بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Stories of the Sahabah

Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه

Ali رضي الله عنه was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, one of the earliest believers, the husband of Fatimah رضي الله عنها, the father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, a brave defender of Islam, a man of knowledge, and the fourth khalifah of the Muslims.

Fourth Khalifah Ahl al-Bayt Promised Paradise
Full name Ali ibn Abi Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib رضي الله عنه
Tribe and family Quraysh, from Banu Hashim, the family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Family connection Cousin of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and husband of Fatimah رضي الله عنها
Children through Fatimah رضي الله عنها Al-Hasan, al-Husayn, Zaynab, and Umm Kulthum رضي الله عنهم
Major role The fourth khalifah after Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه
Dates Commonly placed around 600/601 CE to 40 AH / 661 CE; khalifah from 35 AH to 40 AH

His life and service

This page follows his family line, early Islam, marriage to Fatimah رضي الله عنها, courage, authentic virtues, khalifah, major trials, and dates with source-safe wording.

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His noble name and lineage

Ali رضي الله عنه was Ali ibn Abi Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim. He came from Banu Hashim, the same noble clan as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His father Abu Talib raised the Prophet ﷺ in childhood, and Ali رضي الله عنه grew up very close to the Messenger ﷺ.

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His mother and household

His mother was Fatimah bint Asad, from Banu Hashim. The household of Abu Talib had honour, responsibility, and closeness to the Prophet ﷺ. This family connection meant that Ali رضي الله عنه did not only know the Messenger ﷺ from outside; he saw his character closely.

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Raised near the Prophet ﷺ

Seerah works mention that when Abu Talib faced difficulty, the Prophet ﷺ helped by taking Ali رضي الله عنه into his care. This placed Ali رضي الله عنه near the Prophet ﷺ from a young age, like a small lamp kept beside the main flame.

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Among the earliest believers

Ali رضي الله عنه accepted Islam very early. Scholars commonly describe him as the first child or young boy to accept Islam. Exact wording differs among historians when arranging the earliest believers, but his early Islam is firmly known.

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Faith at a young age

His acceptance of Islam as a young person teaches that guidance is not locked behind age. A young heart can recognise truth when Allah opens it. Ali رضي الله عنه did not merely inherit closeness to the Prophet ﷺ; he accepted the message and stood with it.

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Life in Makkah under pressure

In Makkah, the early Muslims faced mockery, pressure, and danger. Ali رضي الله عنه belonged to the Prophet’s ﷺ family, so the conflict around Islam touched his own house and relatives. His early years were not soft decoration; they were years of loyalty under heat.

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The night of Hijrah

Seerah reports mention that Ali رضي الله عنه remained in Makkah during the Hijrah period and helped return trusts that people had left with the Prophet ﷺ. This shows his courage and trustworthiness at a moment when Makkah had become dangerous for the Messenger ﷺ.

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Migration to Madinah

After fulfilling what was needed in Makkah, Ali رضي الله عنه migrated to Madinah. His life then moved from secret pressure in Makkah to public service in the growing Muslim community of Madinah.

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Marriage to Fatimah رضي الله عنها

Ali رضي الله عنه married Fatimah رضي الله عنها, the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah رضي الله عنها. This marriage joined two noble branches: the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter and his close cousin, both raised in faith and sacrifice.

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A household of simplicity

The home of Ali and Fatimah رضي الله عنهما was not built on luxury. Authentic reports show their life included work, tiredness, and need. Yet the Prophet ﷺ taught them dhikr before sleep instead of giving them the worldly help they had requested.

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The tasbih taught to Ali and Fatimah رضي الله عنهما

Sahih al-Bukhari records that the Prophet ﷺ taught Ali and Fatimah رضي الله عنهما to say SubhanAllah thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar thirty-four times before sleeping. This became one of the most beloved daily remembrances in Muslim homes.

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Father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما

Through Fatimah رضي الله عنها, Ali رضي الله عنه became the father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, the beloved grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ. He was also father to Zaynab and Umm Kulthum رضي الله عنهما from Fatimah رضي الله عنها.

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Ahl al-Bayt and family honour

Ali رضي الله عنه is central to the family of the Prophet ﷺ. Sahih Muslim records the Prophet ﷺ calling Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn رضي الله عنهم and saying, O Allah, these are my family. This honour must be carried with love and balance.

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Bravery in the path of Allah

Ali رضي الله عنه is known in Seerah for courage in the major events of Islam. His courage was not loud boasting. It was a sword held in obedience, a heart tied to the Messenger ﷺ, and a readiness to stand when the Ummah needed him.

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The banner at Khaybar

At Khaybar in 7 AH, the Prophet ﷺ said he would give the banner to a man who loved Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah and His Messenger loved. Sahih al-Bukhari records that the banner was given to Ali رضي الله عنه, and Allah granted victory through him.

