FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

One day, when the Prophet and Khadija were worshipping together, Ali happened to see them kneeling and prostrating themselves and reciting Quranic revelations. Ali found it very strange. He asked the Prophet: “To whom were you prostrating yourself.” The Prophet answered, “We have prostrated ourselves to God.” The Prophet then explained to him about God and the revelations he had received. Then the Prophet invited him to worship God alone without associating anyone with Him. Ali was excited but thought that he ought to consult his father about it. However, he could not wait any longer. The very next morning he came rushing to the Prophet and declared to them his acceptance of faith, saying: “God created me without consulting my father. Why then should I consult him in order to worship God?” Ali was the first youth to enter the fold of Islam at the age of 10. He remained a lifelong devoted follower of the Prophet. On the night of the migration in 622 it was Ali who risked his life by sleeping in the Prophet’s bed at a time when his house was surrounded by bloodthirsty men with drawn swords with the plot of assassinating the Prophet. Ali lay there so that the Prophet may leave unnoticed. The Prophet further asked him to stay in Makkah in order to restore all things, entrusted to the Prophet, to their rightful owners in Makkah. Only after carrying out this request of the Prophet Ali left for Madinah. In Madinah Ali married Prophet’s daughter Fatima. Two sons, Hasan and Husain were born to them in Madinah. Ali was extremely brave. He used to display great feats of courage and bravery during the military campaigns. He was also one of the Prophet’s scribes. He was chosen by the Prophet for several important missions. Ali was invited by the Muslims of Madinah to assume the office of the Caliphate after the murder of Usman, the third Caliph. For three days after Usman’s murder Madinah remained completely in the grip of rioters. In such a state of affairs when Ali’s name was proposed he refused at first. But the people of Madinah prevailed upon him to give second thought and come forward to serve the people. Ali therefore agreed reluctantly after hesitating for a long time. His brief reign was beset by difficulties. The forces of lawlessness had been unleashed. Ali wanted first to concentrate on consolidating his administration and after that to take action against Usman’s Never make a decision in anger and never make a promise in happiness. — Ali ibn Abi Talib