(26)

Al-Tabari, the author of Khasa’is has quoted the prophet (s.a) as saying: The angels sent greeting on me and `Ali for seven years in heaven, for during this period of time no voice except that of `Ali and me was raised to heaven by saying: There is no god but Allah.[33]

In the book, Yawaqit, Abi- `Umar Zahid has quoted Layla Ghifar on the authority of the Holy Prophet (s.a) as saying: Actually, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib is the first person among people who believed in Islam and the first person whom I will see on the Day of Judgment, the last person to whom I say farewell and trust my last will and testament at deathbed.

Ibn `Abbas has been quoted by Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his book Musnad as saying: The first person who worshipped God with the Holy Prophet after Khadijah was `Ali (a.s).[34]

Salman Farsi has been quoted by Abu’l-Mu’ayyad as saying: I heard from the Messenger of Allah saying: the first person whom I see at the pond is the first man of faith and Islam, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s).[35]

`Amr ibn Maymun has been quoted by Ahmad ibn Hanbal as saying: I was in the presence of Ibn `Abbas when nine groups joined our gathering. They said: We wish to talk to you privately. Either rise up and come along with us or make this gathering private. He said: I will come along with you. This happened when Ibn `Abbas had not lost his sight.

When Ibn `Abbas attended their gathering, they started speaking to him.

The narrator says: I and those who were in the presence of Ibn `Abbas did not hear their discussion but we saw that Ibn `Abbas who was angry while rising up and putting the dust off his clothes said: Woe to the people who speak ill of a person who has ten marks of distinction among the companions of the Holy Prophet.

Then he said: These people blame a person about whom the Messenger of Allah in Khaybar battle said: I will soon assign to fight them a person who loves God and His messenger and God and His messenger too love him. It was at this time that everyone was curious as to whom this honor would be given. But it was a wishful thinking for all, for the Holy Prophet asked: Where is `Ali?

(27)

وَرَوى الطَّبَرِيُّ صَاحِبُ (الخَصائِصِ) عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَالَ: صَلَّتِ المَلائكَةُ عَلَيَّ وَعلَى عَلِيٍّ سَبعَ سِنينَ. وَذلكَ لأنَّهُ لَم تَرتَفعْ شَهادَةُ أنْ لاَ إلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ إلَى السَّماءِ إلاَّ منِّي وَمنْهُ.

وَمنْ كِتابِ (اليَواقيتِ)  لأبِي عُمَرَ الزَّاهدِ: عَن لَيلى الغِفاريّةِ عَن رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ أنَّ عَليَّ بنَ أَبِي طالبٍ أوَّلُ النَّاسِ إيمَاناً وَأوَّلُ النَّاسِ لِقاءً بي يَومَ القِيامَةِ وَآخِرُ النَّاسِ بي عَهداً عِندَ المَوتِ.

وَمِن كِتابِ مُسْند أحمَدَ: عَن ابنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: أوَّلُ مَنْ صَلّى معَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بَعدَ خَدِيجَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ عَلِيٌّ.

وَرَوى أَبُو الْمُؤيَّدِ عَن سَلمَانَ قَالَ: سَمعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقولُ: أَوَّلُ النَّاسِ وُروداً عَلَيَّ الحَوضَ يَوْمَ القِيامَةِ أوَّلُهمْ إسْلاماً وَهوَ عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طالبٍ.

