Some Qouranic verses as the solid proof of Imam Ali's authority
Certainly your Master is Allah and His Messenger and those who
believe who establish prayer and give charity while they bow.
And who ever takes Allah and His Messenger and those who believe
as a guardian, so surely the party of Allah will be victorious.
(Quran 5:55-56)
It is unanimous that the verse descended about Imam Ali (AS) when he gave
away in charity his ring while he was in a state of kneeling in his prayer.
This is also authenticated successively according to the 12 Imams. Here are
some of the Shi'ite references
- Bihar al-Anwar, by Allama Majlisi
- Tafseer al-Mizan, by Allama Tabatabai
- Tafseer al-Kashaf, by Allama Muhammad Jawad Mughniyah
- al-Ghadir, by Allama Abdul Husain Ahmad al-Amini
- Asbat al-Hudate, by Allama Muhammad Ibn Hasan Amuli
But for the sake of the readers I shall produce some Sunni references, and
traditions in this respect through other sources. Many Sunni commentators
of the Quran confirm the fact that the above verse descended on the honor
of Imam Ali (AS) and many Sunni scholars have also mentioned the unanimity
or consensus of opinion in their books. Here are some references in this
regard:
(1) Tafsir al-Kabir, by Ahmad Ibn Muhammad al-Tha'labi, under Verse 5:55
(2) Tafsir al-Kabir, by Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, v6, pp 186,288-289
(3) Tafsir Jamiul Hukam al-Quran, by Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Qurtubi, v6, p219
(4) Tafsir al-Khazin, v2, p68
(5) Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Suyuti, v2, pp 293-294
(6) Tafsir al-Kashshaf, by al-Zamakhshari, Egypt 1373, v1, pp 505,649
(7) Asbab al-Nuzool, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, Egypt 1382, v1, p73 on the
authority of Ibn Abbas
(8) Asbab al-Nuzool, by al-Wahidi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
(9) Sharh al-Tjrid, by Allama Qushji
(10) Ahkam al-Quran, al-Jassas, v2, pp 542-543
(11) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v5, p38
(12) Kanzul Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p391, Tradition #5991
(13) al-Awsat, by Tabarani, narrated from Ammar Yasir
(14) Ibn Mardawayh, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
... and more.
There is also a tradition related by Ibn Salam whose chain of sources rises
up to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) himself. Please refer to the Sahih of Nisa'i or
the commentary of Sura Ma'idah in Jam'a Bayn al-Sihah al-Sittah.
In Ghayah al-Maram, p18, Sayyid al-Bahrayni forwards twenty four (24)
traditions from sources other than the Ahlul-Bayt, all supporting the above
fact.
For the sake of brevity, I am going to confine myself to a tradition
occuring in the commentary of the Quran by Abi Is'haq Ahmad Ibn Muhammad
ibn Ibrahim Nisaboori al-Tha'labi. (A few comments on the respected
personality): He died in 337 AH and Ibn Khallikan gives an account of his
death saying: "He was unique as a commentator of the Quran and his Tafsir
al-Kabir is superior to all other interpretations."
When he reached this verse he recorded this in his Tafsir al-Kabir on the
authority of Abu Dhar al-Ghifari, who said:
Both of my ears may turn deaf and both of my eyes may become blind if
I speak a lie. I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah's blessings and
peace be upon him and his posterity, saying, "Ali is the guide of the
righteous and the slayer of the infidels. he who has helped him is
victorious and he who has abandoned him is forsaken." One day I said
my prayers in the company of the Prophet. A beggar came to the mosque
and begged for alms, but nobody gave him anything. Ali was in a state
of kneeling in the prayer. He pointed out his ring to the beggar, who
appraoched him and removed the ring from his finger. Thereupon the
Prophet, Allah's blessings and peace be upon him and his posterity,
implored Allah the Mighty and Glorious, saying: "O Allah! My brother
Moses begged you saying, 'My Lord, delight my heart and make my task
easy and undo the knot in my tongue so that they may understand me,
and appoint from my kinsmen, Haroon, my brother, as my vizier, and
strenghthen my back with him and make him participate in my mission so
that we may glorify You and remember You more frequently. Certainly
You see us.' And You inspired him: 'O Musa! All your requests have
been granted.' O Allah! I am your slave and your prophet. Delight my
heart and make my task easy and appoint from among my kinsmen Ali as
my vizier and strengthen my back with him."
Abu Dhar, then, proceeded
By Allah, the Messenger of Allah, Allah's blessings and peace be upon
him and his posterity had not yet finished his supplication when the
trustworthy Gabriel descended to him with this Verse
"Certainly Allah is Your Master, and His Prophet and those who believe
who establish prayer and give charity while they bow. And whoever
takes Allah and His Messenger and those who believe as a guardian, so
surely the party of Allah will be victorious."
Sunni reference: Tafsir al-Kabir, by al-Tha'labi under the commentary of
verses 5:55-56 of Quran.
