Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

26 Introduction
the prophethood of the Messenger (g), his virtnes and some of the
rights that he has over his Ummah. The reader will find examples of
the ways in which Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) followed the
Sunnah of the Prophet, as well as the names of some of those who
narrated from Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Mi (&) among the
Companions, the t&bi'oonl and the members of his household.
The book then moves on to the life of Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ah
(&) in Madinah at the time of the Prophet (@). It discusses his
marriage to as-Sayyidah Fiicimah (a) and the lessons we can learn
from this marriage about the hGdal gift, trousseau, wedding
celebration, life and asceticism, as well as Fiitimah's sincerity and
leadership in this world and the hereafter. I have also included brief
biographies of 'Ali's sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn (may Allah he
pleased with them), mentioning their virtues and the hadiths that
were narrated from the Messenger of Allah (g) - 2 concerning them. I
discuss the concept of Ah1 al-Bayt (the people of the Prophet's
family) among Sunni Muslims, and the rulings that apply specifically
to them, such as the prohibition on their accepting zak&h ', the fact
that they were not allowed to inherit from the Messenger of Allah
@), their entitlement to one-fifth of the war booty, sending blessings
upon them as well as upon the Prophet (B), and the obligation to
love and respect them.
I examine the exploits of Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali(4)
in his
campaigns and battles alongside the Messenger of Allah (g), such as
Badr, Uhud, al-Khandaq (the Trench), Banu Quraydhah, -
Hudaybiyah, Khaybar, the conquest of Makkah and Hunayn;
how the Prophet (g) ., put 'Ali (&) in charge of Madinah dnring the
campaign to Tabook in 8 AH; his media role3 when Abu Balcr (&)
led the people on hajj; the delegation of the Christians of Najriin &d
the verse4 in which the Christians are challenged to come together
with the Prophet a,), bringing their fanlilies, to pray to Allah and