Day: August 6, 2025

A Brief Biography of *Hazrat Syed Shah Sheykh Ali Hussaini Rifai Al Qadri RA,* popularly known as *Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasaan Al Qandhari RA,* Kandhar Sharif, Nanded, Maharashtra, India

         The area of *Deccan* was the centre of knowledge & Sufism since the olden times. *Qandhar* which is taluka place of *Nanded* district in *Maharashtra* no doubt was the centre of the knowledge.
       
        His holy name is *Hazrat Syed Shah Sheykh Ali Sangde Sultan* Rahmatullah Alaih. During the last period of the 8th century Hijri, in the *770* Hijri, he was born at the place of *Qandhar Sharif.* Hazrat Sangde Sultan’s *Genealogical link* connected with the *13th Generation of Qutbul Aqtab, Sultan ul Aarifeen Hazrat Syed Ahmed Kabeer Rifai Mashooq Allah* Rahmatullah Alaih, the founder of *Rifai* silsila in *the Middle East Asia, Basra in Iraq.* He belongs to the member of *Saadat* (Holy Prophet’s descendants through his daughter *Hazrat Syeda Fatima* Radi Allah Ta’ala Anha), i.e. *Hussaini family.*

*Munshi Amir Hamza* had mentioned in his book the *Genealogy* of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA, in which he had traced the lineage of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA to the *Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ* through *33 blood descendants*.

          His Great Grandfather *Hazrat Syed Sheikh Ibrahim Rifai* Rahmatullah Alaih is a *Sipahsaalar* (Chief of Army) & *Hazrat Haji Sayyah Sarware Makhdoom* Rahmatullah Alaih who came to the *Deccan Region (Daulatabad)* in *725 Hijri* along with the army of *the Sultan of Delhi Muhammad Tughlaq* after the wisal (Death) of *Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin auliya* Rahmatullah Alaih of Delhi. Due to the love & friendship between Hazrat Haji Sayyah Sarware Makhdoom Rahmatullah Alaih & Hazrat Syed Sheikh Ibrahim Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih both of them were settled down in *Qandhar Sharif* and spread the islam & it’s teachings. His Great Grandfather was stayed long time with Hazrat Haji Sayyah Sarware Makhdoom Rahmatullah Alaih. Thus Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Rahmatullah Alaih also benefitted from both *Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya Rahmatullah Alaih* & *Hazrat Haji Sayyah Sarware Makhdoom Qandhari Rahmatullah Alaih.*
          
After spending some time in Qandhar, *Hazrat Syed Sheikh Ibrahim Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih* went to *Kalyani Paragana (Now Chitguppa)* in Karnataka where he passed away.

He Had a son *Hazrat Syed Shah Sheikh Muhammad Zakaria Rifai* Rahmatullah Alaih who was a noble person & always busy in the prayers (ibadat) and zikr. *Hazrat Haji Sayyah Sarware Makhdoom Rahmatullah Alaih* given him the title (Laqab) of *Zakariya*. He was *Grandfather* of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA. He had a son named *Hazrat Syed Shah Sheikh Ahmad Rifai* Rahmatullah Alaih who was the the *father* of Hazrat Sangde Sultan. Hazrat Sangde Sultan took *bait (spiritual oath)* at the hands of his father in *Rifai, Qadri, Chishti and Suharwardi* sufi orders (Silsila), continued to live on the banks of the lake at Qandhar Sharif.

          Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA dargah which is famous even today. Allah almighty solves all the problems of a person who visits his dargah. Several thousand of devotees from near & far, irrespective of religion & beliefs, gather there to seek blessings. Hazrat Sangde Sultan who was great *Aalim* (Scholar/Learned Person) of his time as well as he was the best *Author* of his time. But it is very sad to know that due to destruction & ruin his books which were written by him have vanished away from this world in the long running of time. He passed away on *8th Safar* in the year *856* Hijri islamic year (29 February,1452 A.D.) & was burried in Qandhar Sharif near his house. His mausoleum place is well known as *Rouza e Khurd*. The Shrine (dargah) has a dome on its square architecture inside. There is a Mosque & Khanqah also present which was built by his disciple (Murid) *Ibrahim Tajeer* (a merchant).

