An immortal phrase...

An immortal phrase, it has continued to goad human conscience for almost the past fourteen centuries! It has made those with even a grain of intellect dumbstruck at the dynamism of the person who pronounced it in the early hours of the 19th of Ramadhan, 40 AH corresponding to the year 660 of the Christian calendar. What was the success that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) felt at that moment?

And why was he elated when all passages to life abruptly closed for him and he was about to enter the apparently unknown and uncharted realm of death?

Only the ignorant would pose such a question concerning the man who says in one of his sermons: “The Son of Abu Talib is more enthusiastic for death than an infant for the mother’s breast.” If we were to say that Imam Ali (AS) merely longed for death rather than the seemingly beautiful world of life and its transient pleasures, then we have missed the finer points of the delicate phrase he chose to express, when on being struck the deathblow he said: By the Lord of the Ka’ba I have succeeded!

The Imam of Pious (AS) was indeed thrilled at meeting the Almighty Creator in such a noble state after having accomplished all tasks entrusted to him and so he said in jubilation that unique statement and out of longing to meet his beloved Creator. From his birth till his martyrdom every single breath of his 63-year life was for God and for the promulgation of the universal laws of Islam.

In view of these undeniable facts, he serves as the everlasting barometer for the faithful in every age and era to discern truth from falsehood. No wonder the Prophet (SA) had remarked to his companion Ammar ibn Yasser: “O Ammar!

If all people take one path and Ali takes another path, you follow the path of Ali, for he will lead you to salvation.” With that same spirit of jubilation, Imam Ali (AS) uttered the words of victory after recognizing the immense blessings and significance which the Event of the Cloak carries. He cries out the statement of victory so that we and all people across time have our attentions lifted to this unique Tradition of the Cloak .

We are to mention and remember this event every opportunity we get in every gathering where the believers are congregated. All praise be to Allah for it is by His grace we find today that many of the gatherings where the programs of key celebrations of Islamic events and the birthdays of the infallible Imams (AS) commence with the recitation of Hadeeth Al Kisaa .