Ali’s spiritual virtues are related to faith

`Ali’s spiritual virtues are related to faith which is above all virtues, for faith in man will lead him to the eternal blessing of paradise and divine pleasure and he will be rescued from the painful punishment of hell. On polytheism which is the opposite of faith Allah Almighty says: “Surely, Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides this to whom He pleases.” (4:16)

Therefore, Imam `Ali (a.s) is far from associating anything with Allah and all Muslims unanimously agree that Imam `Ali (a.s) was a pioneer in faith as compared to other companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a). He was the first among men who believed in Allah and his messenger. He never associated anything with Allah even for a moment nor worshipped any idol.

He is the one who toppled all the idols from Ka`bah when he put his feet on the Holy Prophet’s shoulders and went up to the roof of Ka`bah.

Reporting ibn Maryam on the authority of Imam `Ali (a.s), Ahmad ibn Hanbal says: The Messenger of Allah and I went to the sacred Mosque. When we reached Ka`bah the Holy Prophet said: Sit down. I sat down. He put his feet on my shoulders so that I will raise him to the roof of Ka`bah. As a result of heaviness of prophethood, I was not able to rise up. Finding me in this position, the Holy Prophet (s.a) took his feet off my shoulders and sat down on the ground. This time, the Holy Prophet ordered me to mount his shoulders. I too obeyed his order. The Holy Prophet raised me in a way I could fly in sky. At that time, I set my foot on the roof of Ka`bah. I found there the statue of an idol made of copper or lead.[31] I shook it in a way it was unseated. The Holy Prophet said: Throw is down. I threw it down in a way that it shattered into pieces. Then, I came down from the roof of Ka`bah, leaving the sacred mosque hurriedly along with the Holy Prophet. When we saw the houses of Mecca, we ran more hastily lest the people of Mecca should see us.[32]

الإيمَانُ:

وَهذِهِ الفَضِيلةُ لاَ يُوازِنُها شَيءٌ مِن الفَضَائلِ إذْ بِاعتِبارِها يَحصلُ لِلمُكَلَّفِ النّعيمُ المُخلَّدُ وَالخَلاصُ مِن العَذابِ السَّرمدِ كَما قَالَ تَعالَى:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ.﴾

وَقدْ أجمَعَ المُسْلِمونَ كافّةً عَلَى أنَّ أميرَ المُؤمنينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَبقَ إلَى الإسلامِ قَبلَ كُلِّ أحَدٍ وَلمْ يُشرِكْ باللهِ تَعالَى طَرفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَلَم يَسجُدْ لِصَنَمٍ بَلْ هُو الَّذي تَوَلَّى تَكسيرَ الأصْنامِ لَمَّا صَعدَ عَلَى كَتِفِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ.

رَوَى أحمَدُ بنُ حَنبل فِي مُسنَدِهِ عَن أَبِي مَريمَ عَن عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: إنطَلقْتُ أنَا والنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ حَتَّى أتَيْنا الكَعبَةَ. فَقاَل لي رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ اجْلسْ. فَجَلسْتُ وَصعدَ عَلى مَنكِبي. فَذَهبتُ لأنْهَضَ فَلمْ أُطِقْ. فَرأى منِّي ضَعفاً فَنَزلَ. وَجَلسَ نَبِيُّ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَقالَ: إصْعَدْ علَى مَنكِبي. فَصَعدْتُ عَلَى منْكَبَيهِ. قَالَ: فَنهَضَ. قَالَ: فإنَّهُ تُخُيِّلَ إليَّ إنّي لَو شِئتُ لَنلْتُ أفُقَ السَّماءِ حتّى صَعدْتُ عَلَى البَيتِ وَعَليهِ تِمثالٌ صِفرٌ أو نُحاسٌ. فَجعلْتُ أُزاوِلُهُ عَن يَمينِهِ وَشِمالِهِ وَمنْ بَينِ يَديْهِ وَخَلفِهِ حتّى إذَا استَمْكَنْتُ مِنهُ قَالَ لي رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: إقْذِفْ بهِ. فَقَذفْتُ بِهِ فَتَكَسَّرَ كَما تَتَكَسَّرُ القَواريرُ. ثُمَّ نَزَلتُ وَانطلَقْتُ أنَا وَرسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ نَستَبِقُ حتّى تَوارَيْنا بِالبُيوتِ خَشيَةَ أنْ يَلقَانا أحَدٌ مِن النَّاسِ.