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Another verse which the Shi'ites consider as proof of the caliphate of Ali is this: " This day those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM" (Quran, V,3). The obvious meaning of this verse is that before that particular day the infidels had hopes that a day would come when Islam would die out, but God through the actualization of a particular event made them lose forever the hope that Islam would be destroyed. This very event is the cause of the strength and perfection of Islam and of necessity could be a minor occasion such as the proclaim of one of the injunctions of religion. Rather, it was a matter of such importance that the continuation of Islam depended upon it. This verse seems to be related to another verse which comes toward the end of the same chapter: "O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou will not have conveyed His message, Allah will protect thee from mankind." (Quran, V,67). This verse indicates that God commanded a mission of great concern and importance to the Prophet (SW) that if not accomplished would endanger the basis of Islam and prophecy. But, the matter was so important that the Prophet (SW) feared opposition and interference and in awaiting suitable circumstances delayed it - until there came a definite and urgent order from God to execute this command without delay and not to fear anyone. This matter also was not just a particular regligious injunction in the ordinary sense, for to preach one or several religious injuncations is not so vital, that if a single one of them was not preached it would cause the destruction of Islam. The Prophet (SW) of Islam did not fear anyone in preaching the injunc- tions and laws of religion. These indications and witnesses add weight to the Shi'ite tradi- tions which asset that these verses were revealed at Ghadir Khumm and concern the spiritual investiture (walayat) of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Moreover, many Shi'ite and Sunni commentators have confirmed this point.
Abu Said Khudari says: "The Prophet (SW) in Ghadir Khumm invited people toward Ali and took his arm and lifted it so high that the white spot on the armpit of the Prophet (SW) could be seen. Then this verse was revealed: 'This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as religion Al-ISLAM.' Then the Prophet (SW) said, 'God is great (Allahu akbar) that religion has become perfected and that God's bounty has been completed, His satisfaction attained and the walayat of Ali achieved.' Then he added, 'For whomever I am the authority and guide Ali is also his guide and authority. Oh God! Be friendly with the friends of Ali and the enemy of his enemies. Whoever helps, help him, and whoever leaves him, leave him.========================================
A few comments by the other Commentators
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Allama al-Tabarsi, while commenting on this verse in Majma' al-Bayan
states: "The plural form has been used for Ali, Commander of the faithful,
in order to express his honor and eminence." And masters of the Arabic
language use the plural form for an individual to show respect.
Allama al-Zamakshari in his Tafsir al-Kashshaf, has mentioned another nice
point which is as follows:
If you inquire how this plural word is applicable to Ali, (May Allah be
gracious to him), who is an individual, I shall say that though this
verse is about Ali, an individual, the plural form is used in order to
presuade others to act similarly and to give alms as readily as Ali
did. There is also an implied instruction that the faithful should
keep themselves always on the look out for occasions of acts of
sympathy, benevolence and charity to the poor and the needy, and
readily do the needful without waiting till the completion of even so
important a duty as saying a prayer.
Sunni reference: Tafsir al-Kashshaf, by al-Zamakhshari, v1, p649========================================
On the commentary of the verse 4:59 of Quran in which Allah orders us to obey Ulul-Amr, al-Khazzaz in his book, Kifayatul Athar, gives a tradition on the authority of the well-known companion of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari (RA):
When the verse (4:59) was revealed, Jabir asked the Prophet (PBUH&HF): "We know Allah and the Prophet, but who are those vested with authority whose obedience has been conjoined to that of Allah and yourself?"
The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "They are my Caliphs and the Imams of Muslims after me. The first of them is Ali; then al-Hasan; then al-Husain; then Ali son of al-Husain; then Muhammad son of Ali who has been mentioned 'al-Baqir' in the Torah (the old testament). O Jabir! You will meet him. When you see him, convey my greetings to him. He will be succeeded by his son, Ja'far al-Sadiq (the Truthful); then Musa son of Ja'far; then Ali son of Musa; then Muhammad son of Ali; then Ali son of Muhammad; then al-Hasan son of Ali. He will be followed by his son whose name and nick name will be the same as mine. He will be Proof of Allah (Hujjatullah) on the earth, and the one spared by Allah (Baqiyyatullah) to maintain the cause of faith among mankind. He shall conquer the whole world from the east to the west. So long will he remain hidden from the eyes of his followers and friends that the belief in his leadership will remain only in those hearts which have been tested by Allah for faith."
Jabir said: "O Messenger of Allah! Will his followers benefit from his seclusion?" The Prophet said: "Yes! by Him who sent me with prophethood! They will be guided by his light, and benefit from his leadership during his seclusion, just as people benefit from the sun even though it is hidden in the clouds. O Jabir! This is from the hidden secrets of Allah and the treasured knowledge of Allah. So guard it except from the people who deserve to know." (Kifayatul Athar, by al-Khazzaz, p53).