Ali is a disambiguation-prone name most prominently associated with Ali ibn Abi Talib (c. 600 – 661 CE), the fourth Rashidun caliph and the first Shia Imam. He was the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and is a central figure in the early history of Islam. The source material for this article describes this historical personage rather than any contemporary individual.
| Full name | Ali ibn Abi Talib (عليّ بن أبي طالب) |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 600 CE |
| Died | 661 CE (assassinated) |
| Parents | Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib; Fatima bint Asad |
| Spouse | Fatima, daughter of Muhammad |
| Office | Fourth Rashidun Caliph (656–661 CE) |
| Religious status | First Imam in Shia Islam; last of the rashidun in Sunni Islam |
| Shrine | Najaf, Iraq |
| Famous compilation | Nahj al-balagha |
Ali was born in Mecca to Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Fatima bint Asad, and was raised in the household of his cousin Muhammad. He was among the first to accept Muhammad's teachings and played a pivotal role during the early years of Islam, when Muslims faced severe persecution in Mecca.
After the hijra (migration) to Medina in 622 CE, Muhammad gave his daughter Fatima in marriage to Ali and swore a pact of brotherhood with him. During this period Ali served as Muhammad's secretary and deputy, and was the flag-bearer of his army.
In 632 CE, Muhammad uttered a much-discussed statement at Ghadir Khumm: "Whoever I am his mawla, then Ali is his mawla." The Arabic word mawla is polysemous, and its interpretation is disputed. Shia Muslims understand it as Muhammad investing Ali with religious and political authority, while Sunni Muslims read it as an expression of friendship and rapport.
When Muhammad died in 632 CE, a group of Muslims gathered in Ali's absence and appointed Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) as leader. Ali eventually relinquished his claim and withdrew from public life during the reigns of Abu Bakr and Umar (r. 634–644). His refusal to follow some of their practices is said to have cost him the caliphate when the electoral council chose Uthman (r. 644–656) as Umar's successor. Ali was critical of Uthman, who was widely accused of nepotism and corruption, but he also repeatedly mediated between the caliph and provincial dissidents.
Following Uthman's assassination in June 656, Ali was elected caliph in Medina. His rule was immediately challenged by two rebellions ostensibly seeking vengeance for Uthman:
Ali was assassinated in 661 CE by the Kharijite dissident Ibn Muljam. His death paved the way for Mu'awiya to seize power and found the dynastic Umayyad Caliphate.
| Year (CE) | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 600 | Birth in Mecca |
| 622 | Hijra to Medina; marriage to Fatima; pact of brotherhood with Muhammad |
| 632 | Ghadir Khumm declaration; death of Muhammad; Abu Bakr appointed caliph |
| 656 | Elected caliph after Uthman's assassination; Battle of the Camel |
| 657 | Battle of Siffin against Mu'awiya |
| 658 | Battle of Nahrawan against the Kharijites |
| 661 | Assassinated by Ibn Muljam |
Ali is revered for his courage, honesty, unbending devotion to Islam, magnanimity, and equal treatment of all Muslims. For his admirers he is the archetype of uncorrupted Islam and of pre-Islamic chivalry.
The shrine of Ali in Najaf, Iraq, is a major destination for Shia pilgrimage. His legacy has been collected and studied in numerous works, the most famous being Nahj al-balagha.