“Hazrat Maulana Shah Rafiuddin Qandhari (RA), wrote in one of his book & praised about Hazrat Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasaan (RA) as:
“He was a great scholar of both the external knowledge (religious knowledge) and inner knowledge (spiritual knowledge) and his shrine is an important place for the acceptance of prayers and the descent of blessings.”

➡️ Story Behind the *”Shaykh”* title of *Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA* :

           *Shaykh Ali Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasaan* is his title (Laqab) & inseperable part, which is *more famous* than his real name *Hazrat Syed Shah Ali Hussaini* Rahmatullah Aliah. To his Great Grandfather Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih was given the tittle of *Shaykh* two times from the court of *Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya* Rahmatullah Alaih of Delhi by his favour of his kindness, affection & due to respect and admiration he was used this tittle *Shaykh* before his name. This tradition was followed by his lineage & till it was reached to Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA & he also used this *Shaykh* tittle in the tradition of his Great Grandfather.

➡️ *Reasons behind the famous tittle (Laqab) “Hazrat Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasaan RA”*:

Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA travelled so many times in his life in different parts of the world including the regions like *Khorasan (Iran), Arab, Punjab, Sindh & Daulatabad, etc.*

There are various explanations of this particular name had been offered to *Hazrat Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasan RA*

1) *Sangad* was area near the border of *Sindh* Province in *Punjab*. The people there were greatly influenced by the speech of Sultan about spiritual honesty, worship practices as well as by miracles (Karamats) performed by him. After seeing these specialties thousands of people of sindh accepted islam & took bait (spiritual oath) on his hands & became Murids (Disciples) of him at the time of Sindh tour of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA.

2) This tittle (Laqab) had been referred for his honesty & his murids belief that whenever they took waseela of him, Allah almighty solved their problems. So he became more popular thus *his murids* began calling him as *Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasan*

3) *Sang* (Bhala/Barchi) is a long spear, Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA had *mastery* in fighting with a spear in the battle. There were no person near him in this art of fighting by using the spear as a weapon at his time. The two long spear is still present in his shrine (dargah).

4) Another famous theory state that there was a *Sangad named magician* in the *Daulatabad* who troubled so much to the people at that time there. After hearing this, Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA went to Daulatabad, stayed there, performed a *Chilla* (meditation) & eventually defeated Sangad Magician. This Chilla is present even today also on the platform above the subterranean passage in the *Daulatabad fort*.

    ➡️ *Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA Family:*
       
Hazrat Sangde Sultan had two wives named *Hazrat Jamal Bibi Saheba* & *Hazrat Tara Bibi Saheba*. Hazrat Tara Bibi saheba was childless, but Hazrat Jamal Bibi Saheba had three sons.

1) Hazrat Syed Shah Azeemuddin Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih

2) Hazrat Syed Shah Ahmad Manjhle Chilledar Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih

3) Hazrat Syed Shah Moinuddin Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih

Hazrat Sangde Sultan had given his Khilafat & Spiritual Power to his second son Hazrat Syed Shah Ahmad Manjhle Chilledar Rahmatullah Alaih.The title (Laqab) of *Chilledar* due to he was performed lots of Chilla (Busy in meditation) during his life. So he was *first Khalifa* and *first Sajjadanasheen* of Hazrat Sangde Sultan. His shrine (Dargah) also within the same place in Qandhar. Hazrat Sangde Sultan’s family lineage was continued from his second son Hazrat Syed Shah Ahmad Manjhle Chilledar Rifai Rahmatullah Alaih. First son & third son are popularly known as *Shah Dhadak* & *Shah Kadak*. The Shrine (dargah) both of them is on distance of 2 Km away from Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA dargah at the west side in Kandhar. The Urs of both of them is celebrated on *10th Safar* after the Urs of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA.

