Ali ibn Abu Talib was the cousin, son-in-law and one of the Ahl al-Bayt, people of the house, of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, reigning over the Rashidun empire from 656 to 661. Shia Muslims revere Ali as the first infallible Imam and consider him and his descendants as the rightful successors to Muhammad. Sunni Muslims consider Ali as the fourth and final Rashidun . This disagreement split the Muslim community into the Sunni and Shi'a branches.

Most sources record that Ali was the only person born in the Kaaba sanctuary in Mecca. His father was Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and his mother was Fatima bint Asad but he was raised in the household of Muhammad, who himself was raised by Abu Talib. When Muhammad reported receiving a divine revelation, Ali was among the first to accept his message, dedicating his life to the cause of Islam.