20
Ali - the Perfect Creation, an Energy and Physical Perspective
Greatness of the Prophet (S)
The Prophet has said:
By Allah, I can tell you who among you will go
to paradise, and who among you will burn in hell
for ever. The whole universe is before my eyes.
Beware! If I tell you about things and events, you
will not like it.
I have already told you all that which brings
you near to Allah, so you must carry out those
commands, and I have disclosed all that which
separates you from Him and takes you to hell, so
do not do what I have forbidden.
Do not transgress the boundaries laid down by
Allah. If you ask questions about the things He
has not disclosed, because of His wisdom, you
will find yourselves in deep trouble.
Before we begin to mention and discuss the virtues of Ali, it would be sufficient
here to quote a statement from the Invocation of Adeelah to confirm the supremacy
of the Prophet Muhammad (S) above the entire creation. Imam al-Mahdi (ATFS)
says:
You are the most generous, the most Merciful.
O Allah! Send blessings on the best creature,
Muhammad, and on his pious and pure progeny.
There is no authority and no might except Allah's,
the High, and the Great. (All) praise is for Allah,
the lord of the worlds.
al-Khumeini (AR) writes the following about the Prophet (S):
The Prophet (S), whose knowledge was derived
from the divine revelation, and whose soul was
so great that it could predominate over the spirits
of millions upon millions of human beings; who
rejected all the practices and customs of the
pagan Arabs; who shattered under his feet all the
false creeds; abrogated all the scriptures and the
circle of Prophethood achieved its completion
in his noble existence; who was the ruler of the
world and the hereafter, and who was the master
of all the worlds, with the permission of Allah
(SWT) Almighty - yet his humility towards the
creatures of Allah (SWT) was more than of any
other human being.
In Hayatul-Qulub, the great al-Majlisi (AS) writes that authentic chain of reporters
mention from al-Ridha (AS) and al-Sajjad (AS) that the Messenger of Allah (S)
said:
The Almighty Allah created 124,000 Prophets
and I am the most honored one before Allah.
However, I do not pride myself over it. And, He
created 124,000 Successors, among whom Ali is
the most exalted.
Safwan al-Jamal from al-Sadiq (AS), has also narrated the above tradition.
al-Mahdi has the following to say about Muhammad, the last of Prophets, in theInvocation of al-Iftitah recited during the month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak:
O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad, Your
servant, messenger, confidant, friend, beloved
intimate, mercy unto all the created beings, bearer
of your sacraments, quotient of your messengers,
the most superior, the exquisite, the most
handsome, the most perfect, the upright, the more
prospering, the more pleasant, the thoroughly
purified, the sublime; who has more and better
blessings, advantages, mercies, affections and
salutations than You made available to any one
of Your servants, prophets, messengers, friends,
and those honored by You from among Your
created being.
And then he says the following about Ali:
O Allah! Send Blessings on Ali, the leader of the
faithful, and the successor to the messenger of
the lord of the worlds, Your servant, Your beloved
representative, brother of Your messenger, and
Your decisive argument over mankind, Your most
important sign, and the great news from You.
And finally, he says the following about Fatima:
O Allah! Send blessings on the truthful pure
Fatima, the chosen leader of the women of the
worlds.
It is reported that Archangel Dardaeel once produced a pair of scales, which was
equal to the space between heaven and earth. He placed the Prophet on one side of
the scale and one hundred of his future companions on the other, but they proved a
mere feather to their leader. The angel then put against him a thousand of his most
renowned and eminent followers, but they weighed nothing against the Prophet.
Half of his sect was also tried, and then his entire sect.
Then, Dardaeel placed all the angels, mountains, seas, deserts, trees and the whole
universe Allah has made into the opposite scale, but the whole inconceivable amount
was totally overbalanced by the Prophet Muhammad (S) (al-Majlisi (1627).
Such status was (and is) the Prophet (S). And, according to authentic traditions,
the best creation after the Prophet is Ali, the Commander of the entire Universe
- since Ali was created from the same light of the Prophet. Ali proved this aspect in
his life in so many ways. The Holy Prophet had said:
I and Ali are from one and same divine light. He
is the head of my body.
al-Majlisi (1627) writes in his Hayatul-Qulub that Shaykh Saduq (AR) states, on
the authority of al-Sadiq (AS), that the Commander of the Faithful declared that
the Most High:
Allah (SWT) created the Sacred Light of
Muhammad, the asylum of Prophecy, before
the heavens or earth, empyrean or throne, table
of decrees or divine pen, paradise or hell were
formed. His light was also created previous to the
creation of any other Prophets by the period of
424,000 years.
In this light Allah formed twelve compartments;
namely of Power, Greatness, Grace, Mercy,
Felicity, Munificence, Official Dignity, Religious
Direction, Prophecy, Exaltation, Majesty and
Intercession. Allah then stationed that intelligent
light in the compartment of power for the period
of 12,000 years, and the journeys for this light
continued. In the last journey to the compartment
of intercession, the light cried for one thousand
years - glory and thanks to the Mighty Lord!
The Most High then formed twenty seas of light,
in each of which were a number of sciences that no
one understands but Allah. He then commanded
the light of Muhammad to go down through the sea
of Glory; of Patience; of Humility; of Submission;
of Contentment; of Faithfulness; of Mildness;
of Abstinence; of Fear; of Repentance; of Good
Works; of Abundance; of Religious Direction; of
Carefulness and of Modesty, till he had passed
through the twenty seas. When he came forth
from the last sea, the Most High addressed him
saying, O My Beloved! Best of My Prophets! First
of My Creatures! Last of My Apostles! Be the
Advocate on the Day of Reward!
That light (of Muhammad) then fell into
adoration, and when it arose, 1,24,000 drops
fell from the light, from everyone of which Allah
made a Prophet, thus completing the number of
those sacred Prophets.
It is further reported that the Prophet, in the form
of light and energy, dwelt under the Empyrean
73,000 years, and then resided 70,000 years in
Paradise. Afterwards, the light was rested another
period of 70,000 years at Sidratul-Muntaha.
Emigrating from heaven to heaven it arrived at
length in the lowest of these celestial mansions,
where it remained until the Most High willed the
creation of Adam, the Father of Mankind.
Greatness of Ali (AS)
Ibn Abbas (one of the most authentic and revered Shia narrators) is quoted to have
said that the Messenger of God said:
If all the trees were pens, and all the seas were
ink, and all the Jinn were counters, and all human
beings were writers, they would not be able to
count the incredible virtues of Ali.
(Kanzul-Ummal. Manaqib Khazrami. Kifayatul-
Talib. Lisanul-Mizan. Mizanul-Itidal, and more
than 10 other references)
Ja'far bin Muhammad (6th Imam), from his father (5th Imam), from Ali bin Husain
(4th Imam), from his father (3rd Imam), from the Commander of the Believers
who said that the Messenger of God said:
Allah has given so many incredible virtues to my
brother, Ali that they are impossible to count.
So if someone mentions one of his virtues while
believing in it, God will forgive all of his past
and future sins. And if someone writes one of his
virtues, angels will seek forgiveness for him for as
long as that written text continues to exist. And
if someone listens to one of his virtues, God will
forgive all of the sins that he committed using
his ears. And if someone reads a book about his
virtues, God will forgive all of the sins that he
committed using his eyes.
Looking at Ali is worshipping God, and mentioning
him is worshipping God.
God does not accept the belief of anyone who
does not accept Ali's WILAYAT (successor to
the Prophet (S), and who does not renounce his
enemies.
(Biharul-Anwar. Manaqib Khazrami. Kifayat al-
Talib. Mizan al-Itidal. Amali al-Saduq and several
other references)
The Origin and Essence of Ali (and the rest 13 Perfect Creations of Allah
(SWT) - Light and Energy
al-Qur'an remarks that the creation of Light before the human-form is a reality and
we have observed that the origin of the whole of creation is Light.
O You Who Believe! Turn to Allah with
sincere repentance. In the hope that your
Lord will remove your ills from you and
admit you to Gardens, beneath which
Rivers flow. The Day that Allah will not
permit the Prophet and those who believe
with him to be humiliated.
Their Light will run forward before them
and by their right hands, while they say, Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and
grant us Forgiveness, for You have power
over all things.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 66, Verse 8)
And,
On the Day you shall see the believing men
and women - their light running forward
before them and on their right hands.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter Hadid, Verse 12)
In the Salutations of al-Warith, we say to the Aimmah and Ali:
I know and bear witness that you were light in
the sublime loins and in the pure wombs, the dirt
of ignorance never touched you, and neither did
obscurity conceal you in its folds.
Abu Dhar (AR) remarks:
I swear to Allah that I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) with my own ears say - and
may Allah make me deaf if I lie about this:
Ali and I were created from the same light. We
were to the right of the throne sanctifying Allah
two thousand years before Allah created our
father, Adam. And, when Adam was created,
Allah placed us in his backbone and kept moving
us from the honorable backbones to the purified
wombs until we reached the backbone of my
grandfather, Abdul Muttalib.
Then Allah divided us into two halves and sent
me to the backbone of Abdullah and sent Ali to
the backbone of Abu Talib. Allah chose me for
the Prophethood as a mercy and a blessing, and
He chose Ali for his courage, knowledge and
eloquence.
Allah derived two names from us from His own
names. The owner of the Throne is Mahmud and
I am Muhammad; Allah is A'ala and this is Ali.
(Amali of Tusi. Rawzatul-Waizeen)
Abdullah bin Masud says that I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
The sun has two sides - one side gives light to the
inhabitants of the heavens, and one side gives
light to the inhabitants of earth. There is writing
on both sides. Do you know what is written (on
both sides of the sun)?
We replied, Allah and His Messenger know
better.
The Prophet said,
The writing on the side that gives light to the
heaven says, Allah is the light of the heavens
and earth (al-Qur'an - Chapter 24, Verse 35).
The writing on the side that gives light to the
inhabitants of earth say, Ali is the light of the
earths.
(Biharul-Anwar. Madinatul-Maajez)
Before we proceed to explore the highest possible physical, mental and spiritual
status of Ali in this whole creation and entire universe, we will first explain the
status of Ali in the entire creation in matters of energy. This will make him the
greatest and most pure personality who was ever created - most certainly, after the
Prophet of Islam - Muhammad (S), and after him only; second to him and third
to none.
As we shall note, Ali was blessed with and attained the highest possible level of
energy wholesomeness (energy in its purest and most vibrant form compared to the
whole of creation - animate and inanimate). Apparently, the qualities, greatness
and behavior (in light/energy and physical form) in him also contribute to his
total
sense of purity, and we shall exhaust these reports on his greatness.
Ali is a celestial being - pure energy - and he has been blessed access to all
information within the energy of the entire creation. Because he was second in
creation (after the Prophet (S) - he has been endowed with power and knowledge
over the entire creation, and witnessed all events, and shall keep on witnessing the
creation as it reaches its perfection and THE final goal set by Allah. No wonder
the Prophet (S) had witnessed a Camel duiring his Me'raj which kept growing new
humps every now and then. The Archangel Jibraeel (AS) remarked that the humps
have never stopped growing since its birth. Apparently, these humps denote the
praises of Ali as they are discovered.