➡️ *Hazrat Syed Shah Ziauddin Biyabani* Rahmatullah Alaih was a *Great Sufi* whose dargah is at *Ambad* taluka near Jalna district of Maharashtra & he was a nephew of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA. Hazrat Sangde Sultan’s RA sister married to *Hazrat Syed Abdul Kareem Biyabani Rahmatullah Alaih* who was the father of *Hazrat Syed Ziauddin Biyabani Rahmatullah Alaih*. Hazrat Syed Ziauddin Biyabani Rahmatullah Alaih was the *Khalifah* (Spiritual Successor) of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA. He had collected all the letters in his Persian book *Matlub-ut-Talibeen* which were written by his Sheykh Hazrat Sangde Sultan Rahmatullah Alaih to him. 

➡️ *The Urs Celebration of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA:*

         Peoples of various walks of life, irrespective castes and creeds gather to celebrate the *Urs of Hazrat Sangde Sultan RA* which takes place on *8th Safar* of Muslim Calendar month at his famous Shrine (Dargah) in Qandhar Sharif every year. In this year 2025, his *591 Urs* celebrated with great respect under the leadership & guidance of *Sajjadanasheen, Peer e Tariqat, Rahbar e Shariyat, Taqaddus Maab, Sufi Ba Safa Hazrat Shaykh Syed Shah Moulana Anwar Ullah Hussaini Rifai Al Qadri Da’amat Barkatuhu.*

_*(18th Descendants of Hazrat Syed Shah Ali Hussaini Ar-Rifai Al-Qadri Almaroof Sangde Sultan Mushkil Aasaan RA, Kandhar Sharif, Nanded, Maharashtra).*_

*Talib e Dua* : _*Shaikh Anees Ahemad Rifai Al Qadri, Nanded, Maharastra.*

                 

https://youtube.com/shorts/-4NsJfgTyqk?si=z8eKkQ982xEsofhY

मक्की सेना की तायदाद

शुरू में मक्की सेना की तायदाद तेरह सौ थी, जिनके पास एक सौ घोड़े और छः सौ कवच थे। ऊंट बहुत ज़्यादा थे, जिनकी ठीक-ठीक तायदाद न मालूम हो सकी। सेना का सेनापति अबू जहल बिन हिशाम था। कुरैश के नौ बड़े आदमी उसकी रसद के ज़िम्मेदार थे। एक दिन नौ और एक दिन दस ऊंट ज़िब्ह किए जाते थे।

बनू बक्र क़बीले की समस्या

जब मक्की सेना चलने के लिए तैयार हुई, तो कुरैश को याद आया कि बनू बक्र के क़बीले से उनकी दुश्मनी और लड़ाई चल रही है, इसलिए उन्हें खतरा महसूस हुआ कि कहीं ये क़बीले पीछे से हमला न कर दें और इस तरह वे दो आग के बीच में न पड़ जाएं।

क़रीब था कि यह विचार उनको लड़ाई के इरादे से रोक दे, लेकिन ठीक उसी वक़्त इब्लीस बनू किनाना के सरदार सुराक़ा बिन मालिक बिन जासम मुदलजी के रूप में प्रकट हुआ और बोला, मैं भी तुम्हारा साथी हूं और इस बात की ज़मानत देता हूं कि बनू किनाना तुम्हारे पीछे कोई अप्रिय काम न करेंगे।

मक्की सेना की रवानगी

इस गारंटी के बाद मक्का वाले अपने घरों से निकल पड़े और जैसा कि इर्शाद है—’इतराते हुए, लोगों को अपनी शान दिखाते हुए और अल्लाह की राह से रोकते हुए’ मदीना की ओर चल पड़े, जैसा कि अल्लाह के रसूल सल्लल्लाहु अलैहि व सल्लम का इर्शाद है—