وَمنْ كِتابِ مُسنَد أحمدَ بنِ حَنبَلٍ: عَن عَمْرِو بنِ مَيْمونَ قَالَ إنّي لَجالِسٌ إلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ إذْ أتَاهُ تِسعَةُ رَهطٍ. فَقالوا: يَا ابنَ عَبَّاسٍ إمَّا أنْ تَقومَ مَعَنا وإمَّا أنْ تَخلُوَ بِنا عَنْ هَؤلاءِ. قَالَ: فَقالَ ابنُ عَبَّاسٍ: بَل أقومُ مَعكُمْ. قَالَ: وَهوَ يَومَئِذٍ صَحيحُ لَم يَعْمَ. قَالَ: فَانطَلَقوا فَتَحدَّثوا فلا نَدري مَا قالوا. قَالَ: فَجاءَ يَنفِضُ ثَوبَهُ وَهُوَ يَقولُ: أُفٍّ وَتُفٍّ! وَقَعوا فِي رَجُلٍ قَالَ لهُ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لأَبْعَثَنَّ رَجُلاً لاَ يُخْزيهِ اللهُ أبَداً، يُحبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللهُ وَرسولُهُ. قَالَ فَاستَشرَفَ لَهَا مَن استَشْرفَ. قَالَ: أَيْنَ عَلِيٌّ؟

(28)

They said: He is in the place of the grinding, busy with grinding so as to prepare food for the strugglers. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Was there no one else to do this job? At any rate, `Ali was informed that the Holy Prophet had sent for him. `Ali came to the Holy Prophet with eyesore in a way he could not see before his feet. The Holy Prophet rubbed his saliva on `Ali’s eyes which cured him immediately. Hoisting the banner of Islam for three times, the Holy Prophet then gave it to `Ali and told him to go ahead. `Ali conquered Khaybar Fort in no time and brought Safiyyah, the daughter of Huyay as a captive to the presence of the Holy Prophet.

When the Holy Prophet (s.a) sent so-and-so (i.e. Abu-Bakr) to read Surah of Bara’ah, he sent `Ali after him to take the mission from him. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: This mission is carried out by none except me or one who is from me.

The Holy Prophet (s.a) asked his cousins: Which one of you in this world and the hereafter will be my follower? They all answered in negative except `Ali who was present in the gathering but silent. All of a sudden, he rose up and said: I will be a follower of you in this world and the hereafter! The Messenger of Allah said: Yes, indeed you will be my friend in this world and the hereafter.

`Ali was the first to embrace Islam after Khadijah.

The Messenger of Allah spread his cloak on `Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn and quoted the following holy verse: “Allah only desires to keep away uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you, a thorough purifying.” (33:33)

`Ali sacrificed his life for the Messenger of Allah by putting on his clothes and lying in his bed at that night, which is called Laylat al-Mabit when the Holy Prophet left Mecca for Medina secretly away from the eyes of the people of Quraysh. The polytheists were throwing stones at `Ali’s body thinking that it was the Holy Prophet. Abu-Bakr too came and called for the Messenger of Allah. `Ali quietly said: The Holy Prophet is not here. He is heading for Bi’r Maymun. If you hurry, you will reach him. The polytheists kept on throwing stones at `Ali but he wrapped his garment over his head till morning when the polytheists found out that they were throwing stones at a wrong target. They swore at him saying: Whatever stones we threw at him, he did not say anything but was raising his voice. Hence, it was strange for us as to whether it was Muhammad or someone else lying in his bed.

(29)

قَالُوا: هُو فِي الرَّحَى يَطْحَنُ. قَالَ: وَما كانَ أَحدُكُمْ يَطحَنُ عَنهُ. قَالَ: فَجاءَ وَهوَ أرْمَدُ لاَ يَكادُ أنْ يُبصِرَ. فَتَفَلَ فِي عَينَيْهِ ثُمَّ هَزّ الرَّايةَ ثَلاثاً فَأعْطاها إيَّاهُ. فَجاءَ بِصَفِيَّةَ بِنتِ حُيَيٍّ.

(34)

When the Qur’anic verse “And warn your nearest relations” (26:214) was revealed, the Holy Prophet (s.a) gathered `Abd al-Muttalib’s sons numbering forty altogether in Abu-Talib’s house and had a meal of a leg of mutton, one Kilo of wheat and some milk prepared for them whereas the meal of each one of them at one meal was four-year camel and sixteen pounds of milk. This group of people ate from that little food and felt full. This was nothing but a miracle becoming manifest in that gathering.

