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Imam 'Ali (pbuh)
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Chapter 5
Imam 'Ali (pbuh)
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The Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) specifically refer to the leadership of Imam 'Ali (pbuh) after the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf):
Ghadir Khum: This incident took place on the 18th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, and has been narrated by 110 companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf), 84 members of the following generation (the tabi'in), and 360 Muslim scholars from all the schools of thought. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) and approximately 114,000 of his companions had performed the farewell hajj (pilgrimage) and were returning home.
That year, during the hajj, the weather was very hot, with the blazing sun taking its toll on the pilgrims. Nonetheless, when the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) arrived at Ghadir Khum, a marshland crossroads from which all the Muslims from different lands would part ways, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) stopped the caravan at noontime, waiting for those who were behind to arrive and called upon those who had gone ahead to return, for he had received a revelation from Allah which he had to deliver to the people: "O Messenger! Declare what has been revealed to you from Your Lord, and if you do not, then your words will not have been fully declared, and Allah will protect you from the harm of the people."[42] Then he spoke a bit before asking the assembly whether he truly had authority over them. The people replied: "Yes, O Prophet, of course you are our leader (mawla)." He repeated this question three times, and the people responded in the same way each time, acknowledging his leadership. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) then called for 'Ali, held up his arm so that their two arms formed one shape pointing upwards, and said to the people: "He whose leader (mawla) I am, 'Ali is his leader."
At this time, 'Ali was 33 years old. The people received this news with a variety of responses - some with happiness, and some with resentment. The first to congratulate 'Ali were the future first and second caliphs; the second caliph said: "Congratulations, congratulations to you, O 'Ali; you have become my leader (mawla) and the leader of every faithful Muslim."[43] Then another verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "Today I have completed for you the religion, and favored you with my bounty, and accepted Islam for you as the religion."[44] With this verse, the religion of Islam was completed by the appointment of Imam 'Ali (pbuh) to succeed the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf), and, had he not been appointed as the successor, the religion of Islam would have been incomplete.
The Verse of Warning (Indhar): Three years after the advent of Islam, Allah commanded the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) to proclaim his invitation to Islam to his immediate family in Makkah by commanding: "And warn your tribe of near kindred."[45] The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) gathered forty members of his tribe, Bani Hashim, inside the house of his uncle Abu Talib and prepared food for them. After they had finished eating, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) said to them: "O children of 'Abd al-Mutallib! By Allah, I don't know any young person from among the Arabs who has brought his people something better than that which I am bringing you. I have brought you the best of this world and the next, and Allah has commanded me to invite you to it. So who will be my supporter in this endeavor - to be my brother, my successor (khalifah), and legatee?" All declined to answer except 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, who said: "I will be your supporter in this endeavor." The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) asked him to sit down and then repeated his question a second time. Again, 'Ali stood, and, again, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) asked him to sit. When for the third time, the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) heard no answer from the other people sitting there, 'Ali stood again and repeated his support. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) then put his hand on his leg and said to the forty men from his immediate family: "This is my brother, my legatee, and my successor (khalifah) over you, so listen to him and obey him." The people stood and, while laughing, told the father of 'Ali: "Your nephew has ordered you to listen to your son and obey him."[46]
The Verse of Bowing (Ruku): "Verily, your guardian (wali) is Allah, His messenger, and the believers - those who perform the prayers and give zakat (alms) while bowing down (in ruku')."[47] Numerous commentators of the Qur'an from all schools of thought identify the one referred to in this verse as 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (pbuh). The famous commentator, Zamakhshari, says about this verse: "It was revealed in favor of 'Ali (may Allah enlighten his face). When a beggar asked him for alms while he was in the position of ruku' during prayer, he gave away his ring while he was in that position. It seems it was loose on the little finger, for he did not exert any effort in taking it off, which would have nullified his prayer. If you ask how it could be in favor of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) since the wording is in the plural form, I say that the form is plural although its instigator is a single man to encourage people to follow his example and earn a similar reward, and also to draw attention to the fact that the believers must be extremely mindful and benevolent towards the poor such that if a situation could not be postponed until after the prayer, it may not be delayed until having finished it."[48] Similarly, the Qur'anic commentary 'Asbab al-Nuzul, citing Kalbi's narration, ascribes the cause of this revelation to be Imam 'Ali (pbuh): "The later part of this verse is in favor of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be gracious to him) because he gave a ring to a beggar while in ruku' during prayer."[49] Many other commentaries also hold that this verse refers to Imam 'Ali (pbuh) including Sunan al-Nisa'i, Tafsir al-Kabir by Tha'alibi, Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal,[50] Musnad ibn Marduwayh, and Kanz al-'Ummal.[51]