‘अपने धार और हथियार लेकर, अल्लाह से खार खाते हुए और उसके रसूल सल्ल० से खार खाते हुए, बदले की भावना से चूर और जोश और गुस्से से भरपूर, इस पर किचकिचाते हुए कि अल्लाह के रसूल सल्ल० और आपकेसहाबा रज़ि० ने मक्के वालों के काफ़िलों पर आंख उठाने की जुर्रात कैसे की।’ बहरहाल ये लोग बड़ी तेज़ रफ़्तारी से उत्तर के रुख पर बद्र की ओर चले जा रहे थे कि उस्फ़ान घाटी और कुदैद से गुज़र कर जोहफ़ा पहुंचे तो अबू सुफ़ियान का एक नया पैग़ाम मिला, जिसमें कहा गया था कि आप लोग अपने क़ाफ़िले, अपने आदमियों और अपने मालों की हिफ़ाज़त की ग़रज़ से निकले हैं और चूंकि अल्लाह ने इन सबको बचा लिया है, इसलिए अब वापस पलट जाइए ।

क़ाफ़िला बच निकला

अबू सुफ़ियान के बच निकलने की तफ्सील यह है कि वह शाम से कारवां चलते रहने वाले राजमार्ग पर चला तो आ रहा था, लेकिन बराबर चौकन्ना था और बेदार था। उसने सूचना प्राप्त करने की अपनी कोशिशें दो गुनी कर दी थीं ।

जब वह बद्र के क़रीब पहुंचा तो खुद क़ाफ़िले से आगे जाकर मज्दी बिन अम्र से भेंट की और उससे मदीना की सेना के बारे में मालूम किया।

मज्दी ने कहा, मैंने हमेशा के खिलाफ कोई आदमी तो नहीं देखा, अलबत्ता दो सवार देखे, जिन्होंने टीले के पास अपने जानवर बिठाए, फिर अपनी मश्कों में पानी भरकर चले गए।

अबू सुफ़ियान लपक कर वहां पहुंचा और उनके ऊंट की मेंगनियां उठा कर तोड़ी, तो उसमें खजूर की गुठली निकली। अबू सुफ़ियान ने कहा, ख़ुदा की क़सम ! यह यसरिब का चारा है।

इसके बाद वह तेज़ी से क़ाफ़िले की ओर पलटा और उसे पश्चिम की ओर मोड़ कर उसका रुख तट की ओर कर दिया और बद्र से गुज़रने वाले राजमार्ग को बाएं हाथ पर छोड़ दिया। इस तरह क़ाफ़िले को मदनी फ़ौज के क़ब्ज़े में जाने से बचा लिया और तुरन्त ही मक्की सेना को अपने बच निकलने की सूचना देतें हुए उसे वापस जाने का सन्देश दिया, जो उसे जोहफ़ा में मिल गया।

मक्की सेना का वापसी का इरादा और आपसी फूट

यह सन्देश पाकर मक्की सेना ने चाहा कि वापस चली जाए, लेकिन कुरैश का सबसे बड़ा उद्दंड व्यक्ति अबू जहल खड़ा हो गया और बड़े ही घमंड के साथ बोला-

‘खुदा की क़सम ! हम वापस न होंगे, यहां तक कि बद्र जाकर वहां तीन दिन

ठहरेंगे और इस बीच ऊंट ज़िब्ह करेंगे, लोगों को खाना खिलाएंगे और शराब पिलाएंगे, लौडियां हमारे लिए गाना गाएंगी और सारा अरब हमारे जमा होने और खाने-पीने और गाने-बजाने का हाल सुनेगा और इस तरह हमेशा के लिए उन पर हमारी धाक बैठ जाएगी।’

लेकिन अबू जहल के इस कहने के बावजूद अखनस बिन शुरैक ने यही मश्विरा दिया कि वापस चले चलो, मगर लोगों ने उसकी बात न मानी, इसलिए वह बनू जोहरा के लोगों को साथ लेकर वापस हो गया, क्योंकि वह बनू जोहरा का मित्र और इस सेना में उनका सरदार था। बनू जोहरा की कुल तायदाद कोई तीन सौ थी। उनका कोई भी आदमी बद्र की लड़ाई में हाज़िर न हुआ।

