state working solely for the welfare of the people living under its rule, a regime where the rich cannot get richer while the poor are made poorer; a regime where canons of religion hold the balance between the governed and the ruler. He asked people not to speak with him as they spoke with cruel governors and be honest with him.<ref>[[Nahj al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/sermons.php Sermon 215]
[http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/letters.php Letters 25, 26, 27, 40, 41, 43, ]</ref>
Ali had decisive beliefs that he shouldn't start a war with other Muslims but when the enemy started it his army wouldn't retreat unless they wanted to attack again. He ordered his soldiers not to kill who would become injured, or not be able to defend himself, or escape from the battlefield and injuries and wanted his warriors not to injure women.<ref>[[Nahj al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/letters.php Letter 14] </ref>
-->
===First Fitna===
{{Campaignbox First Fitna}}
{{Seealso|First Fitna}}
[[Image:Battle of Siffin1.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Battle of Siffin]], illustration from a 19th century manuscript by [[Muhammad Rafi Bazil]]. There are [[Persian language|Persian]] poems on the above and bottom of the picture.]]
The First Fitna, 656–661 CE, followed the assassination of [[Uthman]], continued during the caliphate of Ali, and was ended by Muawiyah's assumption of the caliphate. This civil war (often called the ''[[Fitna (word)|Fitna]]'') is regretted as the end of the early unity of the Islamic [[ummah]] (nation). Ali was first opposed by a faction led by Talhah, Al-Zubayr and Muhammad's wife, [[Aisha]] bint Abu Bakr. This group, known as "disobedients" (''Nakithin'') by their enemies, gathered in Mecca then moved to [[Basra]] with the expectation of finding the necessary forces and resources to mobilize people in what is now Iraq. The rebels occupied Basra, killing many people. They refused Ali's offer of obedience and pledge of allegiance. The two sides met at the [[Battle of Bassorah]] (Battle of the Camel) in 656, where Ali emerged victorious.<ref>See:
* Lapidus (2002), p.47
* Holt (1970), p.70 - 72
* Tabatabaei (1979), p.50 - 53
</ref>
Ali appointed [[Ibn Abbas]] governor of Basra and moved his capital to [[Kufa]]. Later he was challenged by [[Muawiyah I]], the governor of [[Levant]] and the cousin of [[Uthman]], who refused Ali's demands for allegiance and called for revenge for Uthman. Ali opened negotiations hoping to regain his allegiance, but Muawiyah insisted on Levant autonomy under his rule. Muawiyah replied by mobilizing his Levantine supporters and refusing to pay homage to Ali on the pretext that his contingent had not participated in his election. The two armies encamped themselves at [[Siffin]] for more than one hundred days, most of the time being spent in negotiations. Although, Ali exchanged several letters with Muawiyah, he was unable to dismiss the latter, nor persuade him to pledge allegiance. Skirmishes between the parties led to the [[Battle of Siffin]] in 657. After a week of combat was followed by a violent battle known as ''laylat al-harir'' (the night of clamor), Muawiyah's army were on the point of being routed when [[Amr ibn al-Aas]] advised Muawiyah to have his soldiers hoist ''[[mus'haf]]'' (either parchments inscribed with verses of the Qur'an, or complete copies of it) on their spearheads in order to cause disagreement and confusion in Ali's army.<ref name="Iranica"/><ref>See:
* Lapidus (2002), p. 47;
* Holt (1970), p. 70 - 72;
* Tabatabaei (1979), p. 53 - 54;</ref> Ali saw through the stratagem, but only a minority wanted to pursue the fight.<ref name="Islam"/>
The two armies finally agreed to settle the matter of who should be Caliph by arbitration. The refusal of the largest bloc in Ali's army to fight was the decisive factor in his acceptance of the arbitration. The question as to whether the arbiter would represent Ali or the [[Kufah|Kufans]] caused a further split in Ali's army. [[Ash'ath ibn Qays]] and some others rejected Ali's nominees, [[`Abd Allah ibn `Abbas]] and [[Malik al-Ashtar]], and insisted on [[Abu Musa Ash'ari]], who was opposed by Ali, since he had earlier prevented people from supporting him. Finally, Ali was urged to accept Abu Musa. Some of Ali's supporters, later were known as [[Kharijites]] ([[schisma]]tics), opposed this decision and rebelled and Ali had to fight with them in the [[Battle of Nahrawan]]. The arbitration resulted in the dissolution of Ali's coalition and some have opined that this was Muawiyah's intention.<ref name="Iranica"/><ref>See:
* Madelung (1997), pp. 241 - 259;
* Lapidus (2002), p. 47;
* Holt (1970), pp. 70 - 72;
* Tabatabaei (1979), pp. 53 - 54;</ref>
Muawiyah's army invaded and plundered cities of [[Iraq]], which Ali's governors could not prevent and people did not support him to fight with them. Muawiyah overpowered [[Egypt]], [[Hijaz]], [[Yemen]] and other areas.<ref>
Madelung (1997), pp. 267-269 and 293-307
</ref>
This civil war created permanent divisions within the Muslim community regarding who had the legitimate right to occupy the caliphate.<ref>See:
* Lapidus (2002), p.47
* Holt (1970), p.72
* Tabatabaei (1979), p.57</ref>
===Death===
On the 19th of Ramadan, while Ali was praying in the mosque of Kufa, a [[Kharijite]] [[Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam]] assassinated him with a strike of his poison-coated sword. Ali, wounded by the poisonous sword, lived for two days and died in Kufa on the 21st of Ramadan in 661 CE.<ref> Tabatabae (1979), page 192</ref>
Ali ordered his sons not to attack the Kharijites, since the assassination was performed by a single member of the group. They had to take vengeance against only Ibn Muljam.<ref>Kelsay (1993), p. 92</ref> Thus, Hasan fulfilled [[Qisas]] and killed ibn Muljam.<ref>Madelung (1997), p.309</ref>
<!-- In these two days he dictated his will to his household "My advice to you is that you should not consider anyone as a co-worker of the Lord, be firm in your belief that there is One and only One Allah. Do not waste the knowledge given to you by the Muhammad and do not give up and destroy his [[Sunnah]] [traditions]. Keep these two pillars of Islam [monotheism and Sunnah of the Muhammad] aloft. If you act according to my advice then you cannot be blamed for damaging or destroying the religion."
