Imam 'Ali (a): Difference between revisions

In his sermons and letters, Imam 'Ali discussed the hajj and its [[purposes and effects]], describing both [[hajj]] and [[‘umra]] as means of nearness to God and cleansers of sins. From his perspective, hajj and ‘umra symbolize the humility of the servants before the greatness of the Lord.

During the Prophet’s (s) lifetime, Imam 'Ali (a) performed hajj several times. Notably, in 9/631, he was tasked with proclaiming the verses of [[disassociation from the polytheists]] to the pilgrims. He also accompanied the Prophet (s) on the [[Farewell Pilgrimage]]. The exact number of his pilgrimages after the Prophet’s demise is unknown. It is said that during his caliphate, he was unable to perform Hajj.

There are various locations and structures in [[Hijaz]] and other Islamic lands associated with Imam 'Ali (a), including the [[House of Imam 'Ali]] in Medina and Kufa, [[Mosques of Imam 'Ali]], [[Abar 'Ali]], and [[Spring of Imam 'Ali (Karbala)]]. His shrine is located in the city of [[Najaf]], Iraq, and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Shia Muslims.

==Life and Status

Ali ibn Abi Talib was born in the year 30 of ‘Aam al-Fil<ref>Al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 452.</ref> (23 years before the hijra) in [[Mecca]], inside the [[Ka‘bah]].<ref>Al-Irshād, vol. 1, p. 5; *The Lives of the Infallibles*, vol. 3, p. 4.</ref> He grew up in the house of [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]]<ref>*The Intellectual and Political Life of the Shia Imams*, p. 48.</ref> and is considered the first male convert to Islam.<ref>Al-Irshād, vol. 1, p. 6.</ref> Imam 'Ali was the husband of [[Lady Fatima (s)]]<ref>Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā, vol. 8, p. 16; *The Intellectual and Political Life of the Shia Imams*, p. 49.</ref> and father of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], [[Lady Zaynab]], and [[Abbas ibn 'Ali]].<ref>*Encyclopedia of the Commander of the Faithful based on the Qur’an, Hadith, and History*, vol. 1, pp. 126, 185.</ref>

In the 40th year after hijra, during morning prayer in the [[Kufa Mosque]], he was fatally struck by Ibn Muljam al-Murādi, one of the Khawarij from Nahrawan, and was martyred three days later.<ref>Al-Irshād, vol. 1, p. 9; Al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 452.</ref>

#==Succession to the Prophet

Shia Muslims believe that the Prophet’s (s) successor must be divinely appointed, and that Prophet Muhammad (s), by God’s command, appointed 'Ali ibn Abi Talib as his caliph and leader of the Muslim community.<ref>*Firaq al-Shi‘a*, p. 17; *Encyclopedia of the Commander of the Faithful based on the Qur’an, Hadith, and History*, vol. 1, pp. 492–536; *Manṣhūr-i ‘Aqā’id-i Imāmīyyah*, pp. 149, 151.</ref> Despite this, Imam 'Ali remained away from political leadership for 25 years during the rule of the first three caliphs. After the assassination of [[‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān]], the third caliph, people pledged allegiance to him<ref>*Encyclopedia of the Commander of the Faithful*, vol. 3, p. 449.</ref> in the year 35 AH.<ref>*Siyāsat-nāma-yi Imām ‘Alī*, p. 23.</ref> He then assumed the caliphate<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 5.</ref> and during his nearly five-year rule, he modeled his governance on that of the Prophet and enacted significant reforms.<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 5.</ref>

#==The Prophet’s Praise for Imam 'Ali

The Prophet, who counted Imam 'Ali among his closest companions<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, pp. 4–5.</ref>, spoke highly of his virtues.<ref>*Encyclopedia of the Commander of the Faithful*, vol. 1, pp. 435–457; *Encyclopedia of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib*, vol. 1, pp. 61, 69, 72.</ref> It is reported that the Prophet said: “Ali will never be separated from the truth, and the truth will never be separated from 'Ali.”<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 5.</ref> Imam 'Ali participated in all of the Prophet’s battles, except for the Battle of Tabuk, when the Prophet appointed him as his deputy in Medina.<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 5.</ref> He is regarded as the perfect embodiment of the Prophet’s spiritual training<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 6.</ref> and as a unique exemplar of piety and devotion.<ref>*A Brief Biography of the Imams*, p. 8.</ref>

Imam 'Ali (a) performed hajj several times during the Prophet’s (s) life, though the number of pilgrimages after that is unclear.<ref>"Strategies of the Imams (a) during Hajj", p. 69.</ref> According to historical sources, he accompanied the Prophet on the [[‘Umrat al-Qaḍā]], a compensatory ‘umra made in 7 AH when the Prophet and a group of Muslims entered [[Mecca]] to perform the rituals.<ref>Ansāb al-Ashrāf, vol. 1, p. 353; Tafsir al-Namūnah, vol. 22, p. 107.</ref>

In the ninth year after hijra, the Prophet tasked Imam 'Ali with publicly reciting the [[verses of disassociation]] at Hajj.<ref>Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hishām, vol. 4, pp. 970–973; ‘Ilal al-Sharā’i‘, vol. 1, p. 190; Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Kathīr, vol. 4, pp. 68–69.</ref> This act is considered one of his virtues.<ref>"Strategies of the Imams (a) during Hajj", p. 70.</ref> Notable practices of Imam 'Ali during hajj included abstaining from hunting, using the [[sacrificial offering]], performing [[ritual washing]] upon entering the sacred precinct, and combining the Maghrib and ‘Ishā prayers in [[Muzdalifah]].<ref>*Ḥajj of the Prophets and Imams (a)*, pp. 233–236.</ref>