बाद में बनू जोहरा अखनस निब शुरैक़ की राय पर बड़े खुश थे और उनके भीतर उसका मान-सम्मान हमेशा बाक़ी रहा।

बनू जोहरा के अलावा बनू हाशिम ने भी चाहा कि वापस चले जाएं, लेकिन अबू जहल ने बड़ी सख्ती की और कहा कि जब तक हम वापस न हों, यह गिरोह हमसे अलग न होने पाए।

तात्पर्य यह कि सेना ने अपना सफ़र जारी रखा। बनू ज़ोहरा की वापसी के बाद अब उसकी तायदाद एक हजार रह गई थी और उसका रुख बद्र की ओर था। बद्र के क़रीब पहुंच कर उसने एक टीले के पीछे पड़ाव डाला। यह टीला बद्र की घाटी की सीमाओं पर दक्षिणी मुहाने के पास स्थित है।

इस्लामी सेना के लिए हालात की नज़ाकत

इधर मदीने के सूचना- सूत्रों ने अल्लाह के रसूल सल्लल्लाहु अलैहि व सल्लम को, जबकि अभी आप रास्ते ही में थे और ज़फ़रान घाटी से गुज़र रहे थे, क़ाफ़िले और सेना दोनों के बारे में सूचनाएं जुटाई। आपने इन सूचनाओं का गहराई से जायजा लेने के बाद यक़ीन कर लिया कि अब एक खूनी टकराव का वक़्त आ गया है और ऐसा क़दम उठाना ज़रूरी हो गया है जिसमें हिम्मत हो, हौसला हो, उमंग हो और सत्य के लिए लड़ने-मरने का जज्बा हो, तभी कामियाबी हाथ लग सकेगी।

क्योंकि यह बात क़तई थी कि अगर मक्की सेना को इस इलाक़े में यों ही दनदनाता हुआ फिरने दिया जाता, तो इससे कुरैश की फ़ौजी साख को बड़ी ताक़त पहुंच जाती और उनकी सियासी जीत का दायरा दूर तक फैल जाता, मुसलमानों की आवाज़ दबकर कमज़ोर हो जाती और उसके बाद इस्लामी दावत को एक बे-रूह ढांचा समझकर इस इलाक़े का हर व्यक्ति, जो अपने सीने में इस्लाम के खिलाफ़ कीना और दुश्मनी रखता था, शरारत पर उतर आता ।

फिर इन सब बातों के अलावा आखिर इसकी क्या गारंटी थी कि मक्के की सेना मदीना की ओर आगे नहीं बढ़ेगी और इस लड़ाई को मदीने की चारदीवारी तक पहुंचा कर मुसलमानों को उनके घरों में घुसकर तबाह करने की जुर्रत और कोशिश नहीं करेगी ? जी हां, अगर मदीना की फ़ौज की ओर से ज़रा भी ढील दी जाती, तो वह सब कुछ संभव था और ऐसा न भी होता तो मुसलमानों के रौब और दबदबे पर बहरहाल इसका बहुत बुरा असर पड़ता ।

9. His Character:

1. Jurjy Zaidan (George Gordan) who died recently was a famous Christian histo rian, linguist, philosopher and poet of the modern Egypt. Arabic was his mother tongue, but he was so well versed in English, French, Germany, Persian and Latin that he used to contribute to historical and philosophical Magazines of France, Germany and England. About Hazrath Ali he says:

None can praise to the extent that he (Ali) deserves. So many instances of his piety and fear of God are cited that one starts loving and venerating him. He was a true, strict and scupolous follower of Islam. His words and deeds bore stamps of nobility, sagacity and courage of conviction. He was a great man having his own independent views about life and its problems. He never deceived, misled, or betrayed anybody. In various phases and periods of his life he exhibited marvelleous strenght of body and mind which were due to his true faith in religion and in his sincere belief in truth and justice. He never had servant and never allowed his slaves to work hard. Often he would carry his household goods himself and if anybody offered to relieve him of the weight he would refuse.

