The Life of Imam Ali (a.s) > The Commander of The Faithful at a quick glance

The people in Macca lived in ignorance and darkness. The strong persecuted the weak and deprived them of their rights. No one supported the weak.

The people in Macca were two classes: one class was rich, the other was poor. The rich persecuted the poor. Some poor were slaves. They had nothing even their freedom.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) lived in that time. He went to Haraa Mount. There he thought of his people. He felt pain for them because they worshipped idols.

One day, Jibreel came down from the sky. He told Muhammad (p.b.u.b) about Islam.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) came down the mountain. He was carrying the Mission of Islam. I le intended to spread it among people to live peacefully.

The poor and the persecuted listened to the Mission of Islam. They believed in it. So, their hearts were filled with love for Islam.

The traders and the rich of Quraish heard about Islam. Thus, they were had a spite against our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). In the meantime, they plotted against Islam and the Moslems.

Ahu-Jahal was the most spiteful polytheist. He mistreated our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) very much.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) met the believers secretly in Al-Arqam's House. He wanted to keep his religion a secret SO that Ahu-Jahal, Abu-Sufyan and other polytheists would not hurt the Moslems.

One day Ammar bin Yasir came and saw a man standing at the door. The man's name was Suhaib. Ammar said to him:

Then Ammar and Suhaib came into AI-Arqam's House.They humbly began listening to Allah's Words and to the Verses of the Holy Koran. Ammar's heart was full of belief as streams were full of rain water.

When Ammar and Suhaih wanted to leave Al-Ar am's House, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said to them: Stay here till evening.

Allah's Apostle (p..u.h) was afraid that Quraish would hurt them. Ammar waited till it got dark. Then he left Al-Arqam's House and hurried towards his house. His mother and father were waiting for him with anxiety.

When Ammar entered, the little house was full of happiness. He began telling his parents about Islam, Allah's religion.

Yasir, Ammar's father, and his two brothers al-Harith and Malik looked for their missing brother everywhere. But they did not find him. Therefore, they decided to go to Macca to look for him. They did not find him there, too.

Al-Harith and Malik wanted to come back to Yaman, but Yasir decided to stay in Macca to live near Allah's Holy House.

Yasir joined the tribe of bani Makhzoom. Then he H became one of its members. He married a female-slave. Her name was Summayya.

Ammar was born four years before the Year of the Elephant. Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was born in that year.

When Ammar became a young man, he made friendship with our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Then he becam his Companion.

Ammar was twenty-nine years old. Meanwhile our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was twenty-five years old.

One day, while Ammar was walking with our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) between al-Safa Mount and al-Marwa Mount, Halah, Khadijah bin Khwailid's sister, came.

Hala took Ammar a side and said to him: Ask Muhammad to marry my sister Khadijah.

When Allah had appointed our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) Prophet, Ammnar, his father Yasir, and his mother Summayya believed in him.

Abu-Jahal led a group of polytheists and went to Yasir's house. Torches were in their hands. They burnt the house and took Yasir, Ammar, and Summayya to a desert outside Macca.

They chained and began torturing them. First, they whipped them till blood flowed out. Then they brought torches and began burning their bodies. But that small family went on their firm belief.

Ahu-Jahal brought rocks and put them on their chests. They were breathing hard. Still they were believers.

It was noon. The heat was intense, Abu-Jahal and the po]ytheists came hack to Macca. They left Yasir's family in the intense heat of the sun.

In the meantime, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) passed by the family. When he saw them he wept and said:

Suinmayya said with belief: I confess that you're Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h). And your promise is true.

The criminals came back. Ahu-Jahal was in advance. There was a long spear in his hand. He began torturing them savagely.

Ammar, Yasir and Summayya were unconscious. So, the criminals showered them with water. When they got well again, Ahu-Jahal shouted at Summayya stormily: Praise our gods, dispraise Muhammad!

Abu-Jahal boiled with anger. Thus, he raised his spear high and hit Summayya on the belly. Then he began stabbing her body with his spear till she died.

Ammar saw what had happened to his parents. So, he wept. Then Abu-Jahal shouted angrily: If you don't praise our gods; I'll kill you!

Ammar did not endure that cruel torture. So, reluctantly said: Hubal (an idol) is great!

Ammar praised their idols to save himself from torture so, they unchained and left him.

Ammar went weeping to our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He did not weep for his parents or for himself or for the torture he had suffered from - he wept because he praised the polytheists' idols.

Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) consoled Ammar on his parents' martyrdom. Ammar went on weeping. Then he said: Allah's Apostle, the polytheists did not release me till they forced me to praise their gods!

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Don't worry! Allah sent down a Verse concerning you: *Not, he who is compelled while his heart is at rest because of faith *

The condition of the Moslems in Macca became critical. So, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) ordered his Companions to immigrate to Yathrib.

