ali in medina part 1

8/9/2019 Ali in Medina Part 1

1/11

n Medina Part 1

//islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/H-14-Ali-Medina-1.htm[17.1.2015. 14:36:42]

Back to Book List

ALI IN MEDINA #1

Click one of the followingtopics:

Fatima Marries Ali

Ali's Role in BadrConfrontation

Ali's Role in OhodConfrontation

Ali's Role in DitchConfrontation

Questions

ALI IN MEDINA (PARTONE)

ALI: DURING THE FIRST 6 YEARS OF HIJRAH

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS:

Fatima marries Ali

Ali's role in the Badr Confrontation

The Lion of Allah

Al-Hasan is born

Ali's role in the Ohod Confrontation

Al-Husain is born

Life after Ohod

Ali's role in the Ditch Encounter

Ali slays Amr ibn Abd Wid

Ali displayed tremendous skill and physical prowess durin

the many confrontations with the disbelievers, which surprise

everyone except the Prophet (pbuh). Ali was known andistinguished as the hero of heroes and the unconquerableAli was THE DEFENDER OF THE HOLY QURAN as long as

was being revealed, and after the revelations were complete was THE DEFENDER OF ISLAM AGAINST ALL THOSE WHO

MISUSED IT AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SACRED BOOK

Ali was also the defender of Muhammad (pbuh) whereveMuhammad (pbuh) was.

All this and Ali was only in his twenties!

FATIMA (A.S.) MARRIES ALI (A.S.)

A number of notable Muslims wished to marry Fatima (a.sbut she did not accept. When Ali (a.s.) asked, however, th

answer was yes.

Once married, Ali and Fatima lived in a modest home acros

from the Prophet's house. Their life together was vermodest, too, since both Ali and Fatima in their love to hel
http://c/FrontPage-Final/HomePage/table-books.htmhttp://c/FrontPage-Final/HomePage/table-books.htmhttp://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/H-14-Ali-Medina-2.htmhttp://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/http://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/H-14-Ali-Mecca-1.htm


2/11

n Medina Part 1


others shared much, if not most of what they had, with th

poor and disadvantaged.

When a man of noble character marries a woman of nob

character, the environment within the house becomeexceptionalof purity, virtue, and righteousness.

And the Prophet (pbuh) often said:

VERILY FATIMA IS THE FOREMOST OF WOMEN

(M. J. Chirri, Amir Al-Mu'mineen Ali.

This Hadith means that Fatima, Mary (the mother of Jesus the

Messiah) along with two other women hold the highest honoin Islam.)

This Hadith meant that Fatima (a.s.) was the foremost i her goodness of character, purity, piety, and virtue. Prophe

Muhammad (pbuh) would visit their house often and enjo conversing with them; thus, the closeness of these thre

continued on a strong basis.

ALI'S ROLE AT THE BADR CONFRONTATION

Two years had passed since the Muslims left Mecca, and b

now the Meccans, led by Quraish, came with an army tdestroy Islam. It was an army of almost 1,000 fighters, ful

equipped and well prepared.

The Muslims had to defend Islam and themselves; otherwisthey would be destroyed. The Muslims knew that well. Thenumbered no more than 313 (The number of Muslim fighter

was 313, but the number of participants was 314. Th Prophet (pbuh) was a participant but was not a fighter. H

was the leader), who would face about 1,000. Those fewthough not well equipped, had very high spirits.

The place was Badr, situated between Mecca and Medina

and it was winter time. The temperature was around 68 F

and it had just rained. The two forces faced one anothe each with a different intention: one to assault, the other t

defend; one was pagan, the other Muslim.

By tradition, the most daring was to come forward an

challenge the other side. Thus, three veteran fighters fromQuraish came forward, challenging the Muslims. To meet th

challenge, Ali (a.s.), Al-Hamza (a.s.), and Ibn Al-Harith moveforward and the duels started. Each duel was relentless, an

Ali's was first. Ali (a.s.), who was most skillful and incisive


3/11

n Medina Part 1


had the upper hand and slew the challenger in a short time

Al-Hamza (a.s.) did likewise, then Ali helped Ibn Al-Harith t

finish off the challenger.