II. The famous Egyptian philosopher and Professor of Islamics of Alazhar University, Allama Mohammed Mustafa Beck Najeeb in his equally famous book “Hima’ethul Islam” says: “What can be said about this Imam? It is very difficult to fully explain his attributes and qualities. It is enough to realize that the Holy prophet (A.S.) had named him the gateway of knowledge and wisdom. He was the most learned person, the most brave man and the most eloquent speaker and orator. His piety, his love of God, his sincerity and fortitude in following religion were of such high order that none could aspire to reach him. He was the greatest politician because he hated diplo macy and loved truth and justice, his was the policy as taught by God. On account of his sagacity and through knowledge of human mind he always arrived at correct conclusion and never changed his opinions. His was the best judgment, and had he no fear of God he would have been the greatest diplomat amongst the Arabs. He is loved by all, and everyone has a place for him in his heart. He was a man of such surpassing and preeminent attributes and such transcending and peerless qualities tha: many learned men got perplexed about him and imagined him to be an incarnation of God. Several men amongst Jews and Christians love him and such philosophers who came to know of his Leachings bow down before his incomparable vast knowledge. Roman kings would have

his pictures in, their palaces and great warriors would engrave his name on their swords”. (Hima’athul Islam, part I, page 98)

III. Another philosopher and historian of Egypt Ustad (professor) Mohammed Kamil Hatha, pays his tributes in the following words: His life is a agglomeration of pleasing incidents, bloody encounters and sad episodes. His personality is very prominent on account of his transcending and high qualities. Each aspect of his life is so lofty and glorious that a study of one phase would make you feel that it was the best phase of his character and the most beautiful picture of his personality, while contemplation of any other phase will enchant you more and you will come to the conclusion that no human-being can attain that height, and a third aspect will fascinate you equally and you will realize that before you is a personality of such great eminence that you cannot fully appreciate its greatness and you will feel that Ali was an Imam (Leader) in battlefield, was an Imam (Leader) in polites, was an Imam (Leader) in religion, and also an Imam in ethics, in philosophy, in literature, in learning and wisdom. It is not difficult for God to create such a person (a review on the charater of Ali by Ustad (Professor) Mohanned Kamil Hatha Page 40)

IV. The historian John J. Pool (author of the life of H.M. Queen Victoria) in his book Studies in Mohammedanism says:

(i) This prince was a man of mild and forbearing character, wise in counsel and bold in war. Mohammed had given him the surname of “the Lion of God”.

(ii) Ali and his sons Hassan and Hussain were truly noblemen-men of righteousness man of a brave, a humble, and a forgiving spirit. Their lives deserve to be commemorated; for there was a peculiar pathos about them (their lives) which were not spent selfishly or in vain. As Mathew Arnold (Essays in Criticism) says “the sufferers of karbala had aloft to th eyes of millions the lesson so loved by te sufferer of Calvary (Representation of Crucification) :-“Learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart, and Ye shall find rest unto your souls”. He further says that Ali was the first Caliph to protect and encourage national literature. This prince was a scholar himself and many of his wise saying and proverbs are published in a book. It is a remarkable work and deserves to be more widely read in the West”.

V. Ibne-abil-Hadeed, the Mothazali commentator of Nahjul Balagha, says that: Hazrath Ali had a personality in when opposite characteristics had so gathered that it was difficult to believe a human mind could manifest such a combination. He was the bravest man that history could cite and such brave persons are always hard hearted, cruel, and cager for blood-shed. On the contrary Ali was kind, sympathetic, responsive and warm hearted person, qualities quite contradictory to the other phase of his character and more suited to pious and God fearing persons.

