ALI IBN ABI TALIB Radhia Allahu Anaha (The Fourth Caliph 656 C.E.)



Starting Life
"My eyes are sore are my legs are thing, but I'll stand by you, O Messenger of Allah!"
Thus said a young man of ten, when the Holy Prophet put his message before his own relatives. The boy was Ali, the cousin of the Holy Prophet.
Ali was born some thirty years after the birth of the Holy Prophet. His father, Abu Talib, was the Holy Prophet's real uncle. Fatima was the name of Ali's mother.
The Holy Prophet had lost his father before he was born. At a very early age he also lost his mother, Amina, and his grandfather Abdul Muttalib. Thereafter it was his uncle, Abu Talib who took care of him and brought him up. Abu Talib had a very large family. He was rather a poor man. When Ali was bron, the Holy Prophet was a grown up man. He had wife and children. So he took Ali to his own home and brought him up like his own son. He did this to take a little burden off the shoulders of his loving uncle. But this had another effect too. Ali grew up in the atmosphere of virtue and piety which no other home could provide.
This early training left a lasting effect on Ali's mind. It gave him a keen vision and a passionate love for truth. Above all, it made him a fearless fighter in the way of Allah. These qualities were later to prove a rare asset for Islam.

Acceptance of Islam
Ali was over nine years of age when the Holy Prophet was called to the Divine Mission. One day Ali saw his cousin and his wife put their foreheads on the ground. They were uttering praises of Allah, the Almighty. Ali looked on in amazement. Never before had he seen anybody say prayers in this fashion.
When the prayer was over, Ali asked his cousin what the strange act meant.

"We were worshipping Allah, the One," the Holy Prophet said, "I advise you to do the same. Never bend your head before Lat, Uzza or any other idol."

"But I have never heard of any such thing before," said Ali; "I will speak to father first and then let you know."
"You should not as yet talk to anyone about this matter. Think for yourself and make up your mind," the Holy Prophet advised his little cousin.
This advice made an irresistible appeal to Ali's good sense. He started thinking over the matter. The more he thought over it, the more convinced he grew of the truth of his good cousin's words. Next morning Ali came and accepted Islam. He was the first youth to join the fold of Islam. A rare act of independent judgement for a boy of his age, especially in a society given to idol worship! Proof of his instinctive love for truth.