A note of importance is the difference in the meanings of Imam and Caliph. The Imams refer exclusively to Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) and his sons Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein (as) and the nine sons descended from Imam Hussein (as). They were chosen by Allah (SWT), the Almighty and were not selected by the people. Whereas the Caliphs were elected to their offices in a political role. Unfortunately, Islam does not divide politics from other parts of life including religion and since the elected ones were not always qualified to interpret the religious aspects of their rule, many deviations have occurred and continue to occur in the Muslim community.

At the time of the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), Imam Ali's (as) position became one of controversy and self-imposed isolation. He was selected by Allah (SWT) and nominated by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) at a place called Ghadir Khum to take up the reins of leadership after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). More then 100,000 Muslims witnessed this selection and nomination and gave their allegiance to him at that time and place. Still, it was nearly 25 years before he could take his rightful position of Caliphate. He ruled for less than 5 years before he met martyrdom at the hands of a paid assassin. At 63 years of age his earthly light was extinguished and his heavenly light shone once again.

His singular distinction is that he, Ali bin Abi Talib (as) was the Imam and fourth Caliph of the Muslims. His descendants were Imams, guiding the Muslims in religious matters, but none were able to truly take the political position of Caliph during their lifetimes. When it looked as though they might become such by popular choice, they were brutally assassinated except for the last of them, Imam Muhammad Mahdi (as), on whom we await.

Happy Father's Day ... The birthday of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) ...

The birthday of the "real human", he who devoted all his divine life to support the truth, to be the truth and to spread the truth ...

A divine soul who was born inside the Holy Kaaba and raised learning many good values from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He who was an advanced human comparing to the time he was living in. He who was the truth by all his words and more importantly by all his deeds ...

The birthday of a man whose heart was so attached to the heavens for whom this life and this world was so small ...

A devoted companion the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) ... A great leader symbolizing justice and fairness ... Loving father for his children and caring husband for his wife ...

A scientist of his time and a wise man of all times ... a great writer ... absolutely advanced thinker ...

A real symbol of bravery for all the athletes afterwards ... A hard working person to support his family ... The one who also was feeding and supporting the needy through all his life ...

The "Brave Lion" of the days and the "Crying Whisperer" of the nights to the Almighty ...

A Simple Advice of Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (as)

A man went to Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (as) and asked the answers for the following four questions:

1. What is Wajeb (Obligatory) and what is Awjab (Most Obligatory)
2. What is Qareeb (Near) and what is Aqrab (Nearest)
3. What is Ajeeb (Strange) and what is A'ajab (Strangest)
4. What is Sa'ab (Difficult) and what is Asa'ab (Most Difficult)

Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (as) replied as follows:

1. Obligatory is the obedience of God and most obligatory is to abandon sins
2. Near is the Day of Judgment and nearest is the death
3. Strange is this World and strangest is to love this world
4. Difficult is grave and most difficult is going into it without any preparation

May Almighty Allah (SWT) give us power to follow the advice of Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (as)!