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Reciting The Name Of ‘Ali (‘A) In The Adhan

In the call to prayer, you will notice the Shi’a, after bearing witness to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) also bear witness to what is known as the third testimony (shahadat ath-thalitha). This third testimony is bearing witness to the wilayat (guardianship) of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ‘Ali (‘a) by saying “Ash-hadu anna Aliy-yan waliy-yu Allah.” Below are numerous sources to show proofs of where this originates, that it is permissible to say, and also the opinions of the great Shi’a scholars about this matter.

Qur’an And Ahadith

Shaykh Abdullah Maraghi, a prominent Sunni scholar, in his book As-Salafah fee Amr ul-Khilafah, has mentioned the following two reports regarding the beginning of the third testimony:

  1. Salaman al-Farsi (ra) used to mention in adhan and iqamah, after the testimony of the messengership of the Messenger of Allah (S), the testimony to the mastership (wilayat) of Imam Amirul Momineen ‘Ali (‘a). A companion came to meet the Holy Prophet (S) and asked: “O’ Messenger of Allah, I heard a strange thing today, which I never heard before!” “What did you hear?” his eminence asked. He replied: “I saw Salman testify to the mastership (wilayat) of ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib in the adhan after the testimony of prophethood! The Holy Prophet said: “You heard a nice thing.”

  2. A companion came to the Holy Prophet and asked: “O’ Messenger of Allah, I saw Abu Dharr say in the adhan, after the testimony of prophethood, he also testified to the mastership (wilayat) of ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib! The Holy Prophet said: “You have forgotten what I said in Ghadir Khumm: Of whomsoever I am the master, ‘Ali is also his master. One who breaks this pledge has not, but put himself in trouble.”

On the basis of these two reports, the mention of I witness that ‘Ali is the Wali of Allah in the adhan is having a long precedent and it originated during the lifetime of the Prophet (S) and he permitted it through silent approval.1

Shahadat ath-thalitha by Fatimah az-Zahra’ (‘a) – The first words after her birth:

“Then Fatimah (‘a) said: “I testify that there is no god but Allah, and My Father is Prophet of Allah (S) and ‘Ali (‘a) is the leader of the custodians and my children are leaders of the tribes.”2

Shahadat ath-thalitha in the Du’a of Imam as-Sadiq (‘a):

“There is no god but you and you are our Lord. And Muhammad is your servant and your prophet and messenger. And ‘Ali is the leader of the believers and the greatest proof and biggest sign and the greatest news in which people are confused”.3

Names of the Imams (‘a) on a Parchment written 2000 years before Adam (‘a):

Dawood Ibn Katheer ar-Riqqi has said:

I came to Abu Abdullah Ja’far Ibn Muhammad as--Sadiq (‘a) in Medina and he said to me: “Why have you not visited us since so long, O Dawood?”

I said: “I had something to do in Kufa.”

He (‘a) said: “Whom did you leave in Kufa?”

I said: “May my soul be sacrificed for you! I have left your uncle Zayd. I left him riding on a horse with his sword and calling loudly: “Ask me before you will miss me. I have great knowledge. I have known the abrogating and abrogated verdicts, the oft-repeated verses and the great Qur’an. Knowledge is between Allah and you.”

He (‘a) said to me: “O Dawood, things have affected you.”

Then He (‘a) called: “O Suma’a Ibn Mihran, bring me a basket of ripe dates!”

He brought him a basket of ripe dates. He took one, ate it, took the kernel out of his mouth and stuck it into the ground. It grew and fruited. He picked an unripe date from one of the bunches. He split it and took a piece of parchment out of it. He spread it, gave it to me and said to me: “Read it!”

It had two lines. The first line was “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The second line was “Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being sacred, that is the right religion. Amir Al-Mu’minin ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib, al-Hasan Ibn ‘Ali, al-Husain Ibn ‘Ali, ‘Ali Ibn al-Husain, Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali, Ja’far Ibn Muhammad, Musa Ibn Ja’far, ‘Ali Ibn Musa, Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali, ‘Ali Ibn Muhammad, Hasan Ibn ‘Ali, al-Khalaf al-Hujjah.”