Because of the knowledge and happenings of the entire creation, al-Majlisi writes
that these Purified Souls are thus witnesses upon the entire creation. In Kafi and
in Basair, Imam Ali (AS) is reported to have said:
Allah has made us clean of evils, infallible and
made us witnesses over the creation; proof
(Hujjat) in His earth and also He has made Qur'an
with us and us with the Qur'an. Neither we will
separate ourselves from it nor will it separate
itself from us.
No wonder Ali said that if the veils of the heavens were lifted, his certainty and
knowledge would not increase even a bit, for he has been blessed with the knowledge
of the entire creation, from the tiniest bacteria, to the biggest of galaxies.
All in these make up the reasons why Ali is such
a perfect personality, that his energy was and
is in union with the entire creation during the
beginnings of time, and at all times - and the main
reason why he and only he always put forth this
question, Ask me anything you want - I know
the way of the heavens more than the earth.
In Nahjul-Balagha, he even explains the origins
of creation in such an explicit manner, that there
is no doubt he witnessed all such events. He
explains Allah, in a way no one has ever or will
ever describe Him. He explains the creations of
the sky, earth, clouds, the angels, and the reasons
behind the creation. He even explains the feelings
and remarks from these creations.
For example:
He has arranged the depressions and elevations
of the openings of the sky. He has joined the
breadths of its breaches, and has joined them
with one another. He has made easy the approach
to its heights for those (angels) who come down
with His commands and those (angels) who go up
with the deeds of the creatures. He called it when
it was yet (in the form of) vapor. At once the links
of its joints joined up. Then Allah opened up its
closed door and put the sentinels of meteors at its
holes, and held them with His hands (i.e. power)
from falling into the vastness of air.
He commanded it to remain stationary in
obedience to His commands. He made its sun
the bright indication for its day, and the moon,
the gloomy indication for its night. He then put
them in motion in their orbits and ordained their
(pace of) movement in the stages of their paths
in order to distinguish with their help between
night and day, and in order that the reckoning
of years and calculations may be known by their
fixed movements. Then He hung in its vastness
its sky and put therein its decoration consisting of
small bright pearls and lamp-like stars. He shot
at the over-hearers arrows of bright meteors. He
put them in motion on their appointed routine
and made them into fixed stars, moving stars,
descending stars, ascending stars, ominous stars
and lucky stars.
Then Allah, the Glorified, created for inhabiting
of His skies and populating the higher strata of
his realm new (variety of) creatures namely the
angels. With them He filled the openings of its
cavities and populated with them the vastness
of it circumference. In between the openings of
these cavities there resounds the voices of angels
glorifying Him in the enclosures of sublimity,
(behind) curtains of concealment and in veils
of His Greatness. And behind this resounding,
which deafens the ears, there is the effulgence of
light, which defies the approach of sight to it, and
consequently the sight stands, disappointed at its
limitation.
He created them in different shapes and with
diverse characteristics. They have wings. They
glorify the sublimity of His Honor. They do not
appropriate to themselves His skill that shows
itself in creation. Nor do they claim they create
anything in which He is unparalleled.
Allah spread the earth on stormy and tumultuous
waves and the depths of swollen seas, where
waves clashed with each other and high surges
leapt over one another. They emitted foam like the
he-camel at the time of sexual excitement. So the
tumult of the stormy water was subdued by the
weight of the earth, when the earth pressed it with
its chest its shooting agitation eased, and when
the earth rolled on it with its shoulder bones the
water meekly submitted. Thus after the tumult of
its surges it became tame and overpowered, and
an obedient prisoner of the shackles of disgrace,
while the earth spread itself and became solid
in the stormy depth of this water. (In this way)
the earth put an end to the pride, self-conceit,
high position and superiority of the water, and
muzzled the intrepidity of its flow. Consequently
it stopped after its stormy flow and settled down
after its tumult.
Thereafter He did not leave alone the barren tracts
of the earth where high portions lacked in watersprings
and where rivers could not find their way,
but created floating clouds, which enliven the
unproductive areas and grow vegetation. He made
a big cloud by collecting together small clouds and
when water collected in it and lightning began to
flash on its sides and the flash continued under
the white clouds as well as the heavy ones He sent
it raining heavily. The cloud was hanging towards
the earth and southerly winds were squeezing it
into shedding its water like a she-camel bending
down for milking. When the cloud prostrated
itself on the ground and delivered all the water
it carried on itself, Allah grew vegetation on the
plain earth and herbage on dry mountains. As a
result, the earth felt pleased at being decorated
with its gardens and wondered at her dress of soft
vegetation and the ornaments of its blossoms.
Allah made all this means of sustenance for the
people and feed for the beasts. He has opened
up highways in its expanse and has established
minarets (of guidance) for those who tread on its
highways.
The origin of Ali (AS) is light, and his living and life after death is light, and so his
presence permeates anything and everything - so these events that are mentioned
are not at all difficult feats for a person his status..
It has been said that:
The traditions relating to the nature of their (the
Aimmah (AS) bodies and the creation of their
spirits and hearts; and those which speak of their
having been given the knowledge of the Greatest
Name; the sciences bestowed upon them from the
unseen divine stores of the prophets, the angels;
what is above that and that which does not enter
into the imagination of you and me; and that
which is mentioned of their other excellences
in the various chapters of reliable works of our
associates, especially in the Usul al-Kafi, are such
as to confound the intellect, no one can apprehend
their mysteries and realities except their own
sacred beings.
Imam al-Baqir (AS) once said:
We (the Aimmah, 14 perfect souls) have been
taught the language of the birds and bestowed
with knowledge of everything.
Ali says in the Peak of Eloquence (in several of his remarkable sermons):
They (the Aimmah) are the trustees of His secrets,
shelter for His affairs, source of knowledge about
Him, center of His wisdom, valleys for His books
and mountains of His religion. With them Allah
straightened the bend of religion's back and
removed the trembling of its limbs.
None in the Islamic community can be taken at
par with the Progeny of the Prophet. One who was
under their obligation cannot be matched with
them. They are the foundation of religion and
pillar of Belief. The forward runner has to turn
back to them while the follower has to overtake
them. They possess the chief characteristics
for leadership. In their favor exists the will and
succession (of the Prophet). This is the time when
right has returned to its owner and diverted to its
center of return.
No person in the world can be brought at par
with them, nor can any one be deemed their equal
in sublimity, because the world is over laden with
their obligations and has been able to secure
eternal blessings only through their guidance.
They are the corner stone and foundation of
religion and the sustenance for its life and survival.
They are such strong pillars of knowledge and
belief that they can turn away the stormy flow of
doubt and suspicion. They are such middle course
among the paths of excess and backwardness
that if some one goes far towards excess and
exaggeration or falls behind then unless he comes
back or steps forward to that middle course he
cannot be on the path of Islam.
They possess all the characteristics, which
give the superiority in the right for leadership.
Consequently, no one else in the ummah enjoys
the right of patronage and guardianship. That is
why the Prophet declared them his vicegerents
and successors.
He is the leader (Imam) of all who exercise fear
(of Allah) and a light for those who seek guidance.
He is a lamp whose flame is burning, a meteor
whose light is shining and a flint whose spark
is bright. His conduct is upright, his behavior is
guiding, his speech is decisive and his decision
is just. Allah sent him after an interval from the
previous Prophets when people had fallen into
errors of action and ignorance. Allah may have
mercy on you.
In the Invocation of Alqamah, it is said about the Aimmah (AS):
I beseech You in the name of Muhammad, the last
Prophet, and Ali, the commander of the faithful,
in the name of Fatima, the daughter of Your
Prophet, and in the name of Hasan and Husain.
I direct myself towards You, through them, in
my address, through them I try to get a hearing,
through them I put forward my case to get Your
favors, in their names I make a request to You;
bound to You by oath, living a life according to
Your commands.
I carry out my pledge by every means, in the
name of the love and devotion You have for
them, and the influence and status they enjoy
in every dimension of Your will; the superior
most preeminence in wisdom and character
You bestowed upon them to transcend above
everything in the whole universe.
In the name of Your name You revealed to them
in trust; on account of which You chose them in
preference over everything found in the heavens
and the earths; through which You built their
respect, developed to perfection their surpassing
excellence in knowledge, learning and deeds, out
of all the rest of the people, till their completeness
surpassed the total achievement of all the people
put together.
The Aimmah (AS) were indeed created perfect and are flawless creations of Allah,
and only He knows the extent of their Infallibility because He created them. If
they are the leaders over the entire creation, the Aimmah (AS) also had to excel
in every science so their knowledge is God-given and vast, unlimited. This is why
they could answer queries in any language and no one was able to overcome these
blessed souls in any manner, be it worship, knowledge or just plain discipline and
behavior towards the public. Also, the inanimate objects were under their watch
and command, be it the tiniest creation.
Ali (AS) remarks:
By Allah! I have learnt the proclamation of
the messages, the fulfillment of promises and
perfection of words. With us, the Ahlul-Bayt, are
the doors of wisdom and the lights of all things.
Where are those who claim that they, instead of
us, are deeply rooted in knowledge? They do so
lying and rebelling against us. Allah has elevated
us and degraded them, and has bestowed upon us
and deprived them, made us enter and expelled
them. It is through us that guidance is sought
and blindness removed. Certainly, the Imams
will be from the Quraish, they have been planted
in the line of Hashim. The Imamate is not right
for others, neither is it for the governors to the
exclusion of others.
We are the close ones and the companions, the
treasures and the doors. Houses are not entered
except by their doors; whosoever enters them in
any other way is called a thief.
Within them (Ahlul-Bayt) is the nobility of the
Qur'an, and they are the treasures of the Merciful
one. When they speak they utter the truth, and
when they are silent, none should speak before
they do.
They are the life of knowledge and death of
ignorance; their forbearance tells you of their
knowledge and their silence the wisdom of their
speaking. They do not go against the truth nor do
they differ about it. They are the pillars of Islam
and the asylums of protection. Through them
the truth has returned to its rightful position,
falsehood has vanished and it's tongue severed
from it's root. They have understood religion
attentively and carefully, not from hearsay or
from relaters, because the relaters of knowledge
are many, but few observe it.
His (The Prophet) progeny is the best of progenies
and his family the best of families. His tree is the
best of trees, grown in sanctity and excelled in
generosity, for them are long branches and fruits
that cannot be reached.
We are the tree of Prophethood, the station of
divine message and the place where angels visit.
We are the mines of knowledge, the fountainheads
of wisdom. Those who support and love us, can
expect mercy, our enemies and one who hates us,
await the wrath [of God].
We are the noble ones, and our progeny is the
progeny of the Prophets. Our party is the party
of Allah, the most Glorious and Majestic. The
rebellious groups are the party of Satan. Whoever
equates us with our enemy is not from us.
Where do you go and how [much] do you lie?
The standards are raised and the signs clear. The
minarets have been erected, so where are you
wandering? How can you wander blindly, when
among you is the progeny of the Prophet (S) and
they are the pillars of truth, standards of religion,
the truthful tongues? Accord to them the same
position as you do to the Qur'an and come to
them as thirsty camels approach water springs.
O people, take it from the seal of the Prophets (S)
that he who dies from amongst us is not dead, and
he who decays from amongst us does not really
decay. Do not say what you do not understand,
because most of the truth lies in what you deny.
Accept the argument of one against whom you
have no argument. It is me. Did I not act according
to the more weighty thing (the Qur'an) and did I
not leave for you the less weighty thing (the Ahlul-
Bayt of the Prophet) and did I not fix for you the
standard of faith?
