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Enmity with Imam Ali (as) 1 - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Enmity with Imam Ali (as) 1 2023-03-19 401 Views Imam Ali , The Commander of faithful , Enmity with Ali , Enemies of Imam Ali Enmity towards Imam ‘Ali (A.S.) started with the advent of Islam itself and lasted throughout his life. This sorrowful trend did not end with his martyrdom and continued even after that.

By focusing on the events of the early period of Islam we will see what elements played the role in this enmity, especially during the brief caliphate of the Imam. Tribal and Ethnic Motives Although enmity based on tribal and ethnic motives might appear natural to some extent, it should be admitted that this trend neither camouflages the evilness of those who harbour rancour nor does it diminish in any way the greatness of Imam ‘Ali (A.S.).

Imam ‘Ali (A.S.) was a scion of the Bani Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe. The Qurayshites were considered noble and enjoyed a special esteem and privileged status among the Arab tribes. The day the Ishmaelite leader Qusayy bin Kilab, the 5th ancestor of Imam ‘Ali (A.S.), became custodian of the holy Ka’bah and took charge of the administration of Makkah, his family came to enjoy a central and eminent position among not only the Quraysh but other Arab tribes as well.

The nobility of the Quraysh was now concentrated in the House of Qusayy and the Bani Qusayy became a privileged group. Their prestige was further enhanced among the Arabs because of the custodianship of Abraham’s ancient edifice of monotheism, the Ka’bah. The sanctity of the Ka’bah, which since the beginning exercised a profound influence on public minds, gradually bestowed a halo on its custodians who came to be considered holy themselves.

The wisdom and valour of Qusayy further increased the position of the custodian. Among the Arabs, blood and genealogy counted as marks of distinction and carried social prestige since members of each tribe felt proud of their descent from one chieftain and stood beside each other. Thus any member who in addition to a perfect pedigree and impeccable blood bond could boast of personal traits of nobility was undoubtedly regarded as the chieftain, whose authority was binding on the whole tribe.

Any disobedience to his commands or instructions was tantamount to insubordination and challenge to the tribal system and swiftly brought down the displeasure of the rebel who was excommunicated and expelled by the whole clan.