ABSTRACT
Aligarh Major city in Uttar Pradesh, formerly called Koel (or Koil). The word Aligarh means 'high fortress'. The city became famous in Islamic circles for its university. This had its origins in the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, founded in the last quarter of the 13th/19th century by Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan and open to Hindus as well as Muslims. The College achieved university status in 1338/1920. Aligarh, in its earlier incarnation as Koel, was visited by Ibn Battūta (q.v.) in 743/1342. (See Khan, Sayyid Ahmad.)
Āl 'Imrān (Ar.) The title of the 3rd sura of the Qur'ān; it means 'The Family of 'Imrān'. The sura belongs to the Medinan period and has 200 verses. The title is drawn from v.33 which makes reference to Adam (q.v.), Nūh (q.v.), Ibrahim (q.v.) and Āl 'ImrĀn. Muslims identify the 'Imrān in this verse as the father of Mūsā (q.v.). However, 'Imrān was also the name borne by the father of Mary am (q.v.). Sūrat Āl 'Imrān begins with three of the Mysterious Letters of the Qur'ān (q.v.) and deals with a variety of subjects including the oneness of God, the story of 'Isā (q.v.) and the Battle of Uhud. (See Ibrahim (1); Shirk; Uhud, Battle of)
'Alī Zayn 'l-'Ābidīn (36/658-94/712 or 95/713) Fourth Shī'ite Imam. His full name was Abu Muhammad 'Alī b. al-Husayn. As his name indicates his father was al-Husayn b. 'Alī (q.v.). After the Battle of Karbalā', he lived an isolated pious life and avoided political involvement. Shā'ite historians believe he was poisoned by the ruling Umayyad caliph. He was buried in Medina (q.v.). (See Ithnā 'Asharīs; Karbalā', Battle of; Umayyads.)
