'Ali Ibn Abee Taalib (May Allah be pleased with him)

'Ali ibn Abee Taalib was the cousin of the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him as well as his son-in-law because of his marriage to Fatima the daughter of the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him. He entered the religion of Islam when he was only nine years old and he was the first boy to accept Islam. 'Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) emigrated from Mecca to Medina and he fought alongside the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him in the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of Al-Khandaq and all of the other battles except for the Battle of Tabuk because the Prophet peace be upon him ordered him to stay with his family. Moreover, in many of the battles, the Messenger of Allah gave 'Ali the responsibility of carrying the flag of the Muslim Army and he became well known for his valor and bravery.

 

THE MIGRATION OF 'ALI IBN ABEE TAALIB(May Allah be pleased with him) FROM MECCA TO MEDINA

 

Ibn Ishaaq said: "And ('Ali) was the last of the Muslims to arrive in Medina because the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him ordered 'Ali to stay behind and sleep in his bed (in order to deceive the pagan Arabs of the Quraish and delay their pursuit of the Prophet peace be upon him).

 

THE VIRTUES OF 'ALI IBN ABEE TAALIB(May Allah be pleased with him)

 

In a hadith narrated upon the authority Sahl ibn Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) who said: "On the day of Khaibar, the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:

 

"Tomorrow I will give this flag to a man through whose hands Allah will give us victory. He loves Allah and His Messenger, and he is loved by Allah and His Messenger." The people remained that night wondering as to whom would be given (the flag). In the morning the people went to the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him and every one of them was hopeful to receive (the flag). The Prophet said: "Where is 'Ali ibn Abee Taalib?" It was said: "O Messenger of Allah he is suffering from eye trouble." He said: "Send for him." 'Ali was brought and the Messenger of Allah spat in his eye and invoked good upon him and 'Ali was cured as if he never had any trouble. Then the Prophet peace be upon him gave him the flag. 'Ali said: "I will fight them until they become like us." The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: "Proceed and do not hurry. When you enter their territory, call them to embrace Islam and inform them of Allah's rights which they should observe, for by Allah, even if a single man is led on the right path (of Islam) by Allah through you, then that will be better for you than the nice red camels."