Follow Imam Ali’s (R.A) Path: Feed an Orphan Today

On a quiet night in Kufa, as the world slept, an orphan cried in the darkness, unknowingly mourning the loss of the man who had wiped away their tears countless times. The man who carried sacks of grains on his shoulders in the darkness of night and distributed them without the poor families even knowing who had left food at their doorstep.  

The man who fought with the ferocious strength of a lion at the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Khyber, Hunayn, Jamal, Siffin, Nahrawan;  yet carried the heart of a dove when it came to the orphans, needy and poor. 

The man who was gifted the legendary double-edged sword known as Dhulfiqar,by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during the Battle of Uhud. It wasn’t just a weapon he used in the battle, it represented his unshakeable commitment to truth, his defence of the oppressed, and his role as a protector of Islam. Indeed, as many in the Islamic history have known to have said, “  

لَا فَتَىٰ إِلَّا عَلِيٌّ (عليه السلام)، لَا سَيْفَ إِلَّا ذُو ٱلْفِقَار 

(There is no hero except Ali (AS), and there is no sword except Dhulfiqar)” 

Today, on the 21st of Ramadan, we remember his martyrdom, a loss so profound that the world still feels its echoes centuries later. Two days prior, during the Fajr prayers of the 19th Ramadan in Masjid Kufa, Iraq, Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib (R.A) was struck on his head by his enemy Ibn Muljam with a poisoned sword while the messiah for Kufa’s vulnerable lives was in Sujood (prostration), deep in prayer, whispering to the One he had devoted his life to.  

Even the first words after being struck with the sword, in his final moments, he did not curse his killer. Instead, he said, 

 “فُزْتُ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ   

“By the Lord of the Ka'bah, I have succeeded!” 

 He spoke of justice. Of mercy. Of meeting his Lord with peace in his heart and advised his followers who had caught the attacker, to also treat him with justice and mercy, SubhanAllah! 

Imam Ali (R.A) lived and breathed justice. He was the Caliph who treated the rich and poor with the same lens, never once allowing favouritism or corruption to creep into his rule. He famously said: 

“A man is either your brother in faith or your equal in humanity.” 

It’s no wonder that even non-Muslim scholars and writers, from George Jordac (The Voice of Human Justice) to Kahlil Gibran, have penned words of deep admiration about him. His justice was so absolute, so pure, that it stands as a timeless lesson for all leaders, rulers, and those in power even today. 

Imam Ali (R.A) left behind more than just a legacy—he left wisdom that continues to guide the hearts of millions. 

“Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small because to refuse the needy is an act of greater shame” 

Indeed, his words were not just sermons of a religious leader, but they were the kind of truth that pierces the soul even for people like us who feel embarrassed to give a small amount for donation while struggling with the inflated economy around us. His words spoke of love, kindness, patience, and the kind of strength that doesn’t just come from the sword, but from character. Character that must act now to do good, instead of waiting for any occasion. 

And isn’t that the kind of world we still long for? A world where others also get what we want for ourselves. Where justice prevails, where the hungry are fed, where the orphans do not cry themselves to sleep? Where people do not die of thirst and hunger? 

On this solemn occasion, the best way to honour Imam Ali (R.A) is to follow in his footsteps. He dedicated his life to uplifting the weak, the hungry, and the orphans. We may not be able to do as much as what he did, but we can take a step in his direction for sure. 

Through our OrphanKind and Hifz Orphan appeals, you can make a real difference in a child’s life. A warm meal, an education, a safe home, a brighter future—these are the things Imam Ali (R.A) held dear for the orphaned children of his time. Let’s be the reason an orphan smiles today, in his name. 

Donate now and be a part of the legacy of kindness that Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (R.A) left behind for us to follow. 

“The nourishment of the body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others” - Imam Ali (R.A)