the biography of the fonrth caliph of Islam

 Translator's Foreword 

(?L1 this book, Dr. Sallibi presents the biography of the fonrth caliph of Islam and examines in detail the momentous turmoil and conflicts that prevailed during that period in the history of the Ummah. These issues and events still have repercussions today. 

Using authentic, sound hadiths and reports, the author depicts the life and times of 'Ali ibn Abi T%b (rudiya Allrihu hnhu - may Allah be pleased with him). Even though 'Ali's caliphate is regarded as an extension of the Rightly Guided caliphate, in the sense that the system of government and leadership followed the way of the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allcihu 'alayhi wa sallam - blessings and peace be upon him) and the three preceding caliphs, it was marked by important differences because 'Ali (&) was faced with the 

unprecedented danger that engulfed the Umrnah after the murder of 'Uthmin (&). Thus 'Ali (&) was compelled to focus all his efforts on seeking to keep the Ummah united and dealing with the extreme views and groups, such as the Kharijites and Rzfias, that began to emerge as a result of the turmoil. 

The author highlights in detail the role of Abdullah ibn Saba' 

and his followers in stirring up unrest. He examines the parts they played in the conspiracy against 'Uthm2n (&) that ended in his murder, in sparking the Battle of Camel &r the two sides had 

reached a peace deal, and in introducing extreme views concerning Ah1 al-Bayt [the family of the Prophet Muhammad (%)I - views that the Rae Shia still believe in. As a result of these internal pressures, the expansion of the Islamic state came to a standstill during the caliphate of 'Ali (&), . ., as.

he was preoccupied with confronting the raging mest and conflicts. The positive outcome of this situation was that 'Ali (&) set an example of the ideal way of dealing with Muslim opponents and with extreme Muslim elements in times of discord. 

He demonstrated that the way to deal with Muslim adversaries is not by labeling them disbelievers; throughout the conflict, he insisted that his opponents were Muslims and the rules of engagement with Muslim adversaries were different from those that apply when fighting the disbelievers. If they are Muslims, their wounded are not to be killed, their fighters who flee the battlefield are not to be pursued, their womenfolk and children are not to be taken captive, and their wealth and property are not to be seized. 

In the course of researching this book, Dr. Salliibi read through an enormous number of hadiths and reports referring to the time of turmoil, exposing the many false reports that were fabricated by the Rsfidi Shia and their ilk in an attempt to distort the image of senior Companions such as 'kishah, Tabah, az-Zubayr, Mu'iiwiyah and 'Amr ibn al-'.&$ (may AUah be pleased with them all). These false reports depicted those noble figures as petty-minded individuals whose main concern was the acquisition of power and wealth. On the basis of sound, authentic reports, the author proves that the dispute between these groups of Companions was due to genuine misunderstanding and the fact that they held different views, which each of them sincerely believed were right and proper. A major portion of the book is devoted to a discussion of the 

views and beliefs of the RZfiPi Shia, confirming that these positions are contrary to the views of 'Ali ibn Abi rtlb (&) himself. The members of Ah1 al-Bayt rejected these views and regarded them as heresy and extremism. This book comes at a time when the RZfidi Shia are striving to propagate their misguided beliefs and ideas throughout the world,