<ref>[[Nahj Al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/LetterDetail.php?Letter=23 Letter 23]</ref>-->
===Burial===
[[Image:Mazar-e sharif - Steve Evans.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rawze-e-Sharif]], the Blue Mosque, in [[Mazari Sharif]], [[Afghanistan]] - Where a minority of Muslims believe Ali ibn Abi Talib is buried]]
According to [[Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid]], Ali did not want his grave to be desecrated by his enemies and consequently asked his friends and family to bury him secretly. This secret gravesite was revealed later during the [[Abbasid]] caliphate by [[Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq]], his descendant and the sixth Shia Imam.<ref>Al-Mufid (1986)</ref> Most Shi'as accept that Ali is buried at the [[Holiest sites in Islam#Tomb of Imam Ali, Najaf|Tomb of Imam Ali]] in the [[Imam Ali Mosque]] at what is now the city of [[Najaf]], which grew around the mosque and shrine called Masjid Ali.<ref name="Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib">{{cite book| last = Redha| first = Mohammad| coauthors = Mohammad Agha| title = Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (Imam Ali the Fourth Caliph, 1/1 Volume)| publisher = Dar Al Kotob Al ilmiyah| date = 1999| id = ISBN 2-7451-2532-X}}</ref><ref name="Medieval"/>
However another story, usually maintained by some Afghans, notes that his body was taken and buried in the Afghan city of [[Mazar-E-Sharif]] at the famous Blue Mosque or [[Rawze-e-Sharif]].<ref>[http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/cities/afghanistan/balkh.html Balkh and Mazar-e-Sharif]</ref>
==Aftermath==
{{seealso|Umayyad dynasty|Umayyad tradition of cursing Ali}}
After Ali's death, Kufi Muslims pledged allegiance to his eldest son [[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]] without dispute, as Ali on many occasions had declared that just ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]'' of Muhammad were entitled to rule the Muslim community.<ref>Madlong (1997), pp. 313 - 314</ref>
At this time, Muawiyah held both Levant and Egypt and, as commander of the largest force in the Muslim Empire, had declared himself caliph and marched his army into Iraq, the seat of Hasan's caliphate. War ensued during which Muawiyah gradually subverted the generals and commanders of Hasan's army with large sums of money and deceiving promises until the army rebelled against him. Finally, Hasan was forced to make peace and to yield the caliphate to Muawiyah. In this way Muawiyah captured the Islamic caliphate and in every way possible placed the severest pressure upon Ali's family and his [[Shi'a]]. Regular public cursing of Imam Ali in the [[Salat#Prayer_in_congregation|congregational prayers]] remained a vital institution which was not abolished until 60 years later by [[Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz]].
Muawiyah also established the [[Umayyad]] caliphate which was a centralized monarchy.
<ref>
* Lapidus (2002), p.47
* Holt (1970), p.72
* Tabatabaei (1979), p.195
* Madelung (1997), p.334</ref>
<ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
[[Madelung]] writes:
<blockquote>In face of the fake [[Umayyad]] claim to legitimate sovereignty in Islam as God's Vice-regents on earth, and in view of Umayyad treachery, arbitrary and divisive government, and vindictive retribution, they came to appreciate his [Ali's] honesty, his unbending devotion to the reign of Islam, his deep personal loyalties, his equal treatment of all his supporters, and his generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies.<ref>Madelung (1997), pp.309-310</ref></blockquote>
==Knowledge==
{{seealso|Nahj al-Balagha}}
{{Wikiquote}}
Ali is respected not only as a warrior and leader, but as a writer and religious authority. Numerous range of disciplines from [[Kalam|theology]] and [[Tafsir|exegesis]] to [[Calligraphy#Islamic_calligraphy|calligraphy]] and [[numerology]], from [[Shariah|law]] and [[Sufism|mysticism]] to [[Arabic grammar]] and [[Rhetoric]] regarded as having been first adumbrated by Ali. <ref name="Medieval">{{cite encyclopedia|last=ShahKazemi |first=Reza | authorlink= | title='Ali ibn Abi Talib |year=2006 | encyclopedia=Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia | accessdate=2008-04-02 |location= |publisher= Taylor & Francis |id = ISBN 0415966914 }}, Pages 36 and 37 </ref>
Shia and Sufis believe that Muhammad told about him "I'm the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate..."<ref name="Medieval"/><ref>
See:
*«حدیث متواتر عن النبی نقله العامة و الخاصة»
شیخ آغابزرگ تهرانی، تاریخ حصر الاجتهاد، تحقیق محمد علی انصاری، قم، موسسة الامام المهدی، 1401 ه ، ص 53.*
10. حاكم نیشابوری، المستدرك علی الصحیحین، تحقیق دكتر یوسف مرعشلی، بیروت، دار المعرفه، 1406ه ، ج 3، ص 126.