Then He (‘a) said: “O Dawood, do you know when this has been written in this piece of parchment?”

I said: “Allah, His Messenger and You are more aware!”

He (‘a) said: “Two thousand years before Allah had created Adam”.4

A Jew reciting Shahadat ath-thalitha while becoming a Muslim at the hands of Imam ‘Ali (‘a):

Background: A Jew from the descendants of Prophet Dawood (‘a) came to Medina after the martyrdom of the Holy Prophet (S) and had a few questions. Imam ‘Ali (‘a) answered his questions and hence he became a Muslim and said the following on the Hands of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) …

The Jew said: “By Allah you are right. This has been mentioned in the book of my father Dawood (‘a). The book has been inherited by one after another until it has reached me.” Then he took out the book written by Prophet Dawood (‘a) and said to Imam ‘Ali (‘a): “Give me your hand! I witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. It is he, of whom the Prophet Moses (‘a) has informed. And I witness that you (‘a) are the jurisprudent of this umma and the guardian of the messenger of Allah.”

Then Imam ‘Ali (‘a) began to teach him the laws of Islam5.

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَائِمُونَ

“And those who stand firm in their testimonies [minimum 3 shahadat]” (Qur’an, 70:33).

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

“And those who guard (the sacredness) of their prayer” (Qur’an, 70:34).

أُولَٰئِكَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ مُكْرَمُونَ

“And such will be the honored ones in the Gardens (of Bliss)” (Qur’an, 70:35).

The above verse of the Holy Qur’an clearly states in the Arabic text that the word testimonies is in the plural which means that we should stand firm on a minimum of 3 testimonies (shahadah) so as to enter heaven.

وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

“Neither speak thy Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.” (Qur’an, 17:110).

Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari asks Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) regarding this verse of the Holy Qur’an. Imam al-Baqir (‘a) replied saying:

“Do not say the Wilayat of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) in prayer aloud, but don’t hide it from ‘Ali (‘a). Recite it in a middle tone until I give you the permission to recite/declare it openly. This permission was granted on the day of GhadirKhumm”.6

فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

“The nature made by Allah in which he has made men.” (Qur’an, 30:30).

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) says regarding the above verse of the Holy Qur’an:

“That nature (Fitra) is ‘There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah, ‘Ali Amir-al-Momineen is the Wali of Allah’7.

Imam Ja’far As as-Sadiq (‘a) when asked about the verse of the Qur’an: “And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage” (9:3), said: ... Allah named him (‘Ali) Adhan from Allah. This (Adhan) is the name that Allah descended from the heaven for ‘Ali (‘a)8.

Views Of Shi’a Scholars

1) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Muhammad al-Baqir Waheed Bahbani Hairi:

Whatever I have said proves the presence of Shahadat of ‘Ali-un-Wali-Allah. Because it’s being found in the general Hadith suffices and above this no other Hadith is required. Because it’s said that when you do Muhammad's (S) dhikr, do ‘Ali's (‘a) dhikr as well. Hence there is no harm that we include this in Adhan and Iqamat as a Juz (part).9

2) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Abul Qasim Khoei:

We don’t need any Hadith to prove “‘Ali-un-Wali-Allah” in the Adhan and Iqamat, because Wilayat is a means for Completion of Risalat and strengthening of Iman. And Wilayat is 1 of those 5 things that are the basis of Deen. It is a clear sign and means of identification of Shi’a10.

3) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Abd-un-Nabi Iraqi:

There are more than 10 Authentic Hadith regarding shahadat ath-thalita. My opinion is that Shahadat al- Thalitha is part of Adhan and Iqamat. The one who says that ‘Ali-un-Wali-Allah is not proven in Adhan and hence is Bid'at and Haraam, then this is a misunderstanding of a person who does not have knowledge of Fiqh.11

4) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Mirza Aaqa Istehbaani:

Shahadat ath-thalita is a Juz (part) in Adhan and Iqamat.12

5) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sayed Muhammad Shirazi

Ash-hadu anna ‘Ali-an Wali Allah is a Juz (Part) of Adhan.13

6) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Muhammad Taqi Mamqani:

