I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives

God Almighty states: “say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives” (42:24). Beyond doubt, Imam `Ali (a.s) is the master of the Household of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and a near relative.[298]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal in a narration recounts that the Messenger of Allah having the hands of Hasan and Husayn in his hand said: Whoever has the love for me, for my two sons, and for their parents in heart, will be near me in paradise on the Day of Judgment.[299]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal has quoted Zarr ibn Habish as saying: `Ali said: By God, the Messenger of Allah informed me of the divine covenant to the effect that hypocrisy is the sign of enmity with you and faith is the sign of love for you. Hence no one is my enemy unless he is hypocrite, and no one loves me unless he is a believer.[300]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal has reported `Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi-Layla as saying: On the day of Khaybar, the Messenger of Allah said: I will give the banner of Islam to a man who loves Allah and His messenger, and Allah and His messenger too love him. He is a champion who has never turned his back on war and kills the ill-fated enemies of Islam with his sword. The Holy Prophet’s companions, who were longing for this honor, looked at the face of the Messenger of Allah but soon they became desperate, for this honor was given to `Ali.[301]

The Holy Prophet (s.a) has been quoted by Hudhayfah as saying: Whoever wishes to resort to a ruby God created and said “be” and it “was”, has to accept the imamate of `Ali ibn Abi-Talib after me and to obey him.[302]

`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud has been reported as saying: the Messenger of Allah had come to the house of Ummu-Salamah from the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh when someone knocked the door. The Messenger of Allah said: Ummu-Salamah, go and open the door. Ummu-Salamah said: O Messenger of Allah! Who is at the door and how high is his position that I should welcome him without Hijab (veil) given that verses were revealed about me yesterday? The Messenger of Allah said: Obey my order, for to obey me is to obey Allah and to disobey me is to disobey Allah. The man who is asking for permission

فِي وُجوبِ مَحَبَّتِهِ وَمَوَدَّتِهِ:

قَالَ اللهُ تَعالَى: ﴿قُلْ لاَ أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْراً إِلاَّ الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى.﴾ وَأمِيرُ المُؤْمِنِينَ سَيِّدُ ذَوي القُرْبَى.

وَرَوى أحْمَدُ فِي مُسْنَدِهِ أنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ أخَذَ بِيَدِ الحَسَنِ وَالحُسَيْنِ وَقالَ: مَنْ أَحَبَّنِي وَأَحَبَّ هَذَيْنِ وَأَبَاهُما وَأُمَّهُمَا كَانَ مَعِيَ فِي دَرَجَتِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ.

وَمِنَ المُسْنَدِ: عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ حُبَيْشٍ قَالَ: قَالَ عَلِيٌّ: وَاللهِ إنَّهُ مِمَّا عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ لاَ يُبْغِضُنِي إلاَّ مُنَافِقٌ وَلا يُحِبُّنِي إلاَّ مُؤْمِنٌ.

وَفيهِ: عَنْ عَبْدِ الرّحمنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلى قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لأُعْطِيَنَّ الرَّايَةَ غَداً رَجُلاً يُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ كَرَّاراً لَيْسَ بِفَرَّارٍ.

فَتَشَرَّفَ لَهَا أصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فَأَعْطاها عَلِيَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَعَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَتَمَسَّكَ بِقَصَبَةِ الْيَاقُوتِ الَّتِي خَلَقَهَا اللهُ تَعَالَى بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهَا كُونِي فَكَانَتْ، فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ ابْنِ خالَوَيْهَ وَكِتابِ مَناقِبِ الخَوارِزْمِيِّ: عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعودٍ قَالَ: خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ مِنْ بَيْتِ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ حَتَّى أَتى بَيتَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَجاءَ داقٌّ فَدَقَّ البابَ. فَقالَ: يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ قُومِي وَافْتَحِي لَهُ. قَالَتْ: فَقُلْتُ: وَمَنْ هَذَا يَا رَسولَ اللهِ الَّذِي بَلَغَ مِنْ خَطَرِهِ أَنْ أَفْتَحَ البَابَ وَأتَلَقَّاهُ بِمَعاصِمِي وَقَدْ نَزَلَتْ فِيَّ بِالأَمْسِ آيَاتُ كِتـَابِ اللهِ تَعالَى؟ فَقَـالَ: يَـا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ إنَّ طَاعَةَ الرَّسُولِ طَاعَةُ اللهِ وَإنَّ مَعْصِيَةَ الرَّسُولِ

to come in, is not a man of feeble will or reckless. He will not enter the house unless he knows no woman is on his way. He loves Allah and His messenger and Allah and His messenger too love him.

