Religion of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as): Amir ul Momineen (Commander of the faithful)

 

 As has been declared by all the historians of Islam, Amir ul Momineen (Commander of the faithful), Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) from his childhood was adopted and looked after by Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Therefore naturally his religion tendencies from his childhood were those of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

The question as to when he embraced Islam is out of consideration. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was Muslim from the very beginning. His religion was the religion of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).
The famous historian Masoodi says: The general census of opinion amongst the Muslims historians and theologians is that Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was never a non-Muslim and never prayed before idols, therefore the question of his embracing Islam does not and cannot arise.
It is particularly poignant, that the Messenger of Allah (saw) never invited Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) to Islam as he did others later on, because he was already a Muslim by God granted nature. He was never polluted with the permissiveness of the Ignorant Era, and was never involved in any of its debased practices. As it is related: The Messenger of Allah (saw) informed Imam Ali (as) of his Message and Call and he immediately believed in the truthfulness of the Final Message, and offered to receive and carry out the Messenger of Allah's orders. That was why he was given the attribute of: 'Karramallahu wajhah'. May Allah grant him honor. This is amazing in the light of the fact that Imam Ali (as) was still a mere boy of ten at the time!

LESSON 01 P1 --- Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW)

Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) The Greatest Reformer
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A reformer is the one who brings about reforms in a society. Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) was not only a preacher of religion but also the greatest reformer of the world. Without him, the world would not have been improved. He (SAWW) was sent to reform the whole of the mankind. When he started preaching God’s message, the idol worshippers of Arabia became civilized people.

.Before the advent of Islam, there were very few people who could read or write. He advised the Muslims to get themselves educated and increase their knowledge. He made education compulsory not only for men but also for women. They set themselves to acquire knowledge as a religious obligation. He took steps to promote literacy and love of learning. In the battle of Badr, the Muslims caught some enemies as prisoners of war. Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) asked the educated non Muslim prisoners to teach the children of the Muslims to read and write. On this condition they would get freedom. It shows his love for education and learning.

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Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) disliked arrogance and pride. He said that an Arab was nor superior to a non-Arab or a white to a black. He believed that all were the sons of Adam. No one was superior to another on the basis of caste, colour or creed. For him, the standard of superiority was piety. He united the scattered tribes and nation who felt pride in serving the humanity. Brotherhood became the way of their life.

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It was due to his teachings that the slaves also attained equal rights. They flourished in every walk of life without any discrimination. A cousin of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW), whose name was Hazrat Zainab (RA) was married to a freed slave Zaid bin Harris (RA). Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA) was a slave and Hazrat Imam Hussain Basri (RA) was the son of a slave. Both of them were men of dignity.

Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) was against the earning of money without efforts. He was against the exploitation of the poor by the rich. Therefore, he took radical steps to eradicate usury. He was also strictly against bribery. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A.) said that he was not allowed to boast of his wealth and status. It was because these things might create the symptoms of pride and arrogance.

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Before the advent of Islam, women were created in a very inhumane manner. Most of the girls were burnt or buried alive in their childhood. Islam emphasized the equality of rights of men and women. Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) gave women the right of inheritance in property and wealth.

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Before Islam, the Arabs used force to settle their disputes. Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) introduced judicial procedure t o check cruelty and injustice. Judges were appointed to settle the individual or party manners. In short, laws were made for the promotion of an ideal family and social set up. For the first time in history, the savage Arabs were introduced to the rules of politeness and civilized manners.

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It were these reforms, which brought an Islamic revolution in the life of the Arabs. These reforms laid the foundation of a new nation and a new Islamic society, which was tolerance spirit and humane by heart.

Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)The Greatest Reformer

Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)The Greatest Reformer

A reformer is one who brings about reforms in a society. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)was not only a preacher of religion but also the greatest reformer of the world. Without hin, the worl would not have been improved . He (SAW) was sent to reform the whole of mankind. When he startedpreaching God’s
Before the advent of Islam, there were very few people who could read or write. He advised the Muslims to get themselves educated and increase their knowledge. He made Education compulsory not only for men but also women. They set themselves to acquire knowledge as a religious obligation. He took steps to promote literacy and love of learning . In the battle of Badr, the Muslims caught some enimies as prisoners to teach the children of the Muslims to Read and write. On this condition they would get freedom. It show his love for education and learning.
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)disliked arrogance and pride. He said that Arab was not superior to a non-Arab or a white to a black. He believed that all were sons of Adam. No one was superior to another on the basis of caste, Color or creed. For him, the standard of superiority was piety. He united the scattered tribes and nations who felt pride in serving the humanity . Brotherhood became the way of their life.
It was due to his teachings that slaves also attained equal rights. They flourished in ever walk of life without any discrimination. A cousin of Hazrat Muhammad(SAW), whose name was Hazrat Zainab(R.A) was married to a freed slave Zaid bin Harris(R.A) . Hazrat Salman Farsi(R.A) was a slave and Hazrat Imam Hassan Basri(R.A) was the son of a slave. Both of them were men of dignity.
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was against the earning of money without efforts. He was against the exploitation of poor by the rich. Therefore, he took radical steps to eradicate usury. He was also strictly against bribery. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar(R.A) said that he was not allowed to boast of his wealth and status. It was because these things might create the symptoms of pride and arrogance.
Before the advent of Islam, women were treated in a very inhumane manner. Most of the girls were burnt or buried alive in their childhood. Is emphasized the equality of rights of men and women. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) gave women the rights of inheritance in property and wealth.
Before Islam, the Arabs used force to settle their disputes .Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) introduced judicial procedure to cheak cruelty and injustice. Judges were appointed to settle individual ot party matters. In short ,Laws were made for the promotion of an ideal family and social set up . For the first time in history , the savage Arabs were introduced to the rules of politeness and civilized manners.

The Excellences of Prophethood

From writings of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as, The Promised Messiah

The life of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, was a life of grand success. In his high moral qualities, his spiritual power, his high resolve, the excellence and perfection of his teaching, his perfect example and the acceptance of his prayers, in short, in every aspect of his life, he exhibited such bright signs that even a person of low intelligence, provided he is not inspired by unreasonable rancour and enmity, is forced to confess that he was a perfect example of manifestation of Divine qualities and was a perfect man. (Al-Hakam, 10th April, 1902, p. 5)
It is my belief that if, leaving the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, aside, all the Prophets who had preceded him had combined to perform the task and to carry out the reform which the Holy Prophet performed and carried out, they would not have been able to do so. They had not the heart and the strength which had been bestowed upon the Holy Prophet. If any one should say that this shows disrespect towards the other Prophets, he would be guilty of uttering a calumny against me. It is part of my faith to honour and respect the Prophets, but the Holy Prophet's superiority to all other Prophets is the principal part of my faith and my whole being is saturated with it. It is not within my power to exclude it. Let my unfortunate opponent, who is sightless, say what he pleases, but our Holy Prophet, peace be on him, performed a task, which all the others combined together, or separately, could not have performed. This is Allah's grace which He bestows upon whomsoever He so wills. (Malfoozat, Vol. II, p. 174)