When our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) immigrated too, happiness covered al-Madena al-Monawwara. And the immigrants lived peacefully with their brothers in Yathrib.

First, Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) thought of building a mosque so that the Moslems would worship Allah alone. In the meantime it would be a symbol for the Moslems' strength and a castle for the Moslem nation.

Some Moslems were carrying dust. Some were making bricks, and some were carrying the dried bricks to make the walls.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was working with his Companions. Ammar, though covered with dust, was working actively.

Each Moslem was carrying a brick. But Ammar was carrying two bricks. For this Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said to him: They (the Moslems) will get a reward; you'll get two rewards.

To encourage his Moslem brothers, Ammar repeated the following enthusiastic words: Those who build the mosque do not equal those who avoid dust.

Some Companions were avoiding dust. They became displeased with Ammar's words. Uthman came to Amrnar and with threat said:

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) heard about Uthman's threat He felt pain. Then he came to Ammar and said: You're my dear!

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) rubbed the dust from Ammar's face. Thus the great Companion's heart was filled with love for the Holy Prophet.

Days and months passed. Allah, the Glorified, wanted to punish those who persecuted the Moslems in Macca and robbed them of their money.

The Battle of Badr took place. Ammar was one of the fighters who went to hinder the Quraishi caravan coming from Sham. The Moslems heard that the polytheists had formed an army. Abu-Jahal headed the army. He was heading for al-Madena al-Monawwara.

The Prophet asked the advice of his Companions. Finally, he took a decision to face the polytheists. Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) sent Ammar bin Yasir and Abdullah bin Masoud to get him information about the polytheists' Army.

Ammar was brave. So, he approached the polytheists' caravans and went round their camp to collect information.

Ammar and his friend came back to our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Ammar said: The army is afraid. The horse wants to neigh. But its owner hits it on the face. And it's raining heavily. Therefore, they can t move easily Generally speaking; the polytheists are in low spirits.

In the morning, when the polytheists woke, they found strange footprints. Munbih bin al-Hajjaj had a good knowledge of footprints. So, he said: By al-Lat and al-Izza, these are Ammar's and Abdullah's footprints.

In the morning, Ramadan 17th, 2 A.H., the great Battle of Badr, the first baffle in the history of Islam, took place. At that baffle, Allah granted the believers a victory over the polytheists.

Ammar was fighting with enthusiasm. When the polytheists escaped, Ammar saw Abu-Jahal. So, he remembered those days when Abu-Jahal hurt the Moslems and tortured his parents. Now the swords of the persecuted got revenge on the unjust. Ammar looked at the sky and thanked Allah, for his victory.

Ammar was sixty years old. However, he was eagerer than the young men to strive for Allah. Ammar deeply believed in Allah. He loved the Apostle of humanity, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). The Prophet (p.b.u.h) also loved his old friend, Ammar. He praised him on several occasions: Ammar's with truth, and truth is with Ammar Truth is always with him. Ammar is full of faith. Blessed is Ammar the unjust group will kill you. Your last food in this world will be a cup of yogurt.

Days, months, and years passed. Ammar was always our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He was always stiving for Allah against the enemies of Islam and of humanity.

In 11 A.H., our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) passed away. On that occasion, all Moslems became sad. Ammar wept over his old friend, Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h). He remembered the days of his youth in Macca and the days of Jihad.

Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) stayed loyal, to his Islam. He was always striving for the religion and saying the word of truth. He was not afraid of anyone but Allah.

Ammar loved Ali bin Abu-Talib because he heard our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) always saying: Ali, no one loves you but a believer, and no one hates you but a hypocrite. Ali, you are in the same position with respect to me as Aaron (Harun) was to Moses (Musa) expect there is no Prophet after me.

On the Farewell Pilgrimage, Ammar (May Allah be pleased with our Master Muhammad taking both arms of our master Ali and raising them high, he said: Whoever, I am the master of, this man, Ali is his master. Allah, befriend whoever befriends him, be hostile to whoever opposes him. Support whoever supports him and desert whoever deserts him.

For this reason, Ammar thought that Ali bin Abu-Talib could be the Caliph after our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Anyhow Abu-Bakr al-Sdeek became the Caliph after the Prophet. But some Companions opposed his Caliphate. Ammar opposed his Caliphate, too. And he stood by Ali bin Abu-Talib and Fatima al-Zahraa, our Master Muhammad's daughter.

After six months, Fatima al-Zahraa, the Mistress of the women of the world, died. However, Imam Ali was forced to acknowledge Abu-Bakr as a Caliph. Then Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) obeyed the Imam and acknowledged Abu-Bakr, too.

Ammar devoted most of his time to the life of Jihad. He took part in the Moslem conquest baffles. He also fought bravely against the apostasy in Yaman.

When Umar bin al-Khattab became the Caliph after Abu-Bakr, he appointed Ammar ruler over Kufa.

