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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It is important to remember that people have always had choices. That is the reason why we hold those accountable who committed misdeeds, because they chose to do so. They were not born to play the part of villains.

It is not as if God had determined that Fadak must be usurped and that someone must be created who will do so.

It is also not the case that God had determined that a wife of the Prophet (s) must fight Imam 'Ali (a) and so she was put out there in the world of creation to fulfil that role.

Think of it this way. It was entirely possible for the first caliph and his daughter not to commit the misdeeds that they did. So why ought they have been punished before they could even be tested with that choice?

Did not Abu Bakr have another child, and Ayesha a brother, who was the most devoted Shi'a of Imam 'Ali (a) and fought against his own sister in defence of Imam 'Ali?

He was not predestined to be the good person in a pre-planned drama, like some kind of an angelic robot. He also made choices in his life. And so we remember him with affection and praise.

I believe that the nature of knowledge given by God to the Prophet (s) and the Imams (a) must be understood with the above in mind.

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... Answer updated 4 anni fa

Allah, The Glorious, tests the followers of the prophets to distinguish between the sincere from the insincere. Allah(SWT) made the Prophet Noah (AS) marry a woman who turned to be disobedient then from the people of hellfire, same was the wife of Prophet Lut (AS). Allah (SWT) aims to examine the faith of people who claim being followers of the Prophet (SAWA) as we read in Quran:

1. (Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now until He distinguish the bad from the good). Sura Aal Imran, verse 179.

2. (In order that Allah may distinguish the bad persons from the good persons ) Sura Al-Anfaal, verse 37.

Having a disobedient wife among good wives and insincere companion among sincere companions makes the bad persons follow the bad, while sincere persons keep on following the Prophet (SAWA) and his successors.

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... Answer updated 4 anni fa

Such drawings are not authentic at all and never reflect the real image of the Infallible Imams (AS). It is wrong to call it picture because picture reflects the real shape like a mirror or near to it. Such drawings are not pictures but just imaginations of the persons who drew it based on his knowledge and culture.

It might be accepted in some cultures to draw such imagination drawings of the Infallible Imams but in ,any other cultures it is not accepted and it might cause some persons feel disrespect for the Infallible.

It is wrong to claim that these drawings are real pictures of the Imam and such claim can amount to lying on the Imam.

Millions of Shia Muslims do not have such drawings as it is linked with a cultural factor existing only in some counties and not all Shia Muslims have the same culture in this regard. All Shia scholars say that it is wrong to claim that such drawings represent the real shape of the Imams.

Even Sunni Muslims have drawings of their leaders like Abu Bakr and Omar as you can see it in some museums in Turkey. It is a matter of culture and not a part of religion.

Wassalam.

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 4 anni fa

as salam alaikum

the evidences that some people brought forth to say that the picture  of Imam 'Ali, peace be upon him, as seen in certain areas, is the actual images of him, like the descripition of general Imam's features in some books or the vision of the Imam in a dream, are insufficient to establish the reliability of such claim. 

Also, considering the subjectivity of such type of art, some people have found such pictures disrespectful to the Imam himself. In any case, it wouldn't be correct to attribute such images to him.

With prayers for your success.

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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 anni fa

We have in our books that many other sons of Imam Ali (AS) were martyred in Karbala beside Imam Husain (AS) and four sons from Ummul Baneen e.g. Ebrahim ibn Ali, Bakr ibn Ali, Amr ibn Ali, Mohammad al-Asghar ibn Al, Abdullah al-Asghar ibn Ali.

Wassalam,

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 anni fa

To my knowledge, this is not present in the classical, normative Twelver Shi'i hadith collections. 

Of course, this doesn't prove whether he said this or not, or whether the statement contains truth or not; it simply means it is not in these books and doesn't have a chain of narrators.

However it is commonly accepted particularly among people who have mystical inclinations ('irfan, Sufism).

In any case, the status of Imam 'Ali is lofty whether or not he said this!

