Childhood in the Prophet’s Home
When famine struck Mecca, Abu Talib (the Prophet’s uncle, who had raised him after his parents’ deaths) struggled to feed his large family. The Prophet and his uncle Abbas each took one of Abu Talib’s sons: the Prophet took Ali, Abbas took Ja’far. Ali grew up in the Prophet’s household — eating at his table, observing his worship, and witnessing the earliest moments of revelation.
This unique proximity gave Ali an interior knowledge of the Prophet’s character and spiritual life that others could only observe from the outside. The Prophet later said: “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate” (hadith of varying grading) — a statement reflecting this formation.
The Night of the Hijra: Sleeping in the Prophet’s Bed (13 BH / 622 CE)
When the Quraysh plotted to assassinate the Prophet by surrounding his house with men from every clan (so no one tribe could be blamed for the blood), the Prophet received divine instruction to migrate to Medina. He asked Ali to sleep in his bed, wrapped in his green cloak, to create the impression he was still present — buying time for the Prophet to leave Mecca safely.
Ali accepted without hesitation — sleeping in the bed knowing that men outside intended to kill whoever was in it. This act of self-offering is called al-Mabīt ‘alā al-firāsh (sleeping on the bed) and is cited in Shia tradition as one of Ali’s most significant demonstrations of total submission to the Prophet’s cause.
The Quran verse 2:207 — “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah” — is traditionally interpreted in Tafsir contexts as referring to Ali on this night.
His Knowledge and Character
Ali’s learning under the Prophet was extensive. He is credited with:
- The first formal codification of portions of Islamic law in the Sahifah tradition
- Authority in Quranic interpretation — particularly the esoteric (batini) dimension in Ismaili tradition
- Physical courage in battle (Khaybar, Badr, Uhud, Khandaq) — the Prophet gave him the title Asad Allah (Lion of Allah) and gave him the flag at Khaybar
See also: Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Ahl Al Bayt, Seerah Khadijah, Seerah Fatima, Fitna Islamiyya, Bohra Ashara, Seerah Khalid