Birthplace of Ali

Shia and some Sunni sources introduce Ali as the only person born inside the Ka'ba, the ancient shrine in the city of Mecca which later became the most sacred site in Islam.

[2] Shia and some Sunni sources report that Ali was the only person born in the Ka'ba, the ancient shrine in the city of Mecca which later became the most sacred site in Islam.

[5][6] Kitab al-Irshad, a Shia collective biography, and the Sunni history The Meadows of Gold both report that Ali was born inside the Ka'ba.

[2][7] Indeed, Shia sources are unanimous in this belief and regard the incident as unique to Ali, an indication of his high spiritual station.

[1][3] This account is also accepted by some Sunni authors, such as the historian al-Mas'udi (d. 956), who nevertheless regards birth in the Ka'ba as a great distinction not unique to Ali.