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Healing and victory at Khaybar

The Khaybar report also mentions that Ali رضي الله عنه had trouble with his eyes. The Prophet ﷺ applied his saliva to his eyes and supplicated, and Ali رضي الله عنه went forward with the banner. The scene joins love, miracle, courage, and victory in one report.

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The Tabuk statement

During the expedition of Tabuk in 9 AH, the Prophet ﷺ left Ali رضي الله عنه in Madinah. When Ali رضي الله عنه felt hurt by being left behind, the Prophet ﷺ said that Ali’s position to him was like Harun’s position to Musa, except that there would be no prophet after him.

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No prophethood after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Tabuk hadith gives Ali رضي الله عنه a great honour, while also clearly closing the door to prophethood after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The correct belief is to honour Ali رضي الله عنه without exaggerating his rank beyond what Islam teaches.

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Love for Ali رضي الله عنه is from faith

Sahih Muslim records that Ali رضي الله عنه said the Prophet ﷺ promised him that none would love him except a believer and none would hold hatred toward him except a hypocrite. This hadith teaches Muslims to love him with truth, not with exaggeration or sectarian anger.

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Among the ten promised Paradise

Jami at-Tirmidhi records Ali رضي الله عنه among the ten Companions given glad tidings of Paradise. This places him among the greatest Companions and keeps his virtue rooted in transmitted evidence.

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Knowledge, judgement, and wisdom

Ali رضي الله عنه was known among the Companions for knowledge, judgement, eloquence, and understanding. At the same time, weak and fabricated reports about his knowledge should be avoided. His authentic virtues are already bright enough.

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Service after the Prophet ﷺ returned to Allah

After the Prophet ﷺ returned to Allah, Ali رضي الله عنه remained one of the senior Companions and members of the Prophet’s ﷺ household. The early Muslim community passed through serious responsibilities, and Ali رضي الله عنه remained a figure of knowledge and honour.

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Respect between the great Companions

When writing about Ali رضي الله عنه, adab requires honouring him while also honouring Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and the other Companions رضي الله عنهم. The stories of the Sahabah should build faith, not open doors of insult.

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He became the fourth khalifah

After Uthman رضي الله عنه returned to Allah in 35 AH / 656 CE, Ali رضي الله عنه became the fourth khalifah. His leadership began during a painful and unsettled time, not during calm expansion.

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Leadership during turmoil

The khalifah of Ali رضي الله عنه was marked by internal conflict among Muslims. This period is known as the First Fitnah. A children’s or family-friendly Islamic history page should not turn this into factional fire; it should explain the difficulty with dignity and restraint.

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The Battle of Jamal

The Battle of Jamal took place in 36 AH / 656 CE during his rule. It involved senior Muslims and grew from a painful dispute after the killing of Uthman رضي الله عنه. The safest educational wording is to avoid insulting any Companion and to leave final judgement to Allah.

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The Battle of Siffin

The Battle of Siffin took place in 37 AH / 657 CE between the forces of Ali رضي الله عنه and Mu‘awiyah رضي الله عنه. This is one of the most sensitive chapters of early Islamic history, so the page should remain calm, factual, and free from sectarian language.

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The rise of the Kharijites

After arbitration disputes, the Kharijites emerged as a harsh group that separated from Ali رضي الله عنه. Their extremism became a major wound in the Ummah. This part of history shows how uncontrolled anger can dress itself as religion while tearing the community apart.

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Kufa and the centre of rule

Ali رضي الله عنه is closely connected with Kufa during his khalifah. The centre of political gravity had shifted from the earlier Madinan simplicity into a larger, more complicated Muslim world, and Ali رضي الله عنه had to lead in that storm.

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His worship and personal restraint

Historical reports describe Ali رضي الله عنه as brave, eloquent, simple in living, and devoted in worship. Even when writing these reports, it is better to keep the wording measured and not turn admiration into impossible legend.

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His final days in 40 AH

Ali رضي الله عنه was struck in Kufa during Ramadan in 40 AH and returned to Allah soon after. Many historical works place this in 661 CE. Exact modern-date conversion may vary, so 40 AH / 661 CE is the safest wording for the page.

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His lasting legacy

Ali رضي الله عنه left a legacy of courage, knowledge, family honour, worship, patience, and leadership under trial. He is loved by Ahl al-Sunnah and by the wider Ummah, but true love for him must remain tied to Qur’an, Sunnah, and respect for all noble Companions.

Who was Ali رضي الله عنه?

Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه was from Banu Hashim, the family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He was the Prophet’s ﷺ cousin, later his son-in-law, and one of the earliest people to accept Islam. His life sits at the meeting point of family closeness, youthful faith, courage, knowledge, and leadership.

