Imam Ali's Strenuous Efforts to Establish the Pre-eminent Position of the Prophet Mohammad in the Muslim Society

Since early Islam, the prevailing attitude of the Muslim Ummah towards the prophet Muhammad (AS) was threatened by some agents. Holding the belief that the prophet has a unique role in guiding and maintaining the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the Commander of the Faithful Ali (AS) constantly struggled to define the central role of the Prophet. His efforts were manifested in different ways including "promoting public knowledge of the Prophet", "strengthening the bonds between people and the Prophet”, '' citing the Prophet’s words and actions " and "preserving the sanctity of those related to the Prophet." He regarded the Prophet’s mission as deliverance and his way clear and firm, and called Muslims to follow his example. The agents that threaten the central role of the Prophet in Islamic society had two important consequences: the spread of innovations and the development of wrong understanding about the Prophet. Conversely, the efforts of Imam Ali and other Imams (AS) contributed to revitalizing some of the traditions of the Prophet (AS), and most importantly, reviving the name of the Prophet and establishing his pre-eminent position in the Muslim community.