Al-Tabari, the author of Khasa’is has quoted the prophet (s.a) as saying: The angels sent greeting on me and `Ali for seven years in heaven, for during this period of time no voice except that of `Ali and me was raised to heaven by saying: There is no god but Allah.[33]

In the book, Yawaqit, Abi- `Umar Zahid has quoted Layla Ghifar on the authority of the Holy Prophet (s.a) as saying: Actually, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib is the first person among people who believed in Islam and the first person whom I will see on the Day of Judgment, the last person to whom I say farewell and trust my last will and testament at deathbed.

Ibn `Abbas has been quoted by Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his book Musnad as saying: The first person who worshipped God with the Holy Prophet after Khadijah was `Ali (a.s).[34]

Salman Farsi has been quoted by Abu’l-Mu’ayyad as saying: I heard from the Messenger of Allah saying: the first person whom I see at the pond is the first man of faith and Islam, `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s).[35]

`Amr ibn Maymun has been quoted by Ahmad ibn Hanbal as saying: I was in the presence of Ibn `Abbas when nine groups joined our gathering. They said: We wish to talk to you privately. Either rise up and come along with us or make this gathering private. He said: I will come along with you. This happened when Ibn `Abbas had not lost his sight.

When Ibn `Abbas attended their gathering, they started speaking to him.

The narrator says: I and those who were in the presence of Ibn `Abbas did not hear their discussion but we saw that Ibn `Abbas who was angry while rising up and putting the dust off his clothes said: Woe to the people who speak ill of a person who has ten marks of distinction among the companions of the Holy Prophet.

Then he said: These people blame a person about whom the Messenger of Allah in Khaybar battle said: I will soon assign to fight them a person who loves God and His messenger and God and His messenger too love him. It was at this time that everyone was curious as to whom this honor would be given. But it was a wishful thinking for all, for the Holy Prophet asked: Where is `Ali?

وَرَوى الطَّبَرِيُّ صَاحِبُ (الخَصائِصِ) عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَالَ: صَلَّتِ المَلائكَةُ عَلَيَّ وَعلَى عَلِيٍّ سَبعَ سِنينَ. وَذلكَ لأنَّهُ لَم تَرتَفعْ شَهادَةُ أنْ لاَ إلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ إلَى السَّماءِ إلاَّ منِّي وَمنْهُ.

وَمنْ كِتابِ (اليَواقيتِ)  لأبِي عُمَرَ الزَّاهدِ: عَن لَيلى الغِفاريّةِ عَن رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ أنَّ عَليَّ بنَ أَبِي طالبٍ أوَّلُ النَّاسِ إيمَاناً وَأوَّلُ النَّاسِ لِقاءً بي يَومَ القِيامَةِ وَآخِرُ النَّاسِ بي عَهداً عِندَ المَوتِ.

وَمِن كِتابِ مُسْند أحمَدَ: عَن ابنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: أوَّلُ مَنْ صَلّى معَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بَعدَ خَدِيجَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ عَلِيٌّ.

وَرَوى أَبُو الْمُؤيَّدِ عَن سَلمَانَ قَالَ: سَمعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقولُ: أَوَّلُ النَّاسِ وُروداً عَلَيَّ الحَوضَ يَوْمَ القِيامَةِ أوَّلُهمْ إسْلاماً وَهوَ عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طالبٍ.

وَمنْ كِتابِ مُسنَد أحمدَ بنِ حَنبَلٍ: عَن عَمْرِو بنِ مَيْمونَ قَالَ إنّي لَجالِسٌ إلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ إذْ أتَاهُ تِسعَةُ رَهطٍ. فَقالوا: يَا ابنَ عَبَّاسٍ إمَّا أنْ تَقومَ مَعَنا وإمَّا أنْ تَخلُوَ بِنا عَنْ هَؤلاءِ. قَالَ: فَقالَ ابنُ عَبَّاسٍ: بَل أقومُ مَعكُمْ. قَالَ: وَهوَ يَومَئِذٍ صَحيحُ لَم يَعْمَ. قَالَ: فَانطَلَقوا فَتَحدَّثوا فلا نَدري مَا قالوا. قَالَ: فَجاءَ يَنفِضُ ثَوبَهُ وَهُوَ يَقولُ: أُفٍّ وَتُفٍّ! وَقَعوا فِي رَجُلٍ قَالَ لهُ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لأَبْعَثَنَّ رَجُلاً لاَ يُخْزيهِ اللهُ أبَداً، يُحبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللهُ وَرسولُهُ. قَالَ فَاستَشرَفَ لَهَا مَن استَشْرفَ. قَالَ: أَيْنَ عَلِيٌّ؟

They said: He is in the place of the grinding, busy with grinding so as to prepare food for the strugglers. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Was there no one else to do this job? At any rate, `Ali was informed that the Holy Prophet had sent for him. `Ali came to the Holy Prophet with eyesore in a way he could not see before his feet. The Holy Prophet rubbed his saliva on `Ali’s eyes which cured him immediately. Hoisting the banner of Islam for three times, the Holy Prophet then gave it to `Ali and told him to go ahead. `Ali conquered Khaybar Fort in no time and brought Safiyyah, the daughter of Huyay as a captive to the presence of the Holy Prophet.

