Ali bin Abi Talib (R) The Fourth Caliph of Islam

'Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه was among the first people to believe in Islam — and he was still a boy when he did. He was the Prophet's ﷺ cousin, and he lived in his house, which meant he learned the religion by watching it done every day rather than by being taught it in lessons.

He imitated the Prophet ﷺ in everything he did, and he lived simply for the whole of his life even after he became the leader of an enormous state. The Prophet ﷺ loved him dearly, took him as his brother in Islam, and praised him on many occasions — he was called the Lion of Allah.

In courage he had no equal among the Companions. He fought in every major battle in the cause of Islam, and he was the one entrusted with the banner at Khaybar. He later became the fourth Caliph of Islam.

About the Golden Series

The Golden Series of the Prophet's Companions tells the life of one Companion per book, in language written for young readers and for families reading together. Each account is drawn from authentic Islamic sources and told as a story rather than a lesson — which is why children finish them.

The series works well for Islamic schools and weekend academies, for home libraries, and as a reading reward or gift. Because each title stands alone, a family can start anywhere and collect the rest over time.

More in the Golden Series

Each title in the series covers one Companion in the same short, readable format. Eighteen are currently available:

• Salman Al-Farisi — In Quest of Truth
• Abu Dhar Al-Gifari — Struggle for Equality
• Abdullah bin 'Umar — The Jurist
• 'Amr bin Al-'Aas — The Conqueror of Egypt
• Abu Bakr As-Siddiq — The First Caliph
• Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah — The Nation's Trustworthy
• Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awwam — The Disciple
• Khabbab bin Al-Aratt — The Teacher
• 'Umar bin Al-Khattab — The Second Caliph
• 'Uthman bin 'Affan — The Third Caliph
• Bilal bin Rabah — The Mu'adhdhin
• Jabir bin Abdullah — The Example of Sacrifice
• Khalid bin Al-Waleed — The Sword of Allah
• Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas — The Lion in the Deen
• Sa'd bin Mu'adh — The True Supporter of Islam
• Suhaib Ar-Roomi — The Example of Sacrifice
• Talhah bin 'Ubaidullah — The Living Martyr

Related Reading

• Heroes of Islam — over 70 short biographies in a single volume
• Commanders of the Muslim Army — the commanders of the early Muslim armies
• Q&A on the Rightly Guided Caliphs — the four caliphs in question-and-answer form