After eating the food, the Holy Prophet (s.a) addressing the gathering and declaring his divine mission, said: let it be known to you that God has sent me to you, sons of `Abd al-Muttalib in particular and to other people in general, for He says: “And warn your nearest relations.” I hereby invite you to two formulas which are light on the tongue but heavy and meaningful in action. By uttering these two formulas, you will soon wield the control of affairs of the Arab and non-Arab and various nations will be subdued to you. You will be redeemed from the fire of hell and enter paradise. Those two formulas are bearing witness to the unity of God Almighty and bearing witness to my mission and prophethood.

Anyone of you, who will respond positively and assist me in my mission, will be my brother, my heir and successor after me. From that gathering, even a single person did not give a positive answer. `Ali relates: I who was the youngest in the gathering, rose up saying: O Messenger of Allah, give me the honor of this mission. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Take your seat and let me see what the others say. The Holy Prophet (s.a) repeated his words for the second time but there was still silence. Once again I rose up expressing my positive response. The Holy Prophet (s.a) again ordered me to sit down. He then repeated his words for the third time. This time too. All kept silent and there was no response. I rose up and expressed my readiness. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: O `Ali, remain in your place. Verily, you are my heir, successor, brother and vizier. When the Holy Prophet (s.a) completed his words, those in the gathering rose up and addressing Abu-Talib mockingly said: Congratulation to you that if you accept the religion of your nephew, your son, `Ali, will be your leader and chief.[42]

(35)

وَلَمَّا نَزَلَ قَولُهُ تَعالَى: ﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ﴾ جَمَعَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بَني عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ فِي دارِ أَبِي طالِبٍ وَهُمْ أرْبَعونَ رَجُلاً وَأمَرَ أنْ يُصْنَعَ لَهُمْ فَخِذُ شاةٍ مَعَ مُدٍّ مِنْ طَعامِ البُرِّ وَيُعَدُّ لَهُمْ صاعاً مِنَ اللَّبَنِ وَكانَ الرَّجُلُ يَأكُلُ الجِذْعَةَ فِي مَقامٍ واحِدٍ وَيَشْرَبُ الزُّقَّ مِنَ الشَّرَابِ. فَأكَلوا مِنَ اليَسِيرِ مَا كَفاهُمْ إظْهاراً لِمُعْجِزَتِهِ.

ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُمْ: يَا بَني عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ إنَّ اللهَ تَعالَى بَعَثَني إلَى الخَلْقِ كَافَّةً وَبَعَثَني إلَيكُمْ خاصَّةً فَقالَ: ﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ﴾ وَأنا أدْعوكُم إلَى كَلِمَتَيْنِ خَفيفَتَيْنِ عَلَى اللِّسانِ ثَقيلَتَيْنِ فِي الميزانِ تَمْلِكونَ بِهِما العَرَبَ وَالعَجَمَ وَتَنْقادُ لَكُمْ بِها الأُمَمُ وَتَدْخُلونَ بِهِما الجَنَّةَ وَتَنْجَوْنَ بِهِما مِنَ النَّارِ: شَهادَةَ أنْ لاَ إلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ وَأنّي رَسولُ اللهِ. فَمَنْ يُجيبُني إلَى هَذَا الأمْرِ وَيُؤازِرُني عَلَى القِيامِ بِهِ يَكُنْ أخي وَوَصِيّي وَوَزيري وَوارِثي وَخَليفَتي مِنْ بَعْدي.

فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ أحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ. فَقالَ أمِيرُ المُؤمِنينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأنا إذْ ذاكَ أصْغَرُهُمْ سِنَّاً فَقُلْتُ: أنَا يَا رَسولَ اللهِ أُؤازِرُكَ عَلَى هَذَا الأمرِ. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ.

ثُمَّ أعادَ عَلَى القَوْمِ القَولَ ثانِيَةً فَصَمَتوا، وَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ مِثْلَ مَقالَتي الأولى. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ. ثُمَّ أعادَ عَلَى القَومِ مَقالَتَهُ ثالِثَةً فَلَمْ يَنْطِقْ أحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ بِحَرْفٍ. فَقُمْتُ وَقُلْتُ: أنَا يَا رَسولَ اللهِ! أنَا أُؤازِرُكَ عَلَى هَذَا الأمْرِ. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ فَأنْتَ أخي وَوَصِيّي وَوَزيري وَوارِثي وَخَليفَتي مِنْ بَعدِي.