When the Holy Prophet (s.a) sent so-and-so (i.e. Abu-Bakr) to read Surah of Bara’ah, he sent `Ali after him to take the mission from him. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: This mission is carried out by none except me or one who is from me.

The Holy Prophet (s.a) asked his cousins: Which one of you in this world and the hereafter will be my follower? They all answered in negative except `Ali who was present in the gathering but silent. All of a sudden, he rose up and said: I will be a follower of you in this world and the hereafter! The Messenger of Allah said: Yes, indeed you will be my friend in this world and the hereafter.

`Ali was the first to embrace Islam after Khadijah.

The Messenger of Allah spread his cloak on `Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn and quoted the following holy verse: “Allah only desires to keep away uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you, a thorough purifying.” (33:33)

`Ali sacrificed his life for the Messenger of Allah by putting on his clothes and lying in his bed at that night, which is called Laylat al-Mabit when the Holy Prophet left Mecca for Medina secretly away from the eyes of the people of Quraysh. The polytheists were throwing stones at `Ali’s body thinking that it was the Holy Prophet. Abu-Bakr too came and called for the Messenger of Allah. `Ali quietly said: The Holy Prophet is not here. He is heading for Bi’r Maymun. If you hurry, you will reach him. The polytheists kept on throwing stones at `Ali but he wrapped his garment over his head till morning when the polytheists found out that they were throwing stones at a wrong target. They swore at him saying: Whatever stones we threw at him, he did not say anything but was raising his voice. Hence, it was strange for us as to whether it was Muhammad or someone else lying in his bed.

قَالُوا: هُو فِي الرَّحَى يَطْحَنُ. قَالَ: وَما كانَ أَحدُكُمْ يَطحَنُ عَنهُ. قَالَ: فَجاءَ وَهوَ أرْمَدُ لاَ يَكادُ أنْ يُبصِرَ. فَتَفَلَ فِي عَينَيْهِ ثُمَّ هَزّ الرَّايةَ ثَلاثاً فَأعْطاها إيَّاهُ. فَجاءَ بِصَفِيَّةَ بِنتِ حُيَيٍّ.

قَالَ: ثُمّ بَعثَ فُلاناً بِسورَةِ التَّوبَةِ فَبعثَ عَلِيَّاً خَلفَهُ فَأخَذَها مِنهُ. قَالَ: لاَ يَذْهَبُ بِها إلاَّ رَجُلٌ مِنّي وَأنَا مِنهُ.

قَالَ: وَقالَ لِبَني عَمِّهِ: أيُّكُم يُوالينِي فِي الدُّنيا وَالآخِرَةِ؟ قَالَ: وَعَلِيٌّ جالِسٌ مَعَهُمْ فَأَبَوْا. فَقالَ عَلِيٌّ: أَنا أُوالِيكَ فِي الدُّنيا وَالآخِرةِ. فَقالَ: أنْتَ وَلِيّي فِي الدُّنيا والآخِرَةِ.

قَالَ: وَكانَ أوَّلَ مَنْ أسلَمَ مِن النَّاسِ بَعدَ خَديجَةَ.

قَالَ وَأخَذَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ ثَوبَهُ فَوَضَعَهُ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ وَفاطِمَةَ وَحَسَنٍ وَحُسَيْنٍ فَقالَ: ﴿إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمْ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا.﴾

قَالَ: وَشرَى عَلِيُّ نَفسَهُ؛ لَبِسَ ثَوبَ رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ ثُمَّ نامَ مَكانَهُ. قَالَ وَكانَ الْمُشرِكونَ يُريدونَ رَسولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ.

