21st of Ramadan: The Martyrdom of Ameerul Mumineen Mawla Ali (A.S.)

Ameerul Mumineen, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (A.S.), was the fourth caliph in Islam and the first Imam according to Shia belief. He was a close companion, cousin, and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). His character was marked by courage, wisdom, justice, and deep devotion to Allah.

The Prophet (PBUH) repeatedly proclaimed his virtues. One notable Hadith states: "Whomever I am the Mawla (leader/master), Ali is his Mawla" — a clear indication of his leadership and status.

Cause of Martyrdom

Conspiracies against Imam Ali (A.S.) began after the Battle of Siffin, where he faced opposition from Muawiyah and his followers. Following this conflict, a radical group known as the Kharijites turned against Ali (A.S.).

According to them, by accepting arbitration (Hakamiya) to resolve the conflict, Imam Ali (A.S.) had "placed human judgment above Allah’s judgment," which they deemed an act of disbelief. As a result, they resolved to assassinate three leaders:

Ameerul Mumineen Ali (A.S.)

Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan

Amr ibn al-As

The Incident

During his caliphate, Imam Ali (A.S.) had established his capital in the city of Kufa (in present-day Iraq). As part of his daily routine, he would go to the Kufa mosque for the Fajr (dawn) prayer. It was there that this tragic event took place.

On the night of the attack, Ameerul Mumineen, Imam Azam, Mawla Ali (A.S.) entered the mosque and told the mu’azzin (caller to prayer), "Tonight, I will give the call to prayer instead of you."

Mawla Ali (A.S.) then raised the first call: "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest). The sound echoed through the air with a tone of sorrow, as if signaling impending grief. The call even reached his daughters' quarters, and they exclaimed, "How filled with sorrow is father's voice tonight!"

The Assassination

On the 19th of Ramadan, 40 AH (some narrations say the 17th), during the Fajr (dawn) prayer, while Imam Ali (A.S.) was in prostration (sujood), the Kharijite assassin Ibn Muljam struck his sacred head with a poisoned sword.

Imam (A.S.) had just entered sujood after completing the recitation (Qira’at) in prayer. At that moment, Ibn Muljam screamed, “Judgment and rule belong solely to Allah, not to you, O Ali!” Then he struck the blessed head of Imam Ali (A.S.) with the poisoned blade. At that moment, the Imam (A.S.) proclaimed, "Fuztu wa Rabbil Ka‘bah!" “By the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I have succeeded!” This phrase embodied the ultimate expression of his sacrifice — he embraced martyrdom as a victory, not a defeat.

The sword used was extremely heavy and thick, and the poison had been purchased for 1,000 dirhams. By chance, the strike landed at the exact spot where, years earlier, in battle, the sword of Amr ibn Abd Wudd had once wounded him. The new wound aligned with the old one and extended deep into his forehead — nearly two-thirds of his head was split open. The fatal blow drove the sword into the back of his head as he remained bowed in worship.

Inside the mihrab of the mosque, blood poured from Imam Ali’s (A.S.) head, staining his blessed beard red. In this state, he again declared, “By the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I am victorious.” Then he recited the Qur'anic verse, "From it (the earth) We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you forth again." Immediately after the blow, Imam Ali (A.S.) shouted, "Seize him!" People chased after Ibn Muljam. In panic, he struck at anyone who approached with his sword. Eventually, Qusam ibn Abbas advanced and overpowered him, throwing him to the ground. When he was brought before the injured Imam, Ali (A.S.) asked him, “Are you the son of Muljam?” To which he replied: “Yes.” Right after being struck, Imam Ali (A.S.) placed both hands on the ground and fell to his right side. Imam Hasan (A.S.) and Imam Husayn (A.S.), along with Mawla Abbas (A.S.) and Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah (A.S.), lifted him. The blood from Imam Ali (A.S.) soaked the garments of all his sons.

The Martyrdom

After the brutal attack, Imam Ali’s (A.S.) hands were held by Imam Hasan (A.S.) and Imam Husayn (A.S.), and his feet by Abbas (A.S.) and Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah (A.S.), as they carried him toward his house. Despite his critical condition, he spoke softly to those following him, “I have one request—do not follow me. Let me go with my sons. From my doorway, I can already hear the cries of my daughters. I do not want their voices to reach your ears.” Honoring his final wish, none followed him beyond that point. Only his sons brought him to the door. There, Sayyida Zaynab (A.S.) and Umm Kulthum (A.S.) saw their father, Ali al-Murtaza (A.S.), drenched in blood, while their brothers Hasan and Husayn (A.S.) stood in bloodstained garments.

The entire household of Banu Hashim began crying out, “By Allah, today the pillar of guidance has fallen!” (Tahaddamat wallāh arkānul hudā) As they tried to lay the Imam on a bed, he said, “Lay me on a simple mat on the floor.” After enduring pain for three days, on the 21st of Ramadan, Mawla Ali (A.S.), Ameerul Mumineen, bade farewell to his family and all his followers — and embraced martyrdom.

"Allahumma la‘an qātilata Amīrul Mu’minīn..." “Peace be upon you, O martyr of Kufa.

Peace be upon you, O Ameerul Mumineen (A.S.).”

Burial Site

His holy body was secretly buried around 100 kilometers north of Kufa, in Najaf, due to the threat to his followers at the time. Today, his sacred shrine stands there — one of the most revered religious sites for both Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Conclusion

The martyrdom of Mawla Ali (A.S.) is a dark chapter in Islamic history. Yet, his life, sacrifice, and teachings remain a timeless inspiration for all believers. The 21st of Ramadan is not only a day of mourning, but also a symbol of justice, truth, and sacrifice.

His legacy continues to guide hearts and minds across generations.

Memorable Sayings of Imam Ali (A.S.):

"People are of two types — either your brother in faith, or your equal in humanity."

"Justice is the foundation of governance."