Watching this, an alarmed Quraish led a charge against th Muslims and the two sides engaged in a ferocious fight. A

(a.s.) slew a second man, a third, a fourth and kept on anon. The challengers never knew of his fighting skills before

They only knew Ali had never fought before. But none was match to Ali, none could stand in his way. He waoverwhelming!

Ali gave the disbelievers the surprise of their life. He did no

see just an enemy before his eyes; he and every Muslim saw

their enemy as the devil, evil itself, an enemy who was tryin to extinguish the light of Allah (Islam). Each Muslim

remembered the 13 years or so of abuses and degradin treatment that they had received at the hands of thes

disbelievers. Now that Allah had allowed them to carry armthey had their first chance, and what a way to express a 13

year build-up of emotion!

Ali (a.s.) was the forerunner. His sword was ready, his h

incisive and swift, and his charge was like that of a lion; an

his fighting skill was something to behold. Though on foot, A(a.s.) finished this one, killed the other, dealt a mortal blow t

one, and on and on.

Al-Hamza (a.s.) did exceptionally well too, and so did ever

other Muslim. They did a remarkable job on their formidabenemy.

After a few hours, the enemy panicked. Each ran for his lif

leaving the wounded and dead behind. They also left behinall their munitions, war material, and belongings, along wit

70 prisoners of war!

Seventy disbelievers were killeda very large numbe

indeed. What was amazing, however, was that Ali (a.s.) slewabout 40% of the enemy. Remarkable! Thus, the charge o

Ali (a.s.) became known as the ruinous charge! The hero o the fight was Ali (a.s.). Ali was brave, fearless, heroic anbold. Ali came out of this fight without even a scratch. N

wounds, no cuts.

Ali's reputation flew high all over the country. He was calle

the knight of knights and the brave of the braves!! This waespecially so after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) nicknamed him


4/11

n Medina Part 1


THE LION OF ALLAH

(See M. J. Chirri, Amir Al-Mu'mineen Ali)

meaning that his bravery and boldness were like the spirit of conquering lion.

FATIMA (a.s.) IS EXPECTING

Within a month or two of their marriage Fatima (a.s.) foun out she was pregnant. The news delighted everyoneespecially the grandfather-to-be, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

It was blissful news to all, and though Badr gave them muc

happiness, this news added a great deal of joy on top.

On the 15th of Ramadhan, a baby was born, and he wanamed Al-Hasan. The happiness of grandfather (pbuh), fathe

(a.s.) and mother (a.s.), and the happiness of all knew n

limits. Al-Hasan was a good looking baby, having partly th looks of his father Ali (a.s.), and partly the looks of h

grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). There was somdegree of grace in him, even at such an early age.

Within a few months, baby Al-Hasan was able to recogniz people and smile to them. Grandfather, as busy as he wa

became attached to Al-Hasan from the very start. He wouhold him, kiss him, let him be free to play with his nose or pu

his beard. Thus, the bond between Al-Hasan and the threadults became firmer, not only emotionally but also because o

attractive qualities Al-Hasan was showing.

Not too long afterwards Al-Hasan was able to sit. He ha

cute baby teeth, and within a few more months he wa

crawling energetically.

By the time Al-Hasan was about 5-6 months old and able t sit, Fatima (a.s.) discovered that she was blessed with he

second pregnancy.

ALI'S ROLE IN THE OHOD CONFRONTATION

By now Ali (a.s.) was 26 years old, and the Prophet (pbuh56 years of age. It was a year since the Badr Confrontatio had been fought, but its memory was fresh in everyone

mind. The new danger was a large force of Meccans, leby a self-serving power-hungry man named Abu Sufyan, whic

was speeding toward Medina. Its purpose was to revengBadr and to destroy the Muslims altogether.

The Muslims began to prepare as fast as they could tconfront the ominous menace. They went to meet the enem


5/11

n Medina Part 1


a few miles south of Medina, at a place called Ohod.

The enemy's force numbered 3,000, but the Muslims ha mustered 700. Once more, the Muslims were small i

number, not as well armed, but high in spirit. Their faith wathe source of their strength.

The two sides stood face to face, the Muslims seeing ever

disbeliever as the devil incarnate! Fifty of the best Muslim

archers were to protect a strategic pass in the mountain, athe Prophet (pbuh) had strictly ordered. They were to preven

the enemy from attacking the Muslims from behind.