فَجاءَ أَبُو بَكرٍ وَعَلِيٌّ نائِمٌ. قَالَ: وَأبو بَكرٍ يَحسبُ أنَّهُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ. قَالَ: فَقالَ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ. قَالَ: فَقالَ لهُ عَلِيٌّ: إنَّ نبِيَّ اللهِ قَد انطَلَقَ نَحوَ بِئْرِ مَيْمُونٍ فَأَدْرِكْهُ. قَالَ فَانطَلَقَ أَبو بَكرٍ فَدخَلَ مَعَهُ الغَارَ. قَالَ: وَجَعَلَ عَلِيٌّ يُرْمَى بِالْحِجارَةِ كَما كانَ يُرْمَى رَسولُ اللهِ وَهوَ يَتَضَوَّرُ قَدْ لَفَّ رَأسَهُ بِالثَّوْبِ لاَ يُخْرِجُهُ حَتَّى أصبَحَ. ثُمَّ كَشَفَ عَن رَأْسِهِ الثَّوْبَ فَقالُوا: كانَ صَاحِبُكَ نَرْميهِ فَلا يتَضَوَّرُ وَأَنْتَ تَتَضَوَّرُ وَقَد استَنْكرْنا ذلكَ.

In the battle of Tabuk when the Holy Prophet’s companions were along with him, `Ali said: Will you give me permission to take part in this battle with you? The Holy Prophet (s.a) said, “No.” `Ali was greatly impressed by the Holy Prophet’s unusual answer and started weeping. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Are you not happy that you are to me like Aaron to Moses, except that you are not a prophet? I do not like to pass away from this world unless you will succeed me.

The Holy Prophet (s.a), on another occasion, said to `Ali, “You are the leader of every believer after me.”

The Messenger of Allah, on the order of Allah, closed all the doors opening to Masjid al-Nabi. The door of `Ali’s house was the only one which remained open. He sometimes entered the mosque while he was in a state of ceremonial impurity, for there was no other way for going and coming.

The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Whomever I am a master, `Ali is his master.

Ibn `Abbas says: Allah Almighty made us known in the Holy Qur’an that He is pleased with the companions who swore allegiance under that Tree, for “He was Aware of their in depth faith.” Does anyone have any Hadith at hand to the contrary?

`Afif Kindi has been quoted by Ahmad ibn Hanbal as saying: I was a merchant who once went to `Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib who was a merchant too to buy goods from him on my way to Hajj. When we were in Mina, a man came out of the camp next to ours looking at the sun. When he saw that the sun was moving towards the west and had passed by the middle of the sky, rose up to perform his prayer. Then I saw a woman coming out of the same camp following the man in his prayer. A young boy came out of the camp and performed prayer with him. Since this scene was strange to me, I asked `Abbas who that man is. He said: It is Muhammad ibn `Abdullah ibn `Abd al-Muttalib, my nephew. I asked who that woman was. He said: His wife, Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid. I asked who that young boy was. He said: `Ali ibn Abi-Talib, his cousin. I asked what that act was. He said: He is praying and believes he is a prophet but no one follows him except this woman and this young boy. He believes he will soon possess the treasures of Caesar and Khosrow and will conquer their territories!

قَالَ: وخَرَجَ بِالنَّاسِ فِي غُزاةِ تَبوكَ فقالَ لهُ عَلِيٌّ: أَخرُجُ مَعكَ؟ فقالَ لهُ نَبيُّ اللهِ: لاَ. فَبَكى عَلِيٌّ. فَقالَ لهُ: أمَا تَرْضَى أنْ تَكونَ مِنّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِن مُوسَى إلاَّ أنَّكَ لَستَ بِنَبِيٍّ؟ إنّهُ لاَ يَنبَغي أنْ أذْهَبَ إلاَّ وَأَنْتََ خَليفَتِي.

قَالَ: وَقالَ لهُ رسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: أَنْتََ وَلِيُّ كُلِّ مُؤمنٍ بَعدِي.

قَالَ: وسَدُّوا أبْوابَ الْمَسجِدِ غَيْرَ بَابِ عَلِيٍّ فَيدخُلُ الْمَسجِدَ جُنُباً وَهوَ طَرِيقُهُ لَيسَ لهُ طَريقٌ غَيرُهُ.

قَالَ: وقالَ: مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَولاهُ.

