Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881). Scottish historian, critic, and
sociological writer: “As for this
young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows
himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection, of fiery daring. Something
chivalrous in him; brave as a lion; yet with a grace, a truth and affection
worthy of Christian knighthood. [On Heroes, Hero-Worship, And The Heroic In
History, 1841, Lecture 2: The Hero as Prophet. Mahomet: Islam., May 8, 1840)]
Edward Gibbon (1737-1794). Considered the greatest British
historian of his time: "The zeal and virtue of Ali were never outstripped by any recent
proselyte. He united the qualifications of a poet, a soldier, and a saint; his
wisdom still breathes in a collection of moral and religious sayings; and every
antagonist, in the combats of the tongue or of the sword, was subdued by his
eloquence and valour. From the first hour of his mission to the last rites of
his funeral, the apostle was never forsaken by a generous friend, whom he
delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent, and the faithful Aaron of a
second Moses."[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911,
volume 5, pp. 381-2]
Philip Khuri Hitti (1886-1978) Professor of Semitic Languages at Princeton University: Valiant in battle, wise in counsel, eloquent in
speech, true to his friends, magnanimous to his foes, he became both the
paragon of Muslim nobility and chivalry (futuwah) and the Solomon of Arabic
tradition, around whose name poems, proverbs, sermonettes and anecdotes
innumerable have clustered. [History of the Arabs, London, 1964, p. 183]
Sir William Muir (1819 - 1905) Scottish scholar and statesman.Held the
post of Foreign Secretary to the Indian government as well as Lieutenant
Governor of the Northwestern Provinces: Endowed with a clear intellect, warm in affection, and
confiding in friendship, he was from the boyhood devoted heart and soul to the
Prophet. Simple, quiet, and unambitious, when in after days he obtained the
rule of half of the Moslem world, it was rather thrust upon him than sought. [The
Life of Mahomet, London, 1877, p. 250]
Dr. Henry Stubbe (1632-1676). Classicist, polemicist, physician, and
philosopher:
He had a contempt of the world, its glory and pomp, he
feared God much, gave many alms, was just in all his actions, humble and
affable; of an exceeding quick wit and of an ingenuity that was not common, he
was exceedingly learned, not in those sciences that terminate in speculations
but those which extend to practice. [An Account of the Rise and Progress of
Mahometanism, 1705, p. 83]
Gerald de Gaury (1897 - 1984) A distinguished soldier and diplomat: He had been wise in counsel and brave in battle, true
to his friends and magnanimous to his foes. He was to be forever the paragon of
Muslim nobility and chivalry. [Rulers of Mecca,
London, 1951, p. 49]
Wilferd Madelung, Professor of Arabic at Oxford University: "In face of the fake Umayyad claim to legitimate
sovereignty in Islam as God's Vicegerents on earth, and in view of Umayyad
treachery, arbitrary and divisive government, and vindictive retribution, they
came to appreciate his honesty, his unbending devotion to the reign of Islam,
his deep personal loyalties, his equal treatment of all his supporters, and his
generosity in forgiving his defeated enemies." [The succession to
Muhammad: a study of the early caliphate, Cambridge, 1997, pp. 309-310]
Charles Mills (1788 - 1826) Leading historical writer of his time: As the chief of the family of Hashem and as the cousin
and son-in-law of him whom the Arabians respected , it is apparently wonderful
that Ali was not raised to the Caliphate immediately on the death of Mohammad.
To the advantages of his birth and marriage was added the friendship of the
Prophet. The son of Abu Talib was one of the first converts to Islamism and
Mohammad’s favourite
appellation of his was the Aaron of a second Moses. His talents as an orator,
and his intrepidity as a warrior, were grateful to a nation in whose judgement
courage was virtue and eloquence was wisdom. [An history of Muhammedanism, London, 1818, p. 89]
Simon Ockley (1678-1720) Professor of Arabic at the University of
Cambridge:
One thing particularly deserving to be noticed is that
his mother was delivered of him at Mecca, in the very temple itself; which
never happened to anyone else. [History of the
Saracens, London, 1894, p. 331]
Washington Irving (1783-1859) Well-known as the first American man of
letters: "He was of the noblest branch of the noble race
of Koreish. He possessed the three qualities most prized by Arabs: courage,
eloquence, and munificence. His intrepid spirit had gained him from the prophet
the appellation of The Lion of God, specimens of his eloquence remain in some
verses and sayings preserved among the Arabs; and his munificence was
manifested in sharing among others, every Friday, what remained in the
treasury. Of his magnanimity, we have given repeated instances; his noble scorn
of everything false and mean, and the absence in his conduct of everything like
selfish intrigue."[Lives of the Successors of Mahomet, London, 1850, p.
165]
"He was one of the last and worthiest of the
primitive Moslems, who imbibed his religious enthusiasm from companionship with
the Prophet himself, and followed to the last the simplicity of his example. He
is honourably spoken of as the first Caliph who accorded some protection to
Belles-Lettres. He indulged in the poetic vein himself, and many of his maxims
and proverbs are preserved, and have been translated in various languages. His
signet bore this inscription: 'The kingdom belongs to God'. One of his sayings
shows the little value he set upon the transitory glories of this world, 'Life
is but the shadow of a cloud - the dream of a sleeper'."[Lives of the
Successors of Mahomet, London, 1850, pp. 187-8]
Robert Durey Osborn (1835-1889) Major of the Bengal Staff Corps: With him perished the truest hearted and best Moslem
of whom Mohammadan history had preserved the remembrance. [Islam Under the Arabs, 1876, p. 120]
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