فَنَهَضَ القَومُ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ لأبِي طالِبٍ: لِيُهْنِئْكَ اليَوْمَ إنْ دَخَلْتَ اليَومَ فِي دِينِ ابْنِ أخيكَ، فَقَدْ جَعَلَ ابْنَكَ أميراً عَلَيْكَ.

(43)

بِزَبورِهِمْ حَتَّى يُنْطِقَ اللهُ التَّوْراةَ وَالإنجيلَ وَالزَّبورَ فَيَقُولُ: صَدَقَ عَلِيٌّ. قَدْ أفْتاكُمْ بِما أنْزَلَ اللهُ فيَّ وَأنْتُمْ تَتْلونَ الكِتابَ أفَلا تَعقِلُونَ.

(44)

 of Imam Sadiq who was the student of his father, Imam Baqir who was the student of Imam Sajjad who learnt his knowledge from his father, Imam Husayn and he too from his father, Amir al-Mu’minin.

As for Shafi`ites, they have derived their jurisprudence from Shafi`i and he from Muhammad ibn Hasan, the student of Abu-Hanifah and Malik. Therefore, the knowledge and sect of Shafi`i are attributed to these two persons.

As for Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the founder of Hanbaliyyah sect, he derived his knowledge from al-Shafi`i.

Malik, the founder of the Malikiyyah, benefited from Rabi`at-al-Ra'y who was the student of `Ikrimah and `Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbas who was the student of Amir al-Mu’minin.[65]

As for Khawarij, we should say that their leaders were the student of Imam `Ali.

The founder of syntax is Imam `Ali, too. In this relation, Imam `Ali said to Abu’l-Aswad Du’ali: All words are classified as three things: a noun, a verb or a preposition. The Imam then elaborated on their inflection.

As for the interpretation of the Qur’an (Tafsir), it is unquestionably attributed to Imam `Ali, because Ibn `Abbas was a student of Imam `Ali.[66]

Ibn `Abbas reported: Amir al-Mu’minin kept on speaking to me about the exegesis of the letter “b” in “Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim” from early night till morning; yet, the interpretation of the letter did not come to an end.

As for theology, beyond doubt `Ali is the founder of this science on which he has elaborated. `Ali used to speak about theology in his sermons delivered to people who, in turn, benefited from it. Scholars too referred to him for solving their scientific problems. Those who tried to learn this science were four groups; namely: Mu`tazilah, Ash`ariyyah, Shi`ah and Khawarij. The attribution of Shi`ism to `Ali is obvious and requires no explanation.

As for Khawarij, their scholars used to refer to Imam `Ali who was an authority for them.

(45)

حَنيفَةَ وَهُوَ تِلْميذُ الصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَالصَّادِقُ تِلْميذُ الباقِرِ وَالباقِرُ تِلْميذُ زَيْنِ العابِدينَ وَزَيْنُ العَابِدينَ قَرَأَ عَلَى الحُسَيْنِ وَالحُسَيْنُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ قَرَأَ عَلَى أبِيهِ أميرِ المُؤْمِنينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَأمَّا الشَّافِعِيَّةُ: فَأخَذوا عَنِ الشَّافِعِيِّ وَهُوَ قَرَأَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بنِ الحَسَنِ تِلْميذِ أَبِي حَنيفَةَ وَعَلَى مَالِكٍ فَرَجَعَ فِقْهُهُ إلَيْهِما.

وَأمَّا أحْمَدُ بنُ حَنْبَلٍ: فَقَرَأَ عَلَى الشَّافِعِيِّ فَرَجَعَ فِقْهُهُ إلَيْهِ.