*«رواه احمد من ثمانیة طرق و ابراهیم الثقفی من سبعة الطرق و ابنبطه من ستة طرق و القاضی الجعانی من خمسة طرق و ابنشاهین من اربعة طرق و الخطیب التاریخی من ثلاثة طرق و یحیی بن معین من طریقین و قد رواه السمعانی و القاضی الماوردی و ابومنصور السکری و ابوالصلت الهروی و عبدالرزاق و شریک عن ابنعباس و مجاهد و جابر»
ابن شهر آشوب، مناقب آل ابی طالب، تحقیق گروهی از اساتید نجف، مطبعه الحیدریه، 1376 ه ، ج 11، ص 314.
</ref><ref>[http://www.sufism.info/journal/knowledge.htm School of Islamic Sufism]</ref><ref>[http://www.spiritualfoundation.net/sayingsofhadratali.htm World of Tasawwuf]</ref> <!-- Ali told people about himself "Ask me before you miss me."<ref>"سلوني قبل ان تفقدوني"
See: * [[Nahj Al-Balagha]] [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/sermons.php Sermon Sermon 92 and 188]</ref> -->
Muslims regard Ali as a major authority on Islam. <ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
As [[Henry Corbin]] narrates, Ali himself gives this testimony:
<blockquote>Not a single [[Ayah|verse]] of the [[Qur'an]] [[Wahy|descended]] upon (was revealed to) the [[Muhammad|Messenger of God]] which he did not proceed to dictate to me and make me [[Qira'at|recite]]. I would [[Mushaf|write it with my own hand]], and he would instruct me as to its ''tafsir'' (the literal explanation)
and the ''[[ta'wil]]'' (the spiritual exegesis), the ''[[Naskh (tafsir)|nasikh]]'' (the verse which abrogates) and the ''[[mansukh]]'' (the abrogated verse), the ''[[Muhkam (tafsir)|muhkam]]'' and the ''[[mutashabih]]'' (the fixed and the ambiguous), the particular and the general...<ref>Corbin (1993), p.46
</ref></blockquote>
In later [[Islamic philosophy]], especially in the teachings of [[Mulla Sadra]] and his followers, like [[Allameh Tabatabaei]], Ali's sayings and sermons were increasingly regarded as central sources of metaphysical knowledge, or divine philosophy. Members of [[Transcendent Theosophy|Sadra's school]] regard Ali as the supreme metaphysician of Islam.<ref name="Britannica"/> According to Henry Corbin, the ''Nahj al-Balagha'' may be regarded as one of the most important sources of doctrines professed by Shia thinkers especially after 1500AD. Its influence can be sensed in the logical co-ordination of terms, the deduction of correct conclusions, and the creation of certain technical terms in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] which entered the literary and [[Philosophy|philosophical language]] independently of the translation into Arabic of [[Greek language|Greek]] texts.<ref>Corbin (1993), p. 35</ref>
Ali was also a great scholar of Arabic literature and pioneered in the field of grammar and rhetoric. His speeches, sermons and letters served for generations afterward as models of literary expression.<ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/> Numerous short sayings of Ali have become part of general Islamic culture and are quoted as aphorisms and proverbs in daily life. They have also become the basis of literary works or have been integrated into poetic verse in many languages. Already in the 8th century, literary authorities such as [['Abd al-Hamid ibn Yahya al-'Amiri]] pointed to the unparalleled eloquence of Ali's sermons and sayings, as did [[al-Jahiz]] in the following century.<ref name="Britannica"/>
Even workers in the [[Divan]] of [[Umayyad]] recited Ali's sermons to improve their eloquence.<ref>"حفظت سبعين خطبة من خطب الاصلع ففاضت ثم فاضت ) ويعني بالاصلع أمير المؤمنين عليا عليه السلام"[http://www.rafed.net/books/turathona/5/ts2.html مقدمة في مصادر نهج البلاغة] </ref> Of course, ''Peak of Eloquence'' (''[[Nahj al-Balagha]]'') is an extract of Ali's quotations from a literal viewpoint as its compiler mentioned in the preface. While there are many other quotations, prayers ([[Du'a]]s), sermons and letters in other literal, historic and religious books.<ref>See:
* [http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/books/nahjulbalaga/sources.htm Sources of Nahj Al-Balagha]
* [http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/books/nahjulbalaga/bibg.htm Other sources of Ali's quotations]
</ref>
In addition, some hidden or occult sciences such as ''[[jafr]]'',Islamic [[numerology]], the science of the symbolic significance of the letters of the [[Arabic alphabet]], are said to have been established by Ali.<ref name="Britannica"/>
===Related works===
The compilation of sermons, lectures and quotations attributed to Ali are compiled in the form of several books.
* ''[[Nahj al-Balagha]]'' (Way of Eloquence) contains eloquent sermons, letters and quotations attributed to Ali which is compiled by [[ash-Sharif ar-Radi]]. This book has a prominent position in [[Arabic literature]]. It is also considered as an important intellectual, political and religious work in Islam.<ref name="Muta97">Mutahhari, 1997 [http://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/glimpses/1.htm The Glimpses of Nahj al Balaghah Part I - Introduction]</ref><ref>Shah-Kazemi (2006), p.3</ref><ref name="Britannica"/> ''Masadir Nahj al-Balagha wa asaniduh'' written by [[al-Sayyid `Abd al-Zahra' al-Husayni al-Khatib]] introduces some of these sources.<ref>[http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/books/nahjulbalaga/altsourc.htm Quarterly Journal of Islamic Thought and Culture, Vol. VII, No. 1 issue of Al-Tawhid]</ref> Also ''Nahj al-sa'adah fi mustadrak Nahj al-balaghah'' by [[Muhammad Baqir al-Mahmudi]] represents all of Ali's extant speeches, sermons, decrees, epistles, prayers, and sayings have been collected. It includes the Nahj al-balagha and other discourses which were not incorporated by ash-Sharif ar-Radi or were not available to him. Apparently, except for some of the aphorisms, the original sources of all the contents of the Nahj al-balagha have been determined.<ref name="Muta97"/> There are several [[Comments on the Peak of Eloquence]] by Sunnis and Shias such as [[Comments on the Peak of Eloquence (Ibn Abu al-Hadid)|Comments of Ibn Abu al-Hadid]] and [[Peak of Eloquence with comments (Muhammad Abduh)|comments of Muhammad Abduh]].