Before the battle broke out, the Meccans (challengers) cam

forward in the form of flag bearers. Being a flag bearer was great honor in those days, and it meant very much, it was fo

the very brave. The first of the flag bearers was met by A(a.s.) and in a duel of a few minutes, the opposer was slain

This man was followed by another, then another, and Ali (a.s

kept slaying one after another (a total of nine). The enem seeing its flag bearers swiftly killed, became demoralized

They considered this an unusually bad omen for them.

Seeing this, the disbelievers attacked, and Al-Hamza (a.s

and others became involved, as the two sides engaged in relentless fight. The disbelievers numbered four for ever

Muslim, but the disbelievers were psychologically brokenhaving seen many of their heroes fall dead. The enemy bega

to lose ground and its fighters were in disarray as they tried t

flee. They ran in all directions, leaving behind their munition and food supply. The Muslims followed and began to ente

the enemy's camp to capture the booty.

But two things happened at this time which provedevastating to the Muslims.

First, Al-Hamza (a.s.) was hit with a spear by someone whwas hired by the wife of Abu-Sufyan specifically for that. A

Hamza was killed instantly. (She was the mother of Mu'awiyaand an arch enemy of Islam.)

Second, and more seriously, 4/5th of the fighting Muslimarchers guarding the pass left their post to join the victoriou

Muslims, despite the Prophet's strict orders to the contrary.

Noticing the weak spot, the enemy overwhelmed the few

remaining archers and attacked the Muslims from the back.

Seeing this, the fleeing enemy up front counterattackedNow the Muslims were suddenly under attack both from th

front and back. The Muslims found themselves in confusionThey hardly knew who they were fighting, and within a sho


6/11

n Medina Part 1


time, most of the Muslims dispersed and ran for their lives

These included well-known people and close Companions lik

Abu Bakr (r), Omar (r), Ubaida, Talha, and Zubair.

At this moment, Ali's role stood out once more. The Prophe (pbuh) was wounded, he fell in a pit nearby, and none wa

there except Ali (a.s.), Abu Dajana, and a few others tprotect him.

It was also at this critical moment that a group o disbelievers attacked with the intent to kill the Prophe

(pbuh). Ali (a.s.) sped toward them, single-handedly, killetheir leader and forced the rest to flee. This was followed by

second wave of attackers, then a third, and then a fourth

Each group was repelled by Ali as each swiftly lost its leadeand immediately fled.

As the Muslims regrouped, they repulsed the attacks of th

enemy, and the fight eventually halted. Neither side was

winner. The Muslims lost 10% of its force (a total of 70!)The disbelievers lost a smaller number, though many of the

leaders were killed.

Ali (a.s.) was the one who finished off the flag bearers, an

by doing so he broke the self- confidence of the enemy anpaved the way for the Muslims' successfully attack.

Yet, when confusion ensued some time after and th

Muslims were near defeat, Ali was the one who remainesteadfast and fearlessly stood by the Prophet no matter wha

the odds were! He was never unnerved by the nea catastrophic gravity of the moment. It was at such frightening moment that Ali prevented a certain would-b

death to the Prophet (pbuh) by singularly repulsing the waveof attackers, one after another, and forced them to flee. N

wonder he was called:

THE LION OF ALLAH


This is why the Prophet (pbuh) said of him with admiration:

YET FOR A MAN TO EQUAL ALI


7/11

n Medina Part 1


AND YET FOR A SWORD TO EQUAL ALI'S SWORD


BACK IN MEDINA

The Muslims returned from the battleground at Ohod great

distressed; their faces were somber and their hearts werheavy.

They had come very close to losing the Prophet (pbuh),

They had missed a very close victory, and

They had lost a good many Muslims,

all because of a seemingly simple mistake. The mistake wa caused by disobeying the strict instructions of Muhamma

(pbuh) by the archers who were to guard the strategic passThis disobedience led to such horrifying consequences.

AT HOME

At home Ali's solace was baby Al-Hasan, who was walking

running, and making his mother Fatima run after him. Fatim

(a.s.) was due to deliver.

