Hilal ibn Ali

Who is Hilal ibn Ali?

Hilal ibn Ali known as Muhammad al-Awsat was one of the sons of Ali. His mausoleum was established in Aran in Kashan in Isfahan province, Iran.

His mother was Umamah bint Abu al-'As. Hilal was born on 1 Ramadan, 14 AH. Nothing is known about his life other than his role in the Battle of Karbala. He had a brother named Awn who lived in Syria or Taif, modern day Saudi Arabia.

The governor of Khorasan Qays ibn Murra feared an uprising against his rule, and sent a strong army to fight followers of Hilal; Hilal was injured and many of his followers killed.

It is said that he wrote shortly before his death of a dream, in which his great grandfather Prophet Muhammad, his father Ali and his half-brother Hussein ibn Ali have seen it pointed out that she waited on him. He should be fasting [saum] the next day with an apple break. He reported on the following day his dream to his companions named Yakub and his son and announced that he had in the evening would be their guest and in the night to die. He spent the rest of the time so that his offspring and prepare for its remaining obligations to fulfill. The night began with a night prayer [salat ul-layl] and during the defeat of [sadschda] he died. After the ritual bath, Ya'qoub and his sons buried his body where now stands a shrine—a place of refuge for friends and followers of Ahlul Bayt, the pure members of the Prophet's Household.