He also participated in the [[Farewell Pilgrimage]] of the Prophet (s)<ref>Tārīkh-i Ya‘qūbī, vol. 2, p. 109; Al-Kāfī, vol. 4, pp. 247–248; Al-Tahdhīb, vol. 5, p. 227.</ref>, during the return from which the Prophet declared him his successor at [[Ghadir Khumm]].<ref>Al-Irshād, vol. 1, pp. 170–176; *Life of the Commander of the Faithful Imam 'Ali*, p. 43.</ref>

It is said that due to the three civil wars (Jamāl, Ṣiffīn, and Nahrawān), Imam 'Ali was unable to perform hajj during his caliphate<ref>Tārīkh al-Khamīs, vol. 2, p. 278; "Strategies of the Imams (a) during Hajj", p. 69.</ref> and did not personally lead the pilgrimage. Instead, in 36 and 37 AH, he appointed ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas, and in 38 and 39 AH, his agent over Mecca, Qutham ibn ‘Abbas, to lead the Hajj.<ref>"Amīr al-Ḥajj", vol. 3, p. 84.</ref> It is also narrated that during his rule, the [[Kiswah]] (Ka‘bah's cloth covering) was sent from Iraq.<ref>"The Commander of the Faithful and Sending the Kiswah", p. 202; "Strategies of the Imams (a) during Hajj", p. 73.</ref>

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==Imam 'Ali’s View of Hajj

Imam 'Ali emphasized the [[obligation of Hajj]]<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 1, p. 259.</ref> and urged Muslims to fulfill this duty.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 1, p. 254.</ref> He spoke about the spiritual, social, political, and economic dimensions of Hajj. In his words, hajj and ‘umra pilgrims are guests of God<ref>*Ḥajj and ‘umra in the Qur’an and Hadith*, p. 237.</ref>, and the rituals are a means of nearness to God<ref>"hajj in Nahj al-Balāghah", p. 15.</ref>, a conduit for divine mercy<ref>"hajj in Nahj al-Balāghah", p. 8.</ref>, and a remover of poverty and sins.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 4, p. 624; "hajj in Nahj al-Balāghah", p. 12.</ref> He considered hajj a symbol of human humility before divine majesty.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 1, p. 256.</ref> He compared the pilgrims to thirsty seekers reaching a spring<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 1, p. 255.</ref> and to birds seeking refuge.<ref>"hajj in Nahj al-Balāghah", p. 7.</ref> From his view, performing hajj is a great honor bestowed upon certain servants of God.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 1, p. 257.</ref>

In his will to [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], he emphasized visiting the Ka‘bah and not abandoning it, warning that its abandonment would bring divine wrath.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 10, p. 278.</ref> In a letter to the governor of Mecca, he ordered the provision of cultural and welfare needs for pilgrims, especially ensuring they were housed free of charge and welcomed kindly.<ref>"hajj in Nahj al-Balāghah", p. 8.</ref>

In one sermon, after describing the simplicity of the Ka‘bah, Imam 'Ali reflects on why God placed it in a barren, rocky place rather than a fertile, green area — so the test of hajj would not be easy and its reward not small.<ref>*Message of Imam 'Ali (a)*, vol. 7, pp. 421, 428.</ref>

\== Endowments ==

Imam 'Ali during his lifetime, especially throughout the 25 years of the rule of the first three caliphs, was engaged in digging wells, establishing palm groves, and creating numerous farms and plantations, and then he dedicated all these properties and assets as endowments for the needy.<ref>“Study and Explanation of the Status of Imam 'Ali’s Endowments,” p. 227.</ref> Imam 'Ali’s endowments have been described as including more than 100 (or 170) wells in the Yanbu area and countless other wells and springs in various regions, particularly in the city of Medina and its surrounding areas, as well as the dedication of palm groves, numerous plantations, and similar properties.<ref>“Study and Explanation of the Status of Imam 'Ali’s Endowments,” p. 227.</ref>

\== Shrines Attributed to Imam 'Ali (a) ==

\=== Places Attributed to Imam 'Ali (a) in Hejaz ===

* [[Imam 'Ali Mosque (Manakhah)]], one of the historic mosques of [[Medina]] built on the site of the Prophet’s (PBUH) prayer ground.<ref>Islamic Monuments of Mecca and Medina, p. 319.</ref>

The burial place of Imam 'Ali (a) is located in the city of [[Najaf]] in the country of [[Iraq]]. According to Imam 'Ali’s will, his sons [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] secretly and overnight buried his body on a high land behind [[Kufa]], which has been called by names such as [[Najaf]], [[Dhuhr al-Kufa]], and [[Ghari]].<ref>Shrines of Iraq, vol. 1, p. 29.</ref> Imam 'Ali’s grave remained hidden for years and only the [[Ahl al-Bayt|Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] were aware of it.<ref>History of the Holy Shrine of Imam 'Ali (a), p. 148.</ref> Numerous traditions from the Infallible Imams (a) confirm the existence of Imam 'Ali’s grave in Najaf.<ref>Shrines of Iraq, vol. 1, p. 30.</ref> After the fall of the [[Umayyads]] and the removal of the Khawarij threat, [[Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a)]] informed some Shiites about the location of Imam 'Ali’s grave and even visited the grave with some of his companions. It is said that [[Harun al-Rashid]] was the first to build a dome over the grave.<ref>Shrines of Iraq, vol. 1, p. 32.</ref> Subsequently, various buildings were constructed on the grave at different times.<ref>Shrines of Iraq, vol. 1, pp. 34–37.</ref>