According to historical narratives, on the 13th of Rajab in the 30th year after the Year of the Elephant, an extraordinary event occurred in the holy city of Mecca. Fatima bint Asad, Abu Talib’s wife, went to the Kaaba while in labor. Miraculously, the wall of the Kaaba split open, allowing her to enter. After three days, she emerged from the Kaaba carrying her newborn. This baby was Ali (peace be upon him), who was recorded in history as the only person ever born inside the House of Allah.
Imam Ali’s father, Abu Talib, was the leader of the Bani Hashim clan and the greatest defender of the Prophet (peace be upon him). His mother, Fatima bint Asad, was a pious and faithful woman whom the Prophet considered as his own mother. When she died, he shrouded her in his own shirt and lay in her grave to protect her from the pressure of the grave.
Ali’s childhood coincided with the difficult years in Mecca. At the age of six, when Mecca was struck by severe famine and drought, the Prophet took custody of Ali to help his uncle Abu Talib who had a large family. This marked the beginning of a new phase in Ali’s life. He was raised in the house of revelation and from childhood became familiar with moral and spiritual virtues.
About this period, the Imam said: “I used to follow him like a young camel following its mother’s footsteps. Each day he would show me a banner of his noble character and command me to follow it.”
During this period, Ali had special qualities that distinguished him from other children. He never prostrated to idols and was never tainted by polytheism. His truthfulness and trustworthiness were well-known to all. The Prophet named him “As-Siddiq Al-Akbar” (The Greatest Truthful One) and “Al-Faruq Al-Azam” (The Greatest Distinguisher between Truth and Falsehood).
One of the important events in Imam Ali’s adolescence was sleeping in the Prophet’s bed on the night of migration. On that night, known as “Laylat al-Mabit,” when the polytheists planned to kill the Prophet, Ali made a great sacrifice by sleeping in his bed so the Prophet could leave Mecca. This sacrifice was so great that Allah revealed the verse “And among the people is he who sells himself seeking the pleasure of Allah” (referring to those who sacrifice their lives seeking Allah’s pleasure).
The Prophet gave Ali the title “Abu Turab” (Father of Dust). This happened after the Prophet saw him sleeping on the ground in the mosque. This title was so beloved to Imam Ali that he would become happy whenever someone called him by it.
Next: Part Two: From the Beginning of Prophethood to the Prophet’s Death
The above content was published on 20/3/2025 on Imam Ali (AS) Foundation Library