There, Ammar treated the people according to Allah's law. And the people were pleased with his just, merciful, and humble treatment.

The Caliph decided that the Caliphate had to be Shura (consultation). So, he elected six persons. They were: Ali bin Abu-Talib(a.s), Uthman bin Affan, Talha, Zubair, Abdrrahman bin Auf, and Saad bin Abi-Wakkas.

Umar ordered the persons to hold a meeting in one of their houses to appoint one of them caliph within three days.

Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) hoped that hey would elect Ali because of his long Jihad, his blood relation to our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h), his knowledge, his outstanding merits, his in Islam.

One day passed. Then two days passed. But there was no result. There was serious competition between Ali bin Abu-Talib (a.s) and Uthman bin Affan for the Caliphate.

Some companions such as al-Mukdad, Ammar bin Yasir, al-Abbas, and others stood by the house.

They hoped that Ali would be elected. Banu Umayyah stood by the house, too. They hoped that Uthman would be elected.

To make Abdurrahamn bin Auf hear, Ammar loudly said: If you want to see the Moslems in agreement, then appoint Ali.

To support Ammar, al-Mukdad said: Ammar has told the truth. If you appoint Ali well hear and obey him.

Abdrrahman's ambition was to be a Caliph. So, he refused to appoint Ali because Ali won't hand him the Caliphate later on.

Imam Ali went out after he had said to Abdurrahamn: This is not the first day when you support each other against us!

* But patience is good and Allah is he whose help is sought for against what you describe *

Ammar was very unhappy for Ahlul-Bait because they were worthier of Caliphate than people and because Allah kept away uncleanness from them and purified them thoroughly.

Gradually, the Caliph deviated from Islam, from our Master Muhammad's, Abu-Bakr's, and Umars behaviour.

Uthman appointed his blood relatives rulers over the cities. They were bad, unjust persons.

For example, Uthman appointed al-Waleed bin Utbah his, hail brother, ruler over Cufa. Al-Waleed drank alcohol and went drunk to mosque.

Uthman made Marwan bin al-Hakam the real ruler of the Moslem government. He appointed the rulers and dismissed them. He dismissed the great Companion Salman al-Farsy from Mada-inn and appointed one of his blood relatives over it

Uthman also dismissed Saad bin Abi-Wakkas from Cufa and appointed al-Waleed bin Akabah over it.

Uthman spent the Moslems' money on his blood relatives from bani-Umayyah and left the poor to live in pain.

There were jewels in the Moslem Public Treasury. Uthman divided the jewels among his daughters and wives. The Moslems became angry. They began talking against Uthman's bad behaviour.

Uthman went on his corrupt policy. One day, he went up the pulpit and addressed the people:

Imam Ali Bin Abu-Talib became sad when he heard Uthman's words. Ammar bin Yasir aged 90 stood up and said the word of truth:

The Caliph became annoyed and said: Bin Yasir, how dare you say these words before me!

Uthman ordered his guards to arrest Ammar. The guards respected neither Ammar's old age nor his friendship to Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h). They drew him into Uthman's room. They chained his hands and legs.

Then the Caliph came and began hitting Ammar on the belly till he became unconscious. Some Moslems came and carded him to Um-Salama's house, our Master Muhammad's wife. Ammar was still unconscious. So, he did not say noon, afternoon, and the evening prayers. When he became conscious, he said those prayers later on.

Ammar remembered the days of torture in Macca. He could endure as many times as what Uthman did because he was a young man. But today he was unable to endure Uthman's torture because he became an old man.

I Um-Salama felt pain when she saw Ammar in that bad condition. Yet, Ammar said:

Uthman banished Abu-Dharr to al-Rabatha Desert where no one inhabits because of its bad climate.

Besides Uthman prevented the Moslems from seeing off Abu-Dharr. Anyhow, some Companions of the Prophet went out to see off the great companion Abu-Dharr.

Ali Bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad's grandsons, al-Hasan and al-Husain, and Ammar went out to see off Abu-Dharr.

May not Allah amuse those who annoy you. And He may not make safe those who have dismayed you.

By Allah, if you want their world, they'll make you safe. And if you are pleased with their actions, they'll love you.

Abu-Dharr, his wife, and his daughter went to al-Rabatha Desert. He remembered the tradition of our Master

The Moslems' anger increased because of Uthman's and his rulers' behaviour. The Prophet's Companions in Madena Wrote to people everywhere:

If you want Jihad, then come to it. Because your Caliph has corrupted Muhammad's religion.

For this reason, the delegates from Cufa, Egypt, Busra, and the like caine to Madena and went to the Caliph to ask him to change his bad policy. But he dismissed them. So, they went to Ali Bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad's cousin and his successor.

