He is ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib b. ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib b. Hāshim b. ʿAbd Manāf b. Quṣayy b. Kilāb b. Murra b. Kaʿb b. Luʾay b. Ghālib b. Fihr b. Mālik b. al-Naḍr b. Kināna b. Khuzayma b. Mudrika b. Ilyās b. Muḍar b. Nazār b. Maʿd b. ʿAdnān. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib (a), the son of the Prophet’s paternal uncle, shared a lineage with the Prophet through their common ancestor, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (a). ʿAlī (a) was the fourth son of Abū Ṭālib (a), accompanied by his brothers Ṭālib, ʿAqīl, and Jaʿfar. Notably, there existed a decade-long interval between the birth of each sibling. ʿ

Alī’s father, Abū Ṭālib (a), was a highly esteemed and influential figure within the Quraysh tribe. He held prominent roles, including providing sustenance (al-rifāda) to the pilgrims of Hajj and ensuring the supply of water (al-siqāya) for them, simultaneously undertaking both responsibilities. During that era, this position was regarded as one of the most crucial and esteemed roles in the city of Mecca. Moreover, Abū Ṭālib (a) pursued a career in the trading of wheat and perfumes.5

Abū Ṭālib (a) commanded great respect and admiration among the people of Mecca due to his wisdom, dignity, and awe-inspiring presence. His exceptional generosity was such that when he took it upon himself to provide food for the pilgrims of the Kaaba, no one else needed to offer sustenance. Abū Ṭālib (a) played a pioneering role during the pre-Islamic era known as the Age of ignorance (Jāhiliyya) by introducing the practice of establishing oaths as testimony by families and relatives of a victim (al-qasāma). This tradition was later embraced and affirmed by Islam. According to certain narratives, Abū Ṭālib (a) followed in the footsteps of his father and abstained from consuming wine.

Following the demise of his father, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (a), Abū Ṭālib (a) assumed the custody of his eight-year-old nephew, Muḥammad (s). According to certain accounts, as per the will of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (a), the custody of Muḥammad (s) was entrusted to Abū Ṭālib (a). Muḥammad (s) was nurtured in the household of his uncle with utmost dignity and respect. He received an abundance of love and affection from his uncle, even surpassing that bestowed upon his cousins. It is narrated that Abū Ṭālib (a) would refrain from partaking of the food until Muḥammad (s) was present and seated at the dining cloth. He would instruct his own children to wait until Muḥammad (s) had arrived before commencing their meal.

ʿAlī’s mother, Fāṭima bt. Asad b. Hāshim b. ʿAbd Manāf b. Quṣayy, held the distinction of being the first Hashimite woman to give birth to a child who belonged to the Hashimite lineage. Fāṭima bt. Asad (a), the wife of Abū Ṭālib (a), assumed the role of a compassionate mother figure for the Prophet (s). She showed an unparalleled level of care and affection towards the Prophet (s), surpassing even that which she extended to her own children. Fāṭima bt. Asad (a) prioritized providing sustenance to him before attending to her own children’s needs. Moreover, she diligently attended to his cleanliness and tidiness. She was among the earliest women to embrace Islam and pledge her allegiance to the Prophet (s). Fāṭima bt. Asad (a) holds the distinction of being the first woman to migrate to Medina.

Throughout her stay in Medina, Fāṭima bt. Asad (a) received regular visits and attentive care from the Prophet (s). Upon her passing, the Prophet (s) experienced deep sorrow and shrouded her with his own cloak. He participated in her burial, offering prayers for her eternal salvation. The Prophet (s) referred to her as his mother. The Imams, in their recommendations of certain rituals for dealing with specific hardships, have recommended performing circumambulation (ṭawāf) and offering two rakʿas of prayer on behalf of Abū Ṭālib (a), the Prophet’s uncle, ʿAbd Allāh (a), the Prophet’s father, Āmina (a), the Prophet’s mother, and Fāṭima bt. Asad (a).