The Shahadat al-Wilayat is proven for most of the Historians. Authentic are there on Shahadat ath-thalita. Hence taking it to be Juz (part) will not be wrong.14

7) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Abdur Razzak Muqarram:

Examining the numerous traditions that prove that the Holy Prophet many times clarified that the Wilayat of his Successor is the completion of the 2 testimonies (Shahadatain), confirms that in the very life of the Prophet Shahadat ath-thalita after the Shahadatain was in the Adhan etc. Although it was difficult for Prophet Muhammad (S) to make the open declaration of Wilayat of ‘Ali (‘a) as obligatory because there were many people who would not accept the Merits of ‘Ali (‘a) [out of prejudice]. And how could they be satisfied with such an order that was a step in taking away the Successor ship from other than Imam ‘Ali (‘a)?15

8) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) ‘Ali Madad Qaini: After knowing the narration of Imam (‘a) “Whoever say’s La ilaha Illa Allah Muhammadun Rasulu Allah, he should say ‘Aliyun Amir Al-MumininWali-Ullah.” It is not difficult to believe that the Imam (‘a) was indicating that Shahadat ath-Thalitha is a Juz (part) of Adhan.16

9) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Ibrahim Istehbati Shirazi Najafi:

Shahadat ath-thalita is a Juz (part) of Adhan.17

10) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sayed Husain Tabrizi:

In some narrations there exits the declarations of Wilayat like Sheikh As-Saduq has quoted. It becomes evident from the words of Sheikh As-Saduq and Sheikh At-Tusi that it has come in authentic narrations that Wilayat and Risalat are into one another and that the names of Prophet (saww) and Amir Al-Muminin(‘a) are always taken together.18

11) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Muhammad Taqi Majlisi

It’s possible that this (Shahadat ath-thalita) would be a Juz (part) if there had been no Taqiyya.19

12) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sheikh Muhammad Raza Najafi:

Shahadat ath-thalita not being a Juz (part) of Adhan is due to Taqiyya.20

13) Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi:

“Evidently the phrase ‘Ash-hadu anna Aliy-yan waliy-yullah’ is the integral part of both adhan and iqamah, as some narrations point to that.”21

Saying ‘Ali’s Name In Tashahhud Is A Recommended (Mustahab) Act

Someone asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) as to what is to be recited in the qunoot and Tashahhud of Prayer.

Imam Replied saying: “Recite that seems best, if this would have been fixed (as to what is to be recited) then people would have perished.”22

Someone asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) as to what is the minimum dhikr to be recited in the Tashahhud of Prayer.

Imam (‘a) replied saying: “Recite Shahadatain” (i.e. 2 shahadat).23

Sheikh As-Saduq also accepts this and he says the following in his Amali: “Sufficient for Tashahhud is the 2 testimonies and any more than that is worship (ibadat).”24

Tashahhud of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a):

“...... I bear witness that no god but Allah alone with no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger..... I bear witness that you are the best Lord and that Muhammad is the best Messenger and that ‘Ali is the Best Wasi and Imam25.....”26

Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sayed Ahmad Mustanabat says the following in his book Al-Qatra:

“I finish this chapter with that Tashahhud which Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) used to recite in Prayer because have heard from a few people that they are in denial of the Third Shahadah in Adhan and Iqamat, although Sheikh Tabrisi in his book Ihtijaj has quoted the following hadith from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a)”:

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) says: “When any one from you says ‘La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadan Rasool Allah’ then he must say Alian Wali Allah.” 27

Sayed Ahmad Mustanabat continues by saying:

“This means that with the declaration of Tauheed and Risalat, the declaration of Wilayat of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) should also be necessarily given. People are ignorant of the fact that based on the above hadith of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) the declaration of the Wilayat of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is among the recommended acts (mustahabat) of Prayer.”