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Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 4 anni fa

as salam alaikum

poverty has been always present along history due to the exploitation exercised by some people and groups on others. The Prophet and the Imams, peace be upon them, presented and supported a system that in fact aims at the eradication of poverty but due to various circumstances was not fully implemented even by Muslims themselves. The believers are called to revive, preserve and spread that system based on cooperation, altruism and charity in order to eliminate, or at least lessen, poverty in the world.

With prayers for your success.

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Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answer updated 4 anni fa

A good book to read on this is The Succession to Muhammad [s] by Wilferd Madelung, who explains very clearly the subtleties of the political situation of 'Uthman. 'Uthman had incited fury among Egyptians, Kufans and others because of his nepotism and awarding his family property that belonged to the umma. He had also cut 'Aisha's stipend, angering her. The Egyptians came as a delegation to 'Uthman with their grievances, but he refused to listen to them. Instead, he appealed to Imam Ali (as) to tell them to go away. Imam 'Ali (as) warned 'Uthman more than once that in order to calm the situation, he must listen to their grievances and correct his actions. 'Uthman refused to listen, and so Imam 'Ali (as) distanced himself. 'A'isha sent out letters inciting those who were angry with 'Uthman to kill him. 'Uthman's palace was stormed. Interestingly, 'Uthman was abandoned by his cousin Marwan and his sons in his time of need. Imam 'Ali (as) sent just Imam Hasan (as) (not Imam Husayn) and some others to try to calm the crowds, but they went ahead and killed 'Uthman. Because Imam 'Ali (as) had not directly intervened, Aisha later took advantage of this and accused him of being responsible for 'Uthman's murder. She used this allegation to try to overthrow Imam Ali (as). Imam 'Ali (as) says in sermon 30 in Nahj al-Balagha that both parties were in the wrong: 'Uthman was wrong for misappropriating property and governing badly; and the Egyptians and others were wrong for murdering 'Uthman, basically meaning that the grievances should have been addressed through a legal process: "If I had ordered his assassination I would have been his killer, but if I had prevented others from killing him I would have been his helper... I am putting before you his case.  He appropriated wealth and did it badly.  You protested against it and committed excesses therein. With Allah lies the real verdict between the appropriator and the protestor.' Thus, in sending Imam Hasan (as) to try to calm the crowds, Imam 'Ali (as) was not actually siding with 'Uthman, nor supporting him, but was rather trying to prevent excessive and unlawful behaviour on behalf of the aggrieved parties.

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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 anni fa

The birth of Imam Ali (AS) inside the Ka’bah has been narrated
by many of leading Sunni Ulama in their books. Today when you hear from some enemies of Ahlul Bayt (AS) denying or doubting this fact, you should advise them to
refer to the leading Sunni Ulama who have confirmed the fact that Ali
(AS) was born inside the Ka’bah. These are just few example:

1.     Al-Haakim al Nisaburi in al-Mustadrak Ala al-Saheehayn (Hadeeth
no. 6098): He stated that the narrations are too many that Fatimah
Bint Asad gave birth to Ameerul Mo’meneen Ali ibn Abi Talib
(Karramallah Wajha) inside the Ka’bah.

2.     The well known Sunni scholar Allamah Badakhshi in his book
Miftaah An Najah (page no. 20), he stated that no one was born inside
the Bait al Haram except Ali ibn Abi Talib and no one will be born
after him and this is a special tribute gifted  by Allah (SWT) to Ali
ibn Abi Talib (AS).

3.     The famous Egyptian scholar and author Abbas Mahmood al-Aqqaad in
his book Abkariat al-Imam Ali (AS) (page no. 43) he stated that Ali
(AS) was born inside the Ka’bah.

4.     Sunni scholar known by Ali Fikhri al-Qahiri in his book Ehsan
al-Qasas (vol. III pg. 178) stated Ali (AS) was born in Makkah in
al-Bait al-Haraam in the year 32 after the birth of the prophet
Mohammed (SAWA).

5.     Ibn al-Sabbagh al-Maliki in his book al-Fusoul al-Mohimmah (pg.
30) stated: Ali (AS) was born in Makkah inside al-Bait al-Haram

6.     Al-Kunji al-Shafi'ei in his book Kifaayat at-Talib (pg. 407)
stated : “Ameerul Mo’meneen Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) was born in Makkah
inside Baitullah al-Haram”.