Examine the Ahlul-Bayt of your Prophet and
follow their character and footsteps and they will
never lead you astray. They will never make you
return to destruction. If they lie down, then you
lie down, and if they arise, then you arise. Do not
precede them otherwise you will go astray. Do not
lag behind them as you will be ruined.
In a tradition quoted by al-Majlisi (AR) in Mi'atul-Qul, Kitabul-Iman wal-Kufr and Bab al-Musfaha, with his continuous chain of transmission reaching the august
Shaykh, the best of the narrators, Muhammad, son of Ya'qub al-Kulayni, from Ali
ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammed, from Ribi', from Zurarah, from Abu
Ja'far (AS). Zurarah says, I heard him say:
Verily, God the Almighty and the Glorious, cannot
be described. And how could He be described
when He declares in His Book, They measure not
God with His true measure. Hence He cannot be
described by any measure, and if described He
would transcend it.
And verily, the Prophet (S) cannot be described,
and how could one describe a servant whom God,
the Almighty and the Glorious, has concealed
with seven veils. Allah made obedience to him in
the earth like obedience to him in the heavens.
He declared, Whatsoever the Messenger gives
you, take it. And whatsoever he forbids, abstain
from it.
And He has declared, Whoever obeys him
assuredly obeys Me, and whoever disobeys him
disobeys Me. Hence He has delegated authority
to him.
And we (Imams of the Ahlul-Bayt) cannot be
described. And how could a group of people be
described whom God has kept free from impurity,
which is doubt.
And neither can the believer be described. And
indeed, when the believer takes his brother with
the hand on meeting him, God looks at them and
sins are shed from their faces in the way leaves
fall from a tree.
In Qur'an:
Verily! Verily Allah intends to keep every
kind of uncleanness away from you - O
People of the house, and purify you a
thorough purification.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 33, Verse 33)
In the Ziyarat of al-Jamia, the Shiites of Ali say:
You (the 14 Infallible), whom Allah has kept all
impurity and filth far away from you.
Mir Ahmed Ali (1988) writes in his Qur'an - Translation and Commentary that when
this verse (of purification) was revealed, the Prophet (S) was in the house of Umme
Salama. He then gathered his daughter Fatima, his cousin and Fatima's husband
Ali, and their two sons al-Hasan and al-Husain - AS - and the Prophet said - O
Allah! THESE constitute my Progeny. Even Umme Salama was not permitted in
this gathering of the five blessed individuals. This gathering is mentioned in details
earlier in the Tradition of the Cloak. In this tradition there is also a mention about
this entire universe created because of the love of the Prophet, Ali and the Infallible
- AS.
In the book Hayatul-Qulub, al-Majlisi (AR) relates that when Allah created Adam
(AS), He told him that He would not have created him (Adam) if it were not for
these two personalities. Upon enquiry, he was informed to look at the divine
inscription upon which was written:
Muhammad is the Prophet of Mercy and Ali is
the Key to Paradise.
Further Discussion on the Origin of Ali - Light and Energy
We have noted before that the first creation was the light of Muhammad (S), before
any other creation. al-Majlisi (1627) writes that the Most High created him, Ali,
Fatima, al-Hasan and al-Husain - in the form of light - before the creation of Adam,
and when as yet there was neither heaven, nor earth, nor darkness, nor light, nor
sun, nor moon, nor paradise, and nor hell. Then, Allah made the Prophet's soul
journey through different stages for thousands of years and purified him with the
utmost perfection. These journeys are listed in details in the book Hayatul-Qulub,
by al-Majlisi (1627), one of the foremost and most revered scholars in Islam.
al-Majlisi relates that on the respectable authority of Abu Dhar, a companion of the
Prophet (S), Muhammad said that Ali and I were created one light, and we ascribed
glory to Allah on the right side of the Empyrean two thousand years before Allah
created Adam. In al-Amali by al-Mufid, the Prophet has said:
Allah, Most High, created the souls two thousand
years earlier, then the bodies attached it to the
Throne and ordered them to greet me and obey
me. So, the first one among men who greeted me
and expressed his obedience to me was the soul
of Ali.
In al-Kafi - Volume 1, Page 441, al-Kulayni reports that Abu Ja'far said:
O Muhammad! Verily God, the Blessed and
the Exalted, is ever unique in His Unity. Then
He created Muhammad, Ali and Fatima. They
remained for a thousand eons. Then He created all
the things and made them witness their creation
and decreed them to obey them, delegating their
affairs (i.e. of the creatures) to them. Hence they
permit whatever they will and forbid whatever
they will and they will not do anything, except
what God, the Exalted, wills.
Then he said, O Muhammad, whoever goes
beyond this creed transgresses the bounds
(of right doctrine) and whoever lags behind
perishes, and whoever adheres to it attains (to
the truth). So hold on to it, O Muhammad!
al-Sadiq, the sixth Shiite Infallible continues:
O Mufaddhal! We (the 14 Infallible) were with
our Lord and there was none else, except us in
the Green Shadow. We glorified Him, called Him
Holy and One and extolled Him. Besides us there
was neither any archangel nor any spirit, until
when it appeared to God to originate the creation.
Thereupon, He created whatever He willed and
howsoever He willed of the angels and the other
creatures. Then He gave the knowledge of that to
us.
In the Invocation of Adeelah:
We paid attention to him, believed in what he said,
and in the Holy Qur'an. You revealed to him, and
in his successor Ali, appointed by him on the day of
Ghadir, and identified in clear words, This is Ali.
I testify that there are pious Imams and righteous
successors, after the chosen Messenger, from Ali,
the one who subdues of infidels.
After him, his eldest son, Hasan bin Ali, thereafter
his brother, Husain, the grandson of the Messenger
of Allah, obedience unto whom is the will of Allah;
then Ali, the adorer of Allah (al-Sajjad), then
Muhammad, the treasure of knowledge (Baqir),
then Ja'far, the truthful (Sadiq), then Musa the
sagacious (Kadhim), then Ali the devoted (Ridha),
then Muhammad the pious (Taqi), then Ali an-
Naqi, then Hasan the gatherer (Askari).
Then, the awaited savior, evident argument and
established successor, my hope, because of whose
perpetuity, the world is going on; because of whose
blessings all living beings get their daily bread,
because of whose presence, the heaven and the
earth stay stable; and through him Allah will fill
the earth with equity and justice, when it is run
over with tyranny and oppression.
I bear witness that their words are decisive
arguments; to follow their example is obligatory,
to obey them is compulsory, to love them is
necessary (because it has been) preordained, to
take after them is sure salvation, to oppose them is
certain destruction.
They are the chiefs of the people of paradise,
effective helpers on the Day of Judgment, and
the best guides for the mankind, surely the best
approved successors.
I testify that death is certain, interrogation in the
grave is certain, raising of the dead is certain,
Sirat (the bridge over hell) is certain, Mizan (trail)
is certain, Hisab (accountability) is certain, the
Book (Qur'an) is true, Paradise is real, Hell is
real, and certainly there is no doubt in the hour of
resurrection. Verily Allah shall raise the dead from
their graves.
To provide further explanation that Ali was created in the form of light eons before
the entire creation, including all the Prophets; it is reported that Ali, besides the
Prophet, also experienced most of the heavenly journeys into the boundaries of
the universe that the Prophet made. And since the Prophet and Ali are from the
same Light, their stories of these sacred journeys would be the same, as in the case
of Me'raj, the physical Ascension mentioned clearly in Qur'an and explained in
earlier sections.
It is reported that when on the Night of Ascension, the Prophet visited the Kingdom
of Allah in the heavens. He told him,
Go and inform your followers what you have
seen here. The Prophet asked,
who would testify my statement? Allah replied,
Ali will testify. As noted earlier, Ali was also the only person to venture into other
worlds of the Jinn community and fight battles with the unbelievers and solve their
problems. Some of these narrations have been mentioned and some will be noted
later.
In many traditions, we have that from the light of Ali, many of the angels were
created. This is yet another explanation that the original existence of Ali is light, as
all angels are in the form of light. And since Allah confirms in Qur'an that angels
have been kept responsible for every-THING in the universe (including the counting
of rain-drops that have fallen on earth since its creation), Ali is far superior to
them and governs their knowledge and understanding. With his blessed powers,
he commands the whole universe and its governing laws, and he has the ability to
employ, alter and break these rules when he desires to, with the assistance from
Allah.
The Messenger of Allah once said:
Allah created seventy thousand angels from the
light of Ali's face. All they do is seek forgiveness
for him, for his Shia, and for those who love him
until the Day of Judgment.
(Ghayatul-Maram. Madinatul-Maajez. Khazrami
in Manaqib and in Maqt al-Husain, and several
others)
One of the main verses in Qur'an concerning the knowledge of Ali, and only Allah
and His Prophet can confirm such a high status of Ali:
.And everything We confined into a
Manifesting Guide.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 36, Verse 12)
Similar quotations can be observed in Chapters 2, 6 and 34, Verses 124, 59 and 3
in the Qur'an respectively. In most authentic traditions, this guide is Ali, and he
holds knowledge of the entire creation and such treasures of knowledge unknown
to mankind.
To possess such knowledge on the entire creation means Ali has had and continues
to have access to the entire creation, living and non-living, the tiniest atom's
energy (and the information within, its evolution) released from the parts, actions,
or experiences of EACH THING CREATED. This makes Ali a perfect resonator of
the different frequencies of energy released from each thing created, whether the
energy is positive and highly charged or low charged and blocked.
Ali once remarked to his followers:
If the forces of evil had exterminated the Qur'an,
not leaving a single verse, I would have even then
related every event that would happen till the Day
of Judgment.
It is reported by authentic historians that when the first verses of the chapter of Ha
Mim was revealed, Ali said to the people that all of the comings and goings in the
past, now and the present, and the future in creation has been amassed in these
letters and if not the following verse of Qur'an, I would have informed you of all
these happenings.
Allah effaces out or confirms what He
pleases; with Him is the Mother of the
Book.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 13, Verse 39)
In another authentic tradition, it is mentioned by al-Baqir (AS):
Among all the knowledge given to us by Allah is
the explanation and the commandments of the
Holy Qur'an and that we have also been given the
knowledge of the changes taking place in every
time and age or era. And he added, We used to
tell it whenever we found any writer who would
not reveal our secrets or to any such person who
could be informed of the secrets.
One final narration confirming the energy wholesomeness and ability to unify with
all creation (at the energy level), the Shia of Ali say in the Salutations of al-Jamia that
you (the Aimmah (AS) are witnesses over the entire creation. Earlier, al-
Majlisi was even quoted with such an explanation.
Verses from the Qur'an that the Prophet will bear witness over the entire creation
on the Day of Judgment do exist. Ali, Fatima and the remaining perfect 12 will do
the same. Dr. Bahmanpour explains further that some of these powers were also
gifted to Prophets and Prophet Isa (AS) used to tell his followers that I can see
what you eat (past, present and future meals), what you do even when I am not
with you.
Dr. Bahmanpour (Senior Islamic Lecturer at the Islamic College for Islamic Studies in the UK - 2005) says that Ali, and the Aimmah have been endowed with great
powers and knowledge so as to unify with the entire creation and are able to see
and report of all actions, and this is the only way for them to be able to bear witness
over our actions, and so can every THING in this universe.
We narrated earlier how our actions reach the 12th Imam (AS) every week. Imam Ali (AS) used to say that I am going to witness over your actions. No doubt, in Sunni
and Shia traditions, Ali has been termed as -
one who will distribute Heaven and
Hell.