The Verse of Guardianship: "O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those vested with authority over you ('ul ul-'amr minkum). And if you quarrel about something, refer it to Allah and the Messenger."[52] By the explanation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf), this verse is also one of the Qur'anic references to the leadership of Imam 'Ali (pbuh) after the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) and necessitates the obedience of the faithful to Allah, the Prophet, and those vested with authority over them. When this verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf), one of his great companions, Jabbir ibn 'Abdullah al-Ansari, asked: "O Prophet of Allah! We know Allah and His messenger, but who are 'those vested with authority over you' ('ul ul-'amr) whose obedience Allah considers equal to that of Allah and the Prophet?" The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) replied: "Those are my successors, and the leaders of the Muslims after me. The first of them is 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, then al-Hasan and al-Husayn, then 'Ali ibn al-Husayn, then Muhammad ibn 'Ali, who is known as al-Baqir. You, Jabbir, will see him; once you have seen him, give him my salam. Then al-Sadiq Ja'far ibn Muhammad, then Musa ibn Ja'far, then 'Ali ibn Musa, then Muhammad ibn 'Ali, then 'Ali ibn Muhammad, then al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, then the one who bears my name - Muhammad. And he will be the proof (hujjah) of Allah on the earth."
Specific Narrations from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) about the Succession of Imam 'Ali (pbuh). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) told the Muslims both about the succession of the designated members of his family (the ahl al-bayt), which will be dealt with in the next section, as well as the specific succession of Imam 'Ali (pbuh). The Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hf) has been recorded to have said:
When addressing 'Ali: "You are in the same position with relation to me as Aaron was with Moses, except that there will be no prophet after me."[53]
"He who wishes to live as I have, and die as I will die, and enter the Garden of Eternal Bliss which Allah has promised to me - let him take 'Ali as his leader (wali), because 'Ali will never lead you away from the Path of Truth, nor will he take you into error."[54]
"'Ali is the authority (wali) over every believer (mu'min) after me."[55]
"'Ali is the doorway to my knowledge, and after me he will explain to my followers what has been sent to me. Love for 'Ali is faith, and spite towards him is hypocrisy."[56]
"I am the city of knowledge, and 'Ali is its gate. He who wishes to reach this city should enter through its gate."[57]
"'Ali is of me, and I am of 'Ali, and none delivers except me and 'Ali."[58]
"He who obeys me will have obeyed Allah, and he who disobeys me will have disobeyed Allah. And he who obeys 'Ali will have obeyed me, and he who disobeys 'Ali will have disobeyed me."[59]
'Ali (pbuh) was the one whom the Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hf) left behind to watch over his family and the Islamic state during the campaign of Khaybar, but he said: "Is it for me to remain behind (when Allah's Messenger has gone)?" So 'Ali went forth and rejoined the Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hf), whereupon the Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hf) said: "I will certainly give this standard to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love;" other narrations say that the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) said: "Allah will grant victory through the one who loves Allah and His Messenger." In either case, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) gave his standard to 'Ali (pbuh), and Allah granted victory at his (pbuh) hand.[60]
Narrations from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) indicating that he will be succeeded by twelve leaders, all of whom will be from the tribe of Quraysh In addition to the specific narrations specifically identifying Imam 'Ali (pbuh) as the successor to the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf), the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) also has been recorded to have said on numerous occasions that, after him, he would be succeeded by twelve leaders from his tribe, the tribe of Quraysh. The narrations say:
"The Caliphate will remain among the Quraysh even if only two people are left (on the earth)."[61]
"I joined the company of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) with my father and heard him say: 'This caliphate will not end until there have been twelve caliphs among them'. The narrator said: 'Then he (the Holy Prophet) said something I could not follow'. I said to my father: 'What did he say'? He said: 'He has said: "All of them will be from Quraysh"'."[62]
Other narrations of a similar type exist in other sources as well.
