COUPLET 1
مسلم اول شه مردان علی » عشق را سرمایه ی ایمان علی * Muslim-e-Awwal Shahai Mardan Ali, Ishq Rao Sarmai Iman Ali
“Ali is the first Muslim. He is the King of all the men. To love Ali (a.s.) is to possess the wealth of faith.”
Here the poet has summarised the virtues of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) in such a comprehensive manner that had he said nothing more about Hazrat Ali (a.s.) in his other pieces of poetry this single couplet would have been enough to place Hazrat Ali (a.s.) at the top of all renowned Muslims. The poet in this couplet has mentioned three qualities of Hazrat Ali namely,
1. He is the first man to embrace Islam.
2. He is the king of all the men.
3. He is the capital wealth for those who love the religion and faith.
To throw light over the above mentioned virtues let us look to the pages of history.
(I) HE IS THE FIRST IN EMBRACING ISLAM
Tabri in his history narrates “It is narrated by Hazrat Ibne Abbas that he said “It was Ali (a.s.) who offered PRAYER first of all.” Hazrat Jabir said that the Holy Prophet proclaimed himself to be God-sent Prophet on Monday and it was only Hazrat Ali (a.s.) who followed the Prophet on the next day (Tuesday) in offering prayer. Zaid Ibne Arqam relates that the first man who seconded the Prophet and embraced Islam is Ali (a.s.). Abu Hazim and Alkalabi also hold the same opinion and declare that Ali (a.s.) is the first man to embrace Islam. Almasudi writes in his history that Ali (a.s.) is the only man who had never been an idol worshipper and except Islam he never followed any other religion. He (Ali a.s.) followed the prophet (s.a.w.) in every action and never deviated from the path of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). Ibne Hashan, Ibne Ishaque and Ibne Kasir write that Afeef said, “I was on my tour at Mecca when I saw two persons followed by a lady offering prayers to God in front of Kaaba. I asked Hazrat Abbas who was sitting by my side as to who those three persons were and how they were kneeling before God and I was informed by Hazrat Abbas that one of them was Mohammad (s.a.w.) who claimed himself to be the Prophet of God and one of those two persons following him was Ali son of Abu Talib and the other was lady Khadija the wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and that only these two persons had accepted the preaching and had embraced Islam by that time.”
Ibne Ishaque also relates that even prior to this, Ali (a.s.) used to follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) in the valleys of Mecca and would offer prayer by his side. This emplies that much before the time when Lady Khadija joined them in the prayers Ali (a.s.) had been his follower in his prayers.
II. ALI IS THE KING OF ALL THE BRAVE MEN
It is unanimously admitted that Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was the bravest man of his day. In the art of fighting and in valour he had no equal. His fearless nature and undaunted courage places him at the top and it is a universally admitted fact that he was second to none in the field. It was the sword of Hazrat Ali known to the history as Zul-fiqar which brought victory to Muslims in all the battles fought in company of the holy prophet (s.a.w.) against the non-believers. The astonishing victories of the Muslim in the battle of Badr, Khandaq, Khayber were all due to the courage and skill of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and his name was a fear to the non-believers. In the historical battle of Khayber he wrought wonders and astonished the world by demonstrating his unparalleled courage and physical strength killing the most famous warrior Marhab and breaking open the iron door of the fort only by his hand and devastating the whole army of the enemy single handed. So he did at the battle of Khandaq where he killed in single fighting the greatest and the the bravest of the wariours of the enemies force named Amar Ibne Abd Wood. In the battle-field the people heard that an angel was announcing that “there is no youth as brave as Ali and there is no sword as strong as Zulfiqar.” For his exemplary valour he was given the title of “Lion of God” and he is more commonly known to the Muslims with this title rather than his own paternal name.
III. LOVE FOR THE ALI (A.S.) IS THE WEALTH OF FAITH
From the boyhood Hazrat Ali (a.s.) followed the Prophet (s.a.w.) and inspite of his being young, demonstrated the courage and adherenee to Islam which none could show and this aspect of this character made him a symbol of faith. In addition to these qualities his vast knowledge of Quran and Islamic principles made him an ideal ideal for all the Muslims and so to follow him is to follow Islam.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 