Truthful persons in
the history had always paid rich tributes to the Vicegerent of the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Commander of the Faithful, the Conqueror of Khyber,
the matchless Orator of the Pulpit of Salooni, Imam Ali (a.s.). Reproduced
below are some of such tributes:
George Jordac, a
famous Christian historian, philosopher of modern Egypt says: “No one can
praise Ali to the extent that he deserves. He was a true, staunch and devout
follower of Islam. His words and deeds bore stamp of nobility, sagacity and
courage of convictions. He never deceived, misled, or betrayed anybody. In
various phases and periods of his life, he exhibited marvelous strength of body
and mind which were due to his firm belief in religion and his abiding faith in
truth and justice.”
Muhammad Mustafa Beck
Najib, the famous Egyptian philosopher and professor at Al-Azhar University
says: “He was the most learned person, the bravest man and the most eloquent
speaker and orator. His piety, his love of Allah, his sincerity and fortitude
in following religion were of such standard that no one could aspire to reach
him. He was a man of such surpassing and pre-eminent characteristics and such
transcending and peerless qualities that many learned men got perplexed about
him and imagined him to be an embodiment of Allah! Many among Jews and
Christians loved and such philosophers who had come to know of his teachings
bowed before his incomparable vast knowledge. Roman kings would his pictures in
their palaces and great warriors would engrave his name on their swords!
John J. Pool, the
historian (the author of the life of Queen Victoria) wrote in his book “Studies
in Muhammadanism” “This prince (Imam Ali) was a man of mild and forbearing
character, wise in counsel and bold in war. Muhammad had given him the title of
the “Lion of God”. Ali and his sons, Hasan and Husain were truly noblemen-men
of righteousness, men of brave, humble and forgiving spirit.”
To Oelsner, the
famous French Orientalist, said: “Ali was an embodiment of Chivalry; and
personification of gallantry and generosity. Pure, gentle and learned without
fear, and without reproach, he presented to the world the noblest examples of
Chivalrous grandeur of character. His spirit was a pure reflection of that of
Muhammad, it overshadowed the Islamic world and formed the animating genius of
the succeeding ages.”
Osborne, in “Islam
under the Arabs”, says: “Ali had been advised by his counselors to defer the dismissal
of the corrupt governors previously appointed until he himself was sure against
all enemies. The Pillar of Islam, the hero without fear and without reproach,
refused to be guilty of any duplicity or compromise within justice. This
uncompromisingly noble attitude costed him his state and his life; but such was
Ali, he never valued anything above justice and truth.”
Gibbon (in The
History of Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, vol. 5) says: “The zeal and
virtues of Ali were never outstripped by any recent proselyte. He united the
qualifications of a poet, a soldier and a saint. His wisdom still breathes in collections
of moral and religious sayings; and every antagonist in the combats of words or
of swords was subdued by his eloquence and valor. From the first hour of mission
to the last rites of funeral, the Prophet (Muhammad) was never forsaken by this
generous friend (Ali) whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent and
the faithful Aaron of the second Moses.”
Mas’udi, the
famous historian of Islam says: “If the glorious name of being the first Muslim,
a comrade of the Prophet in exile, his faithful companion in the struggle for
the faith, his intimate associate in life, and his kinsman, if a true knowledge
of the spirit of his teachings and of the Book, if self-abnegation and practice
of justice, if honesty, purity and love of truth and if knowledge of law and
science constitute a claim of pre-eminence, then all must regard Ali as the
foremost Muslim. We shall search in vain to find either among his predecessors except
the Holy Prophet, or among his successors, those virtues with which Allah had
endowed him.”
Extracts from: www.alseraj.net
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