A sharp surge in recent days in the number of pilgrims heading for ‘Umrah’, the year-round pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, should not be surprising.
It comes ahead of the 13th day of Rajab al Murajab, marking an important remembrance which is well preserved in history. In Pakistan, the auspicious day will be celebrated today (January 3, 2026), with events ranging from thanksgiving prayers to the distribution of food for the needy, all coming together to mark the occasion.
The day is widely remembered for the miraculous birth of Hazrat Ali (a.s), the fourth caliph of Islam, inside the holy ‘Kaaba’ – a historical event without precedent either before or after that occurrence.
Multiple historical sources have recorded fine details of the birth of Hazrat Ali (a.s). Just before the birth of Hazrat Ali (a.s), his mother, Bibi Fatima binte Asad (a.s), was performing the ‘tawaaf’ (circumambulation or walking around counter-clockwise) of the holy Kaaba, known to Muslims as the House of Allah.
The sudden appearance of a crack in a wall of the cubical structure made from stone allowed Bibi Fatima binte Asad (a.s) to enter the Kaaba, where she gave birth to the youngest of her sons.
She emerged from the Kaaba just three days later, carrying her infant son and accompanied by Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s), her husband, who is the most cited in history from the paternal uncles and the protector in Makkah of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
The birth of Hazrat Ali (a.s) marked the arrival of a personality who attained unprecedented fame and towering status, not only as the Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) first cousin and later son-in-law. He is also widely remembered for his exceptional qualities, ranging from his towering status as an intellectual and spiritual leader to his persona as a brave commander, earning him the title ‘Asadullah’, or the lion of Allah.
A comprehensive survey of the literature devoted to the life of Hazrat Ali (a.s), clearly places him apart from other figures in the history of Islam. The life of Hazrat Ali (a.s) has been prominent in literary works, notably the poetry of Allama Iqbal, the widely celebrated South Asian Muslim poet. Those impressed by his life have included Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The sermons and writings of Hazrat Ali (a.s) are well preserved in a widely celebrated book, ‘Nahjul Balagha’, compiled initially in Arabic and subsequently translated to many other languages, notably Persian, Urdu and English. Some of the translations are literal while others are devotional, carrying interpretations to highlight the influence of Hazrat Ali (a.s) on the history of Islam and more broadly the world.
Among the most cited documents attributed to Hazrat Ali (a.s) remains a letter that he wrote to Maalik Ashtar, one of his closest companions, upon the latter’s appointment as governor of the province of Egypt, then a part of the Islamic empire. To this day, that letter has been widely and repeatedly acknowledged for offering a perfect set of guidelines for administering an Islamic state.
“Be it known to you, O, Malik, that I am sending you as governor to a country which in the past has experienced both just and unjust rule”, wrote Hazrat Ali (a.s) before adding details on the importance of public opinion –a vital lesson for leaders from coming generations.
He wrote, “The fact is that the public speak well of only those who do good. It is they who furnish the proof of your actions. Hence the richest treasure that you may covet would be the treasure of good deeds. Keep your desires under control and deny yourself that which you have been prohibited from, for by such abstinence alone, you will be able to distinguish between what is good to them and what is not”.
In another widely cited letter quoted in Nahjul Balagha, Hazrat Ali (a.s) urged his followers to refrain from oppressing others, warning that such behaviour would bring nothing but ultimate punishment. “Nothing calls more strongly for God’s blessings to be rescinded, or His punishment to be hastened, than persistent oppression. Let the way most dear to you be that, which is most moderate in truth, most universal in justice, and most far-reaching in achieving your subjects' satisfaction…..Beware of exalting yourself in the face of God's majesty or of imitating his power. God abases every tyrant and degrades all who show pride”.
For Western scholars such as Paul Smith, Hazrat Ali (a.s) was a unique leader combining many different traits. Writing in his well-researched book, ‘The Enlightened Sayings of Hazrat Ali’, Smith wrote, “(Hazrat) Ali is respected not only as a warrior and leader, but as a writer, poet and religious authority. A numerous range of disciplines from theology and exegesis to calligraphy and numerology, from law and mysticism to Arabic grammar and rhetoric are regarded as having been first adumbrated by (Hazrat) Ali”.
Celebrations focused on the life of Hazrat Ali (a.s) have inspired numerous individuals over centuries, reinforcing his multiple messages to carry on and fit a variety of situations. These range from personal conduct within a household to the administration of communities and eventually a state. The impact of these messages has been universal, recognised by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
In 2002, the late Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations, publicly praised Hazrat Ali (a.s) as one of the ‘fairest governors’ of his time after Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). He encouraged rulers of Arab nations to adopt principles, such as ensuring justice as conveyed by Hazrat Ali (a.s) in his letter to Maalik Ashtar.
Annan’s acknowledgement underscores the enduring universal appeal of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) as a source of inspiration for communities, regardless of their beliefs. In today's world, it is vital to embrace this powerful message for our own salvation and for all times to come.
The writer is an Islamabad-based journalist who writes on political and economic affairs. He can be reached at: [email protected]
