At the beginning of the prophetic mission, Ali was a ten-year-old boy and became the first man to embrace Islam. Sources relate that when the Prophet announced his mission at the gathering known as “Yawm ad-Dar,” among all relatives, only Ali accepted his call, and in conditions where supporting the Prophet was fraught with danger, he said: “I will be your helper, O Messenger of Allah!”
After the public declaration of the Islamic mission, Ali was present in all instances of defending Islam and the Prophet. During the economic blockade of Muslims in Abu Talib’s Valley, which lasted three years, Ali, despite his young age, was one of the Prophet’s main defenders. He would carefully leave the valley at night to bring food to the hungry Muslims.
After the migration to Medina, Ali’s role in spreading and establishing Islam grew stronger. He participated in all battles in early Islam, except Tabuk. In the Battle of Badr, which was the first confrontation between Muslims and polytheists, Ali played a principal role through his unique courage.
In the Battle of Uhud, when many Muslims left the battlefield, Ali remained alongside the Prophet with a small group of believers to defend him. In this battle, the call was heard: “There is no youth (warrior) except Ali, no sword except Dhul-Fiqar.”
In the Battle of the Trench, when Amr ibn Abd Wudd, the famous Arab knight, called for a duel and no one dared to face him, Ali volunteered. The Prophet said: “The entire faith confronts the entire disbelief.” In this individual combat, Ali defeated Amr. The Prophet said: “Ali’s strike on the day of the Trench is worth more than the worship of both worlds (humans and jinn).”
At the conquest of Khaybar, after several Muslim commanders failed to capture the fortress, the Prophet said: “Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love.” The next day, Ali took the flag and achieved a great victory by pulling out the gate of Khaybar fortress, which forty men were unable to move.
The reason for Ali’s absence from the Battle of Tabuk was that the Prophet had asked him to remain in Medina in his place and monitor the plots of the hypocrites.
One of the most important events in Ali’s life was his marriage to Lady Fatima, the Prophet’s noble daughter. This blessed marriage took place in the second year after Hijra. The Prophet said about this marriage: “If it were not for Ali, there would be no suitable match for Fatima.” This marriage bore Imam Hassan, Imam Hussein, Lady Zainab, and Umm Kulthum.
Although the Prophet had repeatedly spoken about Imam Ali’s high status and described him with titles such as “Gate to the City of Knowledge,” “Leader of the God-fearing,” “Provider of Kawthar,” and others, in the last year of his life, at Ghadir Khum upon returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage, he officially designated Ali as his successor, saying: “For whomever I am their master, Ali is their master.”
Next: Part Three: From the Prophet’s Death to the Caliphate
Previous: Part One: Birth and Childhood to Youth
The above content was published on 20/3/2025 on Imam Ali (AS) Foundation Library