Historical Figure
Ali
d. 661
1st Shia Imam and 4th Rashidun caliph (656–661)
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Biography
Ali ibn Abi Talib was the fourth Rashidun caliph who ruled from 656 CE until his assassination in 661, as well as the first Shia Imam. He was the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Born to Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Fatima bint Asad, Ali was raised in the household of his cousin Muhammad and was among the first to accept his teachings.
Timeline
The story of Ali, told in moments.
The hijra. Muhammad flees Mecca for Medina. Ali stays behind, sleeping in Muhammad's bed as a decoy so assassins won't pursue. He's roughly 22. He follows days later, on foot, escorting Muhammad's family.
Marries Fatimah, Muhammad's daughter. They'll have four children, including Hasan and Husayn, through whom all of Muhammad's living descendants trace their lineage.
Becomes the fourth caliph after Uthman's assassination. Almost immediately, two rebellions. He defeats Aisha's forces at the Battle of the Camel but can't dislodge Muawiya in Syria. The Battle of Siffin ends in stalled arbitration. His own supporters begin to fracture.
Struck on the head with a poison-coated sword by Ibn Muljam, a Kharijite, while praying at the Great Mosque of Kufa. He dies two days later. Muawiya seizes power. The Sunni-Shia divide crystallizes around this succession.
In Their Own Words (20)
Two things cause people to be destroyed: fear of poverty and seeking superiority through pride.
Majlisi, Bihārul Anwār, vol. 72, p. 39
The best companion and helper is admirable morals.
Majlisi, Bihārul Anwār, vol. 77, p. 149
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, while he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
As quoted in "Considerations By the Way" in Conduct of Life by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Knowledge creates fear of God.
Do not hurry over punishments and do not be pleased and do not be proud of your power to punish.
Artifacts (13)
Portrait of a kneeling holy man, from the Prince Salim Album
Mir Sayyid Ali (Persian, active in Iran 1540s–50, active in India 1555–1580)
![True Likeness of the beheaded Turkish officer Ali Bassa [Pasha]](https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AF3347/full/!800,800/0/default.jpg)
Husain Ali Khan Entertaining His Brothers (The Sayyid Brothers)
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