Unique Birth of Ali [r.a]:
It is narrated with a lot of enthrallment that Ali [r.a] was the only person ever born in Kaba. This event is not found in authentic historic resources. The Shia narrate that how the wall of Kaba cracked, opening the way for his mother to enter and give birth to Ali [r.a]. The try to present as a miraculous sign to show the superiority of Ali [r.a], but the questions is superiority of Ali [r.a] over whom?
Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] was not born at Kaba.
So?
Some historians mentions that Hakim ibn Hazm, the nephew of Khadija [r.a] being the only person born at Kaba, he later became Muslim. This even does not accord him superiority over others, especially over Prophet Muhammad [pbuh].
Remember when Abrahim, the son of Prophet [pbuh] died at Madina, there was an eclipse, people said that even the heavens are sad, but Prophet [pbuh] rebuffed them that it is the will and God and His signs. Islam is not the religion based upon superstitions, myths and time bound miracles. Though Prophet [pbuh] performed many miracles but they were not emphasized, rather the message was delivered with reason and logic. The ever living miracle of Qur’an is with us till eternity. We don’t need to convince some one on the basis of narrating the miracles, which a non believer will reject as myth.
(7:203) [O Prophet!] When you do not produce before them any miracle, they say: 'Why do you not choose for yourself a miracle?' Say to them: 'I follow only what is revealed to me by my Lord. This [Qur’an] is nothing but a means of insight into the truth, and guidance and mercy from your Lord to the people who believe.
Allah granted miracles to Prophets as signs, proof or as final justification for their destruction. Remember the story of floods and ark of Noah, Moses and Pharaoh, Jesus Christ and so on. But God, according to His plan and wisdom says:
“We refrain from sending signs (miracles) only because the men of former generations treated them as false. For example, We sent the she-camel to the people of Thamud – a manifest sign – but they laid violent hands on her. We send the signs only by way of warning, and if people reject the sign after receiving it, they are doomed.”(Qur’an;17:59
The miracles therefore are not the answer for people’s rejection of the faith.
In this situation Ali [r.a] was just an innocent child [not a prophet], who was the first child to accept Islam. No Muslim has doubt about the sincerity of Ali and his devotion for the cause of Islam, his closeness to Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], as cousin and son in law whom he declared to be part of his family (ahlul bait) [though traditionally only the wives and children are called Ahlul Bait among Arabs and elsewhere]. It should be known that the Arabs and Qurush of Makkah before the advent of Islam were polytheists, Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] was among few who did not worship idols, but One God, these few people were known as Hanifah.
According to Islam every child is born in Islam, the true nature provided by God, but later the parents make him polytheist or unbeliever etc. So even if Ali was born there, his mother while circumambulating the Kaba felt labor pains and delivered the child [opening of wall is a myth could have been added for more flavor]. Kaba was not as it is now, it was full of idols, used as a temple by polytheist Arabs, yet retaining some rituals of from Abraham and Ishmael. They even kept the pictures of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Ishmael, some even mention that the horns of ram were kept as a sacred relic.
While Ali [r.a] accepted Islam as young boy, his father Abu Talib, very dear uncle and guardian of Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] did not embrace Islam and died as polytheist, this was a source of grief to the Prophet [pbuh].
Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith #5:223
Narrated Al Musaiyab:When Abu Talib was in his death bed, the Prophet went to him while Abu Jahl was sitting beside him. The Prophet said, "O my uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, an expression I will defend your case with, before Allah." Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Umaya said, "O Abu Talib! Will you leave the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib?" So they kept on saying this to him so that the last Statement he said to them (before he died) was: "I am on the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib." Then the Prophet said, "I will keep on asking for Allah's forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden to do so." Then the following Verse was revealed:
"It is not fitting for the Prophet and the believers to ask Allah's Forgiveness for the pagans, even if they were their near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire." (9.113)
The other Verse was also revealed: "(O Prophet!) Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He will..." (28.56)
It is not aimed to undermine the respect, honor and high status of Ali [r.a], which he earned with the blessing of Allah and love of Prophet [pbuh] through his faith and sincerity for the cause of Islam. It is to unfair with him, if some one try to raise his stature on some disputable ambiguous narrations and myths. He does not need support of such things.
It is commanded in unambiguous words:
"Say (O Muhammad): "I am no more than a human being like you; one to whom revelation is made: 'Your Lord is the One and Only God.' Hence, whoever looks forward to meet his Lord, let him do righteous works, and let him associate none with the worship of his Lord."(Qur'an;18:110)
While revering a personality it is appropriate to maintain the balance, not to exaggerate to convert a human being, slave and servant of Allah to the level of a demigod.