Imam Ali (a.s) hoped that Uthman would come back to the laws of Islam. Thus he went to advise him:

Don't be a tool in Marwan's hand. Don't let him direct you to whatever he likes. Don't forget your position with respect to Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h).

Uthman agreed to announce his repentance before people. He went out and apologized to people for his bad behaviour. Besides he promised them to follow a new policy Allah and his Apostle accepted. But Marwan who was cunning, said to him:

Nayylah, Uthman's wife, knew that Marwan was a bad man and that he disliked Moslems. For this reason, she said to her husband: Listen to Ali because people love and obey him; don't listen to Mar wan because people hate him.

Uthman did not listen to those who advised him. So, people revolted and killed him in his palace.

The Moslem masses headed for Imam Ali's house. They asked him to be the Caliph. They The Imam refused that and said :

But people realized that the Imam was the only man who deserved the Caliphate. Therefore, they insisted on their attitude. Finally, the Imam agreed to responsibility to shoulder this deprive the ambitious of it.

The Moslems revolted for justice. They were angry at persecution. Imam Ali (a.s) was the symbol of justice.

The Imam did not sadden the Moslems. On the first day, he dismissed all the bad rulers Uthman had appointed. Then he appointed good rulers.

The Imam dismissed Maawyyah from Sham but Maawyyah was always planning to control Sham first. Then he planned to control the Moslem lands in general. So, he rebelled and announced that he would get revenge on Uthman's killers. For this reason, the Baffle of Siffeen took place on the borders between Syria and Iraq.

Imam Ali's Army included many Companions of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h). Ammar bin Yasir, Malik al-Ashter, Abdullah bin Abbas, and others were among them.

Maawyyah's Army included the enemies of Islam such as Marwan bin Al-Hakam, Amru bin al-Ass, bin AbiMaayad, and those who escaped from All's Justice to Maawyyah's world.

The Moslems in both armies were always repeating our Master Muhammad's tradition:

Ammar was in Imam Ali's Army. He was over ninety years old. Nevertheless, he fought as bravely as the believing young man did.

Allah, if I know that you are pleased with throwing myself into the Euphrates, I'll do!

By Allah, if they (Maawyyah's Army) defeat and chase us to. The Hajar date palms, I'll say that we're right and they're wrong.

Some believers accepted his Words. So, Ammar led them towards the enemy. When the Companions saw him passing through the enemy army, they followed him.

Namely, Maawyyah promised to give Egypt to Arnru bin Au-Ass if the latter stood by him.

I firmly believe that your action is not for Allah. Then Ammar advised him: If you won't be killed today you'll die tomorrow. And actions are according to intentions. So, correct your intentions because Allah will reward people according to their intentions.

The Moslems were in a fix. They did not distinguish right from Wrong. Their guide was Ammar because our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said: The unjust group will kill Ammar.

The days of the war passed, but Ammar was fighting at the front of right. He was always standing by Ali.

One day, Ammar and a believing group launched an attack. Ammar was fighting bravely. He remembered the days when he fought beside our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He remembered the Baffles of Badr, Uhud, Siffeen, and the other Moslem baffles.

Though Ammar was fasting, he went on fighting. When the sunset, Ammar asked some water because he was thirsty. A fighter brought him a cup full of yogurt. Ammar smiled. Then he cheerfully said: Tonight I may die a martyr.

Some fighters asked him about the secret. He said: My dear Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) has told me: The unjust group will kill you. And your final food in this world will be a cup of yogurt.

Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) drank the cup of yogurt. Then he continued fighting till he fell over the ground and became a martyr.

Maawyyah was about to fly because of happiness. Imam Ali (a.s) was full of sadness and sorrow. During those moments all Moslems knew the unjust group.

Some soldiers in Maawyyah's Army were waiting for Ammar's coming to their front. But they saw him fighting bravely beside Imam Ali (a.s) till he became a martyr. So, they sneered at Amru bin al-Ass' claim. In the meantime, they took advantage of the dark and began coming to join the Imam's Army. They knew that it was the front of right.

Ammar's martyrdom. Sounded at both fronts. Imam Ali's Army was in high spirits, but Maawyyah's Army was in low spirits.

At that night, the Imam's Army launched a wide attack against Maawyyah's Army. The Imam's Army was about to win victory. But Amru bin al-Ass created a new trick. He ordered the army of Sham to raise the Koran. They were demanding the Imam's Army to turn to Allah's Book.

The fights stopped. Both armies withdrew from the Valley of Siffeen. The martyrs' bodies stayed on the fl battlefield. The body of Ammar aged ninety six stayed there, too.

Nowadays, when the Moslems visit that area, they can see the big shrine of that great Companion, who spent all his life in striving for Islam. When Ammar became a martyr, the Moslems knew the right front during that bitter war.

Source - The companions of the Prophet and their Followers series: Ammar ibn Yasir. By Kamal al-Sayyid.