A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Pious Caliphate
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consult him in order to worship Allah.’ Ali was the first youth to
enter the fold of Islam at the age of 10. He remained a lifelong
devoted follower of the Prophet.
On the night of the emigration in 622 it was Ali who risked his life
by sleeping in the Prophet’s bed at a time when his house was
surrounded by blood thirsty men with drawn swords with the plot
of assassinating the Prophet. Ali lay there so that the Prophet may
leave unnoticed. The Prophet further asked him to stay in Makkah
in order to restore all things, entrusted to the Prophet, to their
rightful owners in Makkah. Only after carrying out this request of
the Prophet Ali left for Madinah. In Madinah Ali married Prophet’s
daughter Fatima. Two sons, Hasan and Husain were born to them
in Madinah.
Ali was extremely brave. He used to display great feats of courage
and bravery during the military campaigns. He was also one of the
Prophet’s scribes. He was chosen by the Prophet for several
important missions. After the conquest of Makkah when the
Makkans converted to Islam it was Ali who destroyed the idols in
the Ka‘bah.
Ali was invited by the Muslims of Madinah to accept the Caliphate
after the murder of Usman, the third Caliph. For three days after
Usman’s murder Medina remained completely in the grip of
rioters. In such a state of affairs when Ali’s name was proposed he
refused at first. But the people of Madinah prevailed upon him to
give second thought and come forward to serve the people. Ali
therefore agreed reluctantly after a long hesitation.