He was very pious and God fearing person and often pious and religious persons avoid society and do not care to mix with men of sins and men of wrath, similarly warriors, kings and dictators are usually arrogant and haughty, they consider it below themselves to mix with poor, lowly and humble persons. But Ali was different. He was friend to all. As a matter of fact he had a tendor spot in his heart for poor and humble,

and for orphans and cripples. To them he always was a kind friend, a sympathetic guide and a fellow sufferer; he was meek unto them but haughty and arrogant against famous warriors and generals, so many of whom he had killed in hand to hand combats. He was always kind but strict with wayward persons, sympathetically teaching then the ways fo God. He always smiled and passed happy and witty rejoinders, it was difficult to over. come him in debats or repartees, his rejoinders and retorts always bore high mark of culture, education and knowledge.

He was a scion of a very illustrious, rich and noble clan, as well as son-in-law and great favourite of the Holy prophet (A.S.), at the same time he was the greatest warrior and marshal of his time, yet inspite of his riches he ate, dressed and lived like a poor person to him wealth was for the use of other needy persons, not for himself and his family. Change of times and change of circumstances did not bring any change in his bearing, mien, or character. Even when he ascended the throne of Arabia and was acclaimed as the Caliph, he was the same Ali as they had found him to be during the previous regimes. Once in the society of Abdullah, son of Imam Malik-ibne-Humbel a discussion took place about Ali and his caliphate, Abdullah brought the discussion to an end saying that the caliphate did not bring any honour or glory to Ali, but it was itself honoured and glorified by Ali and it received the status actually due to it.

I want to add one more point to the points discussed by Ibne-abil-Hadeed. World cannot quote an example other than that of Ali a first class warrior and a marshal who is also a philosopher, a moralist and a great teacher of religious principles and theology. A study of his life shows that his sword was the only help that Islam received during its arly days of struggle and its wars of self-defence. For Islam he was the first line of de- ence, the second line of defence and the last line of defence. Who was with him in the battles of Bader, Ohad, Khundaque, Khyber and Hunain? This is one aspect of his life. While the other phase of his character is portrayed by his sermons, orders, letters and sayings. What high values of morality they teach, what ethics they preach, what intricate problems of unitarianism they elucidate, how rich they are in philosophy; how they try to train us to be kind, good, benevolent and God fearing rulers, and faithful, sincere and law abiding subjects; how they persuade us to be warriors who can fight only for God, truth and justice, and not mercenaries murdering and plundering for wealth and riches; and how they instruct us to be teachers who can teach nothing injurious and harmful to mankind. Was there any such combination before and will there ever be?

VI. To Oelsner (the famous French Orientalist and author of ‘Les Effects de La Religion de Mohammed’) Ali was beau ideal of chivalry; and personification of gallantry, bravery and generosity.

He says: “Pure, gentle and learned without fear and without reproach, he set the world the noblest example of chivalrous grandeur of character. His spirit was a pure reflection of that of Mohammed, it overshadowed the Islamic world and formed the animating genius of succeeding ages”.

VII. Osborne, in’Islam under the Arabs’ says:—that Ali had been advised by several of his counsellors to defer the dismissal of the corrupt governors previously appoin ted until he himself was sure against all enemies. The Bayard of Islam, the hero without fear and without reproach, refused to be guilty of any duplicity or compromise with in-

justice. This uncompromisingly noble attitude cost him his state and his life; but such was Ali, he never valued anything above justice and truth.

VIII. Gibbon, in “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Vol. V) says that….the zeal and virtues of Ali were never out stripped by any recent prose. lyte. He united the qualification of a poet, a soldier and a saint. His wisdom still breaths in a collectin of moral and religious saying; and every antagonist in the combats of tongue or of sword was subdued by his eloquence and valour. From the first hour of mission to the last rites of his funeral, the apostle was never forsaken by this generous friend, whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegenerent and the faithful Aaron of second Moses.

IX. Masoodi, the famous histerian of Islam says that:-“If the glorious name of being the first Muslims, a comrade of the prophet in exile, his faithful companion in the struggle for the faith, his intimate associate in life, and his kinsman, if a true knowledge of the spirit of his teachings and of the Book, if self-abnegation and pratice of justice, if honesty, purity, and love of truth and if knowledge of law and science constitute a claim to pre-eminence, then all must regard Ali as the foremost Muslim. We shall search in vain to find, either among his predecessor (save the Holy prophet, A.S.), or among his successor, those virtues with which God had endowed him”.

