And Then Came . . . Nahjul Balagha

“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its door.” 

Translated in Arabic: “Ana madina tu’l-elm–wa” 

—Ali Babuha.

What this profound saying of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) means is that whoever desires knowledge, let him/her enter the door of knowledge. This famous saying of the prophet shows the unique place given to Imam Ali by the Prophet, who married the Prophet’s daughter Bibi Fatima and was also cousin to the Holy Prophet; Abdul Mutalib was their common grandfather.