1. Anas bin Malik says; The Prophet was given the office of prophethood on
Monday and Ali embraced Islam on Tuesday. It is mentioned in another version
that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) was appointed to office on Monday and Ali
prayed on Tuesday; and Tirmizi1 has mentioned this report in his Jami and
Hakeem in his Mustadrak; and it is also mentioned in Sharh Nahjul Balagha.
2. Abdullah Ibne Abbas says: “Ali had three qualities, which were not
shared by anyone else: he was the first among Arabs and non-Arabs, who prayed
with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).”2
3. Abdullah bin Abbas also says: As per the verse of Quran:
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ
“Our Lord! forgive us and those of our brethren who had precedence of us in faith.”3
Almighty Allah made in incumbent on all Muslims to pray for the
forgiveness for Ali (a.s.). Therefore whoever became or would become a Muslim
after Ali (a.s.), should pray for the forgiveness of Ali (a.s.).4
4. Salman Farsi says: “The first one from this Ummah to meet the Prophet at
the Pool of Kauthar is the first of the Muslims, Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).”5
5. Umar bin Khattab: Ibne Abbas says: “Some people argued in the presence
of Umar regarding the foremost Muslim; and I heard Umar say: As for Ali, there
are three such qualities in Ali, and I wish, that at least, one of them had been
there for me. It would have been more preferable to me than all the world. One
day, I, Abu Ubaidah, Abu Bakr and some companions were with the Prophet,
when His Eminence placed his hand on the shoulders of Ali and said: O Ali, you are the first, who embraced faith, and the first Muslim to embrace Islam and you
are to me as Harun was to Moosa.”6
6. Muhammad bin Abu Bakr wrote to Muawiyah in which it was mentioned:
“Ali (a.s.) was the first to accept the call of Prophet, and to testify for him; he
accepted Islam and became a Muslim. He was the brother and cousin of Prophet.
Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.)…he had precedence in Islam and was more steadfast in
intention than others. Woe be on you O Muawiyah, you are comparing yourself
to Ali? Whereas he is the successor and heir of Prophet and father of his sons;
and he was the first and last follower of Prophet, who regarded himself
committed to his oath to him. The Prophet informed him about his secrets and
shared his important affairs with him.”7
7. Imam Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir (a.s.) says: “The first to believe in God
was Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.), who was eleven years old at that time.”8
Also Abu Zar Ghiffari9, Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari10, Malik bin Harith
Ashtar11 and…
These were some of the texts and statement recorded about Ameerul
Momineen (a.s.), companions and companions of companions, and all of them
prove that Ali (a.s.) was the first to embrace Islam. Traditional reports and
statement regarding this exceed one hundred in addition to points mentioned
previously12 regarding the fact that Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) was the most
excellent of this Ummah. To this add the statement mentioned before13 comprising
of the fact that Ali (a.s.) is the most truthful one (Siddiq) of this Ummah and that
he is the greatest truthful one (Siddiq Akbar).