Kufa Live

Imam Ali (a) knew ducks were crying for he was hearing death.

Once Imam Ali (a.s.) had asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.); “What is the best deed in the Holy month of Ramadhan?” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) answered: “The best deed during the month of Ramadhan is to keep away from evil deeds, which Allah has forbidden”.

After that he burst into tears. Imam Ali (a.s.) was quite shocked and asked him why: The holy prophet (s.a.w.w.) explained: “I am crying because I can see a terrible scene that will happen to you in this holy month. While in sajdah (prostration), the most criminal of criminals, will hit you on your head and your beard will be dyed red with your blood.”

The Imam (as) asked: “Shall I be on the right path?” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) answered; “Yes!”

It was nineteenth of Ramadhan when Imam Ali (a.s.), in the darkness of dawn, was leaving for Fajr prayers at Masjid-e-Kufa, the pet ducks made a lot of noise. They cackled loudly and got hold of his abaa (dress). The Holy Imam understood that they were crying for him as he was nearing death.

Reaching in the mosque, he recited the adhan (call to prayers). This was to wake up all those who were asleep and among them was Ibn Muljam who was hiding the poisonous sword while sleeping on his stomach.

As the Imam was leading the prayers, while in the 2nd sajdah, the killer got up and quickly removed the poisonous sword hitting the Imam on his head with a big blow and the Imam (a.s.) said in a loud voice: “I swear by the Lord of Ka’bah, I have been successful”. Gabriel shouted from the heavens: wallahi Tahaddamat Arkaanil Hodaa”.