The new baby was a sweet looking boy, he was named AHusain. He looked slightly different from his brother, havin

more of his father's looks and delineations. The Prophe

(pbuh) said the Athan in his right ear and the Iqaama in h

left, just as he had done to Al-Hasan when he was born.

Grandfather Muhammad was drawn to Al-Husain just as h

was to his brother. He visited them almost daily to enjo

them and play with them. He saw them develop and slow unfold through the various stages of childhood. The babie

added immeasurable source of happiness to their house an the house across the way where grandfather Muhamma

lived.

THE NEXT TWO YEARS

Because of the Muslims' setback at Ohod, many tribes nea

Medina were emboldened and they attacked the Muslims destroyed property, or stole their belongings. Therefore th

Muslims, with Ali in the lead, were busy defending the community, or forming preemptive missions to undo the

would-be adversaries.

The two years following Ohod were hard and the bitte


8/11

n Medina Part 1


memory lay heavy on the hearts of everyone, it was a

unsettled time.

At the same time the Quranic Revelations kept comin

steadily. The design and framework for a stable righteou Islamic Community or Ummah was laid methodically b

applying the Directives of the Holy Quran under the leadershiand guidance of the Prophet (pbuh).

Al-Hasan and Al-Husain grew into active children, who talke in sentences at an early age. They were attached to the

grandfather Muhammad and he to them. He called them "mchildren", and would often hug and kiss them, or tease an

play with them. This raised a sense of jealousy with his wife

A'isha, especially when Muhammad (pbuh) was noticed tlove, respect, and deservedly praise Fatima and Ali.

The close relationship between Muhammad (pbuh) and th

two children became a model for other people to emulate

The Muslims started to pay closer attention to their owchildren and to give them better care. The close relationsh

was such that once in a congressional Salat, during Sujoodthe Prophet (pbuh) took a long time before sitting up. Peop

wondered if he was receiving a Revelation. When askedMuhammad (pbuh) replied, "No, but one of my children wa

on top of me while I was in Sujood and I dislike to eve

disturb him or to make him fall."

ALI'S ROLE IN THE ENCOUNTER OF THE DITCHTwenty nine year old Ali (a.s.) was working hard to help di

a 15 foot wide, 15 foot deep ditch which would stretc

between two mountains that enclave Medina. This was bein

done because a very large force from Mecca was headin toward them. Ali, along with other Muslims, and even th

Prophet himself, were in a race with time trying to finish othe ditch that would act as a barrier from the disbelievers, t

protect the Muslims and help prevent war. The forces a

organized by and with the help of Jewish tribes were cominto destroy the Muslims and to end Islam. This force consiste

of 10,000 fighters, a size unheard of before.

On the 6th day and shortly before the forces of thdisbelievers arrived the ditch was finished. Heading the forc

of the disbelievers was Abu Sufyan, the self-styled, powe

hungry, arch enemy of Islam. (Abu Sufyan was the father oMu'awiya.)

The fifteen hundred Muslims stood on the inner side of th


9/11

n Medina Part 1


ditch to defend Medina and the Muslims that were besieged

This siege took a long time.

Abu Sufyan thought of building a bridge over the ditch, o

destroying a section of the ditch but all these unrealistic plan were dropped. Amr ibn Abd Wid along with two othe

successfully crossed the ditch at its narrow spot. They wante to show others that it was possible to cross the ditch, an

where it would be feasible. Everyone was tense and seizewith excitement.

THE UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

Unexpectedly Amr ibn Abd Wid crossed the ditch and A (a.s.) immediately saw the danger of this vulnerable spot

Amr's crossing stunned everyone, Muslims and non-Muslimalike, but Ali's mind went beyond that. Ali immediately took

number of Muslims and stationed them to defend th

vulnerable part before the enemy used it to their advantageArmed and ready, they were to repulse any of the disbeliever

While Ali (a.s.) was placing the Muslims in the new defensiv

spots, he heard Amr, the arrogant and defiant, screaming fo

a duel. Amr was known to be the brave and unconquerable for he had killed every challenger. Amr had emboldened th

enemy and upset the Muslims.

Amr, a big man, with a large slightly curved nose, bush

eyebrows, and beady eyes, was masculine but with

grotesque and overpowering appearance.

