**The Feast of Dhul ’Asheera.
**In the fourth year of his ministry, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p) was instructed through the Qur’anic revelation to warn his near relatives and proclaim to them the oneness of Allah (s.w.t.), to let them know his own position as the last messenger of Allah (s.w.t.), and to invite them to Islam.
**The verse begins: “And warn thy nearest kinsfolk.” (26:214). **
He invited the respected elders of the Quraish tribe to a well-prepared feast, and afterwards invited them to Islam. He furthermore announced that the first among them to accept his message and be his aide and helper in his prophetic mission would become his heir and successor. Those who were present sat in silence. Imam Ali, then a young teenager, stood up and declared that he would accept the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh&p) message and be his helper. Twice, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p) asked Imam Ali to sit down, and then invited any of the others, but to no avail. At the third appeal,
Imam Ali stood up again and boldly volunteered to take the responsibility. This time the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p) smilingly declared Ali to be his successor and helper. In the words of the famous historian, John Devonport, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p) threw his arms around the courageous youth, and pressed him to his bosom, declaring, “Behold, my brother, executor of my will, and my successor! All of you should listen to him and obey him.” Those in attendance laughed and ridiculed the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p), and furthermore taunted Abu Talib by saying that he had just been commanded to listen to and obey his own son. Yet, true to his word, Imam Ali protected, defended, and followed the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p) like a shadow, shielding him from enemies and being ever-ready to give his life in the service of Islam. Whenever others deserted the Holy Prophet (pbuh&p), Imam Ali remained with him.
By Syed H. Akhtar
[Dr. Syed H. Akhtar is a Physician and his specialty is Cardiology. He lives in Austin, Texas]