Ummu-Salamah says: I opened the door but he held the door post and stopped where he was. I went inside the room and behind curtain. Being sure there was no one on his way, he came to the presence of the Holy Prophet and greeted him. The Messenger of Allah said: O Ummu-Salamah, did you know him. I said: Yes, he is `Ali ibn Abi-Talib. Then, he said: His temperament is my temperament, his flesh, his blood, and all the dimensions of his existence come from my existence. He is the one who will act to what I have promised. Listen to this and be a witness of it. O Ummu-Salamah, he is the treasure of my knowledge and the leader of the believers after me. Then, he said: Listen to me and be a witness. He will fight the deviators, Mu`awiyah and his followers, and Khawarij after me. By God, he will enliven my tradition. Again listen to me and be a witness. Then, the Messenger of Allah said: If a servant worships Allah between Rukn and Maqam for thousands of thousands years, and then passes away while being an enemy of `Ali, God will throw him into hell on face and he will be in the abyss of hell forever.[303]

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Mu`adh as saying: Love for `Ali ibn Abi-Talib is a good deed with which a sin is forgivable and enmity with him is a sin unforgivable.[304]

Ibn Mas`ud has been quoted as saying: Love for Ahl al-Bayt for one day is better than a year of worship and one who passes away with this one-day-love will certainly enter paradise.[305]

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Abu-Dharr as saying: `Ali is the gate of my knowledge and guidance which is opened to its devotees. He will express to my Ummah what I have been commissioned to convey. Love for him is faith, enmity with him is hypocrisy and friendship with him is worship.[306]

The Holy Prophet (s.a) has been quoted by Jabir as saying: Gabriel came down to me while he was holding a green tablet in hand with an inscription in white reading: I have made the love for `Ali ibn Abi-Talib incumbent upon all creatures. Therefore, o prophet, convey it to the whole people.[307]

مَعْصِيَةُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ، وَإِنَّ بِالبَابِ لَرَجُلاً لَيْسَ بِنَزِقٍ وَ لاَ خَرِقٍ، وَمَا كَانَ لِيَدْخُلَ مِنْزِلاً حَتَّى لاَ يَسْمَعَ حِسَّاً، وَهُوَ يُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.

قَالَتْ: فَفَتَحْتُ البَابَ فَأَخَذَ بِعُضادَتَيِ البَابِ ثُمَّ جِئْتُ حَتَّى دَخَلْتُ الخِدْرَ. فَلَمَّا لَمْ يَسْمَعْ وِطْئاً دَخَلَ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، أَتَعْرِفِينَ هَذَا؟ قُلتُ: نَعَمْ، هَذَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ. قَالَ: هُوَ أَخِي، مَحَبَّتُهُ مَحَبَّتِي وَلَحْمُهُ لَحْمِي وَدَمُهُ دَمِي. يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، هَذَا قَاضِي عِدَاتِي بَعْدِي فَاسْمَعِي وَاشْهَدِي. يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، هَذَا عَيْبَةُ عِلْمِي وَوَلِيِّي مِنْ بَعْدِي فَاسْمَعِي وَاشْهَدِي. هُوَ قَاتِلُ النَّاكِثِينَ وَالْقَاسِطِينَ وَالْمَارِقِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَاسْمَعِي وَاشْهَدِي. هُوَ وَاللهِ مُحْيِي سُنَّتِي فَاسْمَعِي وَاشْهَدِي. لَوْ أَنَّ عَبْداً عَبَدَ اللهَ أَلْفَ عَامٍ مِنْ بَعْدَ أَلْفِ عَامٍ بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَالْمَقَامِ ثُمَّ لَقِيَ اللهَ مُبْغِضاً لِعَلِيٍّ لَكَبَّهُ اللهُ عَلَى مِنْخَرَيْهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ الفِرْدَوْسِ عَنْ مُعاذٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: حُبُّ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ حَسَنَةٌ لاَ تَضُرُّ مَعَها سَيِّئَةٌ وَبُغْضُهُ سَيِّئَةٌ لاَ تَنْفَعُ مَعَهَا حَسَنَةٌ.

