Ali bin Abi Thalib

Ali bin Abi Talib, cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, was raised directly by him since childhood. He was the first of the children to believe in Islam, grew up under the guidance of revelation, and never bowed down to idols — that's why he was nicknamed "karramallahu wajhah".

On the night the polytheists wanted to kill the Prophet ﷺ, Ali was willing to sleep in his bed in his place, taking risks for the safety of the Prophet, then returning the people's deposits to their owners before following the hijrah. Allah praises the soul who sells himself for His pleasure.

The Prophet ﷺ married Ali to his daughter, Fatimah Az-Zahra, and from the two of them Hasan and Husain were born. During the Khaibar War, the Prophet ﷺ said he would give the banner to someone who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by both of them, then handed it over to Ali, and Allah won the Muslims through his hands.

The Prophet ﷺ said, "I am the city of knowledge and Ali is the door." Umar himself often took refuge from difficult matters without Ali's presence. He was known to be eloquent, knowledgeable, sharp in deciding cases, and was a reference for interpretation and qadha among friends.

Ali was appointed the fourth caliph after Uthman's death, in a time full of slander and division. He tried to uphold justice and unite the people in the midst of the Jamal and Shiffin War, while maintaining the honor of his friends and not exceeding the limits of the Shari'a.

Even though he was caliph, Ali lived a very simple life, dividing Baitul Mal's property evenly, and walking in the market without a bodyguard. His wise sayings about the world, knowledge and the afterlife have been collected and studied throughout the ages as examples of leader asceticism.

Ali was stabbed by Abdurrahman bin Muljam, a Khawarij, while he was about to perform morning prayers at the Kufa mosque, and died as a martyr in 40 AH. With his death ended the time of Khulafaur Rasyidin's righteousness, about which the Prophet ﷺ advised the people to hold fast.