وَأمَّا مَالِكٌ: فَقَرَأَ عَلَى رَبِيعَةَ الرّأْيِ وَقَرَأَ رَبِيعَةُ عَلَى عِكْرِمَةَ وَقَرَأَ عِكْرِمَةُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَعَبْدُ اللهِ بنُ عَبَّاسٍ تِلْميذُ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَأمَّا الخَوارِجُ: فَأَكابِرُهُمْ وَرُؤَساؤُهُمْ تَلامِذَةٌ لَهُ.

وَأمَّا النَّحوُ: فَهُوَ وَاضِعُهُ. قَالَ لأبي الأسْوَدِ الدُّؤَليِّ: الكَلامُ كُلُّهُ ثَلاثَةُ أشْياءٍ: اسْمٌ وَفِعْلٌ وَحَرْفٌ. وَبَيَّنَ لَهُ وُجُوهَ الإعْرابِ.

وَأمَّا عِلْمُ التَّفْسيرِ فَإنَّهُ مُسْتَنِدٌ إلَيْهِ لأنَّ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ كانَ تِلْميذَ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِيهِ. وَقالَ: حَدَّثَني أميرِ المُؤْمِنينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي تَفْسيرِ (البَاءِ) مِنْ (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحيمِ) مِنْ أوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ إلَى آخِرِهِ.

وَأمَّا عِلْمُ الكَلامِ: فَهُوَ الَّذِي قَرَّرَ قَواعِدَهُ وَأوْضَحَ بَراهينَهُ وَمِنْ خُطَبِهِ اسْتَفادَ النَّاسُ كافَّةً وَمَرْجِعُهُمْ كُلُّهُمْ إلَيْهِ فَإنَّ القَيِّمَ بِعِلْمِ الكَلامِ أرْبَعَةٌ: المُعْتَزِلَةُ وَالأشاعِرَةُ وَالشِّيعَةُ وَالخَوارِجُ.

أمَّا الشِّيعَةُ: فَانْتِسابُهُمْ إلَيْهِ مَعْلومٌ.

(46)

As for Mu`tazilah, this group is scientifically related to their master, Wasil ibn `Ata', who was the student of Abu-Hashim `Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah. Abu-Hashim was the student of his father and his father was the student of his dignified father, Imam `Ali.

As for Ash`ariyyah, they were the students of Abu’l-Hasan `Ali ibn Abi-Bishr al-`Ash`ari who was the student of Abu-`Ali Al-Jiba’i who was one of the great leaders of Mu`tazilah.[67]

As for the spiritual path and intuition, all Sufis who have taken this path, attribute the Khirqah and other tools of this science to `Ali saying. So do the followers of futuwwah.[68] The valorous men of the time too have learnt the lesson of courage from `Ali to whom they are indebted, for on the day of battle of Uhud, Archangel Gabriel descended from the heavens crying out: There is no man (fata) more valorous than `Ali and no sword sharper than Dhu’l-Fiqar.[69] Moreover, one day, the Holy Prophet came out with happy mien and said to his companions: I am a valorous man, the son and brother of valorous men. The reason for my being valorous is that I am the master and leader of the Arabs. As for being the son of a valorous father, I am the son of Abraham (a.s), the friend of God, a prophet about whom God has said: “… a young man making mention of them, and he was called Abraham” (21:60). As for being the brother of a valorous man, I am the brother of `Ali about whom Gabriel said: There is no man more valorous than `Ali.[70]

As for eloquence, its founder was `Ali, for he had reached the zenith of this technique. It has been rightly said that `Ali’s words are above the words of all creatures and beneath those of the Creator. All orators have learnt eloquence from him.[71]

Ninth: The Holy Prophet’s companions learnt the principles of religion from `Ali alone, often referred to him for religious decrees and if they were faced with problems they would seek the solution from him alone.

`Ali used to correct wrong judgments passed by `Umar. One example is when `Umar ordered a pregnant woman who had committed adultery to be stoned, but Imam `Ali told him not to execute the sentence. When `Umar asked him for the reason, Imam `Ali said, “If this woman’s sin has been proven and she has to be stoned to death, what is the sin of the infant she has in her womb?