Sleeping in the Prophet's bed: On the night of the Hijra, when the Prophet (saww) left Makkah for Madinah, the enemies planned to attack his house. Imam Ali (as) slept in the Prophet's bed so the enemies would think the Prophet was still there. He risked his own life to protect the Prophet.
The bravest warrior: In the battles of Badr, Uhud, and Khaybar, Ali (as) was known as the bravest warrior. At Khaybar, he carried the flag and opened the fortress that no one else could open.
Caliphate and martyrdom: After the Prophet (saww), Imam Ali (as) became the fourth Caliph after many years, around 656 CE. He ruled from Kufa in Iraq. He was martyred in the month of Ramadan, in the year 40 AH (661 CE), struck while praying in the mosque of Kufa. He is buried in Najaf, Iraq.
Example
A guard at the door: Think of a guard who stands at the door all night so that his friend can escape safely. That is what Ali (as) did on the night of the Hijra — he put his friend's safety before his own life.
Key Terms
- Hijra (ہجرت) — the Prophet's migration from Makkah to Madinah
- Badr, Uhud, Khaybar (بدر، احد، خیبر) — famous early battles of Islam
- Najaf (نجف) — the city in Iraq where Imam Ali (as) is buried
Quran or Hadith
The Quran speaks of the one who sells his life for the pleasure of Allah (2:207), which Shia scholars connect with Imam Ali (as) sleeping in the Prophet's bed on the night of the Hijra. — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Simple timeline of Imam Ali's life — birth, first to accept Islam, night of Hijra, Khaybar, caliphate, martyrdom in Kufa.
- On the night of the Hijra, Imam Ali (as) slept in the Prophet's bed to protect him.
- He was known as the bravest warrior at Badr, Uhud, and Khaybar.
- He is buried in Najaf, Iraq.