Continuing with the Salutations of al-Jamia, the followers of Ali remark -
our
accounts (on the Final Day) are with you, you will be our judge, and our final
destination is with you (the Aimmah (AS) and then Allah (SWT).
The Birth of Ali Signifies His Eternal Energy Purity
Authentic reports narrate an incident wherein Sasa'a asked Ali in his deathbed,
Who is superior, you or Prophet Isa? Ali said:
I am superior, for when Maryam became pregnant
by the Grace of Allah, and the time of her delivery
approached, a revelation was granted to her, Leave this holy House for this is a House for
prayers, not a place for the delivery of children. Accordingly, she left the holy House and went to
the wilderness where she gave birth to Isa.
But when my mother, Fatima, daughter of al-
Asad, felt labor pains within the precincts of the
Ka'bah, she clung to the wall and prayed to Allah
in the name of that House and the builder of that
House, to lessen her pain. Soon a fissure appeared
in the wall, and my mother heard a mysterious
voice telling her, O Fatima! Enter the House of
the Ka'bah. She went in, and I was born inside of
the Ka'bah.
With regards to walls and their living nature and consciousness, we have explained
that even walls have the ability to respond to prayers and commands. In Tafsir
Ayyashi, Abu Sabah quotes al-Sadiq (AS), I asked him about the words,
There is not a thing but glorifies His Praise.
and he said:
Everything Praises God and the gaps we see in
the wall are those praises of God.
The birth of Ali took place in Makkah, inside the Grand Mosque of Allah, the Ka'bah.
He was the only one gifted with such a blessing. We have noted earlier that Makkah
remains one of the most sanctified cities in the world and polytheists and non-
Muslims are not permitted to even visit Makkah, as per the ruling of Allah (SWT),
the Most Sublime. Atheists and even unclean Muslims are not permitted inside the
vicinity of the
Mosque of al-Haram. al-Khumeini in his book The Disciplines of
the Prayer confirms that leading a life of a polytheist, disobeying the commands set
by Allah, leading a sinful life and so forth lead to un-cleanliness at different levels
and requires ablution with water that will eventually cleanse the person at those
specific levels already mentioned.
According to al-Majlisi (1627), the entire vicinity of the Ka'bah (and maybe the
whole city) should be considered a mosque and the reason why we have so many
restrictions. Hunting, uprooting plants, war, shedding of blood, urinating or
defecating facing the Ka'bah, and so many other acts that have the ability to induce
blockages in the universal energy field surrounding the Ka'bah are also forbidden
near the vicinity of this House of Allah on earth. Apparently, the command to
Prophets of Allah was to forbid these acts even in the sacred city of Jerusalem.
Besides the general respect, reverence and power given to the Ka'bah, the visits by
the most purified Infallible and clean Muslims, unlimited numbers of angels and
many Prophets of Allah have circumambulated the Ka'bah, keeping the House at
a higher vibratory rate. It is said that 300 Prophets of Allah have been buried near
al-Ka'bah and since there are no reports that these Prophets resided in Makkah,
it stands out to reason that these blessed individuals were ordered to visit, and
perform circumambulation of the Ka'bah, raising and sanctifying the energy
surrounding this House of Allah.
Archangel Jibraeel (AS) once informed Prophet Adam (AS) that he also performed
the circumambulation of this holy House 300 years before him. And since angels
are pure energy, the rates of frequencies of the energy fields within the Ka'bah
would most certainly increase in abundance from such visits. The Prophet (S)
narrates:
Allah has not created any creation greater in
number than the angels. Everyday seventy
thousand different angels come down to do Tawaf
around Bayt al-Ma'mur. Then they come down
and do Tawaf around the Ka'bah, after which
they go to the grave of the Prophet (S) and say
Salaam to him. Then they go to the grave of the
Commander of the Believers, Ali Ibn Abi Talib
(AS) to say Salaam to him, after which they go to
the grave of Husain (AS) and say Salaam to him,
and then they ascend back to the heavens. This
will continue until the Day of Judgment. (Bayt
al-Ma'mur - the Qiblah of the inhabitants of the
skies. It is in the fourth sky, exactly on top of the
Ka'bah - Biharul-Anwar - Volume 18, Pages 285-
350)
About Bayt al-Ma'mur (the House above al-Ka'bah), the scholars have remarked
that Allah once distanced a multitude of Archangels from the Arsh (Throne) as
far as the distance of five hundred years. They gathered around it and pointed
at it with their fingers, whereupon the Lord looked mercifully at them and set up
for them the Ma'mur House and said to them, Circle around it, leave the Throne
alone. So they circled it, and it is the House entered every day by seventy thousand
angels who never return to it. Allah, therefore , made the Ma'mur House for
the repentance of the residents of the heavens, then He made the Ka'bah for the
repentance of the residents of the earth.
About the greatness of al-Ka'bah (on earth and in Paradise), Ali himself says inNahjul-Balagha:
He selected from among His creation those
who on listening to His call responded to it and
testified His word. They stood in the position
of His Prophets and resembled His angels who
surround the Divine Throne securing all the
benefits of performing His worship and hastening
towards His promised forgiveness. Allah the
glorified made it (His sacred House) an emblem
for Islam and an object of respect for those who
turn to it. He made obligatory its pilgrimage
and laid down its claim for which He held you
responsible to discharge it.
(Peak of Eloquence - Sermon 1)
We have noted earlier that the first land to re-surface when the earth was born
is the land that houses the Ka'bah, and so Ali also had the honor of being born in
the first and foremost house on earth, first built by Prophet Adam after the earth
was created. Since then, Allah ordered all the Prophets to revere it and maintain
its purity. It stands to reason, therefore, the Ka'bah is most likely the first nonmaterial
witness on the Day of Judgment of all the actions and histories that
transpired in the world. We have also explained earlier that the first human to
witness all actions will be the Prophet as his creation is the first compared to the
creation of the WHOLE universe and it's tiniest of contents.
The Ka'bah in Makkah also remains one of or the most
electrically vibrant structures on this earth, for the fact that millions of Muslims worldwide direct their
attention and energy to the Ka'bah daily during their prayer and other activities,
and absorb the same. This has been extensively explored. Moreover, the higher
source and intelligent energy the Ka'bah draws from the higher (straight-ahead)
Bayt al-Ma'mur in Paradise (the Ka'bah in Paradise) should also be considered
and forms part of the energy system surrounding the Ka'bah and what is released
from it.
Billions of Muslims worldwide visit the Ka'bah several times during their lives.
And, when Muslims visit the Ka'bah, their energy remains at the highest rate of
vibration since they visit and circulate the Ka'bah only in ablution and physical
purity. Spiritual purity is also encouraged. The circulating energy is thus desirable.
These people have so many restrictions that even lawful sexual relations with one's
wife are not permitted during those three sacred days. Other restrictions are to
avoid war and shedding of blood, to avoid producing evil thoughts and images,
and so many others that may compromise one's energy and reduce its level of
vibration.
Allah has made the approach and handling of the Ka'bah as perfect and absolute
since time immemorial - as the first House on this earth. The Kiswah (cloth, with
specific divine writings wrapped around al-Ka'bah, and Bayt al-Ma'mur (Ka'bah
in Paradise) above the Ka'bah adds to the unlimited and eternal energy purity of
this House. No wonder, the Ka'bah has been rightly termed the
House of Guidance
and whosoever approaches it or directs himself towards it shall gain from it. It is
considered as the most blessed house on earth.
If Allah (SWT) is so protective and does not wish the slightest of disturbance or
compromise to the energy circulating the environment of the Ka'bah, then
the only
person born inside the Ka'bah, and who lived in this House of Allah (SWT) for
three consecutive days must be physically and spiritually perfect and cleansed at
all levels. This person blessed with eternal purity is Ali (AS), son of Abu Talib.
It is reported that even the birth of Ali had to be perfect, for Allah (SWT) would
not have allowed impurity (as a result of the birthing process) inside the Ka'bah,
a mosque wherein even the minutest of impurity is not allowed. This is applicable
in all mosques, and the Grand Mosque is even more applicable. Once a companion
of the Prophet requested him to allow him to give water to the pilgrims near the
Ka'bah and the Prophet replied - Allah does not prefer such an act. It seems that
Allah would not even allow drips of water from people's mouth to spill near the
Ka'bah.
al-Bazzar records on the authority of Sa'd, that the Apostle of God said to Ali,
It is not lawful for anyone to be in the mosque, while under the obligation of
performing a total ablution, except for me and for you. This tradition in itself
signifies further eternal purity in Ali, physical, spiritual and in terms of energy.
When Ali was about to be born, his blessed mother Fatima approached the Ka'bah
and it is reported by observers and historians that the walls of the Ka'bah instantly
cleaved into half and a passage was made. The mother of Ali spent three nights and
three days inside the Ka'bah and Ali was born.
We have mentioned before with significant scientific indications concerning rocks
and their ability to listen, learn and transform. The tradition below would not be
out of place here.
al-Taba Tabai quotes the following tradition in Light within Me, that Ammar Yasir
(AR) narrated,
I came to my Master Ali (AS) one day and he
recognized feelings of sadness in me. So he said, What's wrong? I said, A debt, which the debtor
came to claim. So he pointed to a rock and said, Take this and pay your debt off from it. So Ammar
said, but it's a rock. So Amirul-Mu'mineen (AS)
said, Call upon Allah (SWT) by my name, He will
turn it (the rock) into gold for you. Ammar (AR) said, So I called upon Allah (SWT)
by His name and it became soft, and I took what
I needed from it. Then he said, Call upon Allah
(SWT) by my name to make the rest of the rock
as it was.
The above incident explains how Ali relates with Inanimate (in particular, rock)
structures - his communication with gold (and that he divorced it) has been
mentioned.
On a separate note, we have noted earlier that the walls of Makkah even cried in
sadness after the event that took place in Karbala and al-Husain and his children
were martyred for the sake of Islam, and that walls respond to one's prayers as
well.
These narrations make it clear to understand the communication - at the energy
level - between Ali as an infant in the womb, and the walls of the Ka'bah.
Moreover, there was no impurity normally associated with giving birth as Allah
would never allow impurity inside the Ka'bah, the Grand Mosque in this entire
universe. Clearly, there was a relationship between Ali, his body and soul, the light
inside his mother's womb and the walls of the Ka'bah. The walls having observed
the presence of Ali and his mother cleaved and made a passage for the mother of
Ali to pass.
Authentic reports narrate that just before delivery, part of the (lady Fatima,
daughter of Asad, mother of Ali) discourse addressing Allah and the Ka'bah was:
I was forever a believing women, I believe in the
Prophet Muhammad (whose Prophethood was
declared a decade later, but she was well aware of
it), I believed in all other Prophets; on behalf of
the baby inside my womb who has already been
born (in the form of light) and who talks to me
mysterious things and happenings, and on behalf
of this baby who is a sign amongst your many
signs, and a sign of Your Oneness,
and instantly, the walls of the Ka'bah cleaved apart. Fatima, the mother of Ali
expected this by proceeding into the House and was not afraid as would any other
human being.
After delivery, the mother of Ali came out the same way after the walls cleaved once
again and remarked the following:
I was chosen amongst the entire creation, and Allah has made me better than the
most revered ladies like Maryam and Asiya. This is because I have had the privilege
to give birth inside the House of Allah. I also stayed in for three nights and days
and I was fed with food that was brought directly from Paradise.