He should not be presented as a flat warrior figure only. Ali رضي الله عنه was also a husband, father, worshipper, judge, adviser, narrator, khalifah, and a senior member of Ahl al-Bayt. His story is a mountain with many paths, and each path needs adab.

Simple identity line

Ali رضي الله عنه was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the husband of Fatimah رضي الله عنها, the father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, and the fourth khalifah.

Early Islam and young courage

Ali رضي الله عنه accepted Islam at a young age and is commonly described as the first child or young boy to accept the message. This matters because the earliest Muslims were not protected by crowds. Faith in those days meant pressure, family tension, and danger.

His early Islam also shows the mercy of Allah in guiding hearts differently. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه brought mature friendship and wealth. Khadijah رضي الله عنها brought comfort and certainty. Ali رضي الله عنه brought young loyalty from inside the Prophet’s ﷺ own family circle.

Marriage to Fatimah رضي الله عنها

Ali رضي الله عنه married Fatimah رضي الله عنها, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah رضي الله عنها. Their home was close to the Prophet ﷺ in love, but not free from hardship. The authentic tasbih report shows that Fatimah رضي الله عنها became tired from household work and asked for help, but the Prophet ﷺ taught them remembrance instead.

From this marriage came al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, the beloved grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ, and also Zaynab and Umm Kulthum رضي الله عنهما. This family line became one of the most beloved lines in Muslim memory.

The banner of Khaybar

The Khaybar report is one of the clearest authentic virtues of Ali رضي الله عنه. The Prophet ﷺ said he would give the banner to a man who loved Allah and His Messenger and was loved by Allah and His Messenger. The Companions hoped to receive that honour, and the Prophet ﷺ gave the banner to Ali رضي الله عنه.

The hadith also mentions that Ali رضي الله عنه had eye trouble, and the Prophet ﷺ treated him by Allah’s permission. Then Ali رضي الله عنه carried the banner forward and Allah granted victory. This is a page jewel: love, healing, courage, and victory all gathered in one narration.

The Tabuk honour

During Tabuk in 9 AH, the Prophet ﷺ left Ali رضي الله عنه in Madinah. Ali رضي الله عنه felt hurt, thinking he had been left with the women and children. The Prophet ﷺ comforted him with a powerful statement: his position to the Prophet ﷺ was like the position of Harun عليه السلام to Musa عليه السلام, except that there would be no prophet after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

This hadith should be taught exactly and safely. It proves a great closeness and honour for Ali رضي الله عنه, while also clearly affirming that prophethood ended with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Ahl al-Bayt and the Mubahalah report

The Qur’an mentions the Mubahalah verse in Surah Ali Imran. Sahih Muslim records that when the verse was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ called Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn رضي الله عنهم and said: O Allah, these are my family.

This report is very important for showing the honour of Ali رضي الله عنه within Ahl al-Bayt. At the same time, the page should remain balanced: loving Ahl al-Bayt is part of faith and adab, and it should never be used as a weapon against other noble Companions.

Love for Ali رضي الله عنه

Sahih Muslim records Ali رضي الله عنه saying that the Prophet ﷺ promised him that none would love him except a believer, and none would hold hatred toward him except a hypocrite. This hadith gives Muslims a clear heart-rule: Ali رضي الله عنه must be loved.

But Islamic love is not wild exaggeration. The correct path is love with Sunnah, honour with balance, and respect for all the Companions رضي الله عنهم. The heart should not become a battlefield where one Companion is loved by insulting another.

The fourth khalifah

Ali رضي الله عنه became the fourth khalifah in 35 AH / 656 CE after Uthman رضي الله عنه returned to Allah. His rule did not begin in a calm morning. It began after one of the most painful wounds in the early Ummah, and the community was already shaken.

His khalifah is commonly dated from 35 AH to 40 AH, corresponding broadly to 656 to 661 CE. During this period, the Muslim world faced internal conflict, including Jamal, Siffin, arbitration disputes, and the rise of the Kharijites.

Writing the Fitnah period with adab

The period of conflict during Ali’s khalifah must not be written like gossip or political theatre. It involved senior people from the early Muslim community, and the pain of that time is not entertainment. Mentioning Jamal and Siffin is important, but the wording should remain respectful and non-sectarian.

A good page teaches the visitor that Muslims should honour Ali رضي الله عنه, honour the Companions رضي الله عنهم, avoid insulting them, and understand that early history contains trials that require knowledge, humility, and restraint.

Important wording

Do not turn the Fitnah into blame-language. Keep the page factual, gentle, and connected to adab toward the Sahabah.

Final days and legacy

Ali رضي الله عنه was struck in Kufa during Ramadan in 40 AH and returned to Allah soon after. Many historical works place this in 661 CE. Because exact modern calendar conversions can differ, the safest wording for the page is 40 AH / 661 CE.

