History Books

"For a few days after the murder of Osman", writes John Bagot Glubb, "Medina was an anarchy with the mutineers in complete control .... Ali was pressed to accept the Caliphate both by the companions of the Prophet-the now venerable elders of Medina-a...

"For a few days after the murder of Osman", writes...

Ali's silence in the matter of the Caliphate was not due to the absence of friends and supporters, but, out of respect for the wishes of the Holy Prophet; he did not press further his right to the Caliphate. On hearing the news of the Holy Prophet's ...

Ali's silence in the matter of the Caliphate was n...

The acknowledged superiority of Hashimites over all Arab tribes in respect of their lineage, gallantry, hospitality and ethical attributes did always evoke the jealousy of Umayyads against them. And, thus, the Umayyads were constantly bent on ruining...

The acknowledged superiority of Hashimites over al...

The sickness of the Prophet assumed a serious turn from Saturday night and till Sunday night the fever continued unabated. Early in the morning on Monday, the day of his death, the Prophet with his head bandaged, came out of his apartment supported b...

The sickness of the Prophet assumed a serious turn...

On the Thursday preceding his death, when several of his chief Companions were present in the room, the Prophet, while lying on his bed, asked for writing materials saying, "Bring me paper and ink so that I may record for you a document which will pr...

On the Thursday preceding his death, when several ...

In the middle of 9 ASH. 631 A.D. news reached the Prophet that the Roman Emperor Heracles was mobilising a huge army to surprise the Muslims at Medina. Receiving this intelligence, the Prophet resolved to meet the enemy on their way, and issued expli...

In the middle of 9 ASH. 631 A.D. news reached the ...

The formidable Bedouin tribes, the Hawaazin, the Thakif and various others pastured their flocks on the territories bordering Mecca. Some of them possessed strongly fortified towns like Tayef, and were unwilling to render obedience to the Muslims wit...

The formidable Bedouin tribes, the Hawaazin, the T...

On finding out that the Prophet was only wounded and not killed, the Muslims began to rally round him. The Meccans, having no courage to rout them, contented themselves with the honour of snatching back the victory from Muhammad; and left the field a...

On finding out that the Prophet was only wounded a...

In the melee above referred to, Obba b. Khalf, a Meccan champion, rushed towards the Prophet aiming at him with his spear; but he was himiself killed with his own spear; the Prophet snatching it out of his hands and dealing him a blow, striking him d...

In the melee above referred to, Obba b. Khalf, a M...

1 Ali received sixteen wounds, four of which were so serious that he was falling down from his horse, but on each of these occasions a beautiful youth took hold of him, lifted him up to his saddle and soothed him with these encouraging words : "Go on...

1 Ali received sixteen wounds, four of which were ...

The Prophet reached Ohad in the morning of Saturday, the 7th of Shawwal, 3 A.H. (January or February 625 A.D.) and found the Meccan forces face to face, ready to advance for the battle. The Quraish advanced in the form of a crescent and the right win...

The Prophet reached Ohad in the morning of Saturda...

(200 Miles from Mecca and 80 Miles from Medina) The emigration of the Holy Prophet to Medina had turned the enemies from Mecca more hostile, and they constantly kept on thinking how they could overthrow him, and put an end to Islam. The Meccans and t...

(200 Miles from Mecca and 80 Miles from Medina) Th...

Later on, some companions of the Prophet also built their houses close to the Mosque with doors opening into the courtyards. Sometime afterwards, while they were leisurely sitting in the Mosque, a voice was heard : "Ye people! Close your doors openin...

Later on, some companions of the Prophet also buil...

Having satisfactorily accomplished these responsibilities entrusted to him and having arranged for the safe departure of the Prophet's family members to Medina, Ali hastened forward on foot to Medina, travelling only in the night and hiding himself i...

Having satisfactorily accomplished these responsib...

Ali's devotion to the Prophet without fear of running the risk of losing his own life was much appreciated by the All-knowing Judge of man, the merciful God, who sent down the angels Gabriel and Michael to guard him from the murderous mob; and inform...

Ali's devotion to the Prophet without fear of runn...

By the time the murderers began to assemble before the dwelling of the Prophet, he apprised his favourite cousin, Ali, of the impending danger, and of his intention to leave the house at once for good. He directed Ali to lie down on the bed in his pl...

By the time the murderers began to assemble before...

The Quraish, beholding with alarm the exodus of the followers of the Prophet and dreading the consequences of the new alliance of Muhammad and his followers with the people of Yathrib, formed a strong conspiracy to prevent his escape to Yathrib, unde...

The Quraish, beholding with alarm the exodus of th...

Muhammad, who had delivered the speech with full religious fervour, was disappointed to find the whole assembly silent, some wondering, others smiling with incredulity and derision. No one was forthcoming to accept him as spiritual guide. Muhammad se...

Muhammad, who had delivered the speech with full r...

In the fourth year of his Mission, Prophet Muhammad was commanded by Allah to give warning to his near relations : "Warn thy relatives of nearer kin," Sura XXVI213; so he invited them to an entertainment, with a view to carrying out the Commandment. ...

In the fourth year of his Mission, Prophet Muhamma...

A hadith heard directly from the mouth of the Prophet or one of the Imams is accepted as is the Qur'an. As for hadiths received through intermediaries, the majority of Shiites act upon them if their chain of transmission is established at every step ...

A hadith heard directly from the mouth of the Prop...

During the past three centuries, Shi'ism has followed its natural rate of growth as before. At the present moment, during the latter part of the 14th/ loth century, Shi ism is recognized as the official religion of Iran, and in the Yemen and Iraq the...

During the past three centuries, Shi'ism has follo...