The epochal incident of the Red Sea parting at the instance of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) paled in comparison when the impregnable walls of Holy Kaaba split to make way for Lady Fatema bint Asad (peace be upon her) so that she can deliver her child who was named Zaid by his father (peace be upon him), Haider by his mother (peace be upon her) and Ali by Almighty Allah.
The incredible crack in the walls of Kaaba on the historical date of 13th Rajab, on the 30th year of the Elephant, marks the incident of the birth of Ameerul Momineen Imam Ali (peace be upon him) within the holy precincts of the sacred house of Allah. Lady Fatema bint Asad (peace be upon her) emerged three days after the delivery of the newborn and handed over the infant in the eagerly waiting arms of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny). The child opened his eyes to gaze at the radiant visage of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny).
The sacred stature of the Holy Kaaba is indisputably evident in the Islamic world. Muslims desire to visit the Holy House of Allah at least once in their lifetime. The glorious cube-like structure was constructed at the divine command by the revered chosen apostles of Allah (peace be upon them). For the Islamic world, Holy Kaaba symbolizes profound love and affection in their hearts. Allah enhanced the attachment of Muslims towards His house by facilitating the birth of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), His chosen friend and successor to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) by tearing the walls of His house asunder. Thus, highlighting the unique relationship between Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) and the Holy Kaaba.
We shall now analyze and describe the distinctive parallel between the stature of Holy Kaaba and the sublime status of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him).
The birth of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) in Holy Kaaba has no precedent.
As a matter of consensus, Muslim sects are unanimous that Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them both) had been the only one to have been born inside Kaaba. Neither before him nor after him, was any child given birth in the four walls of the sacred edifice.
Renown Ahle Tasannun scholar, who hails from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Shaikh Momin ibn Hasan Momin Shablanjihas recorded in his book Noor al-Absaar Fee Manaqeb Aal Nabi al-Mukhtar (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) on page 154 right at the beginning of the biography of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him).
No child was born in the House (of Allah) before him
2) Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is singularly similar to that of Holy Kaaba.
The other fascinating aspect of the persona of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) is that he was not just born in Holy Kaaba but for all intent and purposes he was also likened to the sacred House in its stature and reverence.
“…The example of Ali (peace be upon him) among you is like the Holy Kaaba. Which is enveloped with a cover, looking at it is worship and visiting it for Hajj is mandatory.”
The likeness of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) to Kaaba is a topic that was extensively reported by scholars in their various books and there is no difference of opinion on the factuality of the concept. Stalwarts among Muslim scholars have recorded scores of traditions with a slight difference in the text but essentially with the same crux of the matter.
Here are a few names of the highly reputed and renowned Ahle Tasannun scholars who recorded this tradition in their authoritative research works. This includes Ibne Asakir in his magnum opus Tarikh Damishq vol 42, pg 356 has quoted the tradition verbatim, while Ibne Maghazili in his book Manaqeb Ameeril Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them both) vol 1, pg 164 has reproduced it with slight variation. Nevertheless, Abu Shuja Dailami in his Al-Firdous Be Mathoor al-Khetaab in vol 5 pg 315. Hamavi Shafei in Ghaayat al-Maaram vol 1 and pg 72. Hisaamud Deen Hanafi has recorded in Aal Mohammad vol 1 pg 624 and Ibn Athir in his book Usd al-Ghabah fee Marefat al-Sahaba vol 4, pg 102
3) The Remembrance of Imam Ali (as) is worship:
The merits and excellences of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) recorded in books are simply inexhaustive. Even staunch scholars of the Ahle Tasannun, cannot shy away from including those exquisite narrations regarding Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) and his magnificent position. Ayesha, a diehard detractor of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) quoted the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) that
“Remembrance of Ali is an act of worship.”
The narration has found its place in several tomes of Ahle Tasannun scholars including Ibne Asakir in Tarikh Damishq vol 42, pg 356, Muttaqi Hindi in Kanzul Ummal fi Sunanul Aqwal wal Afaal vol 11, pg 601, Shaikh Suleman Qundoozi in his celebrated work Yanabi al-Mawaddah le Dhawi al-Qurba vol 2 pg 76.
Gazing at Holy Kaaba is a virtuous act and similarly remembering Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is an act of worship and has amazing rewards. If looking at Kaaba refreshes heart, discussing the excellence of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) rejuvenates faith.
Just to summarize our discussion briefly as follows:
- The excellences of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) are supremely exclusive and none has reached even close to it, for instance his exceptional birth in the sanctum sanctorum of Holy Kaaba.
- Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) enjoys a unique position of reverence equivalent to that of Holy Kaaba which none of the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) can be ascribed with. Consequently, the respect of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) becomes obligatory on every Muslim as is the veneration of Holy Kaaba.
- Superseding Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) by someone else is like giving preference to some other structure over the Holy Kaaba.
- The Holy Kaaba being a vortex of worship, the believers throng the sacred House of Allah. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) has emphasized on his nation that the Holy Kaaba will not go to people rather people should visit the Holy Kaaba. Nevertheless, and without any ambiguity, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) has proclaimed that Muslims should swear allegiance to Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) and submit to his mastership by approaching him and not expecting him to seek allegiance by going to their doorsteps. It is delusional to hope that we can perform Hajj in our homes, that the Holy Kaaba will come to our house. Similarly having such fallacious thoughts of Ameerul Momineen (peace be upon him) seeking their loyalty by going to them are clearly erroneous.
- Just as people look at the Holy Kaaba and seek its benefits in this world and in the hereafter, so also Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is the source of success in this world and in the hereafter.
- Opposition or hostility to Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is like desecration of the Kaaba and whoever does so will be at a loss in the hereafter and will be liable for punishment. Only he can dare to detract with Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) who does not have the love of the House of Allah in his heart.
Today, the focal point of the Muslim nations is to face the Holy Kaaba as their Qibla and Muslims are united in this act of righteousness. Not just for prayers but for every religious act Muslims turn towards Holy Kaaba. It is an important moment for Muslims to deliberate and unite under the guardianship and leadership of their spiritual and real Kaaba, Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them both) and the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) and thus express their obedience to God Almighty completely.
Our heartfelt congratulations to all the devotees of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) on this joyous occasion. We beseech Allah to hasten the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) who is the successor of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and Kaaba of our times.
Ameen, O Lord of the worlds!