His legacy is immense: early faith, courage, love from the Prophet ﷺ, marriage into the Prophet’s ﷺ family, fatherhood of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, knowledge, worship, and leadership during one of the most difficult chapters of Muslim history.

Virtues from authentic reports

These virtues should stay central because they are rooted in strong and well-known Islamic sources.

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Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ

Ali رضي الله عنه was from the Prophet’s ﷺ closest family and married Fatimah رضي الله عنها, the beloved daughter of the Messenger ﷺ.

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Father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما

Through him and Fatimah رضي الله عنها came al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما, the beloved grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ.

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Loved by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ

At Khaybar, the Prophet ﷺ said the banner would be given to a man who loved Allah and His Messenger and was loved by Allah and His Messenger, then gave it to Ali رضي الله عنه.

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Position like Harun to Musa عليهم السلام

At Tabuk, the Prophet ﷺ honoured Ali رضي الله عنه with the famous statement of closeness, while clearly saying there would be no prophet after him.

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Love for him is a sign of faith

Sahih Muslim records the promise that none loves Ali رضي الله عنه except a believer and none holds hatred toward him except a hypocrite.

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Among the ten promised Paradise

Jami at-Tirmidhi records Ali رضي الله عنه among the ten Companions who received glad tidings of Paradise.

Lessons from his life

Ali رضي الله عنه teaches faith with courage, love with balance, and leadership with patience in the middle of storms.

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Youth can carry serious faith

Ali رضي الله عنه accepted Islam at a young age. This teaches that young believers should not be treated as empty pages with no ability to understand truth.

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Courage must serve obedience

His bravery was not reckless noise. It was courage under the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

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Family honour is responsibility

Being close to the Prophet ﷺ did not mean a life without tests. Ali رضي الله عنه carried family honour with service, patience, and sacrifice.

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Love without exaggeration

Muslims must love Ali رضي الله عنه deeply, while avoiding exaggeration, sectarian anger, or disrespect toward other Companions.

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Leadership can arrive in storms

Ali رضي الله عنه became khalifah during turmoil. His story teaches that leadership is sometimes tested most when everyone wants easy answers.

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Adab protects history

The disputes of the Companions should be written with knowledge and restraint. Careless words about them can injure faith instead of teaching it.

Dates and wording notes

Use dates where they are established in history, and avoid unsupported precision where Qur’an and authentic hadith do not give exact details.

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About his birth year

Many historians place his birth around 600 or 601 CE, sometimes also described as about 23 years before Hijrah. The exact day is not established by Qur’an or authentic hadith.

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About being born inside the Ka‘bah

This claim is famous in later discussions, but it is not needed for a source-safe page. His established virtues are enough without depending on disputed reports.

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About earliest Islam

It is safe to write that he was among the earliest believers and commonly described as the first child or young boy to accept Islam. Avoid fighting over exact order where historians differ.

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About “city of knowledge” reports

Do not use weak or disputed popular reports as central proof. The page can mention his knowledge generally and rely on stronger established virtues.

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About the Fitnah period

Keep the wording neutral and respectful. Mention Jamal, Siffin, and the Kharijites only with adab, avoiding insult toward the Companions.

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About his khalifah dates

His rule is commonly dated 35 AH to 40 AH, corresponding broadly to 656 to 661 CE. Exact day conversions can differ.

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About his return to Allah

The safest wording is that he was struck in Kufa during Ramadan 40 AH and returned to Allah soon after. Many works place this in 661 CE.

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About loving Ali رضي الله عنه

The Sahih Muslim report should be taught as love with correct belief, not as permission for exaggeration or hatred of other noble Companions.

References used

  • Sahih al-Bukhari 3009 / 3701: The Khaybar banner was given to Ali رضي الله عنه, described as loving Allah and His Messenger and being loved by Allah and His Messenger.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 4416 and Sahih Muslim 2404: The Tabuk report: Ali رضي الله عنه was to the Prophet ﷺ like Harun to Musa عليهما السلام, except that there would be no prophet after him.
  • Sahih Muslim 78: The promise that none loves Ali رضي الله عنه except a believer and none holds hatred toward him except a hypocrite.
  • Sahih Muslim 2404d and Qur’an 3:61: The Mubahalah passage and the Prophet ﷺ calling Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn رضي الله عنهم his family.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 3113: The Prophet ﷺ taught Ali and Fatimah رضي الله عنهما the bedtime tasbih.
  • Jami at-Tirmidhi 3747: Ali رضي الله عنه is listed among the ten Companions given glad tidings of Paradise.
  • Reliable Seerah and early history works: Used for broad biographical details such as early Islam, marriage, leadership dates, Jamal, Siffin, Kufa, and 40 AH / 661 CE wording.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.