* ''Divan-i Ali ibn Abi Talib'' (poems of Ali ibn Abi Talib)<ref>[http://ia350631.us.archive.org/1/items/alidw/ali.pdf Collection of Ali's poems] (I Arabic)</ref>
* ''Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim'' (Exalted aphorisms and Pearls of Speech) which is compiled by [[Abd al-Wahid Amidi]](d. 1116) consists of over ten thounsads short sayings of Ali <ref>Shah-Kazemi (2006), p.4</ref>
* ''Nuzhat al-Absar va Mahasin al-Asar'', Ali's sermons which has compiled by [[Ali ibn Muhammad Tabari Mamtiri]]<ref>[http://www.erfan.ir/farsi/news/news.php?id=453 پیدا شدن مجموعه نفیس کلمات امام علی(ع) در واتیكان] : «نزهه الأبصار و محاسن الآثار» عنوان کتابی است از ابوالحسن علی بن محمد بن مهدی طبری مامطیری، که دربر دارنده کلمات مولای متقیان امام علیبنابیطالب (ع) است و پیشینه ای بیش از نهجالبلاغه شریف رضی (ره) دارد</ref>
==Descendants==
{{main |Descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib|Alavi}}
Ali had several wives, Fatimah being the most beloved. He had four children by Fatimah, [[Hasan ibn Ali]], [[Husayn ibn Ali]], [[Zaynab bint Ali]]<ref name="Britannica"/> and [[Umm Kulthum bint Ali]]. His other well-known sons were [[al-Abbas ibn Ali]] born to [[Fatima binte Hizam]] (Um al-Banin) and [[Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah]].<ref>Stearns (2001), p.1178</ref>
Hasan, born in 625 AD, was the second Shia Imam and he also occupied the outward function of caliph for about six months. In the year 50 A.H., he was poisoned and killed by a member of his own household who, as has been accounted by historians, had been motivated by Mu'awiyah.<ref>Tabatabae (1979), page 194</ref>
Husayn, born in 626 AD, was the third Shia Imam. He lived under severe conditions of suppression and persecution by Mu'awiyah. On the tenth day of [[Muharram]], of the year 680, he lined up before the army of caliph with his small band of follower and nearly all of them were killed in the [[Battle of Karbala]]. The anniversary of his death is called the [[Day of Ashura]] and it is a day of mourning and religious observance for Shi'a Muslims.<ref> Tabatabae (1979), page 196 - 201</ref> In this battle some of Ali's other sons were killed. [[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari|Al-Tabari]] has mentioned their names in his history. [[Al-Abbas ibn Ali|Al-Abbas]], the holder of Husayn's standard, Ja'far, Abdallah and Uthman, the four sons born to [[Fatima binte Hizam]]. Muhammad and Abu Bakr. The death of the last one is doubtful.<ref>Tabari (1990) vol.XIX pp. 178-179</ref>
Some historians have added the names of Ali's others sons who were killed in Karbala, including Ibrahim, Umar and Abdallah ibn al-Asqar.<ref>[http://aashura.tripod.com/martyrs.htm The Sanctified Household]</ref><ref>[http://www.velaiat.com/shshow.asp?rsabs=43&id=kash List of Martyrs of Karbala] by Khansari "فرزندان اميراالمؤمنين(ع):
1-ابوبكربن علي(شهادت او مشكوك است). 2-جعفربن علي. 3-عباس بن علي(ابولفضل) 4-عبدالله بن علي. 5-عبدالله بن علي العباس بن علي. 6-عبدالله بن الاصغر. 7-عثمان بن علي. 8-عمر بن علي. 9-محمد الاصغر بن علي. 10-محمدبن العباس بن علي."</ref>
His daughter Zaynab — who was in Karbala — was captured by Yazid's army and later played a great role in revealing what happened to Husayn and his followers.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last= |first= | | title=Zaynab Bint ʿAlĪ |year=2004 | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Religion | accessdate=2008-04-10 |location=|publisher= Gale Group |url=http://www.bookrags.com/research/zaynab-bint-al-eorl-14/}}</ref>
Ali's descendants by Fatimah are known as ''[[sharif]]s'', ''sayeds'' or ''[[sayyid]]s''. These are honorific titles in Arabic, ''sharif'' meaning 'noble' and ''sayed'' or ''sayyid'' meaning 'lord' or 'sir'. As Muhammad's only descendants, they are respected by both Sunni and Shi'a, though the Shi'as place much more emphasis and value on the distinction.<ref name="Britannica"/>
==Views==
===Muslim view===
{{main|Ali in Muslim culture}}
[[Image:Imam Ali.jpg|thumb|19th century [[Iran]]ian painting depicting Imam Ali.]]
