Encyclopedia of Islam

Ali ibn Abi Talib

  

33  J

---

Shiis and many Sufis regard him as a saint for his 

renowned 

asceticism

. Indeed, many Sufi orders 

trace the genealogy of their spiritual descent (sil-

sila) directly back to Ali. Ali is remembered as a 

model of socio-political and religious righteous-

ness that defied worldly corruption and social 

injustice. His shrine in Najaf, Iraq, is a major pil-

grimage site, and the feast of g

hadir

 k

hUmm

 (18 

Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month on the Muslim 

calendar

), which commemorates Muhammad’s 

appointment of Ali as his successor, is an impor-

tant holiday for Shii Muslims.

See also 

ahl

 

al

-

bayt

; 

fitna

, s

hiism

.

Linda G. Jones