“Below I quote the Tashahhud of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) because its meaning is very in depth and high and it’s very advantageous for those who think and ponder over it. This is quoted in the book Fiqh al-Majlisi by Muhammad Taqi Majlisi and is as follows:

...... I bear witness that no god but Allah alone with no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger..... I bear witness that you are the best Lord and that Muhammad is the best Messenger and that ‘Ali is the Best Wasi and Imam.....28

Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sheikh Abdul Haleem:

Sheikh Abdul Haleem quoting the narration of Tashahhud with the Third Shahadah states:

“Some people consider the tradition of Tashahhud which is different from the one which is known among worshippers, as strange and shocking. And the truth is that there is no valid reason to be surprised in this because of the following reasons:

a) The way of Tashahhud which is common in our obligatory and recommended prayers is because that has become well known and famous among us and we recite it repeatedly and the same form of Tashahhud is present is the Taudhih ul-Masa’il (book of laws) of our Scholars and the forms of Tashahhud is not quoted in the Taudhih ul-Masa’il although in our books of Hadith and Fiqh there are many different forms of Tashahhud narrated from the Imams (‘a).

b) Faqih Sheikh Muhammad Husain Najafi in his book Jawahir-al-Kalam while discussing about Tashahhud says, “The worshipper has the right to recite Tashahhud based on any narration and it’s not in any way proven that a specific form of Tashahhud is obligatory. In fact, the lengthy Tashahhud based on the narration from Abu Baseer can also be recited. Hence any narration of Tashahhud from the Imam’s (‘a) can be recited in Prayer.”

c) All that is said by Sheikh Yusuf Behrani in his book Hadaiq-un-Nazira can be summarized as, “It is well known among the people that the Tashahhud with Shahadatain (2 declarations) is obligatory while the Tashahhud with more than 2 declarations is considered recommended.”

d) It is quoted in Al-Kafi that someone asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) as to what is to be recited in the qunoot and Tashahhud of Prayer.

Imam Replied saying: “Recite that seems best, if this would have been fixed (as to what is to be recited) then people would have perished.”

This narration is also present in Tahdhib and Wasa’il ash-Shi’a.

The various narrations of Tashahhud which are found in our books of narrations such as in Man La Yah Dharul Faqih and Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il, the count of these narrations goes well above 12. Hence it is quite normal to be surprised about this narration of Tashahhud.

The lengthy Tashahhud narrated from Abu Baseer which is quoted in the books Tahdhib and Wasa’il is considered as the most superior Tashahhud by Sheikh Muhammad Husain Najafi. And the next most superior Tashahhud is the one quoted by the Lover of Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a), author of the book Hadaiq-un-Nadhira which is quite similar to the Tashahhud quoted by Faqih Sayed Ahmad Mustanabat in his book Al-Qatra, this Tashahhud also contains the words “I bear witness that ‘Ali is the Best Wali.” This narration of Tashahhud is also quoted by Sheikh Noori in his book Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il. This Tashahhud is narrated by our Imams (‘a) and our Fuqaha and Scholars.

Hence don’t get swept away by the talk of those who oppose these narrations of Tashahhud. Many have been swept in this wave of confusion. Beware of them. Beware of them. Beware of them. And seek the intercession of Imam Az-Zaman (aj) that he may keep us safe from every conflict29.

Faqih Husain Baksh Jadah in his Taudhih ul-Masa’il (book of laws) ‘Anwar-ush-Shariya Dar Fiqh al-Ja’fariya’ quotes the following Tashahhud from Imam ar-Ridha’ (‘a):

“… I bear witness that no god but Allah alone with no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger… I bear witness that you are the best Lord and that Muhammad is the best Messenger and that ‘Ali is the Best Wali… O Allah sends Blessings on Muhammad Al-Mustafa and ‘Ali Al-Murtadha and Fatimah Az-Zahra’ and Hasan and Husayn, and the Imam’s from the progeny of Taha and Yaseen.”30

Sayed Muhammad Husaini Baghdadi was asked a question on the permissibility of recital of Tashahhud of Imam Ja’far as as-Sadiq quoted in the book Al-Qatra by Faqih al-Ahl Al-Bayt (‘a) Sayed Ahmad Mustanabat (which in turn quotes from Fiqh al-Majlisi), also taking support from the following hadith of Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) quoted in Ihtijaj al-Tabrisi:

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) says: “When any one from you says ‘La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadan Rasool Allah’ then he must say Alian Wali Allah’”.31

Sayed Muhammad Husaini Baghdadi in reply said that “These are mu'tabar (respectable) narrations and acting on these is permitted.”32

Salam On The Imam's (‘A) After Tashahhud

Peace be upon you O Prophet and his blessings and grace be upon you! Peace be upon you all messengers and angels and prophets. Peace be upon the Guided Imams who guide. Allah's peace be on us and upon all pious servants of Allah33.

