It is widely documented that the killer of Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) – Abdul Rahman b. Muljam is the most wretched of all mankind. However, some Muslims find no fault with him and believe he was a great worshipper.
Reply
The following tradition clearly establishes that Ibn Muljam was the most accursed of all people:
It is narrated from Jabir b. Samurah that he said: The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed Ali (a.s.): Who is the most wretched of all from the first and the last? Ameerul Momineen Ali (a.s.) replied: Allah and His Messenger know better. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Your killer, O Ali.
- Musnad-e-Ahmed vol. 1 p. 130 – Imam Ahmed b. Hanbal is among the four Imams of Sunni schools. The Hanbali sect, which he founded, is the preferred school of jurisprudence for the Salafis
- Khasaais-o-Aale Abi Talib (a.s.) by Imam Nesaai p. 39 – Imam Nesaai’s Sunan is among the six reliable books of the Ahle Sunnah called as the Sihaah-e-Sittah. His book Khasaais is dedicated to the virtues of Ameerul Momineen Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) due to which he was killed by supporters of Muawiyah in Syria
- Al-Manaaqib of Ibn Maghaazeli p. 204
After such a clear tradition backed by first-rate references, Ibn Muljam still finds supporters among the Muslims.
Sample this – Ibne Taymiyyah (the so-called Shaikh al-Islam) has this to say about Kharijis of which Ibn Muljim was a member:
‘…they (Kharijis) are not of those who lie purposely, they are known as truthful ones, it has even been said that their traditions (hadith) are amongst the most reliable traditions.’
- Minhaaj al-Sunnah, vol. 1 p. 68
He further stated:
‘His killer (i.e. the killer of Imam Ali) was one of them (the Khawaarij). He was Ibn Muljam…. He was one of the best of Allah’s slaves.’
- Minhaaj al-Sunnah vol. 5 p. 47
When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has disgraced Ibn Muljam despite his worship and devotion as the most wretched of Allah’s creatures, what right does Ibne Taymiyyah or his ilk have to refer to him as among the best of Allah’s worshippers? Do we refer to Iblis as the best of Allah’s worshippers enjoying the rank of angels or as the accursed rebel?
Also, by branding Ibn Muljam as the most wretched of Allah’s creatures, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has underlined the superiority of Ameerul Momineen Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) over others. There is no tradition that says Umar b. Khattab’s killer is the worst of mankind or Usman’s murderers are Allah’s most wretched creatures.
Also Ibn Muljam is accursed and cursing him is permissible. No one says that one cannot curse him since cursing is prohibited in Islam. Or no one says that one cannot curse him since it’s possible that he sought forgiveness at the time of death. But these arguments are used to defend the wretched Yazid b. Muawiyah (may Allah curse him). This is only because he was the caliph. Like Ibn Muljam, Yazid is also accursed and wretched, but some Muslims prefer to cast him in a positive light to safeguard the honour of the caliphs and Bani Umayyah who put him in that position.