Ali: The Caliphate, the Trials of Unity, and the Legacy of Justice
The Appointment to the Islamic Caliphate
In the year 35 AH, with five days remaining in Dhu al-Hijjah al-Haram, allegiance was pledged to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, as Caliph of the Muslims.
The Islamic state was passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. The assassination of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, had shaken the foundations of the Muslim community, and the Muslims found themselves facing confusion, uncertainty, and the threat of division.
Many of the leading Companions and the people of consultation and authority (ahl al-hall wa al-aqd) residing in Madinah believed that the qualities necessary to reunite the Muslims and preserve the unity of the Islamic state were found most completely in Imam Ali.
Ali himself understood the gravity of the situation. He foresaw that the path ahead would be filled with trials and discord. For this reason, he initially hesitated and said:
“Seek it in someone else, for we are facing a matter that has many aspects and colors, which hearts cannot sustain and minds cannot stand firm upon.”
Yet the people persisted, urging him by Allah and by religion to accept the responsibility. When he became convinced of their determination, he replied:
“I have answered you, and know that I will take you along a path of what I know. If you leave me, I am just like one of you, except that I am the most obedient and attentive among you to whomever you appoint.”
Following the pledges of allegiance from the leading figures present in Madinah, the allegiance to Imam Ali was completed, and he assumed the burden of leadership at a moment when the Muslim world desperately needed guidance, stability, and justice.
His First Sermon
After the pledge of allegiance was completed, Imam Ali addressed the people.
He praised Allah and reminded the Muslims of their obligations toward faith, justice, and moral conduct. He called them to uphold the commands of Allah, preserve the sanctity of Muslim life, fulfill religious duties, and prepare themselves for accountability before their Creator.
Among his words were:
“Allah has sent down a guiding Book that explains good and evil, so take the good and leave the evil.”
He emphasized that the true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe and warned the community against negligence in matters of faith, justice, and responsibility.
The sermon reflected the central themes that would characterize his leadership: devotion to divine guidance, concern for the welfare of the community, and commitment to justice above personal interest.
The First Challenges of His Caliphate
One of the first actions undertaken by Imam Ali was the reorganization of provincial governance.
However, the political crisis that had followed the death of Uthman had already created deep divisions throughout the Muslim world.
Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, governor of Syria, refused to pledge allegiance to Ali. He argued that justice for the killing of Uthman should precede recognition of the new caliphate.
Imam Ali maintained that the lawful authority of the Muslim community had already been established through the completed pledge of allegiance and that preserving the unity of the state was essential before other matters could be addressed.
This disagreement became the beginning of a prolonged political and military conflict that would shape the remainder of his reign.
The Battle of the Camel
Tensions eventually led to the confrontation known as the Battle of the Camel.
Lady Aishah, Mother of the Believers, together with Talhah and al-Zubayr, traveled toward Basra. Events escalated until armed conflict became unavoidable.
Imam Ali sought reconciliation and attempted to prevent bloodshed, but war nevertheless broke out.
The battle ended with victory for Imam Ali.
After the conflict, he treated Lady Aishah with respect and dignity. He arranged for her safe return and publicly affirmed her honored position, saying:
“She is indeed the wife of your Prophet in this world and the Hereafter.”
The battle left a profound impact on the Muslim community and became one of the earliest examples of internal conflict among Muslims.
Al-Kufa: Capital of the Caliphate
Following the Battle of the Camel, Imam Ali established al-Kufa as the seat of his government.
From there he continued efforts to restore unity throughout the Islamic state.
He sent messages to Muawiyah inviting him to join the consensus of the Muslim community and recognize the legitimacy of the caliphate.
Muawiyah declined, and both sides prepared for what would become one of the most significant confrontations in early Islamic history.
The Battle of Siffin
The armies of Iraq and Syria met at Siffin on the Euphrates.
Before battle began, Imam Ali made repeated efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully and avoid the shedding of Muslim blood.
Negotiations took place, but the conflict eventually erupted into warfare.
During the battle, Ammar ibn Yasir, one of the distinguished Companions, was killed while fighting in Ali’s army. Many remembered the famous statement attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him:
“Woe to Ammar; the rebellious group will kill him.”
The battle ultimately ended with arbitration, an outcome that created new divisions within Ali’s camp and opened the way for the emergence of the Kharijites.
The Kharijite Revolt
The arbitration at Siffin led a faction of Ali’s supporters to reject both sides and separate themselves from the main body of the Muslim community.
These became known as the Kharijites.
Imam Ali repeatedly debated them and sought to persuade them through reason and evidence.
Many returned to his side after these discussions, while others persisted in rebellion.
