ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF IMAM ALI

No one in Islam has ever received such praise and esteem as Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) received in the Islamic message, which asks its followers not only to evaluate and endear him, but also to adhere to his example and follow in his footsteps.

The Glorious Qur'an, the noble traditions and factual history contain texts and narratives which speak volumes of Imam Ali's (a.s.) merits and applaud him. The compliments are like medals which decorate his chest to distinguish him; or they are in the form of rules and commandss obliging the Muslims to follow his course and guidance.
Of the "medals" which Imam Ali (a.s.) received from Allah, the Exalted, and the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) we can mention the following:

1. "...Allah's wish is only to remove uncleanness far from you, O Folk of the Household; and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing."

Holy Qur'an (33:33)

Commentators on this verse say it refers specifically to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hussain (a.s.), when the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) demanded a cloak and covered them all with it. When this verse was revealed, Um Salamah, the Messenger's wife asked: "Am I among your household?"
"No," the Messenger replied, "but you are all right."(59)

2. "And whoever disputes with you concerning him, after the knowledge which has come unto you, say (unto them): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemmnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie."

Holy Qur'an (3:61)

Islamic commentators of all sects confirm that this verse was revealed when the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), accompanied Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hussain (a.s.), went to meet the Christians of Najran for "Mubahalah" (Malediction). When the Christians saw him coming with his household, they were afraid of the consequences and excused themselves for not going through with the "Mubahalah" , and agreed to pay tribute in submission to his authority.(60)

3. "And (they) feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him, (saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you. We fear from our Lord a day of frowning and of fate. Therefore Allah has warded off from them the evil of that day, and has made them find brightness and joy."

Holy Qur'an (76:8-11)

Commentators unanimously agree that this verse was revealed in favor of Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hussain (a.s.), when Hasan and Husain (a.s.) were ill, and Ali, Fatimah (a.s.) and Fiddah (their maid) had vowed to Allah to fast for three days if the two boys recovered from their illness. They did recover, and the Household (a.s.) fasted.

At sunset on the first day, a beggar knocked at their door, and they gave him what they had of barley-bread.
On the second day an orphan knocked at the door and asked for food, and they fed him.
On their third day of fasting, a war-prisoner came to them, and they gave him their food. Thus, the Household (a.s.) fasted for three days without tasting anything except water. Hence the revelation of these generous verses glorifies them, extols their deed, and singles them out as examplers for the others to follow.(61)

4. "Count you the slaking of a pilgrim's thirst and tendance of the inviolable place of worship as (equal to the worth of him) who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. Allah guides not wrongdoing folk."

Holy Qur'an (9:19)

This verse was revealed when Talhah bin Shaibah boasted to Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, saying: "I have more authority on the House (Ka'bah) because I am more authorized as I am responsible for giving out water to the pilgrims."

At that moment Imam Ali (a.s.) passed by them and asked them: "What are you boasting about?" They told him. He said, "I was given as a child what none of you were given."

"What was that?" they asked him.

He replied, "I was the first to pray in Islam, and I am the Fighter (for the sake of Allah)."

Hence the revelation of the said verse was in praise of what Imam Ali (a.s.) was proud of (62)
Apart from this high appreciation of Imam Ali (a.s.) on the part of the Glorious Qur'an, the honorable traditions speak further in this respect:

1. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said:
"I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate."(63)

2. The Prophet (s.a.w.) also said, addressing Imam Ali (a.s.):
"You are to me as Aaron was to Moses, only there is no prophet after me."(64)

3. And again addressing Imam Ali (a.s.):
"Only believers will love you and only hypocrites will hate you!"(65)

4. On the day of fraternization between Muhajirin (the emigrants) and Ansars (the inhabitants of Medinah who supported the Muhajirin). The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said to Imam Ali (a.s.):
"You are my brother and I am your brother. If anybody asks you, tell him: I am the servant of Allah and the brother of His Messenger. No one would claim this after you but a liar."(66)

These were some of the texts which praised Imam Ali (a.s.). For more such texts look up Fada'il Khamsah min "al-Sihah al-Sittah", "Yanabi' al-Mawaddah", Ahmad bin Hanbal's "Musnad", and "Dala'il al-Sidiq", the chapter titled "Fadha'il Amir al-Mu'minin wa Imamatihi" , and other references.

IMAM ALI'S MERITS:

As to the texts which impose loyalty to Imam Ali (a.s.) as the Imam and leader of the Muslims, we may quote the following:

"Only Allah is your Wali and His Prophet and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow."

Holy Qur'an (5:55)

Interpreters of the Qur'an say that this verse was revealed specifically about Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.),(67) confirming the compulsion of adhering to him as an Imam, an ideological authority and a social and political leader of the nation. It was revealed when Imam Ali (a.s.) took off his ring from his finger, while kneeling in his prayer, and gave it to the poor, in charity. The verse was revealed on this very occasion, and it confirmed the leadership of Imam Ali (a.s.).

GHADIR SPEECH:

This was the speech which the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) addressed to the Muslims at a place called "Ghadir Khum", on his return from his last pilgrimage to Mecca, in which Barra' bin Azib says:
"We came with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), in the year of his last pilgrimage, to a place on the road, where he summoned the people to "collective prayer", and took Ali's hand and addressing the people, said:

Am I not more appropriate for authority over you than yourselves?"

"Yes," they answered.

"Am I not more appropriate for authority over every believer than himself?"

"Yes," they replied:

"Then, this (holding high Ali's hand) has authority over whom I have authority. O Allah, befriend whoever befriends him!"(68)

Or, according to the wording of Ahmad bin Hanbal, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said,

"Whosoever I have authority over, Ali has also authority over him. O Allah! befriend whoever befriends him and be hostile to whoever is hostile to him."(69)

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said:

"Ali is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali. They will never separate until they join me at the Pool (Kawthar) in the hereafter."(70)

In another narrative, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), addressing Ammar bin Yasir, said:

"....And if all the people went through a valley, and Ali went through another, go through the valley through which Ali went, disregarding all other people."(71)

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) also specified:

"Every prophet has a vicegerent and inheritor..."(72)

These are a few of the many confirmed and authentic Islamic texts attested to by all Muslims.(73)