Ali the First in Many Fields

Ali the First in Many Fields

Ali, the ideal man, was endowed with many unique virtues that led him, according to the islamic traditions to be the first person to be or perform a number of things

(1) He was of noblest birth for both his father and mother were Hashimites.

(2) He was the only man to be born in the Kab’ah (the house of God).

(3) He was the first to offer homage to the Holy Prophet.

(4) He was the first to offer prayers after the Holy Prophet.

(5) He was the first to offer his services for “Jihad” (crusades).

(6) He was the first to receive religious instructions from the Holy Prophet.

(7) He was the first to compile and codify the Qur’an.

(8) He was the first to be styled as “brother” by the Prophet and on every occasion.

(9) He was pre-eminently loyal, standing firm by the Prophet until his last breath.

10) He was the first to give burial to the Prophet, after his death.

11) He was the only warrior to stick to his post on the battlefield in all battles and never once turned his back.

12) He was the first to offer to sleep in the Prophet’s bed on the night of his emigration to Medina.

13) He was the first to be appointed commander in all those battles in which the Holy Prophet did not participate personally.

14) He was pre-eminent in killing all his adversaries in all his duels.

15) The honour of the propagation of the Qur’anic Sura “Al-Bara’at” (the Immunity) fell to Ali’s lot, thereby raising him supreme above all others.

16) He was the only man on whom the Holy Prophet bestowed the title “a Second Aaron”.

17) The privilege of breaking idols in the Kab’ah, (after the conquest of Mecca) also fell to Ali’s good fortune.

18) The honour of owning a house which opened into the courtyard of the Prophet’s mosque was reserved for Ali alone

(19) Ali was the first to have such a unique wife as Fatima, and a unique father-in-law like the Prophet and sons like Hasan and Hussain.

(20) Ali was the first to have the honour of being nominated by the Holy Prophet as his successor, testator and vice-regent.

(21) Ali was also honoured by being styled “Moula” (master) of the “Ummah” (nation) by the Holy Prophet.