Hazrat Ali (R.A)

Hazrat Abu Talib (R.A) (Father of Hazrat Ali (R.A)) had a large family so he was not well off like his brothers. The famine spread in Makkah which further weakened his position.

Holy Prophet (S.A.W) could not bear the helplessness of his loving uncle. He went to his other uncle Hazrat Abbas (R.A) and motivated him to collectively help Hazrat Abu Talib to lessen his burden by adopting his one son each.

Both of them went to Hazrat Abu Talib (R.A) and apprised him of their intension. He had four sons, Talib, Aqeel, Ja'far and Ali, each having a difference of Ten years in age to the other. He agreed to the proposal and said Talib and Aqeel would remain with him and about the others, they were allowed to decide according to their will.

Hazrat Ali (R.A) being the youngest, was adopted by the Prophet (S.A.W) and Hazrat Ja'far (R.A) by Hazrat Abbas (R.A). Allah Almighty propelled Hazrat Ali (R.A) into the Prophetic lap before the call, to nurture him to become the illustrious gem to light up the four corners of the world with his spiritual light and exquisite learning.

His (R.A) blessed mother, Fatimah bint Asad tells, “When I begot this son, the Prophet named him as Ali and dropped His (S.A.W) blessed saliva and cast His (S.A.W) tongue into his mouth to be suckled till the blessed born slept." (Al-Syrat-ul-Nabwiah, p.182, Ahmed bin ZainyDahlaan)

The event of Hazrat Ali (R.A) embracing Islam took place in such a manner that one day he went inside the Prophetic house and saw Hazrat Khadija (R.A) and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) offering their prayers. He asked as to what they were both doing?

The Prophet (S.A.W) said, “This is the path of Allah (S.W.T) which He liked for Himself and sent His Prophets to preach it. So I invite you to believe in the oneness of Allah (S.W.T), to worship Him and to reject and rebut Laat and Uzza." (Al-Syrat-ul-Nabwiah, p.182, Ahmed bin ZainyDahlaan)

Hazrat Ali (R.A) replied, ‘I have never heard such a thing, unless I converse with my father I am unable to decide.’ The Prophet (S.A.W) said to him if he was unwilling to accept Islam, he must not open the secret. The night passed, Allah (S.W.T) lit up his heart with the light of faith; he appeared before His (S.A.W) Illustrious Majesty and embraced Islam at the tender age of eight.