وَمِنْهُ: عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ: حُبُّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ يَوْماً خَيْرٌ مِنْ عِبادَةِ سَنَةٍ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ عَلَيْهِ دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ.

وَمِنْهُ: عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: عَلِيٌّ بابُ عِلْمِي وَهَدْيِي وَمُبَيِّنُ لأُمَّتِي مَا أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِي. حُبُّهُ إيمَانٌ وَبُغْضُهُ نِفاقٌ، وَالنَّظَرُ إلَيْهِ رَأْفَةٌ، وَمَوَدَّتُهُ عِبادَةٌ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ المَناقِبِ لِلخَوارِزْمِيِّ: عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: جَاءَنِي جِبْريلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ بِوَرَقَةِ آسٍ خَضْراءَ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا بِبَياضٍ: إنِّي إفْتَرَضْتُ مَحَبَّةَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ عَلَى خَلْقِي عَامَّةً؛ فَبَلِّغْهُمْ ذَلِكَ عَنِّي.

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Ibn `Abbas as saying: God would have never created Hell if all people had had love for `Ali.[308]

The Holy Prophet (s.a) has been reported as saying: O `Ali, if a servant worship God like Noah, gives away gold as heavy as Mount Uhud, lives so long as to go on Hajj pilgrimage on foot a thousand times, and is killed innocent between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah but does not accept your imamate and leadership, he will not deserve to go to paradise.[309]

A man said to Salman: Your extreme friendship with `Ali is amazing! Salman said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: Whoever loves `Ali loves me and whoever is hostile to `Ali is hostile to me too.[310]

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by `Abdullah ibn `Umar as saying: Whoever loves `Ali God Almighty will accept his prayer, fast and good deeds and will answer his prayer. Whoever loves `Ali he will be given cities in paradise as many as the number of his veins. Whoever has love for the family of Muhammad will be safe from hard reckoning, the Balance and the Discriminating Bridge on the Day of Judgment. Whoever passes away with the love for the family of Muhammad will join prophets in paradise with my intercession. Then he said: Let it be known to you that whoever is the enemy of the family of prophet, there will be an inscription between his eyes reading: This person is deprived of God’s mercy.[311]

The Holy Prophet (s.a) has been reported by `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud as saying: Whoever believes in me and what has been revealed to me but is the enemy of `Ali, he is lying and has no faith.[312]

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Abi- Barza as saying: By God in whose Hand my life is, no one can move on the Day of Judgment unless he is asked about four things: How his life was spent, what his body was worn out for, where his wealth was gained from, and what his wealth was spent on as well as the love for Ahl al-Bayt. At this time `Umar rose up saying: What is the sign of your love? Putting his hand on `Ali’s head, the Holy Prophet said: Love for this great man after my passing away, for to obey him is to obey me and to oppose him is to oppose me.[313]

وَمِنْهُ: عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لَوِ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ عَلَى حُبِّ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ لَمَا خَلَقَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ النَّارَ.

وَمِنْهُ: قَالَ قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: يَا عَلِيُّ لَوْ أَنَّ عَبْداً عَبَدَ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجلَّ مِثْلَ مَا أَقامَ نُوحٌ فِي قَوْمِهِ وَكَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ جَبَلِ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبٌ فَأَنْفَقَهُ فِي سَبيلِ اللهِ وَمُدَّ فِي عُمْرِهِ حَتَّى حَجَّ أَلْفَ عامٍ عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مَظْلوماً ثُمَّ لَمْ يُوَالِكَ يَا عَلِيُّ لَمْ يَشُمَّ رَائِحَةَ الجَنَّةِ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلْها.

وَقالَ رَجُلٌ لِسَلْمانَ: مَا أَشَدَّ حُبَّكَ لِعَلِيٍّ! قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقولُ: مَنْ أَحَبَّ عَلِيَّاً فَقَدْ أَحَبَّنِي، وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَ عَلِيَّاً فَقَدْ أَبْغَضَنِي.