After the three days and on my decision, I decided
to leave the Ka'bah and I heard the following from
the Most High - that Allah kept the young boy's
name Ali (High) as Allah is the Most High; Ali will
have the same character as Allah has and desires;
Ali will destroy all the idols in the Ka'bah. I
(Allah) have made Ali the benefactor of the entire
creation in the entire universe and every creature
who has a request to make to Me or invoke Me has
to come through Ali; Ali is the guide and leader of
the entire creation; Ali is the one who will closely
assist the Prophet in his mission; love of Ali will
win Paradise, and hate of Ali will be the cause for
one to taste the fire of Hell.
(Abdul Hakeem, 1999)
Also, it is reported in another tradition that people saw Fatima, daughter of Asad
(AS), mother of the Commander of the Believers (AS), come close to the Ka'bah.
She was nine months pregnant with him and she was in labor.
Fatima bint Asad (AS) said:
O Allah! I believe in you. I believe in what You
sent to Your Messengers. I believe in Your books.
I believe in the message of my grandfather,
Ibrahim al-Khaleel, and the one who built Your
house. I ask You through the right of the one who
built this house and through the right of the baby
that I am carrying to make my labor easy.
Then we saw the wall of the Ka'bah open from the rear. Fatima bint Asad (AS)
entered the Ka'bah and she disappeared with the wall closing behind her. We
tried to open the door of the Ka'bah but failed. We then understood that this was
a miracle.
After four days she came out of the Ka'bah with the Commander of the Believers
in her arms and said:
I have a higher status than all of the women before
me because Asiya bint Mozahim worshipped Allah
secretly in a place that was not recommended to
worship Allah except when necessary; Maryam
bint Imran shook a dry palm tree and ate from its
fresh ripe dates, but I entered the Holy House of
Allah and I ate from the food of Paradise.
When I wanted to come out, a caller called me
and said, O Fatima! Name him Ali because he is
Ali (High) and Allah is Ali al-A'la (The Highest).
Allah tells you, I derived his name from My name.
I educated him with My manners, and I taught
him My most obscure knowledge.
He is the one that will break the idols in My
house, and he is the one that will give the ADHAN
(announcement), sanctifying and glorifying Me
on the roof of the Ka'bah. Bliss and happiness be
on those who love him and follow him, and woe
unto those who hate him and disobey him.
(Ilal al-Sharae by Saduq. Maani al-Akhbar. Amali.
Biharul-Anwar)
During the delivery of Ali, his father Abu Talib cautioned all the people and said
that this child will be the successor of the Prophet and that one will not be satisfied
with his life if he or she does not believe in Ali.
Most certainly, the Prophet (S) said:
O Ali! You are like the Ka'bah. People should
come to you and you should not go to them. So if
these people come to you and ask you to govern
them, accept their request. But if they do not, do
not go to them until they go to Allah.
(Biharul-Anwar)
MORE on Greatness of Ali
In a tradition, quoted by more than 15 narrators, the prophet (S) said that - Jibraeel
(AS) once told me:
Ali is the best human being. Those who deny this
are unbelievers.
(Biharul-Anwar. Ghayatul-Maram. Uyun Akhbar
al-Ridha)
The Messenger of Allah said:
No one has a higher status than Ali Ibn Abi Talib
except me. He is the Imam of my nation, he is my
heir, and he is my successor. Those who follow
him are guided to the right path; those who follow
anyone other than him are lost and have strayed
off the right path.
Indeed, I am the chosen prophet. I do not say this
about Ali from my own inclination. What I say is
nothing but revelation brought by Jibraeel from
Allah, who owns everything in the skies and in
the earth, and whatever is between the skies and
the earth, and whatever is under the earth.
(Ghayatul-Maram. Kanzul-Ummal. Biharul-
Anwar)
He further said:
Ali is God's best creation after me. Hasan and
Husain are the Masters of the Youth of Paradise,
and their father enjoys an even higher status than
them, and Fatima is the Mistress of all of the
Worlds' Women.
(Saduq in Khisal. Bihar. Ibn Shahr Ahub in Manaqib. Maani al-Akhbar and several other
references)
Finally,
Ali to me is like my skin; he is like my flesh; he is
like my bones; and he is like the blood that flows
in my veins.
Ali is my brother, my heir, my caliph, he repays
my debts, and he fulfills my commitments.
Ali is my replacement in the world when I die.
(Ghayatul-Maram)
The Commander of the Believers (AS) said,
I was sitting in Ruhbah and people
were sitting around me. Then someone stood up and said,
O Commander of the
Believers! It is Allah that has made your status so low, and your father will be
tortured in Hell.
I replied:
Be quiet! May Allah shut your mouth! I swear
to Allah, who sent Muhammad (S) as a prophet,
that if my father intercedes for all of the sinners
on earth Allah will accept it.
How can my father be in Hell, while I, his son, am
the one who divides between Paradise and Hell?
I swear to Allah who sent Muhammad (S) as the
prophet, my father's light on the Day of Judgment
exceeds the light of all creatures except the light of
five lights: the light of Muhammad (S), my (Imam
Ali's) light, the light of Fatima, the light of Hasan
and Husain, and the light of the Imams from the
sons of Husain.
Beware that the light of Abu Talib is from our
lights. Allah created his light two thousand years
before He created Adam.
(Amali of Tusi. Burhan. Biharul-Anwar. Ihtijaj.
Ta'weel al-Ayat)
In Anwar al-Numaniyya, Tafseer al-Qummi, al-Amali of Saduq, the Messenger of
Allah (S) is reported to have said:
O people! Who can be a better speaker and
more truthful in speaking than Allah?
O people! Your Lord, Allah, has ordered me to
appoint Ali as the flag, Imam, successor, and
caliph for you. He ordered me to choose Ali as
my minister and my brother.
O people! Ali is the door of guidance after me.
Ali is the caller to Allah after me; he is the most
righteous one of the believer, and who is better
in speech than he who calls to Allah and does
good and says:
Verily I am (one) of the Muslims.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 41, Verse 33)
O people! Ali is from me. His sons are my sons
and he is the husband of my love.
Ali's orders are my orders, and his prohibition
is my prohibition.
O people! Obey Ali and abstain from disobeying
him, because obeying Ali is obeying me, and
disobeying Ali is disobeying me.
O people! Ali is the most truthful one in this
nation. Ali is the separator of right from wrong
and Ali is the narrator of hadith in this nation.
Ali is the Harun of this nation, Ali is the Yusha'
of this nation, Ali is the Asif of this nation and
he is Sham'un of this nation. (Harun was the
brother and minister of Musa. Yusha was the
successor of Musa, Asif was the successor of
Suleiman. Sham'un was the successor of Isa).
Ali is the door of sustenance for this nation, Ali
is the ark of survival for this nation. Ali is the
Talut (Talut here means the commander. For
more information, refer to the Qur'an 2:247-
249) of this nation and he is the Dhul Qarnain
(the owner of two branches, that is, Imam Hasan
(AS) and Imam Husain (AS) of this nation.
O people! Ali is the trial of the creatures. He
is the greatest decisive argument, the greatest
sign of Allah, the Imam of the inhabitants of the
world, and the strongest handhold.
O people! Verily, Ali is with HAQQ and HAQQ
is with Ali and (HAQQ is) on his tongue.
O people! Ali is the divider of Hell. His friends
will not enter it, and his enemies will not
survive.
O people! Ali is the divider of Paradise. His
enemies will not enter it, and his friends will
not be prevented from entering it.
O my companions! I have advised you and I
have conveyed the message of my Lord to you,
but you do not like the advisors.
I said all of this, and I seek forgiveness for
myself and for you.
When the Commander of the Believers, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) came back from the
Battle of Nahrwan to Kufa, he heard that Muawiya had been cursing and insulting
him, and was killing his followers. So he gave a speech in which he started by
praising Allah and by sending Salawat to the Prophet (S). He mentioned the
blessings that Allah had bestowed on His Prophet and on him.
Then he said,
If it was not for this verse in the Qur'an. I would not mention what
I am about to say. Allah says:
Keep recounting (make mention of) the
bounties of your Lord.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 93, Verse 11)
O Allah, praise is only for You for Your countless
blessings and Your unforgettable favors.
O people! I have heard the news (of Muawiya's
behavior) and I can see that my death is
approaching and that you are ignoring my
status.
O people! I leave behind that which the Prophet
(S) left for you, the Qur'an and my family,
which is the family of the Guide to Survival, the
last of the prophets, and the Master of Nobility,
Prophet Muhammad (S).
O people! You will not hear this after me except
from a liar.
I am the brother of the Messenger of Allah (S) and his cousin.
I am the sword of his revenge and his pillar of intense strength and
support.
I am the round molar of Hell and I am its fierce teeth.
I am the supporter of orphans.
I am the taker of souls.
I am Allah's strength that cannot be suppressed.
I am the disputer of wrong.
I am the killer of knights.
I am the destroyer of KUFR (disbelief).
I am the son-in-law of the best of all creations.
I am the master of all of the successors and I am the heir of the best of the
prophets.
I am the door of the city of knowledge.
I am the keeper of the knowledge of the Messenger of Allah (S) and I am
his heir.
I am the husband of Batul (a woman who is never in the state of menses),
the Master of All of the Worlds' Women, Fatima, the pure, the pious, the
guided, the benevolent, the love of the love of Allah (the Prophet (S), the
best of his progeny, and the flower of the Messenger of Allah (S). His
(Prophet) grandsons are the best of grandsons and my sons are the best of
sons.
Is there anyone who can deny this? Where are the
Muslims who believe in Qur'an?
My name in the Bible is ILIYA, in the Torah is
BARI, and in the Psalter is ERI. Indians know
my name as KABEER, Romans know me as
BIT'RISA, Persians know me as JUBEIR, Turks
know me as TABIR, blacks know me as HEYTAR,
priests know me as BUSI, Abyssinians know me
as BITRIK, my mother knows me as HAYDARA,
my nurse knows me as MAYMOUN, Arabs know
me as ALI, Armenians know me as FAREEQ and
my father knows me as DHAHEER.
Beware that I am the special one in the Qur'an
with many names. Do not change these or you
will loose your religion.
Allah says - Fear Allah and be with the
truthful ones (al-Qur'an - Chapter 9, Verse
119). I am the truthful one.
I am the muazzin in this life and in the Hereafter,
as Allah says - Then a muazzin between them will
say - The curse of Allah be on the unjust (al-Qur'an - Chapter 7, Verse 44). I am that
muazzin.
And Allah says - An announcement from
Allah and His Messenger (al-Qur'an - Chapter
9, Verse 3). I am that announcement.
And Allah says - Verily Allah is with those
who do good (al-Qur'an - Chapter 29, Verse
69). I am the one who does good.
And Allah says - Verily there is a reminder
in this for whosoever has a heart. (al-Qur'an
- Chapter 50, Verse 37). I am the one who has a
heart.
And Allah says - Those who remember Allah
standing, sitting, and reclining (al-Qur'an
- Chapter 3, Verse 191). I am the one who
remembers.
And Allah says - On the heights shall be men
who know them all by their marks (al-
Qur'an - Chapter 7, Verse 46). Those men are my
uncle (Hamza), my brother (Ja'far), my cousin
(the Prophet S), and I.
