Hawzah News Agency- Here are some excerpts from Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks on the character of Imam Ali (as):

The character of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was exceptional from birth to martyrdom. He was born inside the Ka'bah - which was unparalleled before his birth and remained unparalleled thereafter. And he was martyred while he was praying in the mosque. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) spent all the time between these two points in jihad, patience for the sake of God, acquiring knowledge and insight, and moving on the path of divine satisfaction. Early in his childhood, the hand of divine acumen gave Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was only six years old when the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) brought him to his own house from the house of Abi Talib. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was educated by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).

When the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) received revelations from God, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was the only person who was with him in the Cave of Hera in those sensitive times. Imam Ali (a.s.) says in Nahjul Balaghah that he was always with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) did not separate from the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and learnt from him all the time. Imam Ali himself says in Nahjul Balaghah, "I heard the sad cry of Satan when revelations were revealed. I asked the Messenger of God what the cry was. He said it was Satan's cry of disappointment with misleading people." Then the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) continued, "You hear what I hear and see what I see." This shows how close the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) since his childhood. He announced his faith in the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) when he was a child. He prayed with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He engaged in jihad alongside the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He made sacrifices for the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). During his lifetime, he tried his utmost to administer justice, promote the religion of God and protect Islam before and after the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) passed away. From the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) perspective, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) is the criterion for truth and justice. Shia and Sunni Muslims have quoted the Holy Prophet as saying, "Ali is with truth, and truth is with Ali. Truth revolves around him wherever he is." This was how the lifestyle of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was.

Jun 26, 2010