This day marks the birthday of Amīr al-Mu’minīn, the Commander of the Faithful, Imām ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (peace be upon him). He was the first and only person to have been born in the Kaʻbah. He was born on Friday, the 13th of Rajab, 30 years after ‘Āmul Fīl. Therefore, his birth was in the most noble of places, on the most noble of days, and in one of the most noble months (Rajab is from the four sacred months).
His father was Abū Ṭālib, the paternal uncle of the Messenger of Allah (s), the chief of the Quraysh who looked after the Prophet (s) from childhood, and protected him from his enemies. The Prophet (s) was only forced to migrate from Makkah after Abū Ṭālib passed away. Imām ‘Alī’s (a) mother, Fāṭimah bint Asad, was also from the Banū Hāshim. Her status was so special that after she passed away the Prophet (s) shrouded her in his own cloak.