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The Significance of Ya Ali Madad and Naad-e Ali! May Ali Help You and Invoke Ali!


Invoke Ali, You shall surely find him helping in your troubles
Naad-e Ali calligram at the Aga Khan museum

nad-e Ali Aga Khan museumsmall - Invoke Ali, You shall surely find him helping in your troubles We greet each other with a hearty "Ya Ali Madad" everyday and you see faces light up immediately but have you wondered at the history and significance of this greeting?

Even though I do not have access to scholarly texts or reference material at my disposal, I'll make a humble attempt of my own understanding of this piece of history, from oral traditions, general knowledge, web sources and, of course, my personal experience in invoking this powerful prayer. If anyone has a more detailed account or analysis, I'd really appreciate your contribution.

As we all know, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was the first male Muslim convert (Hazrat Khatija being the first female believer) and he took up the responsibility to propagate the Holy Message delivered to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) at a tender age. He was only twelve when Prophet Muhammad asked who would come to his help with this work at a family gathering at Abd-al Muttalib's (their grandfather) house. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was the only one who stood up and declared his allegiance and offered full support for Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.s.) mission. The Prophet blessed Imam Ali (a.s.) and said, "From now on you are my helper, my Wazir and the Khalif after me on earth."

There were many other historical incidences where Hazrat Ali was always at the Prophet's side working to forward the cause of Allah. This meant not only educating the new Muslims about the fresh revelations but also defending the believers from the opposition to this new faith. Prophet Muhammad came to rely on Hazrat Ali's help as his chief commander of his army and with the help of his two-horned sword named Zulfiqar (which means 2-pronged), Hazrat Ali defeated many an army.

Naadey Ali! Nad-e Ali! (Invoke Ali!)
Naad-e Ali! Nade Ali! 
Naad-e Aliyyan 
Mazharal Ajayeb 
Tajidahu Aunun Laka Finnwaeb 
Kullu Hamin wa Gamin Sayanjali 
Bi Wilayatika 
Ya Ali! Ya Ali! Ya Ali! 
Call Ali! Call Ali! 
Call aloud to Ali 
Who is the epiphanic source of wonders 
You shall surely find him helping in your troubles 
All grief and anxiety will disappear 
By Your power and Authority! 
O Ali! O Ali! O Ali!

At the battle at the Fort of Khyber, Hazrat Ali had stayed behind, and when the Muslims were losing hopelessly, Prophet Muhammad called for the help of Hazrat Ali in his prayer to Allah. Ya Ali Bilutfika Adrikani! O Ali, come to my help by Thy Favor! Hazrat Ali came riding and to the rescue of his team; he held the door of the fort across the moat, miraculously, with one arm, until all the Muslims had crossed over. This resulted in victory for the Muslims. Songs and Qawalis about this victory abound in the Muslim world even today and here is a selection for your enjoyment and don't forget to look at the Taawiz with Naad-e Ali inscribed beautifully on this silver case.


Angel Gabriel shows the prowess of Hazrat Ali
to Prophet Muhammad - Painted in Shiraz, Iran 1480
Angel Gabriel shows the prowess of Hazrat Ali
<BR>to Prophet Muhammad - Painted in Shiraz, Iran 1480
"Hazrat Ali was never defeated in a war or a combat throughout his life. His physical strength was beyond human comprehension. He removed from the hinges the strong doors of the Khyber fort with a single jolt of his hand. Later, seven strong men with Abu Ra'fe', the famous strongman, could not lift even an inch from the ground one of the corners of the door. When asked about his wonderful display of strength, in removing the doors, Hazrat Ali replied that it was his divine power." (Sayyidul Ausiya, p. 65)

"Ali, Son of Abu Talib, Son-in-Law and first cousin of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him), father of Imam Hasan and the greatest Martyr Imam Husain, the Lion of God, Gateway of Knowledge, the mightiest of mighty; does not need an introduction, He was at the same time master of the Pen and Sword -- a rare combination. Even today in the battle fields the Cry of "Ya Ali !" resounds, invoking his help. Sportsmen, Wrestlers and Athletes, taking part in manly games, chant the Slogan of "Ya Ali !" for their victory. On the other hand, the pious devoted entirely to the service of God, almost all of them trace the spiritual lineage from Ali and believe him to be the Fountain Head of all Knowledge." - S.M.A. Rizvi

"Ali is absent today from our midst only physically. His soul even to this day is the greatest spiritual resort to everyone who seeks the help of God through his medium. Thousands and thousands of people call out to him in their difficulties, and the word "Ya Ali Madad", automatically comes to them. A famous prayer known as "NADEY ALI" (Call Ali) is recited wherever abound the lovers of Ali." - Majlisi

"Here the garrison came out in great force, and on that day every attack made by the Muslims was repulsed. "Tomorrow," said the Prophet, "will I give the standard unto a man whom God and His messenger love. God will give us the victory by his hands; he is not one who turneth back in flight."

