His descendants were Imams...

His descendants were Imams, guiding the Muslims in religious matters, but none were able to truly take the political position of Caliph during their lifetimes. When it looked as though they might become such by popular choice, they were brutally assassinated except for the last of them, Imam Mahdi (a.s.), on whom we await.

In Part Two of the Biography of Imam Ali (a.s.), in the series of biographies of the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.), we will cover the Imamate and Caliphate of Amir Al-Mu'minin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). His wisdom was unmatched and not overlooked during the rule of the first three caliphs as we illustrated in Part One.

As caliph, all of the finer points of his knowledge and ability came to the forefront and his rule was marked with sternness in the face of the enemy and gentleness in the face of the oppressed, kindness toward the orphans and poor, generosity toward the needy, honor toward his responsibility, and love toward his children. He was all and everything as no ruler after him could achieve.

We have implored Imam Ali (a.s.) to help us in the task of relating his story to those who do not know him at all, and to those who deny him justice. May Allah, the Most Merciful, help us all. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One, and that Muhammad bin Abdullah (s.a.w.) is His Prophet and that Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) is His Vicegerent. We ask Allah, Most Beneficent, to send our greetings to the Messenger of Allah and Amir al- Mu'minin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib.

We pray to Allah, Most High, for His assistance in this work. With Allah comes success. PART ONE "O Ali, you were the first among the believers to believe, you were the first among the Muslims to embrace Islam, and you are to me like Aaron to Moses."* (s.a.w.) ______________________ *Al-Muhib Al-Tabari, Dhakhair Al-'Oqba, Cairo ed , 1356 A. H , p 58, quoting Umar bin al- Khattab.

INTRODUCTION "No one has ever suffered from his people as I have."(1) Imam Ali (a.s.) No great person of history has endured injustice and selfishness as much as Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) did during his lifetime and even after his departure from this world. His life was full of feats and glory, yet injustice was poured on him and continued after his death.

For a long time after his martyrdom, he was deprived of the simplest rights, such as having his biography and unique place in history written fairly and truthfully.