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Hazrat Ali
Ali was the first convert to Islam from amongst children and the fourth Caliph of Islam. He succeeded the martyred Usman Ghani after much pursuance from the rioters who had created a state of lull in the city of Madina by murdering the Caliph.
For more then three days the whole Arabic Kingdom was without any ruler. The capital of the nation, Madina, was facing great trouble, as most of the people from fear of looting preferred to stay behind their closed doors. The friends of the late Caliph, Usman were in great shock as they never that such a thing could even happen to their pious friend. Different people were running for the Caliphate that included Zubair and Talah, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)'s disciples but Ali had the greatest number of followers. Talah was also a strong opponent but still Ali was selected to be the fourth Caliph.
There were also other leaders from the native people of Makkah especially "Ummeyas" who agreed not to accept Ali as the Caliph. They all left the city and fled to Syria where Muawiya was the governor. They carried with them the blood-strained clothe of Usman Ghani and the chopped fingers of his wife Naila to make Syrian people take revenge from the people who martyred Usman. They also called Ali to take proper actions against the accused or they will not accept him as Caliph.
Ali was like foster son to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as he brought him up from an early age of 7 (approximately); he was also the cousin of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as Ali's father was real Uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w).
Ali was not only Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)'s kid-brother but also his adopted son and son in law. When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was asked by Allah to preach Islam to the people openly after four years since the first relevation, Ali was the first child to accept Islam and say that Allah is only one and Prophet Muhammad is his true and last messenger. Ali was also very much trusted by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) that is why when the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was ordered to flee from Makkah to Madina due to the rising tensions in Makkah he left Ali in his bed with all the goods that people of the city had given to him to keep. Ali, after returning all the goods to respective owners joined him later in Madina.
When Ali reached Madina all the migrants were united with other fellow Muslims and were called brothers. However, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) kept Ali to himself.
When Muslims felt need of a mosque in Madina everyone participated voluntarily including Ali. While doing work Ali said some very excellent verses, which can be more enjoyed if, read in Arabic but well their translation is:
"Whosoever a mosque builds,
Be it he sit or be it he stand,
Puts up the pangs and pains of labour,
While another fears to lend a hand,
Verily he should not be equalled with,
The one who thus shrinks dust and sand."
Ali was a model Muslim and fighter of Islam. He fought in all battles except of Tabuk. He was such an expert fighter that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) gave him the title of "The Lion of Allah". He was also successful in killing one of the great fighters of Arabia in no time at all on which he became one of the most renowned fighters of Arabia.
When the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) passed away in the tenth (10) Muslim year following a brief illness. Abu Bakr was made Caliph as it was the urgent need o that time to keep the Muslims united and fights the disbelievers. Similarly as soon as the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) died many people around the Arab claimed prophecy and there was need to stop them, as Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) is the final messenger of Allah. Its is said that Ali thought himself to be the one as Caliph but due to the more experience of Abu Bakr he continued to be Caliph. When Abu Bakr was near to die he made Umer the second Caliph of Muslims and even then Ali had little problem accepting this. After that when Umer was close to die he called out respected Muslims and asked them to choose one as their future Caliph which included Usman and Ali too. On the basis of Usman's experience and contributions to Islam he was made the third Caliph on which Ali actually did showed his anger. When the Usman Ghani took control of government, it was a hard time due to the rebels and most of all the people who were causing the most problems were not against Usman but his appointees in which most of them were his close relatives and we must not forget to mention Marwan who was actually the bone of contention.
Soon a movement was formed in the favour of Ali that wanted him to be the Caliph. This movement progressed so much that it ended in the martyr of Usman. Muslims who were sincere to Usman advised him to put some guards for his security but he never wanted Muslims to fight Muslims and what ended to be one of the biggest accident of the Islamic history which weaken the Muslim unity for ever.
Ali was made the Caliph but was not accepted by the Ummeyas who wanted him to punish the people who killed Usman but Ali refused as this could weaken his internal power. Ummeyas became rivals of Ali's Caliphate and opted Ameer Muawiya the Caliph in Syria. Ameer Muawiya was able to get support of Hazrat Ayeesha (wife of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)). Hazrat Ayeesha also asked Ali to put the killers on trial but he didn't agree due to which even Hazrat Ayeesha had a little battle with Ali's forces that was all due to some mis-understanding.
When Ali's government got stable he decided to finish the Muawiya's forces, which was a continuous headache. He marched with more then 50,000 men towards Syria and their had a fight with Muawiya's forces. Soon a peace treaty was made and this issue was settled for a small time but still Muawiya continued to challenge Ali's Caliphate.
Karijities were getting more and more rebellious and one day, on 17th of Ramadan, when Ali was on his way to mosque he was shot in his forehead with a poisoned sabre. His attempted murderer was Abdur Rehman ibne Muljam who was asked by her loved lady to bring Ali's head in case if he wants to marry her. Ali ordered to slay him only if his wounds turn fatal. Before dyeing he called his sons, Hasan and Hussein and advised them:
"Fear Allah and never run after the world. Never crave for a thing beyond your reach. Be truthful, merciful and helpful. Stop the hand of the oppressor and help the oppressed. Follow the commandments of the Holy Quran without caring for what the other say."
Soon Ali died because of the wound and his murderer was also killed. Ali was also husband of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)'s beloved daughter Fatima who is Queen of the heavens (according to Prophet himself) and will be first one to meet him in the heavens.