The martyrdom of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali
In the fortieth Year of Migration (661 A.D), Imam Ali was martyred on the twenty-first day of Ramaḍān at the age of 63 years by Ibn-e Muljam Murādi who wickedly wounded him in the head with a poisoned sword during morning prayers on the 19th of Ramaḍān in the Mosque of Kūfa (a town in Iraq). Imam Ali’s caliphate was defined by his commitment to justice, piety, and asceticism. He was known to eat the simplest of foods and treat all people with as much kindness and compassion as a human being is capable of. He also continued his role as the greatest scholar of his time, as can be easily seen in the writings and supplications narrated from him. The night before his passing is considered the second of the three holy nights – each being known as Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Destiny).
The Holy Prophet had prophesied the assassination of Imam Ali in his sermon delivered on the last Friday of Shʹabān. It is quoted from Imam Ali to have said, “…I stood up and asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What are the best deeds in this month?’ The Messenger of Allah answered, ‘O Ali! The best of deeds in this month is to shun those things Allah the Exalted has prohibited.’ Then he wept. I asked ‘O Messenger of Allah! What makes you cry?’ and he answered, ‘O Ali! I cry for what will be done to you in this month. I see that you are standing in prayer to your Lord, and the most wretched of all people, the brother of the slayer of the camel of Thamūd, will strike you on your head to dye your beard with the blood of your head.’” (Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 96, p. 157)
However, he lived two days after this event and in that interval whenever he found time, he delivered a few sermons. (See Nahj al-Balāgha, Sermon 149; Letter 47). Also, the Imam requested his sons that he should be buried secretly, because he feared that his enemies would desecrate his grave. So, according to his will, he was buried at Najaf (Iraq), a place about two miles from Kūfa.