  • 1. Our Questions by Ayatollah Hussain Tehrani page 499.
  • 2. Ref: Bihar Al-Anwar Vol.16 p.81.
  • 3. Ref: Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Sheikh Tusi Vol.3 p.146.
  • 4. Ref: Al-Gayba, Nu’mani Chapter 4 Hadith18; Taweel al-Aayat Vol.1 p.203; Bihar al Anwar Vol.24 p. 243.
  • 5. Ref: Al-Gayba, Nu’mani Chapter 4 Hadith 30; Bihar al Anwar Vol.10 p. 23.
  • 6. Ref: Tafsir an-Noor uth-Thaqlain Vol. 3 p. 235, Tafsir al-Ayyashi, Tafsir al-Saafi, Tafsir al-Burhaan.
  • 7. Ref: Tafsir al-Burhaan Vol.3 p. 262 and Tafsir al-Furaat
  • 8. Ref: Taweel ul-Ayat p. 204 and Bihar Al-Anwar Vol.35 p. 293 and Ma’ni Al-Akhbar p. 298.
  • 9. Ref: Al-Hidaya Fi Juziyat ul-Shahadat al-Wilayat, p. 14.
  • 10. Ref: Mustanad Urwat ul-Wusqa, Vol.2, p. 288.
  • 11. Ref: Al-Hidaya Fi Kaun un-Shahadat Bil-Wilayah Fi ‘l-Adhan and Wa al-Iqamah Juzi Kasair ul-Ajzia, p. 37 and Al-Hidaya Fi Juziyat ul-Wilayah, p. 161.
  • 12. Ref: Sharh Risalat ul-Huqooq, Vol. 3, p. 113.
  • 13. Ref: Al-Fiqh, Vol. 9, Chapter on Adhan.
  • 14. Ref: Sahifat ul-Abraar, Vol. 2, p. 186.
  • 15. Ref: Sirr ul-Eeman, p. 14.
  • 16. Ref: Sirr ul-Eeman, p. 56.
  • 17. Ref: Risalate Amaliya Zakhiratul Ibaad, p. 46.
  • 18. Ref: Qawaid-ud-Deen p. 227.
  • 19. Ref: Rauzat ul-Muttaqeen, Vol. 2, p. 246.
  • 20. Ref: Sirr ul-Eeman, p. 41.
  • 21. Ref: Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi page 135.
  • 22. Ref: Furu al-Kafi Vol. 3 p. 337 and Khulasat al-Haqaiq Vol. 1 p. 255.
  • 23. Ref: Furu al-Kafi Vol. 3 p. 337.
  • 24. Ref: Amali, Sheikh As-Saduq.
  • 25. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasuluh, wa anna ‘Aliyan ni’mah wali, allahumma salli ‘ala muhammadin wa aale muhammad, is how this should be said if added as a mustahab act in tashahhud according to the view of Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi.
  • 26. Ref: Fiqh al-Majlisi p. 29.
  • 27. Ref: Al-Ihtijaj Vol. 1 p. 230; Bihar Al-Anwar Vol. 27 Hadith: 1.
  • 28. Ref: Al-Qatra Vol. 1 p. 328, Urdu – al Qatra Vol. 2 pg 92-93.
  • 29. Ref: Shahadat al-Thalitha Al-Muqaddasa p. 224-230.
  • 30. Ref: Anwar ush-Shariya dar Fiqh al-Ja’fariya p. 58.
  • 31. Ref: Al-Ihtijaj Vol. 1 p. 230; Bihar Al-Anwar Vol. 27 Hadith: 1.
  • 32. Please refer to the web page “Shahadat al-Salisa” for all of the links and scanned pages of the fatwas and books referenced. www.shahadatalsalisa.com
  • 33. Ref: Mustadrak Al-Wasa’il Vol.5 p. 9 and Bihar Al-Anwar Vol.82 p. 287 and Al-Balad ul-Ameen p. 8.