A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Pious Caliphate
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destroyed, and the Qur’an has remained absolutely unchanged for
the centuries.
ALI IBN ABI TALIB – THE FOURTH CALIPH
(656-661)
Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet of Islam
was elected the fourth Caliph. He reigned from 656 to 661.
Ali was a profoundly religious man devoted entirely to the cause of
Islam. He was born in Makkah about the year 600 to Abu Talib,
chief of the clan of Banu Hashim. Ali was adopted by the Prophet
and lived with them in the same house. For, once Makkah suffered
from economic depression. Abu Talib, Prophet’s uncle had a very
large family, therefore the Prophet took into his care Ali, to lighten
the burden of Abu Talib.
One day when the Prophet and Khadija were worshipping together,
Ali happened to see them kneeling and prostrating themselves and
reciting Quranic revelations. Ali found it very strange. He asked the
Prophet: “To whom you were prostrating yourself.” The Prophet
answered. We have prostrated ourselves to God.” The Prophet
then explained to him about Allah and the revelations he had
received. Then the Prophet invited him to worship God alone
without associating anyone with him. Ali was excited but thought
that he ought to consult his father about it. However he could not
wait any longer. The very next morning he came rushing to the
Prophet and declared to them his conversion. Saying: ‘Allah
created me without consulting my father. Why then should I