7.     Al-Haakim al-Nisaburi in Kitab Ma’refat al-Sahabah (Hadeeth no. 6044).

8.     Al-Masoodi in Murooj al-Dhahab (vol. II pg. 349).

9.  The famous Persian Sunni poem Sa’adi al-Sirazi

10. Al-Dahlawi in Izaalat al-Khafaa’ (pg. 251)

11. Al-Shablanji in Noor al-Absaar (vol. 85)

12. Al-Safoori in Nuzhat al-Majaalis (vol. II pg. 454)

13. Al-Halabi in Al-Seerah al-Halabiyah (vol. I pg. 139)

14. Ibn Al-Batreeq in his book al-Omdah (pg. 8)

15. Al-Tustari in Arjah al-Mataalib (vol. 388, Lahore edition)

16. Abu Zakariyah al-Asadi in Tareekh al-Mosil (pg. 58, Dr Habeebah in Cairo.

17.  Khairul Deen Afandi al-Aaloosi in Ghaliyat al-Mawa’idh (vol. II pg. 89,
Boolaq edition).

18. Allamah Bakatheer al-hadhrami in Waseelat al-Maal (pg. 145)

19. Ibn al-Jawzi in Tathkirat Khawas al-Ummah (vol.113)

20. Ahmad bin Mansour al-Kazarooni in Miftah al-Futooh (pg. 48)

21. Noor al-Deen al-Halabi al-Sha’fei in Insan al-Uyoon (vol. I pg.221,
Mustafa al-Baabi edition in Egypt)

22. Ashraf Ali in Riyadh al-Jinan (vol. I pg 111, Bombay edition)

23.  al-Kahlani al-San’ani in al-Rawdhah an-Nadiyah (pg. 89,
Ansari in Delhi)

24.  Abdul Rahman Al-Safoori in al-Mahasin al-Mujtameah (pg. 156)

25. Kamaluddin bin Talha as-Shafe’ei in  Matalib al-Saool (pg. 11)

26. The well known Egyptian scholar Tawfeeq Abu 'Alam in his book Ahlul Bayt (pg. 189, 1st edition of 1390 AH).

And many others.

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 anni fa

The narration from Imam Ali (AS) that “I recognized Allah (SWT) through
revoking of determination and the breaking of the decisions  ( عرفت الله سبحانه بفسخ العزائم ونقض الهمم ) means that one of the clear signs of Allah (SWT) is that the
decisions of people are not always fulfilled or implemented as they decided. Allah (SWT)' decision is The Final.

The human being should never think that he will do what he wants to do
and he will achieve his determination and decisions. Allah (SWT)
creates different situations and circumstances which make many of the
determinations and decisions invalid. This is one of the signs of the
unlimited power of Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 anni fa

The next part of the quotation reads: “I recognized God through revoking the determinations and breaking the intentions. When I determined and I was prevented from achieving my determination and I intended and the fate contradicted my intention, I realized that the administrator was other than me.”

My understanding of this is that sometimes things do not happen in life as we plan or expect, either immediately or long-term. For instance, I may intend to go somewhere, but be stopped by illness, traffic, an unexpected visitor, an unexpected job, etc. I may never intend to go somewhere but be given an unexpected opportunity or gift. (For instance, how some people do not have the resources to perform the hajj but nonetheless are able to do it because someone else facilitates it for them. Some people have the money but are never able to go.)  This is true for everyday things as well as long-term things like a university education, a job, a marriage, etc.

Often, when you look back at the big picture, you can see that there was in fact a fate plan, and things did not happen randomly. This is a sort of internal evidence that there is a Planner. Of course, we still have free will and should make our efforts to plan and do our best in things!

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Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 anni fa

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Naming children according to sectarian lines was not a factor in the early ages of Islam and therefore, it is not an indication of holding a certain person with the same name in high esteem. For example, certain companions of the Imams (as) were named Yazid and Mu'awiya, but this in no way indicated that they condoned the actions of the Caliphs with the same names, or held them in high esteem.

May you always be successful.