The Lion of Allah

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was extremely brave and his courage knew no limits. He participated in almost all the battles against the non-believers during the time of Rasulallah . History is full of stories about his bravery.

In the first battle of Islam at Badr, he was holding the flag of Islamic army. When three famous warriors of Quraish challenged the Muslims according to Arab tradition, Hazrat Ali (R. A. ) along with Hazrat Hamzah and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (R.A.) accepted the challenge. Hazrat Ali killed his opponent, Walid, with just one thrust of his sword and cut him into two pieces. Then he went on to help Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (R.A.) in defeating the next Quraishi warrior.

In the battle of Uhud, Hazrat Mus'ab bin Umair, the holder of the Islamic flag and a fearless warrior, was martyred. Then it was Hazrat Ali (R.A.) who upheld the flag. Seeing this, one of the non-believers, Abu Sa'd challenged him. Hazrat Ali fought him and he fell down to the ground naked. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) felt pity on him and left him in that condition.

In the battle of the Trench, a famous warrior by the name of Abdwood challenged the Muslims after jumping on his horse across the trench. Nobody dared to accept his challenge except Hazrat Ali. Rasulallah warned Hazrat Ali about Abdwood but Hazrat Ali insisted on going and fighting him. Then Rasulallah gave him his famous sword, the Zulfiqar, and put a turban on his head. A few minutes later, people saw Abdwood's head cut off from his body by Hazrat Ali.

Hazrat Ali gets title of Asadullah

Due to his bravery, Hazrat Ali was popularly called Asadullah, the Lion of Allah.

In the battle of Khaibar against the Jews, the Muslims tried to conquer the strongest Jewish fort, Qumus, but were not successful in the beginning.
Then Rasulallah said, "Tomorrow, I will give the command to such a brave person who loves Allah and His Prophet, and whom Allah and His Prophet love." Everybody had a great desire to be that fortunate man. The people were rather surprised when, the next morning, Rasulallah called Hazrat Ali, who was ill and his eyes were sore. Rasulallah applied his saliva over the eyes of Hazrat Ali (R.A.); they were cured immediately. Then he gave the command, and advised him, "Firstly, call them towards Islam. Even if one man is guided towards Islam because of you, it would be better than red camels."

Following the advice of Rasulallah , Hazrat Ali invited the Jews towards Islam. Instead of accepting the Right Path, they sent their commander Marhab, a great warrior of Arabia and one of the bravest men of his time. He challenged Hazrat Ali to fight. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) accepted the challenge and slew him in one attack. His famous sword cut Marhab's body into two pieces.

He showed great bravery in each and every battle he fought, thus he was famous throughout Arabia. He was one of the greatest warriors of Arabia.

There is no match of Hazrat Ali in his devotion ,generosity , bravery & courage and character. His virtues are an example to mankind and no words are match in expressing them.

Hazrat Ali (A.S) was martyred with a poisoned sword On 19th Ramazan 40th Hijri Maula Ali went a few moments before the time of FAJAR prayers to the mosque of Kufa. Maula Ali started the prayers and when he went into the prostration (SAJDA) Ibn-e-Muljim wounded him with his poisoned sword on his head. The scar was on his head upto his forehead. When the sword struck him , he said :

"BY THE PROMISE OF LORD OF KAABA , I AM SUCCESSFUL."

All the people of Kufa heard the proclaim about Maula's murder . People ran towards the mosque , Imam Ali fell down and was putting dust into his wound from the ground. His face and beard were streaming with blood . When Ali was struck by the sword the earth & sky were trembling , a black storm arose , the walls of the mosque shook and the doors were banging . angels calling out that,

"HAZRAT ALI HAS BEEN MURDERED."

The people of Kufa were running towards the mosque . Imam Hasan & Imam Hussain also ran toward the mosque , both the sons picked up their father and tied a cloth on his wound .Imam Ali told Imam Hasan :

"IBN-E-MULJIM THE SON OF A JEWISH WOMAN HAS WOUNDED ME."

The effect of the poison was spreading in Hazrat Ali's body. Imam Hasan & Imam Hussain wrapped him in a blanket and carried him home as Imam Ali did not have the stamina to walk . He was fasting.

At the time of Iftar when the fast is opened people of Kufa had arrested Ibn-e-Muljim and brought him to Imam Ali . He was in a very bad condition due to thrist. Imam Hasan had brought milk for Imam Ali for his iftar. He gave the milk to Ibn-e-Muljim and said :

"DRINK IT YOU ARE THRISTY."

Ibn-e-Muljim said :

"I PURCHASED THIS SWORD FOR 1000 DIRHAMS & POISONED WORTH 1000 DIRHAMS AND APPLIED IT ON THE SWORD. THERE IS SO MUCH OF POISON ON THIS SWORD THAT IF IT IS SPREAD ON THE EARTH , ALL THE LIVING THINGS ON IT WILL DIE."

Imam Ali was martyred in 2 ways , one with the sword and the other with poison. Imam Ali was wounded on the morning of 19th Ramazaan and died on 21st Ramazan.Imam Hasan & Imam Hussain bathed and shrouded him and when they took his body for the burial , all the doors , gates and walls bended in his honour.

Hazrat Ali was buried at Najaf. Today his magnificent shrine still stands there and is filled with devotees.

May Allah guide us to follow the teachings Hazrat Ali R.A and take us to His shrine for ziyarat (Ameen).