Except for Muhammad, there is no one in Islamic history about whom as much has been written in Islamic languages as Ali.<ref name="Britannica"/>
Ali is revered and honored by all Muslims. Having been one of the first Muslims and foremost [[Ulema]] (Islamic scholars), he was extremely knowledgeable in matters of religious belief and Islamic jurisprudence, as well as in the history of the Muslim community. He was known for his bravery and courage. Muslims honor Muhammad, Ali, and other pious Muslims and add pious interjections after their names.
==== Sunni ====
{{Mainarticle|Sunni view of Ali}}
The [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]] regard Ali as one of the ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]'' and the last of the Rashidun caliphs and one of the most influential and respected figures in Islam. Ali is held with the utmost respect along with [[Abu Bakr]], [[Umar]], and [[Uthman Ibn Affan]].<ref name="firstfourcaliphs"/>
==== Shia and Alawi ====
{{Mainarticle|Shi'a view of Ali}}
The Shias and Alawis regards Ali as the most important figure after Muhammad. According to them, Muhammad in his life time suggested on various occasions, that Ali should be the leader of Muslims after his demise like [[Hadith of the pond of Khumm]], [[Hadith of the two weighty things]], [[Hadith of the pen and paper]], [[Hadith of the invitation of the close families]], [[Hadith of the Twelve Successors]] and so on.
According to this view, Ali as the successor of Muhammad not only rules over the community in justice but also interprets the [[Sharia]] Law and its [[Esoteric interpretation of the Qur'an|esoteric meaning]]. Hence he was free from error and sin ([[Infallible#Islamic Beliefs|infallible]]) and he was appointed by God by divine decree ([[nass]]) through Muhammad.<ref> Nasr, Shi'ite Islam, preface, p. 10</ref> Ali is known as "perfect man" (''[[al-insan al-kamil]]'') similar to Muhammad according to Shia viewpoint.<ref>[http://www.irib.ir/occasions/ImamAli/en/book/chapter_1.htm Motahhari, Perfect man, Chapter 1]</ref>
Shia pilgrims usually go to [[Mashad Ali]] in [[Najaf]] for [[Ziyarat]], pray there and read "Ziyarat Amin Allah"<ref>Trust, p. 695</ref> or other ''[[Ziyaratnames]]''.<ref>Trust, p. 681</ref> Under the [[Safavid Empire]], his grave became the focus of much devoted attention, exemplified in the pilgrimage
made by [[Shah Ismail I]](d. 1524) to [[Najaf]] and [[Karbala]].<ref name="Islam"/>
==== Sufi ====
Almost all [[Sufism|Sufi]] orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through Ali, an exception being [[Naqshbandi]], who go through [[Abu Bakr]]. Even in this order, there is [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]], the great great grandson of Ali. Sufis, whether Sunni or Shi'ite, believe that Ali inherited from Muhammad the saintly power ''[[Wali|wilayah]]'' that makes the [[Sulook|spiritual journey]] to God possible.<ref name="Britannica"/> Imam Ali represents the essence of the teachings of the School of Islamic Sufism.
Sufis recite ''[[Manqabat]]'' Ali in the praise of Ali (Maula Ali), after ''[[Hamd]]'' and ''[[Naat]]'' in their ''[[Qawwali]]''.
====As a deity====
{{Mainarticle|Ghulat}}
Some groups(Sufi,Bektashi and Alevi muslims) believe that Ali is a deity in his own right or he was God [[Incarnation|incarnate]]. They are known collectively as '[[Alawites|Nusairi]]' and are described as ''ghulat'' (exaggerators) by the vast majority of Islamic scholars. These groups have, in traditional Islamic thought, left Islam due to their exaggeration of a human being's praiseworthy traits.
Ali is recorded as having clearly forbidden those who sought to worship him in his own lifetime.<ref>See:
* Peters (2003), pp.320 and 321
* Halm (2004), pp. 154- 159
* </ref>
===Non-Muslim view===
{{Mainarticle|Non-Muslim view of Ali}}
Some of the non-Muslim scholars such as [[Edward Gibbon]]<ref>[[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]], London, 1911, (originally published 1776-88) volume 5, pp. 381-2]</ref> and [[Sir William Muir]]<ref>The Life of Mahomet, London, 1877, p. 250</ref> have praised Ali while some others, such as [[Lammens]]<ref>''[[Henri Lammens]], [[Fatima and the Daughters of Muhammad]]'', Rome and paris: [[Scripta Pontificii Instituti Biblici]], 1912. Translation by [[Ibn Warraq]].</ref>, have held a negative view of Ali.
