Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

Help and Assistance To the Prophet Commences

When the Prophet of Islam (a.s) started open propagation of the Faith, the Quraysh, because of their respect and consideration for Abū-Talib, did not directly attack the Prophet (a.s) but they set urchins to trouble him and throw stones and brickbats on him. They thought that this way they could force the Prophet (a.s) to abruptly discontinue his mission. Therefore, whenever he came out of his house, the youths of the Quraysh used to follow him, shouting invectives and throwing stones and garbage at him. The Prophet (a.s) was much disturbed and saddened with this treatment, but he never uttered a word against the culprits. He knew that arguing with the children and youth was not of any use. Once `Ali (a.s) saw the marks of injury on the Prophet’s body and asked him about the cause of the injuries. The Prophet (a.s) explained to him that the Quraysh themselves do not come out openly against him but send out their children to cause him harm. Whenever he came out, they came together, followed him and threw stones and pebbles on him. `Ali (a.s) was very disturbed to hear this and said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! In the future, you should not go out alone. I shall be with you. If they throw brickbats on you, I will hurl stones at them. Then they will not have courage to do such nasty things again!” The next day `Ali (a.s) was with the Prophet (a.s) when he stirred out of their home. The Quraysh youths, as usual tried to crowd the Prophet (a.s). They noticed that `Ali (a.s) was standing in front of the Prophet (a.s). The youths were almost of the same age as `Ali (a.s) but first they hesitated seeing his angry face and then advanced sheepishly. `Ali (a.s) rolled up his sleeves and sprang on them like an angry tiger. He broke the limb of one attacker, struck the head of another and threw another down! The crowd of youth, getting a good beating from a youth of their own age fled defeated! They ran to their elders and complained, “`Ali (a.s) has beaten us!” But the elders could not gather any courage to confront `Ali (a.s) because the youths were doing the mischief at their instance only. From that day, the youth of Quraysh stopped misbehaving. Whenever they saw `Ali (a.s) with the Prophet (a.s), they would try to crouch themselves in some corners to hide from their view! They did not dare any time in the future to trouble the Prophet (a.s).

After this incident, `Ali (a.s) was remembered with the title of al-Qadim that means a person who breaks the bones and the ribs! Therefore, during the Battle of Uhud when he came out to fight Talhah ibn Abi-Talhah, Talhah asked who was coming to fight. He said, “I am `Ali Ibn Abi-Talib!” When he knew that it was `Ali (a.s) that was against him, he said:

“O al-Qadim! I think none other than you can dare to come and fight with me!”[1]

Talhah remembered him with the title they gave him in their youth!

[1] A`yān al-Shī`ah