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More Traditions

13. Are there more traditions about the guardianship of Imam Ali (‘a) in the books of ahlu sunnah?

Answer:

Traditions, which support the explicitly clear traditions

The Messenger of Allah (S) said,

(while holding ‘Ali's neck) "This is the Imam of the righteous, the slayer of the debauchees; victorious is whoever supports him, forsaken (by Allah) is whoever abandons him." He (S) raised his voice while saying the last phrase.1

"It has been revealed to me that ‘Ali has three exclusive merits: that he is the chief of the Muslims, the Imam of the righteous, and the leader of those whose foreheads radiate with the mark of faith."2

(pointing to ‘Ali), "This is the first to have believed in me, the first to shake hands with me on the Day of Resurrection; he is the foremost friend, and he is the faruq (wisest discriminator) of this nation who distinguishes between right and wrong; he is the chief of the believers."3

"I am the city of knowledge, and ‘Ali is its gate; whoever aspires to attain knowledge, let him approach through the gate."4

"After me you (Ali) shall clarify to my nation all matters wherein they differ."5

In fact, whoever scrutinizes this hadith and others similar to it will come to know that ‘Ali's status with relevance to the Messenger of Allah is similar to that of the Messenger of Allah to the Almighty Himself. Allah says to His Messenger, "We have sent you Our revelations only so that you may clarify for them all the matters in which they dispute, and as guidance and mercy unto those who believe" (16:64). Similarly, in this hadith the Messenger of Allah (S) tells ‘Ali, "You shall clarify to my nation all matters wherein they differ after me."

(On the day of ‘Arafat during the farewell pilgrimage), "‘Ali is from me, and I am from ‘Ali, and nobody can discharge my duty (and pays my debts) except myself or ‘Ali."6

"Whoever obeys me obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me disobeys Him; and whoever obeys ‘Ali obeys me, too; and whoever disobeys ‘Ali also disobeys me."7

"O ‘Ali! You are the leader in this life and in the hereafter; whoever loves you loves me, too, and whoever loves me is loved by Allah; your foe is my foe, and my foe is Allah's foe; woe to whoever hates you after me."8

"O ‘Ammar! If you see ‘Ali walking on one path while other people walk on another, walk with ‘Ali and leave the people, for he shall never lead you to destruction, nor shall he ever take you out of right guidance."9

"I am the Warner, and ‘Ali is the Guide; through you, O ‘Ali, shall guidance be attained after me."10

"Whoever wishes to discern Noah's determination, Adam's knowledge, Ibrahim's clemency, Moses' discretion, Christ's asceticism, then let him look unto ‘Ali."11

"Among you is one who will fight for its (Qur'an's) interpretation just as I fought for its revelation." The audience was very excited. Among them were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. Abu Bakr asked: "Am I the one?" and the Prophet's answer was negative. ‘Umar inquired: "Is it I?" and the Prophet (S) answered, "No; but it is the one who is mending the shoes" (meaning thereby ‘Ali). Therefore, we visited ‘Ali to convey the good news to him, but he did not even raise his head, as if he had already heard it from the Messenger of Allah (S)."12

There is no room here to quote all such traditions which, as a whole, support one another and are all indicative of one meaning, and that is: ‘Ali is second only to the Messenger of Allah (S) in faring with this nation. Moreover, that he is next only to the Messenger of Allah in leading it. These traditions convey such a meaning, even if their texts are not consecutively reported, and this much should suffice as an irrefutable proof.

  • 1. . Mustadrak, Hakim, vol. 3, p. 129 & Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 6, p. 153, no. 2527.
    Hakim says, "This is one hadith the authenticity of which is attested to by its own chain of narrators, but the two shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) have not recorded it."
  • 2. . Mustadrak, Hakim, vol. 3, p. 138 & Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 6, p. 156, no. 2628.
    Hakim comments, "This is one hadith the accuracy of which is attested to by its own chain of narrators, but both authors of the sahih books (Bukhari and Muslim) have not recorded it."
  • 3. . This is quoted by al-Tabrani in his Kabir from the ahadith narrated by Salman and Abu Dharr. It is quoted by al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan, and by Ibn ‘Uday in his Al-Kamil; it also is hadith number 2608 of the ones included in Kanz al-’Ummal, vol. 6, p. 156.
  • 4. . This is quoted by al-Tabrani in his Kabir from Ibn ‘Abbas as stated on page 107 of Al-Jami’ al-Saghir by Sayyuti. It is also quoted by al-Hakim in Manaqib ‘Ali, page 226, vol. 3 of his authentic Mustadrak. Termidhi has recorded a hadith like this in his Sunan.
  • 5. . This is recorded by Hakim on page 122, vol. 3, of his Mustadrak as reported by Anas. The author then comments: "This is an authentic hadith according to the endorsement of both Shaykhs [Bukhari and Muslim], but they did not quote it themselves."
  • 6. . This is quoted by Ibn Majah in his chapter on the virtues of the Prophet's companions on page 92, vol. 1, of his Sunan, by Tirmithi and Nisa'i in their respective Sunans, and it is hadith number 2531 among the ones cited in Kanz al-’Ummal, page 153, vol. 6. Imam Ahmad also quotes it on page 164, vol. 4, of his Musnad.
  • 7. . This is recorded by al-Hakim on page 121, vol. 3, of his Mustadrak, and by Thahbi in his Talkhis. Both authors have relied on the authority of both Shaykhs [Bukhari and Muslim] to endorse this hadith.
  • 8. . This is recorded by Hakim at the beginning of page 128, vol. 3 of Mustadrak, and it is genuine according to the standard set by two Shaykhs.
  • 9. . Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 6, p. 156.
  • 10. . Ibid, p. 157, no. 2631.
  • 11. . This is recorded by Bayhaqi in his Sahih and by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his Musnad.
  • 12. . Mustadrak, Hakim, vol. 3, p. 122 & Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 6, p. 155.