==Historiography of Ali's life==
{{seealso|Historiography of early Islam}}
The [[primary sources]] for scholarship on the life of Ali are the [[Qur'an]] and the [[Hadith]], as well as other [[Historiography of early Islam|texts of early Islamic history]]. The extensive [[secondary sources]] include, in addition to works by Sunni and Shia Muslims, writings by [[Christian Arabs]], [[Hindus]], and other non-Muslims from the Middle East and Asia and a few works by modern Western scholars. However, many of the early Islamic sources are colored to some extent by a positive or negative bias towards Ali.<ref name="Britannica"/>
There had been a common tendency among the earlier western scholars against these narrations and reports gathered in later periods due to their tendency towards later Sunni and Shia partisan positions; such scholars regarding them as later fabrications. This leads them to regard certain reported events as inauthentic or irrelevant. [[Leone Caetani]] considered the attribution of historical reports to [[Ibn Abbas]] and [[Aysha]] as mostly fictitious while proffering accounts reported without ''[[isnad]]'' by the early compilers of history like [[Ibn Ishaq]]. [[Wilferd Madelung]] has rejected the stance of indiscriminately dismissing everything not included in "early sources" and in this approach tendentious alone is no evidence for late origin. According to him, Caetani's approach is inconsistent. [[Madelung]] and some later historians do not reject the narrations which have been complied in later periods and try to judge them in the context of history and on the basis of their compatibility with the events and figures <ref>Madelung (1997), pp.xi, 19 and 20</ref>
Until the rise of the [[Abbasid| Abbasid Dynasty]], few books were written and most of the reports had been oral. The most notable work previous to this period is ''[[The Book of Sulaym ibn Qays]]'' which is written by [[Sulaym ibn Qays]](d.694-714), a companion of Ali who lived before the [[Abbasid| Abbasid Dynasty]].<ref>
See:
* Dakake (2007), p.270
* Landolt (2005), p.59
</ref> When paper was introduced to Muslim society, numerous monographs were written during 750 and 950 AD. According to Robinson, at least twenty-one separate monographs have been composed on the [[Battle of Siffin]]. [[Abi Mikhnaf]] (d. 774) is one of the most renowned writers of this period who tried to gather all of the reports. 9th and 10th century historians collected, selected and arranged the available narrations. However, most of these monographs do not exist anymore except for a few which have been used in later works such as [[History of the Prophets and Kings]] by [[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari]] (d.932).<ref>
See:
* Robinson (2003), pp.28 and 34
</ref>
Shia of [[Iraq]] actively participated in writing monographs but most of those works have been lost. On the other hand, in the 8th and 9th century Ali's descendants such as [[Muhammad al Baqir]] and [[Jafar as Sadiq]] narrated his quotations and reports which have been gathered in Shia hadith books. The later Shia works written after the 10th century AD are about biographies of [[The Fourteen Infallibles]] and [[Twelve Imams]]. The earliest surviving work and one of the most important works in this field is ''[[Kitab al-Irshad]]'' by [[Shaykh Mufid]] (d. 1022). The author has dedicated the first part of his book to a detailed account of Ali. There are also some books known as ''Manāqib'' which describe Ali's character from a religious viewpoint. Such works also constitute a kind of historiography.<ref>[http://www.al-islam.org/mot/historiography/ Jafarian, Rasul; Translated by Delārām Furādī, Publisher:Message of Thaqalayn]</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|Islam}}
* [[Alawism]]
* [[Alevi]]
* [[Fatimid]]
* [[Imam]]
* [[Ismaili]]
* [[List of Muslim reports]]
* [[Wali]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|3}}
==References==
;Books
* {{cite book | last = [[Muhammad al-Bukhari|Al-Bukhari]] |first = Muhammad | title = [[Sahih Bukhari]], Book 4, 5, 8 | year = | publisher = |id = }}
* {{cite book | last = Ali ibn Abi Talib | title = [[Nahj al-Balagha]] (Peak of Eloquence), compiled by [[ash-Sharif ar-Radi]] | year = 1984| publisher = Alhoda UK |id = ISBN 0940368439}}
* {{cite book | last = [[Ali ibn al-Athir]] | title = In his Biography, vol 2 | year = | publisher = |id = }}
* {{cite book | last = [[Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid]] | first = | title = Kitab Al-Irshad: The Book of Guidance into the Lives of the Twelve Imams | year = 1986 | publisher = Routledge Kegan & Paul | id = 0710301510}}
*{{cite book | last = Al-Tabari| first = Muhammad ibn Jarir | authorlink = Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari| title = [[History of the Prophets and Kings]] , translation and commentary issued by R. Stephen Humphreys| publisher = SUNY Press | year = 1990 | id = ISBN 0791401545}} (volume XV.)
*{{cite book | last = Al-Tabari| first = Muhammad ibn Jarir | authorlink = Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari| title = [[History of the Prophets and Kings]] , translation and commentary issued by I. K. A. Howard| publisher = SUNY Press | year = 1990 | id = ISBN 0395652375}} (volume XIX.)
* {{cite book | last = Ashraf | first = Shahid | title = Encyclopedia of Holy Prophet and Companions | year = 2005 | publisher = Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. | id = ISBN 8126119403}}
* {{cite book | last = Chirri | first = Mohammad | title = The Brother of the Prophet Mohammad | year = 1982 | publisher = Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI. Alibris | id = ISBN 8126171834}}
*{{cite book|last = Corbin|first = Henry|authorlink = Henry Corbin|coauthors = |title = History of Islamic Philosophy, Translated by Liadain Sherrard, Philip Sherrard|publisher = London; Kegan Paul International in association with Islamic Publications for The Institute of Ismaili Studies |year = 1993 (original French 1964)|id = ISBN 0710304161}}
* {{cite book | last = Dakake | first = Maria Massi | authorlink = | title =The Charismatic Community: Shi'ite Identity in Early Islam | publisher = SUNY Press | year = 2008 | id = ISBN 0791470334}}
* {{cite book | last = Halm | first = Halm | authorlink = | title =Shi'ism | publisher = Edinburgh University Press | year = 2004 | id = ISBN 0748618880}}
* {{cite book | last = Hamidullah | first = Muhammad | coauthors = | title = The Prophet's Establishing a State and His Succession | year = 1988 | publisher = University of California | id = ISBN 9698016228}}
* {{cite book | last = Holt | first = P. M. | coauthors = [[Bernard Lewis]], Ann Katherine and [[Swynford Lambton]] | title = Cambridge History of Islam | year = 1970 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | id = ISBN 0521291356}}
