Admonishment of Close Relatives (Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s (ra) Narration)
Mentioning this incident Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has written:
“Hazrat Ali (ra) was 11 years old when he stood up in support of his faith.” Children ought to listen to this in particular. “When the Holy Prophet (sa) received divine revelation, he organised a feast in which all the prominent chieftains of Mecca were invited. After the meal, the Holy Prophet (sa) stood up and said, ‘I would like to speak about my claim [of prophethood]’, but all of them stood up and swiftly left the gathering.
“Witnessing this, Hazrat Ali (ra) came to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, ‘O my brother! What did you do? You are aware that these people only care for worldly things; you should have spoken to them first and then presented them with food. These wretched people ran away as soon as they finished the meal because they were only interested in the food. If you spoke to them first, then even if you spoke for two hours, they would certainly have remained sitting and then we should have given them food.’
“Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) invited them again, but this time, he first spoke to them and then presented them with food. He then stood up and said, ‘O people! What I mentioned to you were the words of God. Is there anyone among you who will assist me and help with this task.’ All the elders remained seated, but Hazrat Ali (ra) stood up and said, ‘My dear cousin! I shall assist you.’ “Thinking that he was a mere child, the Holy Prophet (sa) stood up again and said, ‘O people! Is there anyone among you who will assist me?’ Again, all the elders remained seated, but that 11-year-old child stood up and said, ‘My dear cousin! I am with you and I shall assist you.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then realised that in the eyes of God, the only courageous man is this eleven-year-old child and instead all the elders are like children (devoid of any strength; only this child is wise).
“Thus, Hazrat Ali (ra) joined with him and remained by his side until the very end. It was the same Ali (ra) who later became a Khalifa and further strengthened the foundations of the faith. Similarly, God Almighty blessed him with pious progeny and 12 Imams were born from his progeny for 12 consecutive generations.”
(Iftitahi Taqrir Jalsa Salana 1955, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 25, pp. 187-188)
Whilst mentioning Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra), at another instance, stated:
“When Hazrat Ali (ra) accepted Islam, he was only a child, but he professed belief knowing full well that he would have to endure every hardship and difficulty for the sake of Islam”, although he was only a child, but he professed belief and understood that he would have to make sacrifices, “to the extent that if necessary, he would even have to sacrifice his life for God Almighty.
“From the ahadith, we learn that in the early days of his prophethood, the Holy Prophet (sa) organised a feast in which Banu Abdil Muttalib were invited. They were informed about the divine message [of Islam] during this gathering in which many of the relatives of the Holy Prophet (sa) were present. When everyone had eaten, the Holy Prophet (sa) wished to deliver an address, but Abu Lahab made everyone leave and they all left without hearing what the Holy Prophet (sa) had to say. The Holy Prophet (sa) was astonished that these people did not even listen despite eating the meal. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophet (sa) was not disheartened by this, in fact he instructed Hazrat Ali (ra) to prepare another feast for them. Thus, they were all invited once again.
“When they had eaten to their fill, the Holy Prophet (sa) stood up and said, ‘Consider how much Allah the Almighty has favoured you by sending His Prophet from among your people. I call you towards God; if you pay heed to my words, then you will become the recipients of both spiritual and worldly bounties. Is there anyone among you who will assist me in this task?’
“Upon hearing these words, a deafening silence descended over the gathering, but then all of a sudden, a young child stood up and said, ‘Even though I may be the weakest and youngest of all those gathered here, but I will assist you.’ This child was Hazrat Ali (ra), who, at such a time, announced his support for the faith.”
(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, pp. 24-25)