I swear to Allah, the Creator of seeds, that Hell
will not touch any of our lovers, and none of those
who hate us will enter Paradise.
Allah says - He created man from water, and
made for him a relationship and son-inlaw (al-Qur'an - Chapter 25, Verse 54). I am the
son-in-law.
Allah says - It might be retained by the
retaining ears (al-Qur'an - Chapter 69, Verse
12). I am the retaining ear.
Allah says - A man wholly belonging to one
man (al-Qur'an - Chapter 39, Verse 29). I am
that man for the Prophet (S).
Mahdi is from my sons.
I have been made your test. The hypocrite is
exposed through his hatred for me, and Allah
tests the believers with my love.
The Prophet (S) promised me, O Ali, no one loves
you but a believer, and no one hates you but a
hypocrite.
I am the owner of the flag of the Prophet (S) in
this life and in the Hereafter.
On the Day of Judgment, the Messenger of Allah
(S) will precede me, and I will precede my Shia. I
swear to Allah that none of my Shia will be thirsty
and none of them will be scared (on the Day of
Judgment).
I have authority on my Shia, and Allah has
authority on me.
Those who love me, love someone who loves
Allah. Those who hate me, hate someone who
hates Allah.
I have heard that Muawiya has insulted and cursed
me! O Allah! Increase Your punishment on him
and descend the curse on the one who deserves it,
Amin. O Lord of the Worlds, Lord of Ismail, and
the Sender of Ibrahim, You are Glorious.
Then he (Imam Ali AS) came down from the platform and he never addressed the
public like that again for the rest of his life, which came to an end when Ibn Muljim
(may Allah's curse be on him) killed him.
(Maani al-Akhbar)
The Prophet has said that Allah honored me with five virtues and Allah honored
Ali with five virtues:
Allah gave me the knowledge of everything and gave Ali the knowledge of
everything.
Allah appointed me as a Prophet and appointed Ali as the successor.
Allah gave me the river of Kauthar and gave Ali the river of Salsabil.
They shall be given to drink there of a cup
tempered with ginger from a spring by the
name of Salsabil.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 76, Verses 17-18)
Allah gave me the revelation and gave Ali the inspiration.
Allah took me to Me'raj and Allah opened the doors of the skies for Ali and
removed all the covers, so Ali could see me and I could see him while I was
in Me'raj.
Once, the Messenger of Allah (S) started crying. So I (Ibn Abbas) asked him, Why
are you crying, O Messenger of Allah? May I sacrifice my father and mother for
you. The Prophet (S) replied:
O Ibn Abbas! On the night of Me'raj, the first
thing that Allah told me was, O Muhammad, look
down.
So I looked down, and I saw the doors of the skies
were open and all of the covers were removed. I
could see Ali and he was looking up at me. Ali
spoke me and I spoke to Ali. Then Allah spoke
to me.
So I (Ibn Abbas) asked, What did Allah say to
you?
The Prophet (S) replied, Allah said to me:
O Muhammad! I have assigned to Ali as your
successor, your minister, and your caliph after
you. So let Ali know because he can hear you. So
I told Ali what Allah had ordered me to say.
Ali replied, I have accepted this position and I
will obey.
Then Allah ordered all of the angels to say Salaam
to Ali, and they all did. Ali replied to their Salaam,
and I saw that the angels were pleased that Ali
had replied to their Salaam.
I did not pass by any angel who did not
congratulate me and say, O Muhammad! We
swear by Allah, who sent you as a Messenger,
that all of the angels became happy when Allah
appointed your cousin, Ali.
Then I saw the carriers of the Throne lowering
their heads toward the earth.
So I asked Jibraeel, Why are the carriers of the
throne lowering their heads toward the earth?
Jibraeel replied, All of the angels were honored
by looking at the face of Ali except the carriers
of the Throne. Now they have asked permission
from Allah to look at his face and Allah granted
them permission.
Then when I came down from Me'raj I was
telling Ali about what had happened, but it was
Ali who was telling me about everything that had
happened. So I knew that I had not stepped foot
anywhere without it being uncovered for Ali and
without Ali seeing it.
Then I (Ibn Abbas) said,
O Messenger of Allah! Advise me.
The Messenger of Allah (S) said,
O Ibn Abbas! I advise you to love Ali Ibn Abi
Talib.
I (Ibn Abbas) said to him,
Give me some other advice.
The Messenger of Allah (S) said:
I advise you to love Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
I swear by Allah who sent me as a prophet, that Allah will not accept the
good deeds of any slave without first questioning him about his love for Ali
Ibn Abi Talib, and Allah knows the truth.
So if the slave had the Wilayat, Allah will accept all of the deeds of that
slave, despite his shortcomings.
If the slave did not have the Wilayat, Allah will not question him about
anything else and will order him to be taken to Hell.
O Ibn Abbas! I swear by Allah, who sent me as a
prophet, that Hell is harsher on those who hate
Ali than it is on those who believe Allah had a
son.
O Ibn Abbas! Even if all of the high-ranked angels
and all of the prophets hated Ali, which they do
not, Allah would torture them in Hell.
So I asked the Prophet (S),
Is there anyone who hates Ali?
The Prophet (A) replied:
Yes, some people who think they are from my
nation hate him and they have nothing to do with
Islam. One of the signs of those who hate Ali is
that they elevate people who are lower than Ali,
above Ali.
O Ibn Abbas! I swear by Allah who sent me as
a prophet that Allah did not send any prophet
more honorable in His eyes than me, and Allah
did not appoint any successor more honorable in
His eyes than my successor, Ali.
Ibn Abbas narrates that he continued loving Ali (AS) just as the Prophet (S) had
ordered and advised him, and that this was his most important deed.
Ibn Abbas further narrates that he went to visit the Prophet (S) on his death bed
and said to him,
May I sacrifice my father and mother for you, O Messenger of
Allah! Your death has approached, so what do you command me to do?
The Prophet (S) replied,
Be against those who are against Ali. Do not support
them or associate with them.
I asked him,
Why don't you order people not to be against Ali (AS)?
The Prophet (S) started crying until he fainted. When he woke up he said:
O Ibn Abbas! Allah knows them (those who are
against Ali (AS). O Ibn Abbas! I swear by Allah
who sent me as a prophet that none of those who
hate Ali or ignore his rights will leave this world
without first being disgraced.
O Ibn Abbas! If you want to meet Allah while He
is pleased with you, follow the path of Ali Ibn Abi
Talib. Turn when he turns and accept Ali as your
Imam. Be the enemy of his enemies, and be the
friend of his friends.
O Ibn Abbas! Beware of having doubts about Ali,
because doubt about Ali is Kufr to Allah.(Amali of Tusi. Biharul-Anwar. Ta'wil al-Ayat)
Allamah Taba Tabai, one of the most revered scholars and author of al-Mizan -
Qur'an Exegesis, quotes al-Ihtijaj:
I adjure you by Allah; do you know that Ali was the first among the companions of
the Messenger of Allah (S) to forbid the desires to himself; then Allah revealed:
O You Who Believe! Do not forbid
(yourselves) the good things which Allah
has made lawful for you.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 5, Verse 87)
Jabir, son of Abdullah al-Ansari reports a tradition that the great al-Mufid (author
of more than 190 books and treatises) writes in his book al-Amali, the angel Jibraeel
(AS) descended unto the Prophet, and said:
Allah commands you to address the people around you, informing them about the
excellence of Ali, son of Abu Talib (AS) and has commanded all the angels to listen
to what you will say. And He reveals to you that whoever will oppose you about his
affair, he shall enter Hell fire, and Paradise is for him who obeys you.
Then, the Prophet caused the announcement,
(join) the congregational prayers. People assembled and the Prophet climbed the pulpit and commenced first by
saying,
I seek refuge from Shaytan, the condemned and I begin in the Name of
Allah, Most Merciful. Then he said:
O People! I am the bringer of good tidings and
I am the Warner. I am the Prophet, born in
Ummul-Qura. I am now conveying to you, from
Allah, Most High, about a man whose flesh is from
my flesh and whose blood is from my blood; he
is treasure-house of the knowledge and he is the
one who Allah has selected from this community,
chosen him, befriended him and guided.
Allah created me and him from one essence and
blessed me with the Prophethood and blessed him
with the task of purveying on my behalf. He made
me city of the knowledge and made him its gate.
He made him a treasurer of the knowledge and
the source from whom divine laws are received.
He blessed him with specific divine appointment,
made clear his position, forewarned against
animosity to him and made affection towards
him obligatory, enjoining all people to obey him.
And He, Most High, says:
Whoever hates him, hates Me and whoever
befriends him, befriends Me. Whoever rises
against him, rises against Me and whoever
opposes him, opposes Me. Whoever disobeys
him, disobeys Me and whoever harms him, harms
Me. Whoever despises him, despises Me. And
whoever loves him, loves Me and whoever obeys
him, obeys Me.
Whoever pleases him, pleases Me and whoever
protects him, protects Me. Whoever fights him,
fights Me and whoever helps him, helps Me.
Whoever intends foul against him, does so against
Me and whoever plots against him, plots against
Me.
O People! Listen to my command and obey it.
For I warn you against the severe punishment
by Allah. On the Day when every soul will find
present before it every good deed it has done; and
whatever evil it has done, it will wish that there
be between it and the evil it has done, a great
distance. And Allah cautions you of Himself.
Then he took Amirul-Mu'mineen (Ali) and said, O people! This is the Master of the Believers and
the Annihilator of the Infidels and the Proof of
Allah to all mankind. O Allah! I have indeed
conveyed and they are your servants. And You
are able to reform them so reform them by Your
mercy, O Most Merciful.
Then he came down from the pulpit and the Angel
Jibraeel came unto him saying, O Muhammad,
Allah sends you Peace and says:
May Allah reward you best for having conveyed.
You have indeed conveyed the message from
your Sustainer and given your community the
correct advice. You have pleased the faithful and
constrained the infidels. O Muhammad, your
cousin will be stricken with affliction and because
of him, some will be surely tried. And those who do
wrong shall soon come to know what punishment
awaits them.
Abdullah, son of Umar reports from Umar Ibn al-Khattab who said that we asked
the Messenger of Allah about the status of Ali. The Prophet replied angrily:
What is wrong with you people, asking me
about someone to whom Allah has given a rank
and position as high as mine, except for the
Prophethood!
Beware! Those who love Ali love me, and those
who love me please Allah, and Allah rewards
them with Paradise.
Beware! The angels seek forgiveness for those
who love Ali. The gates of Paradise are open for
them, and they will enter from any door they
choose without being questioned.
Beware! Allah will give those who love Ali their
book (of deeds) in their right hand, and their
questioning (on the Day of Judgment) is an
easy questioning; it is like the questioning of the
prophets.
Beware! Those who love Ali will not leave this
world without first drinking from the Pool of
Kauthar, eating from the tree of Tuba, and seeing
their place in Paradise.
Beware! Allah eases the death process of those
who love Ali, and makes their graves a garden
from the gardens of Paradise.
Beware! Allah gives those who love Ali one HUR,
for each vein in their body. They (those who
love Ali) will intercede for eighty of their family
members and Allah will give them one city in
Paradise for every hair on their body.
Beware! Allah sends the angel of death to those
who know and love Ali in the same way He does
to the prophets. He removes the terror of Munkar
and Nakeer; He lights their graves and makes it
(their graves) as big as seventy light years; and
He raises them on the Day of Judgment with their
faces shining brightly.
