Hundred Great Muslims

44 Hundred Great Muslims
The arbitration ended in a chaos in which Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari, the
representative of Ali was duped by the clever Amr bin al-Aas, the representative
of Amir Muawiya.
These internal dissensions within the house of Islam gave birth to a new
fanatical horde called Kharijis, which proved to be a great menace for the
administration of Hazrat Ali. They spread disorders throughout the domains
of the Caliph, killing innocent people and converting them to their fanatical
creed by force. The Caliph, who faced the turmoils and turbulence around
him with extraordinary courage and patience dealt with the Khariji fanatics
with a strong hand and exterminated them after a bloody battle.
The people of Kerman and Persia revolted against the authority of the
Caliph. Ziad bin Abiha was despatched who soon suppressed the disorder and
restored peace in that region. Instead of punishing the rebels, Hazrat Ali treated
them with such kindness that the Persians recalled the rule of Nausherwan,
the Just.
The Khariji insurrection to which he ultimately fell a victim, too, was
handled by him firmly. Three Kharijis (fanatics) had planned to kill the three
persons namely, Hazrat Ali, Muawiya and Amr bin al-Aas at an appointed time.
Ibn M'aljem, who was assigned the task of killing the Caliph, struck the deadly
blow at him when he was going to offer his prayer. The just and kind-hearted
Caliph instructed his men to treat the assassin with all kindness. Thus died at
the age of 63, one of the greatest sons of Islam. His rule lasted 4 years and 9
months and he was destined to steer the ship of Islam through the most stormy
seas of internecine dissensions. He took pride in simplicity, piety, humility and
kindheartedness. Being humane by nature, he loved to help the needy and
forgave even his deadliest enemies. His kindness, at times, verged on the side of
weakness. Worldly power and splendour had no fascination for him. "Thus
died", says a celebrated writer "in the prime of his life, the best hearted Moslem,
to use Colonel Osborn's words, 'that ever lived'. Mild, beneficent and humane,
ready to help the weak and the distressed, his life had been devoted to the
cause of Islam. Had he possessed the sternness of Umar's character he would
have been more successful in governing an unruly race like the Arabs".
Hazrat Ali was elected as a Caliph in the most stormy period of Islamic
history. Endowed with extraordinary daring and sound judgement, he battled
against the surging waves of disruption which wanted to knock the new State
off its foundation. In chivalry, he had hardly any match in the annals of early
Islam. Known as the 'lion of God', his bravery has become proverbial, and
stories connected with it are still related throughout the world of Islam.
Hazrat Ali was a versatile genius. Being brought up by the. Prophet himself
and having had the chance of spending about 30 years in his company, AlI
occupies the unique position of being the greatest intellectual among the Cornpanions
of the Prophet. Like Aristotle he is known as the father of Islamic