ALI, the son of Abu Taleb, is one of the most celebrated characters in Mahometan history. He was cousin to Mahomet; and at the age of fourteen engaged with youthful ardour in his cause. When Mahomet first revealed his prophetic character to his friends, and inquired who among them would undertake to be his companion, Ali exclaimed, "O Prophet, I will be thy attendant; the man who dares to rise against thee I will break his legs, pluck out his eyes, dash out his teeth, and even rip up his belly." Mahomet accepted his services, and honoured him with the titles of brother, vicegerent, and Aaron to a new Moses. He was remarkable both for eloquence and valour; and the latter obtained him the surname of "the Lion of God, always victorious." He succeeded to the chief dignity of the renowned house of Hashem, and was also hereditary guardian of the temple and city of Mecca. Mahomet gave him his daughter Fatimah in marriage, and the grandfather lived to embrace the children of his daughter. These advantages induced Ali to cast a wistful eye towards the regal succession; however, Abubeker, Omar, and Othman, reigned before him. But after the death of the latter he was saluted caliph by the chiefs of the tribes, and companions of the Prophet, when he was repairing to the mosque of Medina at the hour of prayer, A. D. 655. Hegir. 35.
Ayesha, the widow of the Prophet, strenuously opposed his succession; and under her influence two powerful chiefs soon raised the standard of rebellion. Ali greatly increased his difficulties by the imprudent removal of all the governors of provinces from their stations. Telha and Zobeir, two chiefs of great influence, collected a numerous army, and induced Ayesha to attend them to the field of battle; but Ali gained a complete victory, and took Ayesha prisoner. Telha fell in the field, and Zobeir was assassinated after surrendering upon promise of quarter. This dastardly action was severely reprehended by Ali. He likewise kindly treated the captive widow, and sent her back to the tomb of the Prophet.
Ali next attacked Moawiyah, who had been proclaimed caliph, and strongly supported by a powerful and numerous party. When the two armies approached each other, Ali proposed to decide the matter by single combat, but to this his opponent would not agree. Several skirmishes were fought with considerable loss on both sides; but at length a pious fraud produced a division of sentiment in the army of Ali. They fixed to the points of lances a number of copies of the Koran, carried them before the troops, and exclaimed, saying, "This is the book which forbids Mussulmans to shed each others blood, and ought therefore to decide our disputes." Ali was constrained to yield, and umpires were mutually chosen; on the side of Ali, Abu Moussa; Amru, the conqueror of Egypt on the part of Moawiyah. The day of final decision arrived. Abu Moussa ascended the pulpit, and cried, "As I draw this ring from my finger, so I depose both Ali and Moawiyah from the caliphate." When Amru ascended, he cried, "As I put on this ring, so
I invest Moawiyah with the caliphate, and also depose Ali." He also added, that Othman the former caliph had declared Moawiyah both his successor and avenger. Thus began that memorable contest among the Mahometans which was long agitated with considerable violence by both parties.
Ali was highly enraged at this injustice; but constrained for the present to yield, he retired to Kufa. A sect of enthusiasts called the Kharejites revolted against Ali; but he quickly reduced them to subjection, and again obtained possession of Arabia. But Syria, Persia and Egypt fell to the share of his rival.
An unexpected event terminated the existing disputes. Three Kharejites one day conversing together concerning the blood which had been shed, and the impending calamities, resolved to assassinate Ali, Moawiyah, and Amru, the three authors of the present disasters. They provided themselves with poisoned swords, and hastened to accomplish their purpose. Moawiyah was wounded, but the wound did not prove fatal. A friend of Amru fell in his stead. Ali was fatally wounded at the door of the mosque; and in the sixty-third year of his age, he expired on the fifth day after his wound, A. D. 660. A. Hegir. 40.
Ali had eight wives besides Fatimah, and left a numerous family, who were very remarkable for their valour. He also rose to high eminence for learning and wisdom; and of his works there are still extant a hundred maxims, a collection of verses, and a prophecy of all the great events which are to happen to the end of time. One of his sayings may be quoted as an example. "He who would be rich without wealth, powerful without subjects, and a subject without a master, has only to forsake sin, and serve God."
The Mussulmans term Ali the heir of Mahomet, and the accepted of God, and his particular followers have possessed various states in Africa and Asia, and the Persian part of the Usbee Tartars; and some sovereigns of India are at present of the sect of Ali. A monument is raised upon his tomb near Kufa, which the kings of Persia have successively decorated and religiously revered. Near the ruins of Kufa a city named Meshed Ali has been built to his memory. Some of his deluded followers imagine that he is still alive, and that he will revisit the earth and fill the same with justice. A green turban still continues to distinguish the descendants of Ali. (Gen. Biog.)