الرحلةThe Journey

علي بن أبي طالب

'Ali (RA)

'Ali ibn Abi Talib

Also known as: Ali, Abu al-Hasan

c. 23 BH – 40 AH · c. 600–661 CE

Companions

The fourth caliph, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ, famed for his knowledge and courage.

'Ali was raised in the household of the Prophet ﷺ and was the first child to accept Islam. On the night of the Hijrah he slept in the Prophet's bed to cover his escape. He married Fatimah al-Zahra', the Prophet's daughter, and their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the Prophet's grandsons.

Known for his bravery at Badr and Khaybar and for his deep knowledge of the Quran and judgement, he became the fourth caliph (35–40 AH) during a period of civil strife. He was struck down by a Khariji assassin in the mosque of Kufa.

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Life journey

  1. c. 600 CE Makkah مكة
  2. 622 CE Madinah المدينة
  3. 656 CE Kufa الكوفة
    Died 661 CE · 40 AH
    Moved the seat of the caliphate to Kufa. Martyred there; traditionally buried at Najaf.

Places in their life

The Ka'bah in al-Masjid al-Haram, Makkah
The Ka'bah in al-Masjid al-Haram, Makkah
Photo: Adli Wahid (minor modifications by Basile Morin), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
al-Masjid al-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque, Madinah
al-Masjid al-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque, Madinah
Photo: TheHadiRahim, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Great Mosque of Kufa
The Great Mosque of Kufa
Photo: ن.عامری, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources

  • Ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra
  • Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, al-Isaba fi Tamyiz al-Sahaba
  • al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa'
Draft, awaiting scholarly review.
Birth year is approximate (about ten years before prophethood).