"In his previous campaigns the Prophet had used relatively small flags as standards, but to Khaybar he had brought a great black standard made from a cloak of A'isha's. They called it 'the Eagle', and this he now gave to Ali." - Martin Lings in his book: "Muhammad - his life based on the earliest sources"

"Ali was one of the most courageous and able men in the Muslim army. He was appointed the standard-bearer at the battles of both Badr and Khaybar. At Khaybar (A.H. 7) the following tradition is related by several Sunni and Shi'i histories. This is the version found in a Sunni collection of Traditions, the Sahih of Muslim:

'The Apostle of God said on the day of Khaybar: "I shall certainly give this banner to a man who loves God and His Apostle and through whom God will give victory." Umar ibn al-Khattab said: "I never wished for a leadership except on that day." And he also said: "And so I leapt up towards it hoping to claim it as a right." And the Apostle of God summoned Ali, the son of Abu Talib, and gave it to him and said "Go! And do not turn aside until God gives you victory."

La Fatah illa Ali - There is no hero except Ali

"When the Prophet left to go on his longest expedition, to Tabuk, Ali was left in charge at Medina. According to some accounts, Ali felt insulted to be left with the women and children while, according to others, rumours spread that Ali had been left behind because it was feared he would bring misfortune to the expedition. In any case, Ali went to the Prophet voicing his discontent at being left behind. It was at this time, according to numerous Sunni and Shi'i Traditionists, that the famous Hadith of Manzilat Harun (position of Aaron) was revealed. According to this Tradition, Muhammad said to Ali: " Are you not content to be with respect to me as Aaron was to Moses, except that after me there shall be no other Prophet." The implication was that Ali was to be Muhammad's chief assistant in his lifetime and his successor after him." - Moojan Momen's "An introduction to Shi'i Islam" published by Yale University Press

Taawiz - Amulet inscribed with names of Allah, Muhammad, Ali, Fatima and Nadey Ali
Taawiz, amulet inscribed with names of Allah, Muhammad, Ali, Fatima and Nadey Ali This talisman-carrying silver box (probably used for housing a miniature Quran) is a splendid example of intricate craftsmanship and filigree work by devout Muslim calligraphers and craftsmen. The silver container bears four highly decorative hooks with holes for a string so that it can be worn around the neck or upper arm. The front panel is engraved with the names of Allah, Muhammed, Ali, Fatima. Translation: "Allah, (Prophet) Muhammed, Ali (son-in-law and cousin of Prophet Muhammed), and Fatima (daughter of Prophet Muhammed)". (Peace be upon them all!) The calligraphy is done in mirror-image style: sideways and in opposite direction. The back of the talisman has engravings of Nad-e-Ali (Call for Ali) -- an age old Shia Muslim supplication. The sides of the lid are engraved with an Arabic verse for the Holy Five (Panj Tan Paak), i.e. Prophet Muhammed, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Fatima, Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussain. 


Prophet Muhammad


Hazrat Ali


Hazrat Ali's Judgement
Hazrat Ali's Famous Epistle To Malik Ashtar, Governor of Egypt
Gadhir Khumm
Mubahila
Panj Tan Paak Page
Naad-e Ali Page
Yaum-e Ali - Hazrat Ali's Birthday
History of the Imams

Maxims of Hazrat Ali A lot of everyday wisdom!
Nahjul Balagha wherein you'll find a collection of Hazrat Ali's Sermons and letters

Qadi Numan's Majalis
Majalis-ul Muayyadiya - Life and Lectures of Al Muayyad fid-din Shirazi
Poetry by Al Muayyad and Ibn Hani regarding the Progeny of Muhammad
Poetry by Nasir Khusraw

Naad-e Ali Nad-e Ali Video
Naad-e Ali Nad-e Ali Video2
Naad-e Ali Nad-e Ali Video3
Naad-e Ali Nad-e Ali Video4

Melodies by Abida Parveen (Real Audio files)
Naad-e-Ali Parh Naad-e-Ali (Say "call Ali! call Ali!)
Saqi-e Bawafa Manum Dumm hama dumm Ali Ali
Meda Lal Qalandar Sohna Lal

By Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Ali Mowla, Ali Mowla, Ali Dumm Dumm
Dumm Mast Kalandar Mast Mast

By Sabri Brothers
Man Kunto Mowla hu fa Aliyun Mowla hu
Ya Sahib-e-Jamal

Others
La fatah illa Ali, la saif illa Zulfikar
Sohna Ali Dum Dum Ali by Ali Haider
Dam Dam Haq Dam by Ibrar-ul Haq
Qalandar Mast Mast by Badar Ali Khan

Please stay tuned for more tunes and stories as I am able to gather them, Inshallah!

Melodies

By Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Dumm Mast Kalandar Mast Mast Download MediaPlayer File

More at:
Ali Dam Dam de Andar MP3 demo file
More audio files at Naad-e Ali page
Birthday Page

Verses in the Quran proclaiming the Imamat
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