On the joyous occasion of the birth anniversary of the tenth Infallible successor to the Prophet Muhammad (sawa), Imam Ali Al-Naqi (a.s), World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) congratulates the Imam of our time, Imam Mahdi (atfs), the Ahlul Bayt (as), our righteous scholars, and all believers.
 
 
Imam Ali al-Naqi (as) was born on 15 Zul Hijjah in one of the villages around Madinah in 212 AH / 827 CE. His imamate lasted 34 years and he was only 6 years old when he was divinely appointed to the office on his father’s martyrdom.
 
 
Imam Ali al-Naqi’s life coincided with the decline of the Abbasid empire, when the capital was moved from Baghdad to Samarra due to threats from the Turks.  Before the shifting of the capital, Imam was summoned many times by the evil caliph Mutawakkil, whose hatred for the Ahlul Bayt (as) was unparalleled in his time: he ordered the flooding of Imam Hussain a.s’s grave, and failing all attempts to destroy it, he forbade pilgrimage there. It was in his time that many devoted lovers of Imam Hussain (as) lost their limbs and lives in their love for visiting him.
 
The Abbasids were in turmoil during this time with internal intriguings for power. Seven caliphs lived through the Imam’s time. Mutawakkil was particularly vindictive, and ordered the Imam’s removal to Samarrah. However he housed him with the destitute in the wilderness. Imam’s worship and humility won his guards over, resulting in Mutawakkil’s further anger. He had the Imam transferred into the custody of Said, a ruthless man, for over 12 years.
 
 
Eventually, through secret followers of the Ahlul Bayt (as) entering the courts of the caliphs, the difficulties on the Imam were eased. He was allowed to build a house in Samarrah, and although still under watch, the Imam continued to peacefully spread the faith to his true followers.  However, the caliph Mutaz was threatened by this popularity, and had the Imam (as) poisoned by food. The Imam was laid to rest in Samarrah by his son the eleventh Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) in his house.
 
Some of Imam Ali al-Naqi (as)’s well-known sayings are:
 
Others will fear him who fears Allah.  He who obeys Allah will be obeyed. He who obeys Allah will not care for the dissatisfaction of the creatures. He who enrages the Creator should be sure of encountering the dissatisfaction of the creatures.
 
This world is like a market in which some profited and others lost.
 
You should present thorough obedience to those who present for you their thorough love and advice.
 
Imam Ali al-Naqi (as) left us a legacy of patience even in the face of oppression and imprisonment. He showed us how to always have the best and most refined of characters and morals, and how nothing is dearer in life than serving the one Creator.
 
Today as the Heavens and the Earth rejoice, WABIL extends its warmest wishes to all on the coming to the world of this exemplary saviour for mankind, Imam Ali al-Naqi (as)!
 
Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK

Previous Next