10th Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as)
| Name | Hazrat Ali Ibn Mohammad (as) |
| Father | Hazrat Imam Mohammad Taqi (as) |
| Mother | Samaana |
| Date of Birth | 15th Zil hijjah, 212 A.H. |
| Place of Birth | Madinah Munawwarah (at Surya) |
| Kuniyyat | Abul Hasan |
| Titles | Naseh, Murtaza, Ameen, Naqi |
| Age | 42 years |
| Martyrdom | 3rd Rajab, 254 A.H. |
| Buried | Saamarra |
He was born in the second half of Zilhajj 212 A.H. in a suburb of Madinah called 'Surya', in the house of Imam Mohammad Taqi (as.) and 'Samaana'. He was named 'Ali' like three of his ancestors. In 220 A.H., after the martyrdom of Imam Mohammad Taqi (as.), the responsibility of Imamate came upon the young Imam who was, at that time, only eight years old. Of his several titles, 'Hadi' and 'Naqi' are the most popular. Generally, he is remembered more as 'Imam Ali Naqi' and 'Imam Hadi.'
"And I concluded with bliss for his son Ali, My friend and My helper and a witness upon My creation and My trustworthy upon My revelation."
— Hadees-e-LauhDuring the 34 years of his life, Imam Ali Naqi (as.) passed through six caliphs of Bani Abbas, namely Mo'tasim, Waathiq, Mutawakkil, Muntasir, Mustaeen and Mo'taz. All six of them tried to create as much difficulty for Imam (as.) as possible.
Amongst the calamities that Imam (as.) faced, was the deportation of the Prophet's (s.a.w.a.) progeny from Madinah to Saamarra during Mutawakkil's reign. Mutawakkil's agents had reported from Makkah and Madinah that if you want these two cities, then deport Imam (as.) from here. Imam (as.) passed more than 20 years of his life in this military cantonment ('Askar') — essentially a prison — under strict government surveillance. Government servants often raided the house of Imam (as.) alleging he was gathering arms for rebellion.
His worship and obedience of Allah was famous. During the reign of Mutawakkil, government servants raided the house of Imam (as.) with the objective of finding arms and letters. When they entered, they saw Imam (as.) in the corner of the house where even the necessities of life were not provided, sitting on stones with a woolen cover on his head, engrossed in the worship of Allah and reciting verses of Qur'an which speak about hope and fear. The mercenaries took Imam (as.) along with the same stones and woolen blanket to Mutawakkil who was busy drinking. On seeing Imam (as.), he was so overawed that he regained his consciousness. Respecting the Imam (as.), he made him sit next to the throne.
When Mutawakkil requested Imam (as.) to recite some couplets, he (as.) recited such verses the topics of which forced a man as hard hearted as Mutawakkil to break down. Even those around him started weeping. Mutawakkil ordered his men to take Imam (as.) home with utmost respect.
"The one who is satisfied with himself indulges in self admiration. (The result will be that) an increasing number of people will be against him."
— Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 72, narrating from al-Durrah al-Baaherah"Sorrow is single for the patient and double for the despicable."
— Mustadrak al-Wasaael, vol. 2"The world is a market in which one group benefits (because they are well aware and work in it) while the other loses (because they are unmindful and deep in slumber)."
— Behaar al-AnwaarDue to circumstances, Imam (as.) appointed reliable deputies so that the restrictions imposed by the government should not become the cause for people to remain far from religious judgments. Amongst these deputies was Abu Amr Usman Ibn Saeed Amri, who later became the deputy of Imam Hasan Askari (as.) and Imam Mahdi (as.). Thus it was like preparing the field for Imam-e-Zaman (as.) to appoint deputies.
On the command of Moa'taz Abbasi, Imam (as.) was poisoned and martyred on Monday, 3rd Rajab 254 A.H. at the age of 42 years. His martyrdom worsened the image of the Abbasids. His holy body was buried in his house in Saamarra. Today visitors from every nook and corner come to his grave and through his holy self try to gain proximity with Allah the Almighty.