وَمِنْهُ: عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: مَنْ أَحَبَّ عَلِيَّاً قَبِلَ اللهُ عَنْهُ صَلاتَهُ وَصِيَامَهُ وَقِيَامَهُ وَاسْتَجَابَ دُعَاءَهُ. أَلاَ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ عَلِيَّاً أَعْطَاهُ اللهُ بِكُلِّ عِرْقٍ فِي بَدَنِهِ مَدِينَةً فِي الجَنَّةِ. أَلا وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ أَمِنَ مِنَ الحِسَابِ وَالْمِيزَانِ وَالصِّراطِ. أَلاَ وَمَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى حُبِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَأَنا كَفِيلُهُ بِالجَنَّةِ مَعَ الأَنْبِياءِ. أَلاَ وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَكْتُوباً بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ: آيِسٌ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللهِ.

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقولُ: مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ آمَنَ بِي وَبِمَا جِئْتُ بِهِ وَهُوَ يُبْغِضُ عَلِيَّاً فَهُوَ كَاذِبٌ لَيْسَ بِمُؤْمِنٍ.

وَعَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقُولُ وَنَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ: وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لاَ يَزُولُ قَدَمُ عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ القِيامَةِ حَتَّى يَسْأَلَهُ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعالَى عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ: عَنْ عُمْرِهِ فِيمَ أَفْنَاهُ وَعَنْ جَسَدِهِ فِيمَ أَبْلاَهُ وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِمَّ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَ أَنْفَقَهُ وَعَنْ حُبِّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ.

فَقالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الخَطَّابِ: فَمَا آيَةُ حُبِّكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِكُمْ؟ قَالَ: فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَهُوَ إلَى جَانِبِهِ فَقالَ: إنَّ حُبِّي مِنْ بَعْدِي حُبُّ هَذَا.

`Abdullah ibn `Umar has reported: The Messenger of Allah was asked: In what tone did the Almighty God speak to you on the night of ascension (Mi`raj)? The Holy Prophet said: He addressed me in the tone of `Ali! At that time, I was inspired to ask: O Lord, are you speaking to me or it is `Ali who is speaking to me? God said: O Ahmad! My truth is different from that of other things! I can neither be compared with people nor am I described with similar things! I created you from my light and `Ali from your light. Thereafter, I became aware of the secret of your heart, finding out there was no one closer and more beloved to your heart than `Ali. Hence, I addressed you in the tone of `Ali so that your heart will be put at rest in this assembly of friendship.[314]

The Messenger of Allah has been reported by Abi- Baraza and Hafiz Abu-`Abdullah Shafi`i as saying: God Almighty took a solemn pledge from me about the position of `Ali in fulfilling my mission. I said: O Lord, what is that important mission? God said: Listen! I said: I am prepared. God said: `Ali is the standard-bearer of guidance, the leader of the saints and the light of the devoted ones. He is the word rendered necessary for the pious. Whoever loves `Ali loves me and whoever is his enemy is my enemy! O prophet! Give these good tidings to him. At this time `Ali came to me and I conveyed this good news to him. `Ali said: O Messenger of Allah! I am the servant of Allah and under His power. If God punishes me, it is but for sin and disobedience, and if He has given the good news about me, He has honored me with His Grace. At this time, I raised my hand in prayer, saying: O Lord! Illuminate his heart with belief. God Almighty answered my prayer about him, saying: I will fulfill what you have wished for him. Then God informed me about the trials which will not befall my companions except him. Then I said: O Lord! Is he my brother and helper? God said: This position had been foreseen before you knew about it, for he has been a subject of my test and I will test people with his position.[315]

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by `Ammar ibn Yasir as saying: I advise to believe in the imamate of `Ali ibn Abi-Talib one who believes in me and accepts my prophethood, for whoever accepts his imamate, has accepted my imamate and prophethood. Whoever believes in my Wilayah will enter the Wilayah of Allah, and Allah is pleased with him.[316]