Beware! Allah places those who love Ali under
the shade of His Throne with the company of the
truthful, the martyrs, and the virtuous. They are
safe from the great and the loud terrors on the
Day of Judgment.
Beware! The good deeds of those who love Ali
are accepted and their sins are forgiven. They
will be in Paradise in the company of Hamza (the
Prophet's uncle), the Master of the Martyrs.
Beware! Allah places wisdom in the hearts of
those who love Ali; Allah places truth on their
tongues; and Allah opens the doors of His mercy
to them.
Beware! Earth is the prison of those who love Ali
and Allah will free them. Allah boasts about them
to His angels and to those who carry His Throne.
Beware! An angel will call on those who love Ali
from under Allah's Throne and say, O Allah's
servant, carry on because all of your sins have
been forgiven.
Beware! On the Day of Judgment, the faces
of those who love Ali will be shining like a full
moon.
Beware! Allah will place the crown of dignity on
the heads of those who love Ali and they will wear
the suit of glory.
Beware! Those who love Ali will pass the bridge
with the speed of light and will not feel the
difficulty associated with passing.
Beware! Allah writes a guarantee (of protection)
from Hell to those who love Ali, and a pass for the
bridge and a guarantee (of protection) from the
torture.
Beware! The book of those who love Ali will not be
published and they (those who love Ali) will not
be measured; they will be told to enter Paradise
without judgment.
Beware! Those who love the family of the Prophet
are secure from the calculation, the scale, and the
bridge.
Beware! Angels shake hands with those who die
with the love of the family of the Prophet. The
souls of the prophets come to visit them and Allah
fulfills all of their requests.
Beware! Those who die hating the family of the
Prophet die as unbelievers.
Beware! Those who die with the love of the family
of the Prophet die with faith, and I guarantee
Paradise for them.
Beware! Those who die hating the family of the
Prophet will have the following written between
their eyes on the Day of Judgment, excluded from
the Mercy of Allah.
Beware! Those who die hating the family of the
Prophet will not even smell the fragrance of
Paradise.
Beware! Those who die hating the family of the
Prophet will come out of their graves with black
faces.
(Biharul-Anwar. Ghayatul-Maram. Fadhail al-
Shia. Ta'wil al-Ayat. Tabari in Bisharatul-Mustafa.
Arbaeen al-Khozayee)
From Tawus, Ibn Abbas says:
After the Prophet led the ASR Salat (prayers), he stood up and said,
Those of
you who love me and love my family, follow me. So we all followed him until we
reached the house of Fatima. The Prophet knocked on the door and Ali came out of
the house. His hands were stained with clay.
The Prophet said to him,
O Abal Hasan, tell the people what you saw yesterday. Ali said:
Yes, O Prophet, May I ransom my mother and
father for you. It was DHUHR Salat time and I
wanted to do Wudhu but I had no water. So I sent
Hasan and Husain to get water, but they took a
long time. Then I heard a voice calling me and
saying, O Abal Hasan look to your right. So I
looked and there was a pot hanging made of gold,
filled with water that was whiter than ice, sweeter
than honey, and it had the fragrance of a rose.
Then I did Wudhu from that water and I drank a
little from it. Then I put one drop (of this water)
on my head and I felt the coolness of this drop in
my heart.
Then the Prophet asked,
Do you know where this pot was from? Al replied, Allah
and His Messenger know better. The Prophet said:
The pot was from the pots of Paradise and the
water was from the river of Kauthar. That one
drop (you put on your head) was from under the
Throne of Allah.
Then the Prophet hugged Ali and kissed his forehead and said to him,
O my love,
Jibraeel was your servant yesterday. You have a great position and status in
Allah's eyes.
(Ghayatul-Maram. Madinatul-Maajez)
al-Tusi has recorded, after quoting several references, in his Amali a tradition as
related by Ammar Ibn Yasir, who says that the Prophet of Allah said to Ali:
Allah has decorated you with those excellent
qualities and ornamental attributes, which
are dearer to Him than those with which He
has decorated any other of His slaves. He has
decorated you with religious devotion and fervor,
and denouncement of worldly pleasures from
which you will feel no loss nor will anything be
missed by you. And He has bestowed upon you
love for the indigent, and made you agreeable
to their following, and (made) them agreeable
to your Imamat (Leadership). Blessed is he who
loves, testifies and supports your words, and woe
to him who hates you and denies the truth of your
words.
al-Qummi (in his book Stages of The Hereafter - Manazil al-Akhirah) quotes al-
Saduq who quotes from Abdullah, son of Abbas who says that he heard the Prophet
Say:
The one who doubts the greatness and high
honour of Ali will arise from his grave in a manner
that in his neck will be bound a collar with three
hundred thorns in it, and on each thorn Shaytan
will be seated who will be spitting on his face with
rage.
The Prophet has said:
O Ali! If there had not been the risk of people
idolizing you as the Christians worship Prophet
Isa, I would have made public such of your merits
as would make people use the soil under your
feet to cure their ailments and the water from the
remainder of your WUDHU (ablution) in order
to be cured.
(Amali of Saduq)
In Qur'an:
He (Allah) said, O Iblis! What prevented
you from doing obeisance to one whom
I created with My Own Hands? Are you
proud, or are you of the exalted ones?
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 38, Verse 75)
According to al-Khudhri, as we are told by al-Saduq in his book Fadhail al-Shia, a
man once came to the Prophet and asked him about the Exalted Ones. The Prophet
replied that,
They are I (myself), Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan and al-Husain. We were in
the Pavilion of the Throne praising the Almighty, and the angels were repeating
after us, one thousand years (in other reports, two thousand) before Allah, the
Exalted and the Almighty, created Adam (al-Jibouri, 1987).
al-Baqir (AS) said:
O Abu Hamza, do not place Ali (AS) below the level
to which Allah has raised him, and do not elevate
him above the level where Allah has kept him. It is
enough (excellence) for Ali that he is the one who
fought the apostates and he is the one who will pair
off the inmates of paradise.
Amirul-Mu'mineen, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) said, The Prophet (S) held my hand
and said:
Whoever dutifully performed the five (daily)
prayers, and then died with your love in his heart,
he will have redeemed his pledge. And whoever
died with hatred for you, died a death of ignorance
(i.e. the era before Islam), though he will account
for his deeds as ordained by Islam. And he who lives
after you, with your love in his heart, Allah will end
his life with security and faith, till he arrives near
me at the Pool.
Saeed, son of al-Musayyib has said:
I heard a man ask Ibn Abbas about Ali Ibn Abi
Talib (AS). Abbas told him, Surely, Ali is the one
who prayed towards both the Qiblah and swore
allegiance to the Prophet on both occasions. He
never worshipped an idol nor did he divine by
the arrows. He was born a Muslim and did not
associate any partner to Him, even for a wink.
The man said, I did not ask you that! I want to
know from you about the sword which he proudly
carried over his shoulder, came to Basra and killed
forty thousand. Then he went to Syria, confronted
the Arab leaders, pitting one against the other and
then killed them. Then he came to Nahrwan and
killed the Muslims up to the last one.
Ibn Abbas told him, Who do you think is more
knowledgeable, Ali or myself? He said, If I had
thought Ali to be more knowledgeable, I would
not have come to you!
Upon hearing this, Ibn Abbas was enraged and
he said:
May your mother mourn you! Ali is the one
who taught me. And his knowledge is from the
Prophet (S) and the Prophet received knowledge
from Allah, Most High. So, the knowledge of the
Prophet is from Allah, and Ali's knowledge is from
the Prophet and my knowledge is from Ali. And the
knowledge of all the companions of Muhammad,
(S) when compared to Ali's knowledge is just like a
drop in the seven oceans.
(al-Amali)
In Ziyarat of Nahiya, al-Mahdi (AS) refers to al-Husain (AS) as thus:
.And for the sake of his brother who is the greatest
mine of knowledge and wisdom, that is Ali (AS),
Amirul-Mu'mineen, and for the sake of Fatima
(AS) the chief of the ladies of the worlds.
And, after mentioning the fourteen Infallible (AS), he says:
. They are the best of the creations.
In the Invocation of Nudba, the Imam al-Mahdi (AS) asks us to pray and ask:
. Where are those who know all the answers scholars who communicated and made clear the
religion of Allah? The fundamentals of knowledge
and wisdom!
Jabir, son of Abdullah al-Ansari was once asked, (during his old age) when his
eyebrows had fallen over his eyes, Tell us about Ali, son of Abi Talib (AS). Jabir
lifted his eyebrows with his hands and said:
He is the best of all creatures, no one hates him
but a hypocrite and no one doubts in him except
an infidel.
The Prophet (S) said:
The night I was taken to the heavens, I ended up
at Sidratul-Muntaha, I heard:
O Muhammad, counsel (your people) good about
Ali, for he is the master of the Muslims, Imam of
the people of Taqwa (those who guard themselves
from all sins), and leader of the hopping horses
with white spots on their foreheads (leading to
the paradise), on the Day of Judgment.
(al-Amali)
The Prophet (S) remarked in several instances that,
Ali is with Allah and Allah
with Ali; Ali is with the Truth and the Truth is with Ali; Ali is with Qur'an and
Qur'an is with Ali; Ali is the Hand of Allah; Ali is the Face of Allah; Ali is the Soul
of Allah, and so forth. Apparently, Allah preferred to associate with Ali and the
Infallible because they were the ones who manifested His Names in action at all
times. In fact, only Allah and the Prophet really know the real status of Ali in the
heavens and the earth, as this tradition is only from the Prophet himself in praise
of Ali.
In Kitab al-Tawhid, Shaykh Saduq (AR) says:
Ali is the eye of God, the hearing of God, and the
divine proximity.
Allah (SWT) states in Qur'an that He is with the Believers, He is with the Faithful
and He is with the Pious, and so forth. Since Ali is the Commander of the Believers,
the Commander of the Faithful and the Leader among the Pious people, there would
be no hesitation in affirming that Ali is with Allah at all times. Many a times, Allah
even attributed Ali, the Prophet and the actions of the Infallible as His actions.
The Prophet once informed Ali:
O Ali, your high qualities cannot be counted. I
swear to God, who created the seeds and created
people, if all creatures would concede to loving
you and understanding your true status, God
would not have created hell.
(Ghayatul-Maram. Ehqaq al-Haq)
The Messenger of Allah further said:
I swear to Allah, who has sent me as a Warner
and a Guide, that the Throne of Allah did not
settle, the universe did not start moving, and the
heavens and the planets were not created until
after Allah wrote on them:
LA ILAHA ILLALLAH.
MUHAMMAD RASULLULLAH.
ALI WALIYULLAH.
Then the Prophet explained what Allah told him, in His own voice:
Allah said,
O Muhammad. I replied, LABBAYK WA SAADAYK. Allah said:
I am Mahmud and you are Muhammad. I derived
your name from mine and I made you superior to
all of My creatures. Assign your brother, Ali, to be
a flag for My slaves to guide them to My religion.
O Muhammad! I have made the believers
the chosen ones, and I have made Ali their
commander. Therefore, I curse those who give
commands to Ali and I torture those who disobey
him. But those who follow him, I will bring them
closer to Me.
O Muhammad! I have made Ali the Imam of
Muslims. Those who proclaim to precede him,
I disgrace them. I imprison those who disobey
him.