قَالَ: وَأخبَرَنا اللهُ عَزَّ وَجلَّ فِي القُرْآن إنَّهُ قدْ رَضِيَ عَن أصْحابِ الشَّجَرَةِ (فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ) هَل حَدَّثَنا أَحَدٌ أنَّهُ سَخِطَ عَلَيهِمْ بَعدُ؟

وَمِن كِتابِ مُسنَد أحْمَدَ: عَن عَفيفٍ الكِندِيِّ قَالَ: كُنتُ تاجِراً فَقَدِمْتُ الحَجَّ فَأَتَيتُ العَبَّاسَ بنَ عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ  لأَبْتاعَ مِنهُ بَعضَ التِّجارَةِ وَكانَ تاجِراً فَوَاللهِ إنّي لَعِندَهُ بِمِنىً إذ خَرَجَ رَجُلٌ مِن خَباءٍ قَريبٍ مِنهُ فَنَظرَ إلَى الشَّمْسِ فَلمَّا رَآها قَد مالَتْ قامَ يُصَلّي. قَالَ: ثُمَّ خَرَجَتْ إمْرَأَةٌ مِنْ ذلِكَ الخَباءِ الَّذي خَرَجَ مِنهُ ذلكَ الرَّجُلُ فَقامَتْ خَلفَهُ تُصَلّي. ثُمَّ خَرجَ غُلامٌ حينَ رَاهقَ الحُلُمَ مِنْ ذلكَ الخَباءِ فَقامَ مَعَهُ يُصَلّي. قَالَ: فَقُلْتُ لِلعَبَّاسِ: مَنْ هَذَا يَا عَبَّاسُ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا مُحَمَّدُ بنُ عَبدِاللهِ ابْنُ أخِي. فقُلْتُ: مَنْ هذِهِ المَرْأةُ؟ قَالَ: هَذِهِ إمْرَأَتُهُ خَديَجةُ بِنتُ خُوَيلِدٍ. فَقُلتُ: مَن هَذَا الفَتى؟ فقالَ: هَذَا عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طالِبٍ ابنُ عَمِّهِ. فَقُلْتُ: فَما هَذَا الَّذي يَصْنَعُ؟ قَالَ: يُصَلّي، وَهُوَ يَزْعُمُ أنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ، وَلَمْ يَتَّبِعْهُ عَلى أمْرِهِ إلاَّ امرَأَتُهُ وَابنُ عَمِّهِ هَذَا الفَتَى، وَهوَ يَزعُمُ أنَّهُ سَتُفتَحُ عَلَيْهِ كُنوزُ كِسرَى وَقَيصَرَ.

Ibn `Afif, the cousin of Ash`ath ibn Qays, embraced Islam after some time. He used to regretfully say: If I were a Muslim on that day, I would be the second man, after `Ali, who had embraced Islam and I would enjoy the virtue of being a pioneer in Islam.[36]

Zayd ibn Arqam has been quoted as saying: the first person who performed prayer with the Messenger of Allah was `Ali ibn Abi-Talib.[37]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal has related that the Holy Prophet (s.a) said to his daughter, Fatimah: My daughter! I gave you in marriage to one who is a pioneer in Islam among the Ummah, his knowledge is above others and his forbearance is great in hardships. Are you not pleased with this marriage?[38]

Tha`labi in his commentary on the holy verse, “And as for the foremost, the first of the Muhajirs and the Ansar (9:100)” says: Scholars have unanimously believed that the first person who believed in Islam after Khadijah was `Ali ibn Abi-Talib.[39] Abu-Dharr and Salman have been reported as saying: The Messenger of Allah took `Ali’s hand in his hand saying: This is the first person who believed in me. He is a distinguisher between justice and injustice among the Ummah, the leader of the believers, and the first person who will shake hand with me on the Day of Judgment. He is the greater accepter of Islam.[40]

`Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib has been quoted as saying: I heard from `Umar ibn Khattab saying to those who blamed `Ali ibn Abi-Talib: Be silent and do not speak ill of `Ali, for I heard from the Messenger of Allah saying: There are three qualities in `Ali and I wish one of them was in me, while one of those qualities alone is more beloved to me that what the sun shines on. The Holy Prophet said this when I, Abu-Bakr, Abu-`Ubaydah Jarrah and a number of the companions were present. Then, the Messenger of Allah put his hand on `Ali’s shoulders and spoke of those three qualities by saying: O `Ali, you are the foremost to Islam and the foremost to faith. Your station to me is like that of Aaron to Moses (a.s). Then he added: O `Ali! One who claims that he loves me but he is your enemy is telling a lie, for love for you is love for me and enmity with you is enmity with me.[41]

قَالَ: فَكانَ عَفيفٌ، وَهوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ الأَشْعثِ، يَقولُ بَعدَ ذلكَ، وَقدْ أسْلَمَ: لَوْ كانَ اللهُ رَزَقَنِيَ الإسْلاَمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَأَكُونَ ثالِثاً مَعَ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ الْمَناقِبِ: عَنْ زَيدِ بنِ أرقَمَ قَالَ: أَوَّلُ مَنْ صَلّى مَعَ النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طالبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَمِنْ مُسنَدِ أحْمَدَ: إنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَالَ لِفَاطِمَةَ عَلَيها السَّلامُ: أَوَمَا تَرْضَيْنَ أنّي زَوَّجْتُكِ أقْدَمَ أُمَّتِي سِلْماً وَأكْثَرَهُمْ عِلماً وَأعْظَمَهَمْ حِلْماً.