Eventually, conflict became unavoidable, leading to the Battle of Nahrawan.
Ali defeated the rebellion, but the struggle further exhausted his resources and deepened the instability facing the caliphate.
The Decline of Political Authority
Years of conflict weakened the central authority of the state.
Many regions gradually moved outside the effective control of the caliphate in Kufa.
Despite possessing remarkable eloquence, wisdom, and leadership, Imam Ali increasingly faced a shortage of loyal and disciplined supporters.
He continued urging the people to fulfill their responsibilities and defend the unity of the Muslim community, but political fragmentation continued to grow.
His reign became a continuous struggle against division, rebellion, and civil war.
The Assassination of Imam Ali
In 40 AH, a group of Kharijites plotted the assassination of several leading figures of the Muslim world.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam was assigned to assassinate Imam Ali.
While Ali was on his way to lead the dawn prayer in the Great Mosque of Kufa, Ibn Muljam struck him with a poisoned sword.
Even after receiving the fatal wound, Imam Ali instructed his followers to uphold justice and avoid vengeance beyond what the law permitted.
He said:
“If I perish, kill him as he killed me, and if I survive, I will see my opinion regarding him.”
He also instructed:
“Do not mutilate the man, for I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘Beware of mutilation, even if it be of a rabid dog.’”
These final instructions reflected the same commitment to justice and restraint that had characterized his life.
Imam Ali passed away in Ramadan of the year 40 AH after a caliphate lasting four years, nine months, and five days.
His Final Advice
Before his death, Imam Ali gathered his sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised them:
“I advise you both to fear Allah. Speak the truth, have mercy on the orphan, have mercy on the needy, work for the Hereafter, be adversaries to the unjust and helpers to the oppressed, act according to the Book of Allah, and do not fear the blame of a critic for the sake of Allah.”
He also advised:
“Establish prayer at its proper time, give zakat at its proper place, forgive others, suppress anger, maintain kinship ties, seek understanding in religion, memorize the Quran, be a good neighbor, enjoin good and forbid evil, and avoid immoralities.”
These words remain among the most celebrated examples of ethical and spiritual counsel in Islamic history.
The Embodiment of Righteousness and Competence
Imam Ali possessed the qualities that many of his contemporaries believed were necessary to unite the Muslims during one of the most difficult periods in Islamic history.
His leadership combined courage, knowledge, piety, and unwavering dedication to justice.
Despite the immense challenges he faced, he remained committed to preserving the unity of the Muslim community and defending the principles he believed to be true.
A Reluctant Leader Driven by Duty
Ali did not seek power for its own sake.
He accepted the caliphate only after persistent requests from the leading members of the Muslim community and after recognizing the urgent need for leadership.
His acceptance was motivated by a sense of responsibility rather than personal ambition.
The Exemplar of Justice and Mercy
Throughout his reign, Imam Ali repeatedly sought reconciliation before conflict.
He pursued persuasion before force and dialogue before confrontation.
Even toward opponents, he maintained principles of fairness, restraint, and respect for human dignity.
Steadfastness in Truth
The years of Ali’s caliphate were marked by extraordinary political turmoil.
Yet he remained committed to what he understood as justice and religious duty.
His determination did not waver despite rebellion, military conflict, betrayal, and personal hardship.
Ali: The Beacon of Truth and Justice
“Ali is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali.”
For many generations of Muslims, Imam Ali has represented a model of integrity, courage, knowledge, and devotion.
His life stands as a testimony to leadership grounded in principle rather than personal gain.
Whether as a Companion of the Prophet, a scholar, a judge, a warrior, or a Caliph, he remains one of the most influential and revered figures in Islamic history.
His legacy continues to inspire reflection upon justice, responsibility, moral courage, and service to the community.
Though his caliphate was filled with trials, his name remains associated with wisdom, steadfastness, and an enduring commitment to truth.
To be continued
Taher Ben Abdessalam El Lhioui Al-Wahhabi Al-Alami Al-Hassani
Foreword
Abdallah Guennoun
Digital Edition, Translation and Presentation
Jaafar El Lhioui
Northern Morocco Archive
See the previous chapter
Conclusion
The archival lineage records preserved by historian Taher El Lhioui offer critical insights into the structural dynamics of the early prophetic households. By documenting these primary transmissions and clarifying descendant pathways, his work serves as an essential bridge connecting foundational Islamic history with the genealogical heritage of Northern Morocco.
Stay tuned for the upcoming chapters of this digital series as we continue to unlock rare documents from the Northern Morocco Archive.
Researcher, Editor, and Digital Activist
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