Imam Ali’s Bravery
Bravery was not the only characteristic that
Ali (as) was perfected in. The knowledge
that Imam Ali (as) possessed was definitely
greater than anyone else in the Islamic
community. The Prophet said, "I am the city
of knowledge and 'Ali is its gate" The hadith
clearly depicts that Ali (as) is the gate to the
knowledge of Prophet Muhammed (sawa).
Basically in order to get to Prophet
Muhammed (sawa) everyone has to go
through Ali (as) first. Imam Ali had
mastered the Quran. He knew the Quran's
inner and outer meanings. All the people
used to rely on him for all their questions
related to Islam. No one else was at his level
in knowing the traditions of the Prophet
(sawa). He had an infinite field of
knowledge, which goes from astronomy,
medicine, the cosmos, Islamic
jurisprudence, and much more. Imam Ali
put a huge emphasis on knowledge to his
followers such as “Knowledge and wisdom
are really the privilege of a faithful Muslim.
If you have lost them, get them back even
though you may have to get them from the
apostates.”
Evidently it can be seen that Imam Ali (as)
wanted his followers to be the ones with
knowledge as well. Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq
(as) has talked about the knowledge of
Imam Ali (as) and how he attained it. A
companion of Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq asked
the Imam to teach him something which can
help him achieve a higher degree, to which
Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) replied “See what
Imam Ali (AS) has done to reach a high
degree in the Prophet's (SAW)