Imam Ali (pbuh) - Shahadat

"Tomorrow you will look back to my time and my innermost thoughts will be revealed to you.  Then you will recognise me after I have left my position and another has taken my place".    Imam Ali (pbuh)

After the battle of Nahrwaan, some of the remaining enemies, the Kharijees had gone to find safety in Makka.

Who are the Kharijees?

They are those who believed that all believers are of equal standing and none can exercise authority over another.  They made their creed with "Laa Hukm Illa Allah" (No judgement but Allah's alone).  They believed there should be no leader (Imam or Khalifa) and no allegiance should be given to a human being.

They were formed after the battle of Siffeen where they blamed Imam Ali a.s for succumbing to human judgement and giving the enemy (Muawiya) a chance to recover.  Imam Ali (pbuh) pointed out to them that the sin lay with them for it was they who refused to continue fighting against Muawiya when they saw the Qur'an on spears and he had no choice but to call back Malike Ashtar who was on the verge of gaining complete victory. Furthermore it was they, who had compelled Imam to accept an arbitrator. To this they admitted guilt and said they had repented and he should do the same.  Imam said that he had committed no sin on his part.

The Kharijees who had fled to Makka, wanted to avenge their dead who had fallen at Nahrwaan and planned to assassinate Imam Ali (pbuh), Muawiya and Amr bin A'as.

The boldest three from them volunteered:-

1.         Abdur Rahmaan bin Muljim, to kill Imam Ali (pbuh)

2.         Burk bin Abdullah, to kill Muawiya.

3.         Amr bin Bakr, to kill Amr bin A'as.

They chose Friday the 19th of Ramadhan 40 A.H. for their killings, swearing that they would accomplish their mission or perish.

Burk bin Abdullah, on reaching Damascus on the appointed day managed to stab Muawiya but his sword slipped and Muawiya was only injured.  Burk was caught, tortured and killed.

Amr bin Bakr in Egypt went to kill Amr bin A'as but on that day Amr did not come to the Mosque and had sent his deputy to lead the prayers.  The deputy was killed and so was Amr bin Bakr.

Abdur Rahmaan bin Muljim arrived in Kufa as planned.  Here, he fell in love with a woman called Qutuam who hated Imam Ali (pbuh) (Her father and brother had been killed by Imam).  She was very beautiful and agreed to marry Abdur Rahmaan on 3 conditions:-

1.         3000 Dirhams

2.         A male & female slave

3.         The head of Imam Ali (pbuh)

Although Abdur Rahmaan had come to Kufa to kill Imam Ali (pbuh) this boosted his determination.  Qutuam, to help him asked two men from her tribe to assist Abdur Rahmaan.

Extract from Imam Ali's (pbuh) will
(Made shortly before his death after he was fatally wounded by Ibn Muljim)

Yesterday I was your companion, today I am a lesson for you, whilst tomorrow I shall have left you. I am just like a night traveller who reaches the spring (in the morning) or like the seeker who secures his aim.

• Fear Allah, to your affairs in order, and maintain good relations amongst yourselves for I have heard the Prophet say "Improvement of mutual differences is better than general praying and fasting".
• Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind when dealing with orphans. Do not let them starve and they should not be ruined in your presence.
• Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of your neighbours because they were the subject of the Prophet's advice. He went on advising in their favour till we thought he would allow them a share in inheritance.
• Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of prayers, because it is the pillar of religion.
• Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of your Lord's house - Ka'ba.  Do not forsake it as long as you live.
  Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of jihad with the help of your property, lives and tongues.

19th Ramadhan 40 A.H.

Imam Ali (pbuh) had prophesied his death several days beforehand.  The Prophet too had prophesied it and had said:

"O Ali! I see before my eyes your beard covered with blood from your forehead".

When Imam was leaving home on the morning of the 19th, the household birds began to make a great noise.  When the servant came to quieten them, Imam said "Leave them alone for their cries are only lamenting over my coming death".

As he came to the Mosque of Kufa for his morning prayers he awoke those who were sleeping including, Abdur Rahmaan bin Muljim who was sleeping on his stomach, hiding the poisoned sword under him.  Imam told him that it was unhealthy to sleep on his front and also that he had a sword under his clothing which he was going to use for evil intentions.

Imam then gave Adhaan and proceeded to lead prayers.  In the first rakaat as he was arising from sajda he was struck on the head with the poisoned sword by ibn Muljim, which caused a deep wound.  In the confusion ibn Muljim started running.  Imam finished his second Sujud and requested Imam Hasan to complete the prayers.  He uttered the words "Fuztu Birabbil Ka'aba" (I have been successful with the lord of the Ka'ba).

The murderer was caught and brought before Imam Ali (pbuh)  When Imam saw the ropes that ibn Muljim was tied in, Imam ordered them to be loosened and told the Muslims to treat him humanely.  Ibn Muljim, on hearing this, started crying and Imam told him; "It is too late to repent now.  Was I a bad Imam or an unjust ruler?" 

He ordered that ibn Muljim should not be tortured.

Imam was then carried to his house and when he saw the bright day he said: "O day!  You can bear testimony to the fact that during the lifetime of Ali you never once dawned and found me sleeping".

He died two days later from his wounds on the 21st Ramadhan 40 A.H.

He was buried in Najaf by Imam Hasan (A.S.) and Imam Husayn (pbuh)

As the two brothers were returning after burying their father; they heard someone calling out “O you who used to feed me and dress my wounds; where are you?” The brothers proceeded towards the voice to find a leper crying for help. On talking to him they relaised that it was their father, Ali (pbuh) who had tended to his wounds and looked after him every day. The leper said that whenever he asked Imam who he was – (The Imam used to say “One needy person sits with another needy person”). The brothers told him they had just returned from burying their father. The leper asked to be taken to Imam’s grave. Theire he fell weeping and breathed his last.