As we observe the Martyrdom Day of Hazrat Ali a few words on him:
As the Prophet’s cousin, son-in-law, and father of the grandsons from whom the Prophet’s line continued, Ali was a member of the Ahl al-Bait and is believed to be the one who inherited the Prophet’s spiritual knowledge, seena dar seena (from my heart to yours). As per Islamic tradition the Prophet said, ‘I am the city of knowledge and Ali is the gate of that city. (Ana madina-tul-ilm wa Aliyun babuha)’ So to enter the city, one has to go through its gate.
In Ali, a man of medium build with piercing eyes, were combined not only mystical knowledge but also chivalry and bravery. The Arabic traditions of futuwwah (chivalry) were very different from its European connotations. After the advent of Islam the word futuwwah meant a code of honourable conduct in the tradition of prophets, saints, and those who are Allah’s beloved.
The noun was fata which meant an ideal, noble, and perfect person, generous to a fault, one ready to give up everything including their life for the sake of their friends, and of course follow the path of Allah. The Prophet was himself a supreme example of futuwwah. The Persian equivalent of this is jawan-mardi (chivalry), and Ali was the epitome of it. Futuwwah is also one of the essential requirements of a Sufi.
Ali – sometimes called Asadullah (Lion of Allah) – was not only brave but possessed exoteric and esoteric knowledge. His sword, known as Zulfiqar (two-edged), is one of the most famous in history; it is also linked to his mystical knowledge, and for Sufis, the two edges are said to metaphorically represent zikr (remembrance of Allah) and fikr (contemplation of Allah).
From: In Search of The Divine
image @metmuseum
“Coffin of Imam ‘Ali”, Folio from a Falnama (The Book of Omens) of Ja’far al-Sadiq
mid-1550s–early 1560s
#ali #hazratali
