The Martyrdom of Syedna Ali (A.S.)
On the 21st of Ramadan, the world mourns the martyrdom of Syedna Mawla Ali (A.S.), the Bab-ul-Ilm (Gate of Knowledge), Asadullah (Lion of Allah), and Sirr-ul-Asrar (Secret of Secrets). Struck in sujood while immersed in Divine Remembrance, his final words were:
“By the Lord of the Kaaba, I have succeeded!”
For Sufis, Syedna Ali (A.S.) is the Imam of Divine Realities (Haqiqah) and Spiritual Authority (Wilayah). His heart contained the oceans of Ilm al-Yaqeen (Knowledge of Certainty), Ayn al-Yaqeen (Vision of Certainty), and Haqq al-Yaqeen (Truth of Certainty). He is the perfect example of Fana Fillah (Annihilation in God) and Baqa Billah (Subsistence in God)—where the self dissolves, leaving only Divine Presence.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared:
“I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (A.S.) is its gate.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 13, Page 148 | Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 127)
The Prophet (PBUH) also said:
“Ali (A.S.) is with the Truth, and the Truth is with Ali (A.S.).”
(Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 31, Page 166)
Ali (A.S.) is the “Mazhar al-Asma wal-Sifat” (Manifestation of Divine Names and Attributes), the guide for all seekers who wish to travel from Shari’ah (Outer Law) to Tariqah (Inner Path), from Ma’rifah (Gnosis) to Haqiqah (Truth).
21 Hadiths on the Virtues of Syedna Ali (A.S.)
1. Ali (A.S.) as an Act of Worship
“Looking at Ali (A.S.)’s face is an act of worship.”
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 11)
2. Mentioning Ali (A.S.) as Worship
“Mentioning Ali (A.S.) is an act of worship.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 11, Page 601)
3. Ali (A.S.) as Harun to Musa
“Ali (A.S.) holds the same position with me as Harun did with Musa, except that there will be no prophet after me.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Page 1142 | Sahih Muslim, Vol. 31, Page 5931)
4. The Beloved of Allah and His Messenger
On the Day of Khaybar, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Tomorrow, I will give the flag to the one who is most beloved to Allah and His Messenger.”
(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 31, Page 5917)
5. Ali (A.S.)’s Judgment
“Among the matters of dispute after me, Ali (A.S.)’s judgment will be the best.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 13, Page 120)
6. The Best Ruler
“Ali (A.S.) is the best ruler among you.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 13, Page 120)
7. The Leader of the Arabs
“I am the leader of the children of Adam, and Ali (A.S.) is the leader of the Arabs.”
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 123)
8. Ali (A.S.)’s Strike at Khandaq
“Ali (A.S.)’s strike on the Day of Khandaq is superior to the worship of both worlds (Thaqalayn).”
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 34)
9. The Exclusive Door to Masjid al-Nabawi
“Close all doors to Masjid al-Nabawi except the door of Ali (A.S.)’s house.”
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 125)
10. Ali (A.S.) and the Prophet (PBUH)
“Ali (A.S.) is from me, and I am from Ali (A.S.).”
(Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Vol. 5, Page 606 | Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 13, Page 168)
11. The Prophet’s (PBUH) Dua for Ali (A.S.)
When sending out an army, the Prophet (PBUH) prayed:
“O Allah, do not take my soul until I see Ali (A.S.) again.” (Narrated by Umm Ayman)
(Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 13, Page 178)
12. Ali (A.S.) and the Truth
“Ali (A.S.) is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali (A.S.).”
(Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 31, Page 166)
13. The Announcement at Ghadir Khumm
At Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet (PBUH) raised Ali (A.S.)’s hand and declared:
“For whomever I am Mawla, Ali (A.S.) is also his Mawla.”
(Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur)
14. Hurting Ali (A.S.) Hurts the Prophet (PBUH)
“Whoever hurts Ali (A.S.), hurts me.”
(Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Vol. 4, Page 534)
15. Enmity with Ali (A.S.)
“Whoever is hostile to Ali (A.S.) is hostile to me.”
(Manaqib Ali ibn Abi Talib, Page 192)
16. The Mark of a True Believer
“O Ali (A.S.)! None but a true believer will love you, and none but a hypocrite will hate you.”
(Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 13, Page 177)
17. Ali (A.S.)’s Love Burns Away Sins
“Ali (A.S.)’s love burns away sins as fire consumes wood.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 11, Page 125)
18. Obedience to Ali (A.S.)
The Prophet (PBUH) said to Ali (A.S.):
“Whoever obeys us has obeyed Allah.” (Narrated by Abu Dharr al-Ghifari)
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 123)
19. The Three Titles Given to Ali (A.S.) by Allah
“On the night of my ascension, Allah revealed three things to me about Ali (A.S.): He is the leader of the pious, the guardian of the believers, and the guide of the radiant-faced ones.”
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 138)
20. The Gate to Knowledge
“I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (A.S.) is its gate.”
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 13, Page 148 | Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 127)
21. Ali (A.S.), the Prophet’s (PBUH) Brother
At the brotherhood pact in Medina, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“O Ali (A.S.)! You are my brother in this world and the Hereafter.”
(Tarikh Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3, Page 223)
May the love of Mawla Ali (A.S.) illuminate our hearts and guide us to Divine Truth.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 