* {{cite book | last = [[Ibn Taymiyyah]] | first = Taqi ad-Din Ahmad | title = [[Minhaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah]] | year = | publisher = | id = }}(In Arabic)
* {{cite book | last = Kelsay | first = Jhon | coauthors = | title = Islam and War: A Study in Comparative Ethics | year = 1993 | publisher = Westminster John Knox Press | id =ISBN 0664253024}}
* {{cite book | last = Khatab| first = Amal | title = Battles of Badr and Uhud | publisher = Ta-Ha Publishers | year = 1996 | id = ISBN 1-897940-39-4}}
*{{cite book|last = Landolt |first = Hermann |authorlink = |coauthors = Todd Lawson |title = Reason and Inspiration in Islam: Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism in Muslim Thought|publisher = I.B.Tauris |year = 2005|id = ISBN 1850434700}}
* {{cite book | last = Lapidus| first = Ira | title = A History of Islamic Societies | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2002 | edition = 2nd | id = ISBN 978-0521779333}}
* {{cite book | last = Madelung | first = Wilferd | authorlink = Wilferd Madelung | title = The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 1997 | id = ISBN 0521646960}}
* {{cite book | last = Merrick | first = James L. | authorlink = | title = The Life and Religion of Mohammed as Contained in the Sheeah Traditions | publisher = Kessinger Publishing | year = 2005 | id = ISBN 1417955368}}
* {{cite book | last=Momen | first=Moojan | authorlink= | title= An Introduction to Shi`i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism| publisher=Yale University Press | year=1985 | id=ISBN 0300035314}}
* {{cite book | last = Motahhari | first = Morteza |authorlink = Morteza Motahhari | title = Ensane Kamel (Perfect Man), translated by Aladdin Pazargadi, edited by Shah Tariq Kamal| publisher = Foreign Department Of Bonyad Be'that| year = | id = }}
* {{cite book | last = Motahhari | first = Morteza |authorlink = Morteza Motahhari | title = Glimpses of the Nahj Al-Balaghah, translated by Ali Quli Qara'i| publisher = Islamic Culture and Relations Organizati| year = 1997 | id = 978-9644720710}}
* {{cite book | last = [[Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj]] | first = | title = [[Sahih Muslim]], Book 19, 31| publisher = | year = | id = }}
* {{cite book | last=Ordoni | first=Abu Muhammad |coauthors=Muhammad Kazim Qazwini | title=[[Fatima the Gracious]] |publisher=Ansariyan Publications |date=1992| isbn=B000BWQ7N6}}
* {{cite book | last = Peters | first = F. E. | title = The Monotheists: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Conflict and Competition | publisher = Princeton University Press | year = 2003 | id = ISBN 0691114617}}
* {{cite book | last = Robinson | first = Chase F. | authorlink = | title =Islamic Historiography | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2003 | id = ISBN 0521629365}}
* {{cite book | last = Redha | first = Mohammad | coauthors = Mohammad Agha | title = Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (Imam Ali the Fourth Caliph, 1/1 Volume) | publisher = Dar Al Kotob Al ilmiyah| year = 1999 | id = ISBN 2-7451-2532-X}}
*{{cite book | last = Shah-Kazemi | first = Reza |
title = Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali| publisher = I.B.Tauris | year = 2006 | id = ISBN 1845115260}}
*{{cite book|last = Stearns |first = Peter N. |coauthors = William Leonard Langer |title = The Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern |publisher = Houghton Mifflin Books |year = 2001|isbn = 0395652375}}
* {{cite book | last = Tabatabae | first = Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn | coauthors = [[Seyyed Hossein Nasr]] (translator) | authorlink = Allameh Tabatabaei | title = Shi'ite Islam | publisher = Suny press| year = 1979 | id = ISBN 0-87395-272-3}}
* {{cite book | last = Tabatabae | first = Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn | authorlink = Allameh Tabatabaei | title = The Qur'an in Islam: Its Impact and Influence on the Life of Muslims | publisher = Zahra| year = 1987 | id = ISBN 0710302657 | url = http://al-islam.org/quraninislam/index.htm }}
* {{cite book | last = Tabatabae | first = Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn | authorlink = Allameh Tabatabaei | title = [[Tafsir al-Mizan]]| publisher = | year = | id = }}
* {{cite book | last = Qommi | first = Abbas |authorlink = Abbas Qommi | coauthors = PearMahumed Ebrahim Trust (translator)|title = The Prayer's AlManac, English version of [[Mafatih al-Jinan]] | publisher = | year = | id = }}
*{{cite book | last = Watt | first = William Montgomery |authorlink = William Montgomery Watt|
title = [[Muhammad at Mecca (book)|Muhammad at Mecca]]| publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 1953 | id = }}
*{{cite book | last = Zeitlin | first = Irving M. | title = The Historical Muhammad | publisher = Polity | year = 2007 | id = ISBN 0745639984}}
;Encyclopedia
* {{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopaedia of Islam| Encyclopaedia of Islam Online]] | publisher = Brill | year = 2004 | id = E-ISSN 1573-3912}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopædia Britannica Online|Encyclopaedia Britannica Online]] | publisher = Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Muslim world; vol.1 | last = Martin | first = Richard C. | publisher = MacMillan | id = ISBN 0028656040}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopædia Iranica]] | publisher = Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University| id = ISBN 1568590504}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | last = Ahmed | first = M. Mukarram | coauthors = Muzaffar Husain Syed| encyclopedia = [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]] | publisher = Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.| year = 2005 | id =ISBN 8126123397}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last=Meri |first=Josef W. | authorlink= | coauthors = Jere L. Bacharach | encyclopedia=Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia |year=2006 |location= |publisher= Taylor & Francis |id = ISBN 0415966914 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Jones |first=Lindsay | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Religion | year=2004 |location=|publisher= Gale Group|id = ISBN 9780028657332}}
===Further reading===
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{cite book | last = Abdul Rauf| first = Muhammad |
title = Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: The First Intellectual Muslim Thinker | coauthors= Seyyed Hossein Nasr| publisher = Al Saadawi Publications | year = 1996 | id = ISBN 1881963497}}
*{{cite book | last = [[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari|Al-Tabari]]| first = Muhammad ibn Jarir |
title = [[History of the Prophets and Kings]] , translation and commentary issued in multiple volumes| publisher = SUNY Press | year = 1987 to 1996 | id = }} volumes 6-17 are relevant.
