Alhamdulillah what a great honour it is to share some of the virtues of Hazrat Ali. He needs no introduction as he’s such a companion that is alive in the hearts of many. He’s known as Asadullah, the lion of Allah and al Murtaza, the chosen one. He never bowed to an idol or saw any indecency, and most of all he was raised in the best of houses, the house of Rasulullah. And this is why we say Karram Allahu Wajhahu, may Allah exalt his face.

He was the cousin of the Prophet, the son of Abu Taalib. During Abu Taalib’s old age, he faced poverty, so the Prophet helped him out with looking after Ali who was only a child at the time. 

And it’s in the company of Al-Mustafa he receives his tarbiyyah and soon after the Prophethood was announced, he declares the shahadat at the age of 8. Hes known as the first male to accept Islam. Hes the one who turn to Rasool to accept Islam.

Hazrat Ali is known for his Courage and Bravery: When it came to being at service or standing for battle he did not waiver. 

During the Hijra, Allah revealed to the Prophet the assassination plan of the Quraysh, so he had to migrate that night. He asked Ali to take his place in his bed whilst they got away. When the Quraysh came into the house, they saw Ali there. When Rasul asked he was courageously and in service  of the Prophet complied. Later when they met in Madina. He was asked were you not afraid whilst in bed. He said how could I be afraid when the Rasul told me Ill see you in Madina. If the rasul said that then I was bound to come out alive. 

When they were in Madina, the muhajir got linked to an ansaar. Everyone had someone except Ali. Then Ali said who will be your companion. He said I am your companion in this dunya and the next. 

During Badr, once again he stand forward with his uncle Hamza. And both are victorious.

During Khandaq, he battled with a champion of champions. He manages to beat him. And is praised by the prophet. 

What we find in Hazrat Ali is when the call came for the sake of Allah, he was ready. 

But don’t mistake courage for strength and being strong. Ibn Al-Athir says, “The true wrestler is the one who is so strong that he cannot be thrown down.” He used this phrase in the context of self-control, when suppressing one’s anger and suppressing one’s Nafs (self), because if a person controls his Nafs, he will defeat the strongest of his enemies and the worst of his opponents.”

What we find later in the life of Hz Ali with the fitna during Uthmans time and his own time, how he had istiqamat and he did not waiver from the sunna. 

Wisdom and Knowledge: Hazrat Ali was renowned for his profound wisdom and extensive knowledge. The Prophet said “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate, who wants this knowledge must come from its gate”. Amongst the companions he is known as the Mufti and we find he becomes a teacher of the deen along with Abdullah ibn Masud in Kufa. The science of Arabic grammar traces back to him as well as his extensive works on ethics. For example, Hazrat Ali says don’t bring up your children the same way you were brought up for they are in a different time. He also said “Life consists of two days, one for you one against you. So when it’s for you don’t be proud or reckless, and when it’s against you be patient, for both days are test for you.” 

Another quality of Ali was his Justice and Fairness: Ali once  lost his Shield in a battle and a Jew took it. After knowing that the Jew had it, he asked the Jew to give him the shield back. The Jew refused and insisted that this shield belonged to him and not Ali so Ali took the case to court.

As the Jew and Ali, stood before of the judge called Shuraih. The judge said: “Please lay your case O Aba AlHassan. He used a friendly name. While he called the Jew with his name without titles. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, refused that the judge privileged him by calling him in a way to show friendship and did not do the same thing with the Jew.

After each one finished stating his case, the judge decided that by the Islamic law and due to lack of proof that the shield belonged to Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, then the Jew owns it.

The Jew could not believe that Justice would be applied in the Islamic state even against Ali, the Caliph who is at the same time the Prophet’s beloved and trusted cousin. Then the Jew said: “I declare that there is but one God and that Muhammad is His Prophet. He then says O Ali the shield was yours, I followed your army while you were leaving the battlefield and it fell off your camel. 

So it didn’t matter he was calipha of the Muslims and could have demanded his right. He applied sharia at all levels. Just look at the taqwa. When this Jew became Muslim. Ali ave him the shield as a present anyway. 

Piety and Devotion: Hazrat Ali’s piety and devotion to Allah were central to his identity. He was known for his unwavering faith in God and his Rasul.  He is the father of many tariqa. He is known to give wilaya

I want to discuss little on the love of the companions. ‘Abdu Khayr reported: Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Shall I not inform you of the best from this nation after its Prophet? It is Abu Bakr, and the best after him is Umar. Then, Allah will place goodness wherever He wishes.” Such was the love of the companions. Ali was much younger than Abu Bakr and Umar so he had an utmost respect for them. 

When he proposed to marry Sayyidah Fatima, he had no money for the Mahr. The only valuable thing he had was his armour. So he goes to sell it and Uthman see him. Ali tells him of his intentions and Uthman is ecstatic. Remember Uthman is already married to a daughter if the Prophet. So both will be marrying into the same family and there is no one better than Ali. Uthman offers to buy his armour at a good price. When Ali gets married, Uthman’s gifts the shield back as a wedding gift. Later when Ali had more children, he names them Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman. 

Again during the Khilafa of Umar he was his chief advisor and when Umar went on state visits, he would take care of the affairs. He was one of the electoral council to choose the third caliph Uthman (R.A.) and Ali (R.A.) were the two major candidates. 

He died .. he was murdered whilst leading the salah. He is buried in Kufa. 

The Prophet said the people will be divided regarding your rank, some will take you very high, some will drop you very low. The correct ones are those who are keep it in the middle. Alhamdulillah’s we honour him and his entire family. May Allah be pleased with them all.