The lineage of Imam Ali, their traits and mannerisms
A- BNU-HASHIM; IMAM ALI’S FAMILY
All constituents of distinction and dignity can be found convened in the lineage of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi-Talib ('a) who belongs to the family of Hashim. This family is well -known for nobility, gallantry, hospitality, and all features of righteousness that may be ascribed to a family.
While idolatry was the prevailing religion among the tribes of Makkah, the family of Hashim was the one and only family that professed monotheism and worshipped Almighty Allah, the God of Prophet Abraham. Referring to this fact, Imam Ali ('a) says:
“By Allah I swear this! Neither my father nor did my grandfathers 'Abd alMuttalib, 'Abd-Manaf, and Hashim, worship any idol; rather, they worshipped Almighty Allah and performed prayers, turning their faces to the Holy House (i.e. Ka'bah), following the religion of Prophet Abraham, and adhering to it...” (l)
They were chief parties to the famous Hilf al-Fudul Pact one of whose paragraphs was to help the oppressed people, be they from the tribe of Quraysh or any other tribe.
B- IMAM ALI’S NOBLE PARENTS
1- ABU-TAUB; IMAM ALI’S FATHER
One of the distinctive features of Imam Ali ('a) is that he is the son of the protector of Islam who defended this fresh religion in its early stages.
The father of Imam Ali (AS), Abu-Talib is considered the foremost defender of Islam and the greatest vindicator of the Holy Prophet's promulgation for this religion.
Abu-Talib took much care of the Holy Prophet (SAWA) and took upon himself the mission of raising him from childhood after the passing of his father, grandfather, and mother.
Abu-Talib composed numerous poetic verses that demonstrated his profound belief in Islam, his support and protection of the Holy Prophet (SAWA), regardless of the cost.
While the polytheists made many attempts to assassinate the Holy Prophet (SAWA), Abu-Talib asked his son Ali to guard the Holy Prophet (SAWA) by substituting for him in his bed.
Abu-Talib played a positive and distinctive role in the promulgation for Islam. One of his key contributions was that he wrote a message to the king of Abyssinia inviting him to this religion. (2)
He also proclaimed the virtues of the Holy Prophet (SAWA) and spread his high merits and calibers. In this respect, he composed many poems. (3)
When he felt that death was approaching him, Abu-Talib wrote an immortal will in which he instructed his sons and family members to show loyalty to, and to defend the Holy Prophet (SAWA).
By the loss of Abu-Talib, the tyrants of Quraysh deemed the Holy Prophet (SAWA) helpless and started annoying him using various means. About this stage of his blessed life, the Holy Prophet (SAWA) declared: The people of Quraysh could not do me any harm until Abu-Talib passed away. (4)
2- FATIMAH BINT ASAD; IMAM ALI'S MOTHER
She was one of the first women to embrace Islam. More specifically, she was the eleventh person to join this great religion. (5)
She was also the first woman to pay homage to the Holy Prophet (SAWA) when he asked women to make covenant with him that they would be always chaste, pure, and abstinent from evil.(6)
She played a vital role in serving the Holy Prophet (SAWA), since she preferred him to her sons in custody and tenderness. In return, the Holy Prophet (SAWA) used to treat her honorably and call upon her as if she were his own mother.
Whenshe departed this life the Holy Prophet (SAWA) ordered Imam Ali (AS) to dress his mother in the Prophet's shirt as a shroud and he himself administered the prayers and practices of her funeral ceremony. When a grave was dug for her, he laid down in that grave for several moments.
When he was asked why he had done so, the Holy Prophet (SAWA) answered:
After Abu-Talib, nobody was more compassionate to me than this woman. I have ordered that my shirt should be shrouded on her body so that she will be dressed from the garments of Paradise, and I laid down in her grave so that interrogation will be made easy for her. (7 )
Undoubtedly, Imam Ali (AS) must have inherited his mother’s virtues and high qualities in the same way as he had inherited his fathers' qualities who improved on all the Arabs.
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References:
(1) Shaykh al-Saduq, Ikmal al-Din, pp. 104.
(2) Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah 1:357; Ibn Abi'l-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah 3:224.
(3) Al-Amini, Iman Abi-Talib, pp. 189.
(4) Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi '1- Tarikh 2:34.
(5) Ibn Abi'l-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah 1:14.
(6)Ibn Abi'l-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah 1:14.
(7) Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma'rifat al-Sahabah 5:510; Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, al-Isti'ab 4:269; Ibn Abi'l-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah 1:14; Abu-Na'im, Ma'rifat al-Sahabah 1:279.