* {{cite book | last = Chirri | first = Mohammad | title = The Brother of the Prophet Mohammad | year = 1982 | publisher = Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI. Alibris | id = ISBN 8126171834}}
*{{cite book | last = [[Morteza Motahhari|Motahhari]] | first = Murtaza | title = Polarization Around the Character of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib| publisher = World Organization for Islamic Services, Tehran | year = 1981| url = http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/Polarization/polarization/ }}
*{{cite book | last = Cleary | first = Thomas | title = Living and Dying with Grace: Counsels of Hadrat Ali| publisher = Shambhala Publications, Incorporated | year = 1996 | id = 1570622116 }}
*{{cite book | last = [[George Gordagh|Gordagh]] | first = George | title = Ali, The Voice of Human Justice | publisher = | year = 1956 | id = ISBN 0-941724-24-7}}(in Arabic)
*{{cite book | last = Kattani| first = Sulayman |
title = Imam 'Ali: Source of Light, Wisdom and Might , translation by I.K.A. Howard| publisher = Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | year = 1983 | id = 0950698660}}
*{{cite book | last = Lakhani| first = M. Ali. | coauthors = Reza Shah-Kazemi and Leonard Lewisohn|
title = The Sacred Foundations of Justice in Islam: The Teachings of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Contributor Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr| publisher = World Wisdom, Inc | year = 2007 | id = 1933316268 }}
==External links==
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v1f8/v1f8a043.html Ali ibn Abi Talib] by I. K. Poonawala and E. Kohlberg in [[Encyclopedia Iranica]]
* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9005712/Ali Ali], article on ''Enyclopaedia Britannica Online''
===Some of the Ali's most famous sermons and letters===
* [http://www.al-islam.org/nahjul/index.htm Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib] Nahjul Balagha
* [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/LetterDetail.php?Letter=53 Order to Maalik al-Ashtar, governor of Egypt] (UN Legal Committee, member states voted that the document should be considered as one of the sources of International Law.) [http://www.alferdaows.com/EnglishWebsite/the-un.asp The United Nation and Imam Ali’s Constitution]
* [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/LetterDetail.php?Letter=31 A advice ti his son Hasan ib Ali] (This letter contains ethical advisement)
* [http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/SermonDetail.php?Sermon=185 185 Sermon about the Oneness of Allah]
* [http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/books/last-will-of-ali-ibn-abi-talib/last-will-of-ali-ibn-abi-talib.htm The Last Will of Ali ibn Abi Talib]
===Sunni biography===
* [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/politics/firstfourcaliphs.html#ali Biography from USC's MSA website]
* [http://anwary-islam.com/companion/ali-bin-%20abi-%20talib.htm Ali ibn Abi Talib]
===Shi'a biography===
* [http://al-islam.org/masoom/bios/1stimam.html The Life of the Commander of the Faithful Ali b. Abu Talib] by [[Shaykh Mufid]] in Kitab al-Irshad
* [http://www.imamalinet.net/en/indexe.htm Website devoted to the Life of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib]
* [http://www.aljaafaria.com/aljaafaria-old/imamali.html Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib]
{{start}}
{{s-hou|[[Banu Hashim]]|March 17|599|February 28|661|[[Banu Quraish]]}}
{{s-rel|sh}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Muhammad]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Imam]]|years = [[632]] – [[661]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Hasan ibn Ali]]<br>''Disputed by [[Nizari]]''<small>'''</small>}}
{{s-rel|su}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Uthman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Caliphate|Rashidun Caliph]]|years = [[656]] – [[661]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Hasan ibn Ali]]}}
{{end}}
{{sahaba}}
{{Ali's companions}}
{{Islam topics|state = collapsed}}
[[Category:599 births]]
[[Category:661 deaths]]
[[Category:Ali]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam]]
[[Category:Muslim generals]]
[[Category:Rashidun]]
[[Category:Sahaba]]
[[Category:Assassinated Shi'a imams]]
[[Category:Shi'a imams]]
[[Category:Shi'a Islam]]
[[Category:Family of Muhammad]]
[[Category:Assassinated religious leaders]]
{{Link FA|hu}}
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[[ang:Alī]]
[[ar:علي بن أبي طالب]]
[[an:Alí]]
[[az:Əli ibn Əbu Talib]]
[[bn:আলী ইবন আবী তালিব]]
[[be-x-old:Алі]]
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[[id:Ali bin Abi Thalib]]
[[is:Alí ibn Abu Talib]]
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[[he:עלי בן אבי טאלב]]
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[[hu:Ali kalifa]]
[[ml:അലി ബിന് അബീ ത്വാലിബ്]]
[[ms:Ali bin Abi Talib]]
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[[sd:علي]]
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[[tr:Ali bin Ebu Talib]]
[[udm:Али ибн Аби Талиб]]
[[uk:Алі ібн Абі Таліб]]
[[ur:علی علیہ السلام]]
[[wa:Ali (calife)]]
[[diq:Hz. Eli]]
[[zh:阿里·伊本·艾比·塔利卜]]