Ali

Ali ibn Abi Talib (‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib) (عَلِيُّ بْنُ أﺑﻲ طَالِبٍ) (Approximately March 17, 599 – January 28, 661) was an early Islamic leader. He was the fourth Sunni caliph and the first Shia Imam. Ali was Muhammad's cousin. He married Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah, and so became Muhammad's son-in-law. He was one of the earliest Muslims. Ali was assassinated and Mu'awiya replaced him. Since Ali stated that his body should remain a secret, his followers tied his body on a white camel and went towards what is now northern Afghanistan. Before being assassinated, Ali had reportedly given instructions to bury his body at the spot that the camel would die. At Balkh, the white camel diedé and Ali was buried secretly. In the 15th century, Abd al-Ghafur Lari is believed to have discovered Ali's tomb. Sources Johnson, Thomas (2021). Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538149294. Azad, Arezou (2013). Sacred Landscape in Medieval Afghanistan: Revisiting the Faḍāʾil-i Balkh. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780199687053. Other websites Sunni biography Biography from USC's MSA website Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine Shi'a biography Brief Biography Archived 1998-02-04 at the Wayback Machine Ali's Birth in the Kaaba Archived 2006-02-06 at the Wayback Machine Website devoted to the Life of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Archived 2012-05-31 at the Wayback Machine Sayings of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Imam Ali Quotes on various topics Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Archived 2002-09-23 at the Wayback Machine The Commander of the Faithfull Imam Ali foundation Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Nahjul Balagha Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib's status Imam Ali Last will Archived 2008-03-27 at the Wayback Machine References