Name: Ali ibn Abi Talib
Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب
Born: 24 BH
Died: 40 AH

Ali (ra) was the son of Abu Talib, a prominent Quraish chief and custodian of the Holy Ka'bah. The mother of Ali (ra) was Fatima. She was the daughter of Asad who was a son of Hashim. Fatima was a cousin of Abu Talib. Thus, both the father and mother of Ali (ra) were Hashimites, and that was a great honour. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the first cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (saw). The Holy Prophet (saw) and Ali (ra) had a common grandfather who was Abdul Muttalib.

Ali (ra) was born in unusual circumstances. On the 13th day of the holy month of Rajab, Fatima, the mother of Ali (ra), visited the Ka'bah to perform the pilgrimage. During the course of the pilgrimage and while circumambulating the Ka'bah, Fatima felt the pangs of childbirth. She retired to a secluded place in the precincts of the holy Ka'bah, and there Ali (ra) was born. Ali (ra) has thus had the unique honour to be born in the House of God.

Fatima wanted to name her child "Asad" after her father and Abu Talib wanted to name him "Zaid". When both mother and the child returned home, the holy Prophet (saw), and Khadijah (ra) came to see her newborn child. Since his birth, he had not opened his eyes, and that worried both Fatima and Abu Talib. However, when the holy Prophet (ra) took the child in his lap, then he opened his eyes. So the first person that Ali (ra) saw after his birth was the holy Prophet (saw). The holy Prophet (saw) named him Ali (the exalted one). The name acquired more sanctity because it was suggested by the Holy Prophet (saw).

Muhammad (saw) had a close relationship with Ali (ra)'s parents. When Muhammad (saw) was orphaned and later lost his grandfather Abdul Muttalib, Ali (ra)'s father took him into his house. When Ali (ra) was five or six years old, a famine occurred in and around Makkah, affecting the economic conditions of Ali (ra)'s father, who had a large family to support. Muhammad (saw) took Ali (ra) into his home to raise him.

When Muhammad (saw) reported receiving a divine revelation, Ali ,at age 10, was the first male to accept his message, dedicating his life to the cause of Islam.

Ali (ra) migrated to Madinah shortly after Muhammad (saw) did. Once there Muhammad (saw) told Ali (ra) that God had ordered Muhammad (saw )to give his daughter, Fatimah (ra), to Ali (ra) in marriage. For the ten years that Muhammad (ra) led the community in Madinah, Ali (ra) was extremely active in his service, leading parties of warriors in battles, and carrying messages and orders. Ali (ra) took part in the early caravan raids from Mecca and later in almost all the battles fought by the nascent Muslim community.

Ali (ra) was appointed Caliph by the Companions of Muhammad (saw) ,the Sahaba, in Madinah after the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan.

In Muslim culture, Ali (ra) is respected for his courage, knowledge, belief, honesty, unbending devotion to Islam, deep loyalty to Muhammad (saw), equal treatment of all Muslims and generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies.

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