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَقَدْ سُئِلَ بِأَيِّ لُغَةٍ خَاطَبَكَ رَبُّكَ لَيْلَةَ الْمِعْرَاجِ؟ فَقالَ: خَاطَبَنِي بِلُغَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ، فَأَلْهَمَنِي أَنْ قُلتُ: يَا رَبِّ، خَاطَبْتَنِي أَنْتَ أَمْ عَلِيٌّ؟ فَقالَ: يَا أَحْمَدُ أَنَا شَيْءٌ لاَ كَالأَشْيَاءِ، لاَ أُقَاسُ بِالنَّاسِ وَلاَ أُوصَفُ بِالأَشْبَاهِ. خَلَقْتُكَ مِنْ نُورِي وَخَلَقْتُ عَلِيَّاً مِنْ نُورِكَ، فَاطَّلَعْتُ عَلَى سَرَائِرِ قَلْبِكَ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ إلَى قَلْبِكَ أَحَبَّ مِنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ، فَخَاطَبْتُكَ بِلِسَانِهِ كَيْمَا يَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبُكَ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ كِفايَةُ الطَّالِبِ لِلْحَافِظِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ الشَّافِعِيِّ بِإسْنادِهِ عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: إنَّ اللهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ عَهْداً فِي عَلِيٍّ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَبِّ بَيِّنْهُ لِي؟ فَقالَ: إسْمَعْ. فَقُلْتُ: سَمِعْتُ. فَقالَ: إنَّ عَلِيَّاً رَايَةُ الْهُدَى وَإمَامُ الأَوْلِيَاءِ وَنُورُ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي، وَهُوَ الكَلِمَةُ الَّتِي أَلْزَمْتُهَا الْمُتَّقِينَ. مَنْ أَحَبَّهُ أَحَبَّنِي وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَهُ أَبْغَضَنِي، فَبَشِّرْهُ بِذَلِكَ.

فَجَاءَ عَلِيٌّ فَبَشَّرْتُهُ. فَقالَ: يَا رَسولَ اللهِ، أنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ وَفِي قَبْضَتِهِ. فَإِنْ يُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي، وَإنْ يُتِمَّ الَّذِي بَشَّرْتَنِي بِهِ فَاللهُ أَوْلَى بِي. قَالَ: فَقُلْتُ: اللَّهُمَّ إجْلُ قَلْبَهُ وَاجْعَلْ رَبِيعَهُ الإيمَانَ. فَقالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجلَّ: قَدْ فَعَلْتُ بِهِ ذَلِكَ. ثُمَّ إنَّهُ رَفَعَ إِلَيَّ أنَّهُ سَيَخُصُّهُ مِنَ البَلاَءِ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَخُصَّ بِهِ أَحَداً مِنْ أَصْحَابِي. فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَبِّ، أَخِي وَصَاحِبِي. فَقالَ: إنَّ هَذَا شَيْءٌ قَدْ سَبَقَ. إنَّهُ مُبْتَلىً وَمُبْتَلىً بِهِ.

وَعَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ ياسِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: أُوصِي مَنْ آمَنَ بِي وَصَدَّقَنِي بِوِلاَيَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. مَنْ تَوَلاَّهُ فَقَدْ تَوَلاَّنِي وَمَنْ تَوَلاَّنِي فَقَدْ تَوَلَّى اللهَ عَزَّ وَجلَّ.

Abu-`Alqamah has reported: The Messenger of Allah performed his morning prayer in the gathering of his companions and turning to them, said: O companions! Last night, I dreamt of my uncle, Hamzah, and my brother, Ja`far, with a big tray of fruits before them. They were eating the fruits which were from the tree “Sadr.” Then the fruits turned into grapes and after some moments into dates. I went near them, saying: May my father be ransom for you. Which good deed did you find better? They said: May our parents be ransom for you. Among good deeds we did not find but three deeds, namely, sending greeting upon you, quenching a thirsty person and keeping the love of `Ali ibn Abi-Talib in our hearts.[317]

The Messenger of Allah has been reported as saying: God Almighty takes pride in my followers as compared to followers of other prophets, forgives you all and has a special favor towards `Ali. Surely, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all. I neither intimidate people about my tribe nor support them unduly. What I say comes from my Lord who has given me this mission and I have to convey it. Gabriel, the Messenger of Allah says to me: Happy is one who loves `Ali both during his life and after his passing away. Ill-fated is one who is the enemy of `Ali both during his life and after his passing away, and has his rancor in his heart.[318]

`Abdullah Ibn `Abbas who had lost his sight, accompanied by Sa`id ibn Jubayr, passed by the well of Zamzam where a group of people from Syria were cursing `Ali. Hearing this, `Abdullah said: Take me back to those people. Being among them, `Abdullah said: Which one of you curses God? They said: God forbid. None of us curses God! Then, he asked: Which one of you curses the Messenger of Allah? They said: God forbid! We never curse our prophet. Then, he asked: Which one of you curses `Ali? They said: Yes, we curse `Ali! Ibn `Abbas said: I bear witness that I heard the Messenger of Allah saying to `Ali: O `Ali! Whoever curses you, has cursed me and whoever curses me, has cursed Allah! Whoever curses Allah, He will throw him into hell on face! Sa`id reports: Ibn `Abbas said this to them, turned his back from them and left the place.[319]

