Ali was attacked and assassinated while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa (Photo Credit: Wikipedia/Ali Alturaihy)
New Delhi:
The birth anniversary of Imam Hazrat Ali will be marked on March 9, 2020. The Hazrat Ali Jayanti is a public holiday in the state of Uttar Pradesh and restricted holiday in India. Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, is a respected figure in Islam held in high esteem across India and beyond. Ali ibn Abi Talib i.e. Hazrat Ali is also said to have been the first male convert to Islam.
According to traditional records, Ali was born inside the sacred sanctuary of the Kaaba in Mecca, the holiest place in Islam, to Abu Talib and Fatimah bint Asad. Ali was an early companion of Hazrat Muhammad and fought in the battles that forged the early Muslim community. Ali married Muhammad's daughter Fatimah after moving to Medina.
Ali was appointed caliph after the assassination of Uthman ibn Affan. Ali was attacked and assassinated while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa. According to legend, he was struck in the head with a poisonous sword while he was saying his prayers.
Ali is known by various titles, given due to his personal qualities and events in his life. He is known as Al-Murtaza (The Chosen One), Amir al-Muminin (Commander of the Faithful Ones), Bab-e Madinatul-Ilm (Door of City of the Knowledge), Abu Turab (Father of the Soil"), Asad Allah (Lion of God), Haydar (Braveheart or Lion) and Walad al-Kabah (Son of the Kaaba).
Ali is important to both Shias and Sunnis, though his depiction sometimes varies on sectarian lines. He is respected as a scholar, pious Muslim, loyal to Muhammad and a just ruler. While he is considered the fourth Rashidun Caliph by Sunnis, the Shias regard him as the first Caliph and Imam after Muhammad. Shia Muslims also believe that Ali and the other Shia Imams are the rightful successors to Muhammad.
Source: Wikipedia, Iran Government and other sources
