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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Brother of the : Imam ‘Ali Introduction Americans who know Islam and Muslims are relatively few and those who know the plurality of the Islamic Schools of Thought and that there are among the Muslims Sunnites and Shi’ites are fewer. However the events of the Iranian Revolution which took place in 1978-79 put the news of the Muslims in general and the Shi’ite Muslims in particular on the front pages of the Western and Eastern press.

This is because the Shi’ite Muslims are the absolute majority among the Muslims in Iran. The American press spoke of the Shi’ites briefly and many times inaccurately. This reconfirmed my conviction for the need of an English book dealing with the Islamic Shi’ite School with some details based on serious research.

Since this is the School of Imam ‘Ali, son of Abu Talib, it would be appropriate to study this great Imam and his political-religious history; for this is the only means through which we can understand the foundation of this school. To satisfy this need I wrote this book and called it The Brother of the . This is a title which was given to Imam ‘Ali uniquely by the Holy who "brothered" him from among all the Muslims. He never chose for himself any other man as a brother.

The title was the dearest to the heart of the Imam; for when he introduced himself publicly he used to mention his brotherhood to the Prophet after mentioning his servitude to the Almighty. And it was pleasing to the Holy Prophet to call ‘Ali "My brother.". The Muslims agree that Imam ‘Ali had what no other person from among the Muslims had of distinctions. He is from among them the only person who was raised by the Messenger of God since the days of his childhood.

He was brought up by him according to his ethical standards; then he chose him from among all men to be his brother. The Muslim scholars Sunnites and Shi’ites agree that ‘Ali was the most knowledgeable in the Book of God (the Qur'an) and the teachings of His Prophet among all the companions. He was the richest source of wisdom and the most eloquent speaker the greatest defender of the faith the firmest in maintaining justice and the most selfless endeavorer in the way of God.