SAYYIDINA IMAM ALI AL-MURTADA
The 21st of Ramadan marks the martyrdom and URS (annual commemoration of passing) of Sayyidina Imam Ali Mushkil Kusha كرم الله وجهه.
Imam Ali كرم الله وجهه was born inside the Ka'bah and was the first male to accept Islam. He was also the cousin, son in law and great companion of our Holy Prophet ﷺ. He was also the first person to pray with our Holy Prophet ﷺ. (Musnad Imam Ahmad).
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said "I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate." (Tirmidhi). For this reason, it is well known that the majority of Sufi tariqas (spiritual orders) trace the chain of their spiritual masters back to the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt, ending with Imam Ali كرم الله وجهه as the spiritual authority after our Holy Prophet ﷺ.
Imam Ali كرم الله وجهه once said "By Him Who split up the seed and created the soul, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave me a promise that none but a believer would love me, and none hates me but a hypocrite." (Sahih Muslim).
It is in this great love that the great Sufi saint, Hazrat Khawaja Amir Khusrau (QSA) wrote the famous lines:
Ali imaam-e-manasto manam Ghulaam-e-Ali
Hazaar jaan-e-giraamii fidaa-e-naam-e-Ali
Ali is my leader, I am the slave of Ali
A thousand lives be sacrificed in the name of Ali.
Maarifath ke nur se hamaray dil ko mamoor kar,
Peshwa e deen Hazrat Ali Murtaza Sher e Khuda ke wasthey
O’Allah put the light of Your knowledge in our hearts,
For the sake of Hazrat Ali Murtada the lion of Allah
The great grandson and direct descendant of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Imam Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha (Radhy Allahu Anhu) was born in Madina Munwarrah, and raised under the guidance of his father, Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (Radhy Allahu Anhu) for a period of 35 years.
His title was Al-Ridha (the one who is satisfied) because he was always satisfied with Allah’s ﷻ decree in all circumstances despite living during a time when he faced numerous difficulties. He spent most of his time praying to Allah ﷻ and serving the people.
His knowledge was extraordinary as he compiled the famous treatise, Al-Risalah Al-Dhahabiyya( The Golden Treatise) which is on medical cures and the maintenance of health.
He was martyred at the age of 55 years old in the year 202 - 208 A.H. (818 A.D.). His maqam is in Mashhad, Iran and is frequently visited by Sunni Muslims for spiritual blessings.
It is to be noted that Shaykh Ma’ruf Karkhi Raḥimahullāh converted from Christianity to Islam at the hands of Imam Ali Raza (Radhy Allahu Anhu). This is very important because Shaykh Mar’uf Karkhi Raḥimahullāh is a prominent figure in the golden chain of most Sufi orders including Silsila Aaliya e Khushhaliya.
O’Allah make us sincere and patient on our path,
for the sake of all the martyrs of Karbala
Raah Me Theri Rahen Saabith Kadam Ay Beniyaaz,
Sabr de Humko Shaheed e Karbala ke wasthey
O’Allah put the light of Your knowledge in our hearts,
for the sake of Hazrat Ali Murtada the lion of Allah
Maarifath ke nur se hamaray dil ko mamoor kar,
peshwa e deen Hazrat Ali Murtaza Sher e Khuda ke wasthey
O’Lord of all the worlds, give us sincere love for your Beloved,
for the sake of Sayyidatina Fatima Az-Zahra Radhy Allahu Anha
Ishq de Mahboob ka hum ko ya Ilahul Alameen,
Syeda Masooma Hazrat Fatima Radhy Allahu Anha ke Wasthey
Silsila-e-Aaliya, Khushhaliya !