Martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (R.A)

On the authority of Hazrat Ali (R.A), Hazrat Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal narrated that the Prophet (S.A.W) enquired from him as to who had been the coldest hearted person in the previous nations and in this nation. Hazrat Ali (R.A) narrated that He (R.A) expressed his unawareness regarding this matter.

Then, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) replied, “The most cold hearted person from among the previous nations was Qidar Bin Salaf who belonged to the nation of the Prophet Salih (A.S). He hamstringed the legs of the She-Camel of Allah (S.W.T). As regards to this nation the most cold hearted person is he who will hit his sword on your head so much so that your beard will become red with your blood and you will die from the injury caused by the sword.”

Thus the prediction of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) proved true word by word and Hazrat Ali (R.A) was martyred at the time of Fajr prayer by the Kharijite, Abdul Rehman Bin Muljam with his sword. He hit his sword on his (R.A) head which started to bleed and coloured the beard red. Hazrat Ali (R.A) died of the head injury.

It is said that Hazrat Ali (R.A) was aware of his martyrdom at the instance of the Prophet (S.A.W). During the night before the morning when the unfortunate Abdul Rehman bin Muljam injured him, Hazrat Ali (R.A) came out of his (R.A) room many times, looked at the sky and said, “I swear by Allah Almighty that neither have I told a lie nor was I told a false thing. Tonight is the very night of which I have been told.” At the time of dawn, the ducklings started crying before him. When the people wanted to call the ducklings back, he (R.A) said,“Let them go. They are expressing their grief.”

Then, the Moazzin called for the prayers. He (R.A) went to the mosque for saying his prayers. Whist Hazrat Ali (R.A) was praying the Namaz, Abdul Rehman bin Muljam hit his sword on His (R.A) forehead, which eventually became the cause of the blessed Shahadah (Martyrdom).

It is said that once, Abdul Rehman bin Muljam came to Hazrat Ali (R.A) requesting him for transportation. He provided him with the transport and then said, “ I swear by Allah (S.W.T), he is my murderer.”

The people said to him, “ why don’t you kill him?” . He replied,

“ Who will, then kill me?”

(The author of Sawaiq Muharraqa has copied this event.)