10. His Religion

As has been declared by all the historians of Islam, Ali from his babyhood was adopted and looked after by the Holy Prophet (A.S.). Therefore naturally his religious tendencies from his childhood were those of the Holy prophet (A.S.). The question as to when he embraced Islam is out of consideration. He was Muslim from the very beginning. His religion was the religion of the Holy prophet (A.S.). At the age of 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 14th year he was following the religion which the Holy prophet (A.S.) had at his 35th, 37th, 40th, 42nd, and 44th year of his life; (the difference between the respective ages of the Holy prophet (A.S.) and Ali was about 30 years). If the Holy prophet (A.S.) at any period of his life was a non-muslim, then Ali at that period was also a non-muslim. This is the logic of facts. Imamul Kabeer Nooruddin Ali-ibne- Ibrahim-e-Shafayee in his book Seerath-e-Halebeya says “Ali was like a son unto the Holy prophet (A.S.) therefore his religion from the very beginning was the religion followed by the Holy prophet (A.S.)”. The famous historian Masoodi says that “The general census of opinion amongst the Muslims historians and theologians is that Ali was never a non-muslim and never prayed before idols, therefore the question of his embracing Islam does not and cannot arise”.

11. His Wife, Children and Home Life:

Hazrath Ali was married to Hazrath Fatima, the only daughter of the Holy prophet (A.S.) from Hazrath Khadija. He had been betrothed to her several days before the expedition to Bader. But the marriage was celebrated three months later, Hazrath Ali being in his 21st year and Hazrath Fatima in 15th year of her life (The spirit of Islam). It was very happy marriage. The trascendental distinctiveness of their respective characters blended so well with each other that they never quarelled and complained of one another and led a happy and contended life. Each one of them was rich in his own rights; Fatima was the only heir of one of the richest women of Arabia, Khadija, and had inherited many orchards and gardens in Mecca and Madina, besides that she was the daughter of the head of a rich clan and a king of a fast growing kingdom. Ali was a marshal who had
very handsome shares from the spoils of wars. Yet all that they owned went to the poor, cripples and orphans, and they themselves often starved. Their only luxury in life was prayers, and the company of each other and their children; and they willingly shared the sorrows and suffering of poor. They were given a slave girl, Fizza, but the Holy prophet (A.S.) had made arrangement that every alternate day was the off day of Fizza and her mistress would do all the household work. Even when Hazrath Fatima was ill on Fizza’s off day, Fizza would not be allowed to attend to the duties, but Hazrath Ali would work; and the hero of Bader, Ohad, Khandaque, Khyber and Hunain was seen grinding oats, lighting the oven, preparing the bread and looking after the children. Sulman says “What a household, the only daughter of the Holy prophet (A.S.) and wife of his vice generent leading the life of a poor labourer. If they had spent one-tenth of what they were distributing daily they would have led a life of ease and comfort”. From Hazrath Ali the Lady of Light (Fatima) had four children and the fifth (Mohsin) was a still birth. The causes of this mishap and also that of her death are very sad and pathetic incidents of their lives. The names of these four children were Hassan, Hussain, Zainab (wife of Abdullah Ibne-Jafar) and Umm-e-Kulsoom (wife of Obaidullah Ibne-Jafer). During the life time of Hazrath Fatima (A.S.) Hazrath Ali did not marry another woman. After her death he married Yamama and at her death another lady, having the name of Hanafia, from whom he had a son, Mohammed-e-Hanafia and after her death he married again, thus he had many children some of whom had unaparalleled place in the history of mankind, e.g. Hassan, Husain (the hero of Karbala), Zainab (the defender of true Islam in Koofa and Damascus). Abbas (the commander of Hussain’s army in Karbala) and Mohammed Hanafia, the hero of Nahrwan.