Amr recited a poem in which he bragged that even his voic

had become hoarse from the challenges he had given to th

Muslims, yet none dared to take the challenge. In this manneof boasting he was insulting the Muslims and scaring them.

It was at this moment that Ali arrived, having just finishe

stationing the Muslims at the vulnerable point of the Ditch. A took permission from the Prophet (pbuh) to fight Amr an

rushed to face him.

Amr a huge giant-like man faced Ali, a small but muscula

figure, just as Goliath had faced David. Amr scornfully said, don't want to kill you, especially since I used to be you

father's guest many times!" (meaning Ali was too insignifican

of a fighter). Ali answered, "But I accept your challenge!Amr, feeling insulted, got furious, and the fight between th

two started. Amr's sword swished through the air, but Abeing swift, avoided the hit. Ali was just too fast for Amr. A


10/11

n Medina Part 1


moved his sword firmly and incisively and the ominous clank

of the swords could be heard from a distance. The two cou

hardly be seen because by their quick movements they stirrea cloud of dust around them. Ali (a.s.) received a small nic

on his forehead, during the duel the relentless attacks of Acaused Amr to lose balance and fall on his back. Instantly A

was on top of him saying,

"Will you now say:

NO DEITY IS THERE BUT ALLAH

AND MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH?"

Amr found himself humiliated unexpectedly, for he had beeoutdone by a man half his size. Feeling furious, Amr spat

Ali's face. Ali (a.s.) got up, gave the sword back to Amr rathe

than kill him then and there. Amr, huffing and buffing from exhaustion, started to fight again, just to see Ali doing th

seemingly impossible. soon Amr was hit with Ali's lightningquick sword. Amr's vision became blurred, his flabby leg

sagged under him, and this ox-sized man fell to the grounwith a thud, dead!

Like lightning, Ali fell on this enemy and swiftly killed the gianhero of the disbelievers.

Ali shouted Allaahu Akbar. The spirit of the enemy wa

immediately crushed, for they knew their unbeatable hero la

dead. Now they could not think a general attack to bpossible.

The Muslims became excited and with spirits shooting sk

high, their fear and anxiety were replaced by a spirit of prid

and self-confidence.

Within a few weeks, dispirited and feeling low, the enem left the area. Grateful to Allah, the Prophet (pbuh) and th

happy Muslims also left the area to return to their families

Everyone was thinking, "Ali did it again", Ali had saved thday, one man had been the undoing of an army, what a feat!

QUESTIONS


11/11

n Medina Part 1

1. Whom did Ali marry?

2. Was Fatima asked in marriage before she married Ali?

3. Describe Badr battle with the disbelievers.

4. Describe Ali's role in the battle of Badr.

5. What did the Prophet (pbuh) nick-name Ali at the battle o

Badr?

6. Who was the first born to Fatima and Ali?

7. Describe the Ohod Confrontation with the disbelievers.

8. What was Ali's role in the Ohod battle?

9. How was Al-Hamza killed during the battle of Ohod?

10. What words of admonition did the Prophet (pbuh) delive

about Ali at the battle of Ohod?

11. Who was the second son to Fatima and Ali?

12. How was the relationship of Muhammad (pbuh) to h

grandchildren?

13. Describe the two years after the Ohod Confrontation witthe disbelievers.

14. Describe the Ditch Encounter with the disbelievers.

15. What did Ali immediately do when Amr ibn Abd Wi

crossed the ditch?

16. Describe how Ali dealt with Amr at the Ditch Encounter.

17. After Amr spat in Ali's face, Ali gave Amr the sword h

lost. Why did Ali do that for a second round of fighting?

18.Why was Amr reputed to be the unconquerable?

19. Describe the feeling of the disbelievers when their her

Amr was slain by Ali.

20. Describe the effect on the Muslims when Amr was slain b

Ali.

Back to Book List
http://c/FrontPage-Final/HomePage/table-books.htmhttp://c/FrontPage-Final/HomePage/table-books.htmhttp://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/H-14-Ali-Medina-2.htmhttp://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/http://islamicbooks.info/H-14-Ahlul-1/H-14-Ali-Mecca-1.htm

ali in medina part 1

Documents