Ali’s kunyah became Abū-Turab

Abū-Talib named him Zayd after his ancestor, Qasi ibn Kalab. Fatimah bint Asad named him Haydar after her father Asad. Asad and Haydar both the words mean a tiger. Therefore, in the battle of Khaybar, while reciting the martial poetry combating with Marhab, he said,

“I am that whose mother has named him Hayder!”

The Prophet (a.s), under divine inspiration called him with the name of `Ali (a.s). There is another opinion that Abū-Talib himself gave him the name of `Ali (a.s). As a proof, they present the following couplet of Abū-Talib:

“I have given him the name of `Ali that eminence and success always follow him. Respectability is the only wealth that remains forever.”

This name, literally meaning greatness and high status, proved most appropriate for `Ali (a.s). Although the Umayyads tried their level best to play down his name and the kunyah, they could not succeed in doing it. Therefore, Abū-Na`im al-Isfahani writes in Hilyat al-Awliya’ that the son of `Abdullah ibn `Abbas was `Ali and kunyah Abul-Hasan. One day `Ali ibn `Abdullah went to Abd al Malik who said that he could not tolerate his name and kunyah. He did not change his name but changed his kunyah to Abū-Muhammad! With this bent of mind, for centuries no Muslim ruler by the name `Ali was there. But today, in the Muslim population anywhere, after Muhammad, the most popular name is `Ali. Despite centuries of suppression and oppression, the name (`Ali) spread all over the world with the spread of Islam!

He has several titles that signify his various qualities. The most popular are al-Murtada, al-Wasi and Amir al-Mu’minin. His first kunyah is Abul-Hasan. Another well-known kunyah is Abū-Turab. Generally, Arabs keep the kunyah on the name of the first son. For instance, Abū-Talib adopted the kunyah as Abū-Talib when his first son Talib was born. `Abd al-Muttalib had his kunyah based on the name of his first-born son as Abū-Harith. The second kunyah of `Ali (a.s) was on the suggestion of the Prophet (a.s). It is written in Sirat Ibn-

Husham that during the battle of al-`Ashirah, `Ali (a.s) and `Ammar ibn Yasir went towards the lake of Banū-Mudlaj and lay down under the shade of a tree on green grass. Hardly any time passed when the prophet (a.s) too arrived there, and seeing `Ali’s dusty clothes he said,

“O Abū-Turab, in what condition are you!”

From that day, `Ali’s kunyah became Abū-Turab. `Allamah Halabi has written:

“In the battle of al-`Ashirah the Prophet (a.s) had given to `Ali (a.s) the kunyah of Abū-Turab when he found him and `Ammar ibn Yasir sleeping and `Ali (a.s) was covered in dust”[1]

In the beginning this kunyah was suggested for `Ali only. Prior to him, none had this kunyah. Therefore, Shaykh Aluddin writes:

“For the first time ever, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s) was addressed with the kunyah of Abū-Turab.”[2]

Al-Bukhari has included this incident in his Sahih that the Prophet (a.s) once came to the residence of Fatimah al-Zahra’ (a.s) and not finding `Ali (a.s) at home he enquired about him. Fatimah (a.s) said that they had some difference of opinion and that in a state of anger he went out. The Prophet (a.s) asked one person to go and look for `Ali (a.s).The person noticed `Ali (a.s) lying on the floor of the mosque. He returned and informed his whereabouts to the Prophet (a.s). The Prophet (a.s) then went to the mosque and noticed `Ali (a.s) covered all over in dust. He dusted his clothes and said,

“Get up, Abū-Turab!”

After this event he was known with the kunyah of Abū-Turab.

This narration, when compared with the earlier tradition sounds different and is not plausible according to the norms of Dirayah. The reason for the non-plausibility is that during the entire married life of Fatimah and Al (a.s) there is no instance of ever being any differences between them. Their lives have been examples of most cordial marital relationship. From the tradition where `Ammar ibn Yasir was also there, it appears that the Prophet (a.s) had suggested the kunyah of Abū-Turab in Jumada II, 2 A.H., because the Battle of al-`Ashirah was fought in that period. Fatimah al-Zahra’ (a.s) was married to `Ali (a.s) on the first of Dhul-Hijjah 2 A.H. that is, six months after the

proposal of this kunyah. In that event, there is no chance of any difference of opinion between the two and the need to go away from home in anger. Because at that time, Lady Fatimah was not married to `Ali (a.s). It appears that the tradition has been concocted to please the Umayyad rulers who used to address `Ali (a.s) with this kunyah while they carried out their campaign of vilification against him. A name that is associated with an unpleasant memory would never be a popular name. Although this kunyah of `Ali (a.s) is the most likeable of this titles Therefore, Sahl ibn Sa`d says:

“`Ali liked Abū-Turab more than all his names.”[1]