Who are these twelve leaders? The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) has been recorded to have said:
"I and 'Ali are the fathers of this nation. He who recognizes us as such believes in Allah, the Mighty and Glorious. And from 'Ali are my two grandchildren, Hasan and Husayn, each of whom is a prince over the youth in Heaven; and among the descendants of Husayn are nine. Obedience to them is obedience to me, and disobedience to them is disobedience to me. The ninth of them is their qa'im (the firmly established) and mahdi - the executor, and the one divinely trained for right guidance.[63]
Stated on behalf of his grandson Husayn when he was only a few years old: "You are a sayyid (master) and the son of a sayyid. You are an imam and the son of an imam, the brother of an imam and the father of imams. You are Allah's proof and confirmation and the son of His proof. You are the father of nine of Allah's proofs in your line of descendants. Their ninth is their qa'im (the firmly established, the executor)."[64]
Notes:
[42] Qur'an 5:67. See the following commentators (mufassirin): Tabari, Wahidi, Tha'alibi, Qurtubi, al-Razi, ibn Kathir, Naysaburi, Suyuti, and Alusi al-Baghdadi; the following historians: Balathari, ibn Qutaybah, Tabari, al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, ibn 'Abd al-Birr, Shahristani, ibn Asakir, ibn al-Athir, ibn Abi al-Hadid, Ya'qut al-Hamawi, ibn Khalaqan, Yafi'i, ibn Kathir, ibn Khuldun, al-Dhahabi, ibn Hajar al-Askalani, ibn al-Sabbagh al-Maliki, al-Maqrizi, and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti; and also the following recorders of hadith: al-Shafi'i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, ibn Majah, Tirmidhi, Nisa'i, al-Baghawi, al-Dulabi, al-Tahawi, Abu Ya'la al-Musali, al-Hakim al-Naysaburi, Khatib al-Khawarizmi, Muhibb al-Din al-Tabari, al-Dhahabi, and al-Muttaqi al-Hindi.
[43] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 4:281; Sirr al-'Alamin, al-Ghazali, p. 12; al-Riyadh al-Nadhirah, al-Tabari, 2:169, et. al.
[44] Qur'an 5:3
[45] Qur'an 26:214
[46] Ihqaq al-Haqq, 4:62; Tarikh al-Tabari, 2:117; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 1:159; Tarikh Abul Fida, 1:116; Nadhm Durar al-Simtayn, p. 82; Kifayat al-Talib, p. 205; Tarikh Madinat Dimishq, 1:87, hadith #139 and #143; Shawahid al-Tanzil, al-Hasakani, 1:420; Jami' al-Bayan, Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, 19:131; al-Durr al-Manthur, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, 5:97; Tafsir ibn Kathir, 3:350; Tafsir al-Khazin, al-Baghdadi, 3:371; Ruh al-Ma'ani, al-Alusi al-Baghdadi, 19:122; Tafsir al-Jawahir, al-Tantawi, 13:103; al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn, al-Hakim al-Naysaburi, 3:135. Other historical sources, such as Sirat al-Halabi, say that the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) added: "And he will be my minister (wazir) and inheritor (warith)."
[47] Qur'an 5:55
[48] Tafsir al-Kashif, Zamakhshari, interpretation of chapter 5 verse 55
[49] Asbab al-Nuzul, Wahidi, interpretation of chapter 5 verse 55
[50] 5:38
[51] 6:391, hadith #5991
[52] Qur'an 4:59
[53] Sahih Bukhari, Book on Outstanding Traits, hadith #3430; Battles hadith #4064; Sahih Muslim, Book of the Merits of the Companions, hadith #4418; al-Tirmidhi, Book on Outstanding Traits, #3664; Ibn Majah, Book on the Introduction, 112 and 118; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal 1:173, 175, 177, 179, 182, 184, 185
[54] al-Mustadrak, al-Hakim, 3:128; Kanz al-Ummal, al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, 6:155
[55] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 5:25; Sahih Tirmidhi, 5: 296
[56] Kanz al-Ummal, al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, 6:170
[57] al-Mustadrak, al-Hakim, 3:226. Also ibn Jarir; Kanz al-Ummal, al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, 15:13; Tarikh ibn Kathir, 7:358
[58] Sunan ibn Majah, 1:44; Tirmidhi, 5:300
[59] al-Hakim, 3:221. Also al-Dhahabi.
[60] Sahih Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Marching, hadith #2724, #2753; Battles hadith #3888; Sahih Muslim, Book on the Merits of the Companions, hadith #4423 and #4424; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 5:333
[61] Sahih Bukhari, Book on Outstanding Traits, hadith #3240; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Imarah, hadith #3392; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, part 2 p. 29, 93, and 128
[62] Sahih Bukhari, Book on Legal Judgements, hadith #6682; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Imarah, hadith #3393; al-Tirmidhi, Book on the Trials, #2149; Abu Dawud, Book on al-Mahdi, #3731; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 5:87, 90, 92, 95, 97, 99, 100, 101, 106, 107, and 108
[63] Ikmal al-Din
[64] ibid.
