Ali ibn Abi Talib ('Alī ibn Abī Tālib) (Arabic: علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب) (Thirteenth of Rajab, 24 BH -- Twenty-first of Ramadan, 40 AH; approximately, March 17, 599[2] or 600[1]- February 28, 661)[2] was the cousin, son-in-law and one of the Ahl al-Bayt of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Shi'a Muslims glorify Ali as the first Imam and consider him and his descendants as the rightful successors to Muhammad, the only legitimate religious and political leaders of the Muslim community. Sunni Muslims revere him as the fourth and final Rashidun (Rightly Guided Caliph), reigning from 656 to 661. This disagreement resulted in the Muslim community being split into the Sunni and Shi'ite branches.[1][3] Ali was born in Mecca. His father was Abu Talib ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib and his mother was Fatima bint Asad[1] but he was raised in the household of Muhammad. When Muhammad reported that he had received a divine revelation, Ali, then only about ten years old, believ ...