I have made Ali the master of all of the successors,
and I have made him the glorified leader of the
believers.
He is My decisive argument on My entire
creation.
(Madinatul-Maaje. Ghayatul-Maram. Biharul-
Anwar. Jawahir al-Saniyya. Taweel al-Ayat)
A companion once asked Abu Abdillah, Ja'far bin Muhammad (AS) about the
meaning of fifty of the letters in the Qur'an and he answered my questions. Then I
said,
You are the most knowledgeable about Qur'an. Abu Abdillah (AS) said:
How can Allah use someone as an argument on the
Day of Judgment who does not know everything
that His creation needs.
al-Mufid writes in Kitab al-Irshad:
When the waters of the Euphrates overflowed
and grew so big that the people of Kufa became
anxious about drowning. They resorted to the
Commander of the faithful. He rode out on
the mule of the Apostle of God, and the people
went with him until he reached the banks of the
Euphrates. He dismounted and performed the
ritual ablution and prayed alone, by himself,
while the people watched him. Then he called on
God with prayers which most of them heard. He
went towards the Euphrates, leaning on a stick
which was in his hand. He struck the surface
of the water with it and said, Abate, with God's
permission and His will.
The waters sank so that the fish at the bottom
(of the flood) appeared. Many of them greeted
him with title of the Commander of the faithful.
However some kinds of fish did not speak. They
were eels, a scaleless fish (marmaliq) and mud
fish (zumar). The people were amazed at that and
they asked for the reason that some who were able
to speak and some others could not. He said, God
made those fish which were ritually pure speak
to me and He kept those silent towards me which
were forbidden, impure and worse.
This is a widespread report, the fame of which is,
through its transmission and narration, like the
fame of the wolves speaking to the Prophet, the
stones praising God in the palm of his hand, the
trunk of the tree bending towards him and the
feeding of many with little food.
Whoever continues to find fault with the
miracles of Ali is one who can only find the
doubts about it in what the denigrators
depend upon, in what we have enumerated
of the miracles of the Apostle.
al-Khumeini (AR) writes the following in his Exegesis of The Blessed Chapter
Tawhid in the Qur'an:
Wahab ibn Wahab further quotes Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS) explaining as-Samad. He
also reports Imam al-Baqir's explanations concerning the secrets of the letters of
as-Samad. He says that Imam al-Baqir (AS) said:
Had I found bearers for the knowledge which
Allah has bestowed upon me, I would have spread
knowledge about at-tauhid, Islam, faith, religion
and the laws out of as-Samad.
But how can I find bearers of such knowledge,
while my grand father, Amirul Mu'minin, could
find none to carry his knowledge, such that he
used to painfuly sigh and tell his followers, on
the minbar (pulpit), Ask me before you miss me.
Behind the ribs of my bosom is great knowledge.
Oh! Oh! that I can find no carriers for it.
Ali and the Verses that begin with O Believers! In al-Qur'an
When asked to comment on al-Qur'an, Chapter 36, Verse 20 -
and from the
remote part of the city there came a man running, he said, O My People! Follow the messengers ., the Prophet (S) said about this Believer from the
people of
Ya Sin:
There were three persons who, without a moment
of hesitation, responded to the call of three
prophets, believer from the people of Fir'aun
(Qur'an - Chapter 40, Verse 28); believer from
the people of Yasin (Qur'an - Chapter 36, Verse
20), and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Qur'an - Chapter 26,
Verse 214); and they never worshipped any god
save Allah even for the twinkling of an eye, they
are the most truthful and Ali is the best amongst
them.
(Tafsir Tha'labi)
And the best of believers, it is Ali, the Prophet has said and reported in al-Dur al-
Manthur.
Chapter 3, Verse 7, Mir Ahmed Ali (AR) comments further:
It is a historical fact that all the companions of
the Prophet, before embracing Islam, for a long
time in their lives, were idol worshippers. The
Prophet, Bibi Fatima and Ali Ibn Abi Talib and
their children were the only ones who were free
from the impurity of polytheism right from the
day they were born. All Muslims, in every age,
add Karramallahu Wajhu (Allah graced and
honored his face above others) after the name of
Ali, because he never worshipped any ghayrallah (other than Allah).
Ikrimah narrates from Ibn Abbas that he said:
No verse was revealed (with the words) O You Who
Believe!, but Ali is its chief and its head. Allah
has admonished the companions of Muhammad
(S) in more than one place, but He has never
mentioned Ali except with good (words).
(at-Tafsir al-Ayyashi)
Allamah Taba Tabai (AR) says that the same hadith up to the words its head has
been narrated in Tafsir al-Burhan from Muwaffaq ibn Ahmad from Ikrimah from
Ibn Abbas; al-Ayyashi also has narrated it from Ikrimah; and we have quoted this
hadith earlier from al-Dur al-Manthur. Some traditions quote al-Ridha (AS) as
saying:
There is not in the Qur'an O You Who Believe!,
except about us.
al-Hajj Mujahid has narrated in many traditions concerning the virtues of Amir
al-Mu'mineen Ali (AS). He writes:
Whenever in any place the phrase O Believers! occurs in the Qur'an Amir al-Mu'mineen Ali (AS)
is to be considered the foremost of them and the
most meritorious, as he has surpassed them all in
embracing Islam.
(Furat al-Kufi. Tafsir Furat al-Kufi (Tehran -
1410/1990, p. 49. In his exegesis of the verse 274,
in the Chapter of al-Baqara of al-Qur'an.)
The Tafsir (exegesis) of Abu al-Hajjaj Mujahid, son of Jabr (or Jubayr),
a Makki and Makhzumi (21-104 or 105/642-722 or 723), is the work of a
leading commentator of an Iranian origin and belonging to the Tabi'un,
the generation following that of the Prophet (S) and his companions.
He had studied the sciences of the Qur'an and the arts of Qur'anic
hermeneutics (Tafsir and Ta'weel) under Amir al-Mu'mineen Ali Ibn Abi
Talib (AS) and Ibn Abbas, Jabir al-Ansari, Umm Salama, Umm Hani bint
Abu Talib, and others.
Ibn Asakir (d. 571/1175), in Tarikh Dimashq, has given an elaborate
biographical account of him and describes him in these words - Sufyan
Thawri would say, One should learn the exegesis of the Noble Qur'an
from four persons, Saeed ibn Jubayr, Mujahid, Ikrimah and Dahhak ibn
Mozahim. Qatadah would say, Mujahid is the most learned of the Tabi'un
in the exegesis of the Qur'an.
Ibn Abbas reports:
We were sitting with the Prophet when Ali
entered.
Ali said, Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah. The Prophet replied, Peace be on you too, O
Commander of the Believers.
Ali responded, O Prophet, you call me the
Commander of Believers while you are still
alive?
The Prophet answered, Yes, while I am alive.
Then the Prophet continued, O Ali! You passed
by Jibraeel yesterday and did not say Salaam.
So Jibraeel said, Why did the Commander of
the Believers not say Salaam to us. I swear to
Allah, we would have been pleased if he had said
Salaam to us and we would have responded.
Ali answered, It looked like you and Dehya
were in a private meeting so I did not want to
interrupt.
The Prophet said, He was not Dehya, he was
Jibraeel. I asked Jibraeel why he called you the
Commander of the Believers. Jibraeel told me
that in the Battle of Badr, Allah told Jibraeel to
come to me (the Prophet) and tell me to order
the Commander of the Believers to ride his horse
in front of the army lines because the angels
love to watch him do that. So Allah named you
the Commander of the Believers that day in the
heavens.
Then the Prophet said, O Ali! You are the
commander of everyone in the heavens and the
commander of everyone on earth. You are the
commander of those who have passed away
and the commander of those who are yet to
come. There is no commander before you and no
commander after you. It is forbidden for anyone
who has not received this title from Allah to be
called by this name.
Harith bin al-Khazraj the holder of the flag of Ansar, once said, I heard the
Messenger of Allah telling Ali:
No one precedes you after me except a Kafir
(unbeliever), and no one disobeys you except
a Kafir. The people of the seven skies call you
the Commander of the Believers by the order of
Allah.
Ali and the Verse of Obedience
Jabir al-Ju'fi has said:
I asked Abu Ja'far (AS) about the verse; obey
Allah and obey the Messenger and those
vested with authority from among you. He
said, The Imams.
(Tafsir Ayyashi)
Ibn Shahrashub narrates, al-Hasan ibn Salih asked al-Sadiq (AS) about it and the
Imam replied:
The Imams from the Ahlul-Bayt of the Messenger
of Allah (S).
Abdullah ibn Ajilan has narrated from Abu Ja'far (AS) that he said about this verse
of obedience:
It is about Ali and the Imams; Allah has put them
in places of prophets except that they do not make
anything lawful or unlawful.
(Tafsir Ayyashi)
Abu Basir has narrated from Abu Ja'far (AS) that he said:
It (i.e. the verse of obedience) was revealed about
Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS).
I said to him, People say to us as to
what was to prevent Him from naming Ali and
his Ahlul-Bayt in His Book? Abu Ja'far (AS) said:
Tell them, Verily Allah revealed (the order of)
prayer to His Messenger; but he did not name
three (units) or four, until it was the Messenger
of Allah who explained it.
And He revealed (the order of) Hajj and did not
reveal to circumambulate seven times, until the
Messenger of Allah (S) explained it.
[Likewise] Allah revealed, Obey Allah and
obey the Messenger and those vested
with authority from among you, and it was
revealed about Ali and al-Hasan and al-Husain
(AS).
And he (the Messenger of Allah (S) said about Ali:
Whoever's master am I, Ali is his master.
Also the Messenger of Allah (S) said:
I admonish you concerning the Book of Allah and
my Ahlul-Bayt. Verily I have asked Allah not to
let them be separated from each other until He
brings them to the hawdh (reservoir (of Kauthar),
and He has granted it to me.
And he said:
Do not teach them because they are more
knowledgeable than you; verily they shall never
take you away from the gate of guidance and shall
never let you enter the gate of misguidance.
If the Messenger of Allah had remained silent
and not identified the people (of his Ahlul-Bayt),
surely the progeny of Abbas, and the progeny
of Aqil and someone else's progeny would have
claimed (to be among them); but Allah revealed
in His Book, Allah only desires to keep away
the uncleanness from you, O people of the
House! And to purify you a (thorough)
purification (33:33)
And Ali, al-Hasan, al-Husain and Fatima (AS)
were the interpretation of this verse; so the
Messenger of Allah (S) took the hands of Ali and
Fatima and al-Hasan and al-Husain (AS) and
entered them under the mantle in the house of
Umm Salama and said, O Allah! Every prophet
had had his precious things and his people; and
these are my precious things and my people.
Umme Salama said, Am I not from your people?
He said, Verily you are (proceeding) to good but
these are my precious things and people of my
(house).
(Tafsir Ayyashi)
The Sincerity of Ali
The Prophet (S) has said:
The victory of Ali on the day of the battle of the
Ditch is much more in worth than the devotional
worship performed by the created beings of both
the worlds (seen and unseen) till the Day of
Judgment.
Also:
HAQQ is with you. It is in your tongue, it is in
your heart, and it is between your eyes. Faith is
mixed in your flesh and blood just as it is mixed
in my flesh and blood.
(O Ali) if it had not been for you, the believers
would not have been known after me.
(Amali of Saduq)
al-Khumeini (AR) confirms the sincerit
