The martyrdom of Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu)
It was decided that Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim will martyr Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu), Bark ibn Abdullah will slay Hadhrat Mu'awiyah (radhiyallahu anhu) and Amr ibn Bark will kill Hadhrat Amr ibn al-Aas (radhiyallahu anhu). The 17th of Ramadhan, 40 A.H was the day set to carry out this task.
Many years previously, Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) had asked Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) if he was aware of who the wretched man was, Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) had replied that it was the man who stood up to slaughter the camel of Nabi Salih (alayhissalaam), in lieu of the few nights of enjoyment with a women renowned for her beauty. Hadhrat Ali's (radhiyallahu anhu) answer was derived from the verse of Surah Dhuha, wherein Allah Almighty states:
"Then the most wretched man stood up (intending to slaughter the camel of Salih alayhissalaam)"
Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) then asked Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) if he was aware of who the second most wretched man is. Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) expressed ignorance, upon which Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) himself gave the answer with the following sentence:
"The man who shall murder you!"
[Abi Ya'la]
To assist with the assassination, ibn Muljim brought two other Kharijis; Shabeeb ibn Najdah Haruri and Wardan into the plot. On Friday night, 17th of Ramadhan 40 A.H, the three of them hid in the Jami' Masjid of Kufa. Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) entered the Masjid at the time of Fajr and began awakening the people for salah as usual. Shabeeb ibn Najdah Haruri came out and struct Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) with his sword causing him (r to fall in the mihraab. Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim came forward and dealt a second blow with his sword. The beard of Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) became soaked in blood. He shouted, "Catch my killers", Wardan and Shabeeb ibn Najdah Haruri fled but Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim was caught. Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) was brought to his home and Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim was presented before him. He said, "if I die, then kill him, If I remain alive, I shall mete out an appropriate punishment myself!".
Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) had infact described the details of the assassination of Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) to such an extent that Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) himself, just a few days before his assassination was found saying:
What is keeping the 'most wretched' back? Why is he delaying? By Allah! Soon this beard of mine shall be drenched with the blood of my neck"
When hope of his life came to an end,he called his sons and made a bequest to them regarding taqwa (piety), good deeds and service to religion. Someone asked, "O noble one! Shall we pledge allegiance at the hands of Hadhrat Hasan (radhiyallahu anhu) after you?" He replied, "I do not command you to do so, nor do I prohibit you. Do what is appropriate!"
He (radhiyallahu anhu) was reciting the following verse when he passed away:
Whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle, he shall surely see it!
And Whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle, he shall surely see it!
He was sixty-three years of age and he held the post of the caliphate for approximately 4 years and 9 months. The Janazah Salah was performed by Hadhrat Hasan (radhiyallahu anhu) and according to the preferred narration of Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah), he was buried in the inner part of the Dar al Khalifah, Kufa. May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him. (note: shias think that the grave of Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) is in Najaf. Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has classified this view to be baseless. He then narrates from Khatib Baghdadi (rahimahullah) that the grave in Najaf attributed to Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) is actually that of Hadhrat Mughira ibn Shu'ba (radhiyallahu anhu). Besides this, there are various regarding the place of burial of Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu). See Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah vol 3 pg. 329-330, Qadhi Zain ul Abidin Meerthi).
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