When the Prophet of Islam (s.a.) started open propagation of the Faith, the Qureish, because of their respect and consideration for Hazrat Abu Talib, did not directly attack the Prophet (s.a.) but they set urchins to trouble him and throw stones and brickbats on him. They thought that this way they could force the Prophet (s.a.) to abruptly discontinue his mission. Therefore, whenever he came out of his house, the youths of the Qureish used to follow him, shouting invectives and throwing stones and garbage at him. The Prophet (s.a.) was much disturbed and saddened with this treatment, but he never uttered a word against the culprits. He knew that arguing with the children and youth was not of any use. Once Ali (a.s.) saw the marks of injury on the Prophet (s.a.)’s body and asked him about the cause of the injuries. The Prophet (s.a.) explained to him that the Qureish themselves don’t come out openly against him but send out their children to cause him harm. Whenever he came out, they came together, followed him and threw stones and pebbles on him.Ali (a.s.) was very disturbed to hear this and said, “O Prophet of Allah (s.a.)! In the future you should not go out alone. I shall be with you. If they throw brickbats on you, I will hurl stones at them. Then they will not have courage to do such nasty things again!” The next day Ali (a.s.) was with the Prophet (s.a.) when he stirred out of their home. The Qureish youths, as usual tried to crowd the Prophet (s.a.). They noticed that Ali (a.s.) was standing in front of the Prophet (s.a.). The youths were almost of the same age as Ali (a.s.) but first they hesitated seeing his angry face and then advanced sheepishly. Ali (a.s.) rolled up his sleeves and sprang on them like an angry tiger. He broke the limb of one attacker, struck the head of another and threw another down! The crowd of youth, getting a good beating from a youth of their own age fled defeated! They ran to their elders and complained,” Qazama Ali (a.s.) – Ali (a.s.) has beaten us!” But the elders couldn’t gather any courage to confront Ali (a.s.) because the youths were doing the mischief at their instance only. From that day the youth of Qureish stopped misbehaving. Whenever they saw Ali (a.s.) with the Prophet (s.a.), they would try to crouch themselves in some corners to hide from their view! They didn’t dare any time in the future to trouble the Prophet (s.a.).
After this incident, Ali (a.s.) was remembered with the title of Qazeem that means a person who breaks the bones and the ribs! Therefore during the Battle of Ohod when he came out to fight Talha ibne Abi Talha, Talha asked who was coming to fight? He said, “I am Ali Ibne Abi Talib!” When he knew that it was Ali (a.s.) who was against him, he said:
“O Qazeem! I think none other than you can dare to come and fight with me!” Ref: Aiyaan al Shia Talah remembered him with the title they gave him in their youth!
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 