The Messenger of Allah has been reported by Anas as saying: On the night journey, I saw an angel sitting on a pulpit of light with other angels gathering round him. I said to Gabriel: Who is this angel? Gabriel said:

وَمِنَ المَناقِبِ: عَنْ أَبِي عَلْقَمَةَ قَالَ: صَلَّى بِنا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ الصُّبْحَ. ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إلَيْنَا فَقالَ: مَعاشِرَ أَصْحَابِي، رَأَيْتُ البَارِحَةَ عَمِّي حَمْزَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَأَخِي جَعْفَرَ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَبَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا طَبَقٌ مِنْ تِينٍ، فَأَكَلا سَاعَةً ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلَ التِّينُ عِنَباً، فَأَكَلا سَاعَةً، ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلَ العِنَبُ رُطَباً، فَأَكَلا سَاعَةً. فَدَنَوْتُ مِنْهُمْا وَقُلْتُ: بِأَبِي أَنْتُمَا! أَيُّ الأَعْمَالِ وَجَدْتُمَا أَفْضَلَ؟ قَالاَ: فَدَيْنَاكَ بِالآبَاءِ وَالأُمَّهَاتِ! وَجَدْنَا أَفْضَلَ الأَعْمَالِ الصَّلاَةَ عَلَيْكَ وَسَقْيَ الْمَاءِ وَحُبَّ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ. قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: إنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَاهَى بِكُمْ وَغَفَرَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةً وَلِعَلِيٍّ خَاصَّةً. وَإنِّي رَسُولُ اللهِ إلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ هَائِبٍ لِقَوْمِي وَلا مُحَابٍ لِقَرَابَتِي. هَذَا جِبْرِيلُ يُخْبِرُنِّي أَنَّ السَّعِيدَ كُلَّ السَّعِيدِ مَنْ أَحَبَّ عَلِيَّاً فِي حِيَاتِهِ وَبَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ، وَأَنَّ الشَّقِيَّ كُلَّ الشَّقِيِّ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ عَلِيَّاً فِي حَيَاتِهِ وَبَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ كِفايَةُ الطَّالِبِ لِلْحافِظِ الشَّافِعِيِّ: عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَكَانَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ جُبَيْرٍ يَقُودُهُ، فَمَرَّ عَلَى صُفَّةِ زَمْزَمَ فَإذَا قَوْمٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ يَشْتِمُونَ عَلِيَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. فَقالَ لِسَعيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ: رُدَّنِي إِلَيْهِمْ. فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقالَ: أَيُّكُمُ السَّابُّ للهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ؟ فَقَالُوا: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ! مَا فِينَا أَحَدٌ سَبَّ اللهَ. قَالَ: فَأَيُّكُمُ السَّابُّ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ؟ قَالُوا: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ! مَا فِينَا أَحَدٌ سَبَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ. قَالَ: فَأَيُّكُمُ السَّابُّ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ؟ قَالُوا: أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ كَانَ. قَالَ: فَأَشْهَدُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ سَمِعَتْهُ أُذُنَايَ وَوَعَاهُ قَلْبِي يَقُولُ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: يَا عَلِيُّ، مَنْ سَبَّكَ فَقَدْ سَبَّنِي، وَمَنْ سَبَّنِي فَقَدْ سَبَّ اللهَ، وَمَنْ سَبَّ اللهَ أَكَبَّهُ اللهُ عَلَى مِنْخَرَيْهِ فِي النَّارِ. ثُمَّ تَوَلَّى عَنْهُمْ.

وَمِنْهُ عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: مَرِرْتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي إلَى السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا أنَا بِمَلَكٍ جَالِسٍ عَلَى مِنْبَرٍ مِنْ نُورٍ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ تُحْدِقُ بِهِ. فَقُلْتُ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ،

See him from close and greet him. I went close and greeted him. I found out that he was my brother and cousin, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib. I asked amazingly: Has `Ali come to the fourth heaven before me? Gabriel said: No, but since angels were fond of seeing `Ali, God created an angel of light in the form of `Ali. While glorifying Allah, angels go to visit him seventy thousand times every Friday night and day and the reward is offered to those who love `Ali ibn Abi-Talib.[320]