Imam Ali b. Abi Talib

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (Arabic: عَلِيّ بْن أَبِي طَالِب; c. 600 – 661 CE) was the last Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, the successor state to the Islamic prophet Muhammad's political dominions. He is considered by Shia Muslims to be the first Imam, the rightful religious and political successor to Muhammad.

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When we recite Durood (Salawaat) we mention the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and his Progeny (Ahlul Bayt)(AS) and Hazrat Ali (AS) is the head of Ahlul Bayt (AS) after the Prophet (SAWA).

Imam Ali (AS) was brought in Mubahala as Nafs of the Prophet (SAWA) while Hasan (AS) and Husain (AS) where brought as the sons of the Prophet (SAWA).

Imam Redha (AS) when Al-Ma'moon asked him about he greatest tribute of Ali in Quran, said : Mubahala when Allah mentioned Ali as Nafs of the Prophet (SAWA).

Wassalam

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

Yes, Muhammad son of Abu Bakr was from a pious lady (Asmaa' Bint Omais) who was widow of Jafar Ibn Abi Talib (AS) who was martyred in the battle of Mo'ta and is caled then Jafar Al-Tayyar. Abu Bakr proposed to that lady during his government and she could not refuse the ruler. She had from that marriage a son called Muhammad. After the death of Ab Bakr, Imam Ali (AS) proposed t this lady to look after the orphans of his brother Jafar. Muhammad Inb Ab Bakr was looked after and brought up by Imam Ali (AS) and became a very good Momin. He was with Imam Ali in fighting his enemies including fighting in the battle of jamal (Camel) led by his own step sister Aaysha daughter of Abu Bakr. Imam Ali (AS) asked Muhammad Bin Abu Bakr to accompany Aaysha from Basra back to Madina.

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Some quick information about Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr:

1. Name: Muhammad 

2. Father's name: Abu Bakr ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Qahafah [the first Caliph]. 

3. Mother's name: Asma' bint 'Umays, who was married to Ja'far ibn Abi Talib [Ja'far al-Tayyar] (a.s.), and after his martyrdom she married Abu Bakr. She gave birth to Muhammad while in the state of Ihram. After Abu Bakr's death, Asma' married Imam Ali (a.s.). Throughout her life she stayed loyal to Ahlul bayt (a.s.).

4. His birth: Year of Hajjatul-Wada'.

5. His death: 38 AH. Martyred in Egypt at the hands of Mu'awiyah.

6. He openly opposed the Khilafah of his father Abu Bakr, and from those early years he pledged allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.). 

7. He was nurtured by Imam Ali (a.s.), who treated him as his own son. He participated in the Battles of Jamal and Siffin. In the Battle of Jamal he confronted his sister 'Aishah.

8. Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as governer of Egypt. 

9. He was martyred in a tragic way, by command of Mu'awiyah. It is mentioned in numerous sources that Mu'awiyah ordered his blessed body to be burned. See following link that mentions Sunni references for this:

https://www.mezan.net/radalshobohat/15MA.htm

Wassalam

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Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

The high level of self-restraint that Imam Ali (a.s.) had towards those who wrong Islam and him personally can be seen in many events during his life. 

This also embodied in the last days of his noble life when although he was suffering from the painful strike of Ibn Muljam's poisoned sword, he still made sure the perpetrator was treated with compassion and fairness. 

The details of this can be read in:

Sheikh al-Mufid's Kitab al-Irshad [The Book of Guidance], biography of Imam Ali (a.s.). 

Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 42, p. 288.

Wassalam

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Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 5 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala 

It is very clear that no Muslim says any expression like 'Ya Rasul Allah Madad', or 'Ya Ali Madad', with the slightest of intention that they are equal to Almighty God, or that they will help independently free of any involvement from God.  

If, for argument sake, someone was to say anything like this, and believe that a Prophet, an Imam or a saint can within their own power independent from God they are performing Shirk, and this is forbidden and condemned. 

But, if we were to seek intercession, or help, or call to any of God's creation, alive or dead, who have an exceptional status in the eyes of Almighty God and they be granted this position from God, then it is not Shirk, not is it a contradiction. 

We seek forgiveness from Almighty God, but also in the Quran the Almighty says that the Prophet (s.a.w) can forgive us as well (Surah al-Nisa`, verse 64). We can also make reference to the story of Prophet Ya'qub (a.s.) and his children (Surah Yusef, 97-98). 

As for asking which one is better? Tp say Ya Allah, or Ya Ali. This kind of question is meaningless, because it entails that they are equally parallel to each other, or one replaces the other. However, it is not the case. Each expression functions within its own usage. It is like saying 'should I say Ya Rahman, or Ya Rahim'. 

Furthermore, there are many authentic traditions in both Sunni and Shia sources that validate the practice of Istighathah and Tawassul. Some Sunni scholars, like Imam al-Sabki, say it is a very good practice. In Sunni sources it also has a frequently mentioned tradition that 'remembering Ali is in itself an act of worship'. 

Therefore, there is no contradition, and Muslims throughout the history of Islam have sought help from mediums other than Allah ta'ala, without any intent of Shirk. The Almighty has appointed Prophets and Imams as mediums, and therefore we are able to get to Him through them.

Wassalam

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Shaykh Mansour Leghaei has responded to a similar question as follows:

"The time of the caliphate of Imam Ali (as) was one of the hardest periods in the history of early Islam. For the first time in history, three civil wars were imposed on Imam Ali (as).  During the periods of the previous Caliphs several innovations had occurred and were practiced for over two decades, among which was ‘Taraweeh’.  Imam Ali (as) had to stabilise the country from all the rebels on the one hand, and correct all the innovations occurring on the other. Undoubtedly, fighting the rebels was a paramount priority.

Shaykh al-Kulayni in an authentic narration quoted a long narration in which Imam Ali (as) listed numbers of innovations and how much he tried to stop Muslims from practicing them. As for ‘Taraweeh’ the holy Imam says:

“By Allah! I ruled that people should not offer any prayers in congregation other than obligatory ones. I informed them that offering the recommended prayers in congregation is an innovation. Then some of my soldiers who were fighting for me cried: ‘O Muslims! The tradition of Umar is getting changed as he (i.e. Ali) forbids us to offer the recommended prayers in groups.’ I was therefore concerned that part of my army revolt against me.” (al-Kaafi, vol. 8 p.63)

There is no authentic narration that Imam Ali (as) ever appointed anyone to lead their Taraweeh, nor that he ever endorsed it. He just gave up on them temporarily for a more important matter (i.e. fighting the rebels). Nowhere in the narrations was there a sentiment of the Taraweeh ‘being more or less spiritual’. It was all about ‘following a tradition set by Umar versus the Prophetic tradition’. Similarly, there is no authentic narration that Imam Ali (as) ever asked them to choose a leader to offer Taraweeh congregationally."

See full article here - http://www.askthesheikh.com/did-imam-ali-allow-taraweeh-prayers/