If we look carefully into the personality of this holy Imam, we may draw out some conclusions as to the reason behind our connection with such an exalted character. His title is commander of the faithful, paternal cousin of the seal of the prophets, Prophet Mohammad (SAWW), and husband to the most elevated woman on earth, Fatima al Zahra  (A). He was born on the thirteenth day of the month of Rajab, 600 A.D. The place of birth was the Holy Kaaba at Mecca, a place most holy to the Muslims. He is the only person to ever be born inside the Kaaba. This shows the position Ali (A) has with  Allah (SWT).
Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) took Ali when he was five years old to bring him up. This allowed Ali (A) to be raised with high ethics and morals. Ali had said “The holy Prophet brought me up in his own arms and fed me with his own morsel. I followed him wherever he went, like a baby camel which follows its mother. Each day an aspect of his character would beam out of his noble soul and I would accept it and follow it as a command”  (Nahjul-balaghah). This statement reflects the relationship the cousins had built, and tells us that the character of Mohammad (SAWW) played an important role in the building of Ali’s character.
This training by Mohammad (SAWW) left a lasting effect on Ali’s mind. It gave him keen vision and a passionate love for truth. Above all it made him a fearless fighter in the way of Allah (SWT). On the battle field, Ali (A) never displayed fear or anxiety. He never turned his back to the enemy. Never did a warrior or soldier engage Ali in battle and come out of it alive. Many warriors were eradicated by that famous sword we all know and love. Ali’s  fear of Allah (SWT) has made him a man of great courage, and this courage was demonstrated many times, such as when the assassins that had plotted to kill the Holy Prophet in his sleep, instead they were faced with Ali who had slept in the Prophet’s bed. This attribute of the Imam is primarily behind our attachment to his character.

Furthermore, we go on to learn that Imam Ali (A) has so many other attributes that present to humanity a model of the complete person. These attributes attract us to the special inspirational nature of the Imam. To try and study these attributes, we would have to write libraries. His high level of  intellect is demonstrated in a series of sermons, letters and sayings in a book titled “Nahjul-balaghah” which is available in English under the translated title of “Peak of Eloquence”. He was one so close to the prophet that he was one with him in character, knowledge, self-sacrifice, forbearance, bravery, kindness, generosity, oratory and eloquence. There are many stories told of Ali’s justice, kindness to the lowly, compassion for the needy and the poor, and generosity and munificence toward those in misery and poverty. The prophet had said of Ali :

“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate”.

And “if you want to see the knowledge of Adam, the piety of Noah, the devotion of Abraham, the awe of Moses, and the service of the abstinence of Christ, look at the face of Ali”.

Ali (A) was to be the successor of the holy prophet as indicated by the prophet at many places and times. Most famous was at Ghadir Khumm when the prophet said :

“Whomsoever I am the authority over (mawla), Ali is also the authority over”.

However even after such words by the prophet, Ali was forced by the hypocrites of that time not to take on the position after the prophets death. Eventually, after three caliphates Abu Bakar, Omar, and Othman and the demise of justice and faith within the Muslims, Ali was asked to take over as the 4th chaliphate. During the time of Ali’s caliphate there were certain parties of hypocrites that opposed and rebelled against Ali, but Ali (A) continued to give his caliphate the form of a spiritual movement, renewal and adjustments.  Until finally in the morning of the 19th of Ramazan in the year of 40 A.H., while praying in the mosque of Kufa, he was wounded by the poisoned sword of the Kharijite Ibn Muljim (may the curse of Allah be upon him). Ali (A) died two days later as a martyr at the age of 63. Ali’s death brought a close to the most glorious chapter in the history of Islam. Ali (A) is physically absent today but his soul is still the greatest spiritual resort for everyone who seeks the help of Allah.

“And do not speak of those who are slain in the way of Allah as dead; nay, they are alive but you perceive not” {Qur an 2:154}

Imam Ali`s (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) before he died, while on his death bed after a fatal blow tho his head at Kufa:

My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.

I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your grandfather, peace be upon him, say:  “Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all prayers and all fasting.”

Fear Allah in matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget their interests in the middle of yours. Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbours. Your Prophet often

recommended them to you, so much so that we thought he would give them a share in inheritance.

Remain attached to the Quran. Nobody should surpass you in being intent on it, or more sincere in implementing it. Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion. Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. If you should do that you would abandon your dignity. Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and  your tongue.

Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and your enemies.

Do not stop from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. Should you do that, the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah without response.

O Children of Abdul Muttalib! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner: The Imam has been assassinated! Only the assassin should be condemned to death. If I die of this stroke of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I have heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: “Mutilate not even a rabbit or mad dog.”