Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Trilib 67
like the moon when it is full, a large belly, broad shoulders, large
hands and a neck like silver brocade. He was bald, with no hair on his
head except at the back; his beard was large and thick. The bones of
his shoulders were like the hones of a strong lion, and there was no
difference between his forearm and upper arm, as if they were one. If
he held a man's arm, the man would not he able to breathe. Even
though he was somewhat fat, his arm and hand were very powerfnl.
When he walked in battle he almost ran, and he looked steadfast,
strong and brave.74
2. His coming to Islam and his most
important exploits in Makkah
before the Hijrah
2.1. Accepting Islam
One of the blessings that AUah (fg) bestowed upon 'Ali ibn
Abi Taib (&), and what Allah willed for him of good, was that a
severe crisis befell Quraysh. Ahu Tab had many children, and the
Messenger of Allah (@) said to his paternal uncle al-'Ahhis - who
was one of the most well off of Banu Quraysh -"0 'AbbL, your
brother Ahu Tilib has many children, and you see what has happened
to the people in this crisis. Let us go and reduce the number of his
dependants; I will take one from his family and you will take one, and
we will take care of them for him." Al-'Abbis agreed, so they went
to Abu Taib and said to him: "We want to reduce the number of your
dependants until this crisis has passed." He said to them: "If yon
leave me 'Aqeel, then do whatever you want." So the Messenger of
Allah (@) took 'Ali home, and al-'Abbis took Ja'far (&). 'Ali ibn
Abi ~ aib (&) stayed with the Messenger of Allah (g) until his