Name:
Hazrat ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib رضي الله عنه (Usdul Ghaabah 3/282)
Birth:
Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was born ten years before Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم was blessed with Nubuwwah by Allah Ta‘ala. (Isaabah 4/459)
Father’s Name:
According to some reports, the name of Hazrat ‘Ali’s رضي الله عنه father was Abu Taalib. According to other reports, his name was ‘Abdu Manaaf, while Abu Taalib was his kunyah (filial title) by which he was famously known. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/282)
Mother’s Name:
Hazrat Faatimah bintu Asad bin Haashim رضي الله عنها. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/282)
Brothers:
Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه had three brothers. From the three brothers, two had embraced Islam. They were Hazrat ‘Aqeel رضي الله عنه and Hazrat Ja’far رضي الله عنه. Taalib had not embraced Islam. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/282, Faidh-ul-Baari 3/213)
Taalib was the eldest from all the brothers. The second brother was Hazrat Aqeel رضي الله عنه who was ten years younger than Taalib. After Hazrat ‘Aqeel رضي الله عنه was Hazrat Ja’far رضي الله عنه, who was also ten years younger than Hazrat ‘Aqeel رضي الله عنه. The youngest of the brothers was Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه who was also ten years younger than Hazrat Ja’far رضي الله عنه. (Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 4/255-256)
Kunyah (Title):
Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه had two Kunyahs (titles). His first title was “Abul Hasan” (the father of Hazrat Hasan رضي الله عنه). He was called Abul Hasan on account of his first son being named Hasan.
His second title was Abu Turaab (the person of sand). He was given this title by Hazrat Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. (Taareekh-ul-Khulafaa pg. 282)
Receiving the Title Abu Turaab:
It is reported that from among the different names and titles which Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was called by, the title that was most beloved to him was Abu Turaab. The reason for him loving this title the most was that he received this title from none other than Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d رضي الله عنه mentions that on one occasion, Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه became upset over some issue within the home and left the home. When Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم entered the home of Hazrat Faatimah رضي الله عنها, he asked her where Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was. Hazrat Faatimah رضي الله عنها mentioned that due to being upset, he had left the home.
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم sent a Sahaabi to look for him. The Sahaabi returned and informed Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم that he had found him lying down in the musjid. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم immediately went to the musjid and found Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه sleeping on the bare ground. His shawl had slipped off, due to which the sand of the ground covered a portion of his back. With great affection and love, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, with his blessed hand, began to dust the sand off his body while addressing him saying, “Stand up, O Abu Turaab (O sandy one)! Stand up, O Abu Turaab (O sandy one)!”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #6280)
(Ihyaauddeen)
REFLECTIONS
Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم also became upset at times and experienced various challenges but the composure, sincerity, contentment and patience which Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم nurtured in them brightens the pages of history with guidance and light which every believer can navigate in.
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم endorsed each Sahaabi’s completion and perfection in Deen by saying:
أصحابي كالنجوم فبأيهم اقتديتم اهتديتم
My Sahaabah are like guiding stars, whichever of them you follow, you will be rightly guided.
In one Hadith Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said:
ان الله اختارني و اختار لي أصحابا. (مجمع الزوائد)
Allah Ta’aala has chosen me (as His final messenger) and chose for my companionship Sahaabah.