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Seerah: 'Ali ibn Abi Talib — Bab Madinat al-'Ilm: The Gate of the City of Knowledge

السِّيرَة: عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طَالِب — بَابُ مَدِينَةِ العِلم: بَابُ مَدِينَةِ المَعرِفَة
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'Ali ibn Abi Talib (عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طَالِب — approximately 600-661 CE; cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet; first Imam in Ismaili/Shi'a theology; fourth caliph in Sunni tradition 656-661 CE; *Asad Allah al-Ghalib* — the Conquering Lion of Allah; *Bab Madinat al-'Ilm* — the Gate of the City of Knowledge, from the Prophet's hadith: 'I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate') was raised in the Prophet's household from approximately age 5-6, when his father Abu Talib faced financial difficulty and the Prophet took him in. He grew up not merely as a witness to the prophetic mission but as its most intimate student: present at every major event from the first revelation onward, sleeping in the Prophet's bed on the night of the Hijra, holding the Prophet's covenant with Quraysh at Hudaybiyya, leading the Muslim army in every major battle at the Prophet's direct command. For Bohras, Ali is not merely a historical figure but the living beginning of the Imamate chain — the 'Alid root from which all subsequent Imams and the Da'i al-Mutlaq's authority flow.

In the Prophet’s Household

Ali was approximately 9-10 when the first revelation came. He was already living with the Prophet. When the Prophet called his family to private worship — the earliest three years of secret da’wa — Ali responded immediately: “O Prophet of Allah, I will be with you.” He prayed with the Prophet and Khadijah before anyone else.

On the night of the Hijra (622 CE), when the Quraysh surrounded the Prophet’s home to assassinate him, Ali slept in the Prophet’s bed wearing the Prophet’s green cloak. The assassins did not attack, thinking the Prophet was there. Ali then remained in Mecca three more days to return all trust deposits the Prophet had held for the Quraysh — fulfilling every last financial obligation before following to Medina.

The Sword and the Pen

Military leadership: Ali participated in every major battle except Tabuk (left to guard Medina). He held the Islamic banner (liwa’) as the Prophet’s standard-bearer. At Khaybar, the Prophet said: “Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him” — and gave it to Ali. He killed Marhab, Khaybar’s champion.

Knowledge: The Prophet: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate — whoever wants the city should enter through the gate.” (al-Hakim, al-Bayhaqi — chains debated but widely transmitted) Ali is credited with the first Arabic grammar (nahw) and with memorizing the entirety of the Quran.

The Caliphate and Its Trials (656-661 CE)

Ali became the fourth caliph after ‘Uthman’s assassination. His caliphate was marked by the First Civil War:

See also: Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Khilafa Rashida, Nass, Understanding Walayah, Fatima Al Zahra, Bohra History, Imam Husayn

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