وَقالَ الثَّعلبيُّ فِي تَفْسيرِ قَوْلِهِ تَعالَى: ﴿وَالسَّابِقُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ مِنْ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالأَنصَار﴾ إتَّفَقَت العُلَماءُ عَلَى أنَّ أوَّلَ مَنْ آمَنَ بَعدَ خَديجَةَ مِنَ الذُّكورِ بِرَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ عَلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَمِنْ كِتابِ الخَصائِصِ لِلطَّبريِّ: عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ وَسَلْمانَ قالا: أخَذَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِيَدِ عَلِيٍّ فَقالَ: إنَّ هَذَا أوَّلُ مَنْ آمَنَ بِي، وَهذا فاروقُ هَذهِ الأُمَّةِ، وَهَذا يَعْسوبُ المُؤمنينَ، وَأوَّلُ مَنْ يُصافِحُني يَومَ القِيامَةِ، وَهَذا الصِّدِّيقُ الأكْبَرُ.

وَفيهِ: عَنِ العَبَّاسِ بنِ عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ قَالَ: سَمِعتُ عُمَرَ بنَ الْخَطَّابِ وَهُوَ يَقولُ: كُفُّوا عَنْ ذِكْرِ عَلِيِّ بنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ فَإنّي سَمِعتُ رَسولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقولُ فِي عَلِيٍّ ثَلاثَ خِصالٍ وَدِدْتُ أنَّ لي واحِدَةً مِنهُنَّ؛ فَواحِدَةٌ مِنهُنَّ أَحَبُّ إلَيَّ مِمَّا طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمسُ. كُنتُ أنَا وَأبو بَكرٍ وأبو عُبَيدَةَ بنُ الجَرَّاحِ وَنَفَرٌ مِن أصْحابِ رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ إذْ ضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وآلهِ كَتِفَ عَلِيِّ بنِ أَبِي طالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَقالَ: يَا عَلِيُّ أنْتَ أوَّلُ المُسْلِمينَ إسْلاماً وَأَنْتََ أوَّلُ المُؤمِنينَ إيماناً وَأَنْتََ مِنّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هارونَ مِنْ مُوسَى. كَذِبَ يَا عَلِيُّ مَنْ زَعَمَ أنَّهُ يُحِبُّنِي وَيُبْغِضُكَ.

When the Qur’anic verse “And warn your nearest relations” (26:214) was revealed, the Holy Prophet (s.a) gathered `Abd al-Muttalib’s sons numbering forty altogether in Abu-Talib’s house and had a meal of a leg of mutton, one Kilo of wheat and some milk prepared for them whereas the meal of each one of them at one meal was four-year camel and sixteen pounds of milk. This group of people ate from that little food and felt full. This was nothing but a miracle becoming manifest in that gathering.

After eating the food, the Holy Prophet (s.a) addressing the gathering and declaring his divine mission, said: let it be known to you that God has sent me to you, sons of `Abd al-Muttalib in particular and to other people in general, for He says: “And warn your nearest relations.” I hereby invite you to two formulas which are light on the tongue but heavy and meaningful in action. By uttering these two formulas, you will soon wield the control of affairs of the Arab and non-Arab and various nations will be subdued to you. You will be redeemed from the fire of hell and enter paradise. Those two formulas are bearing witness to the unity of God Almighty and bearing witness to my mission and prophethood.

Anyone of you, who will respond positively and assist me in my mission, will be my brother, my heir and successor after me. From that gathering, even a single person did not give a positive answer. `Ali relates: I who was the youngest in the gathering, rose up saying: O Messenger of Allah, give me the honor of this mission. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: Take your seat and let me see what the others say. The Holy Prophet (s.a) repeated his words for the second time but there was still silence. Once again I rose up expressing my positive response. The Holy Prophet (s.a) again ordered me to sit down. He then repeated his words for the third time. This time too. All kept silent and there was no response. I rose up and expressed my readiness. The Holy Prophet (s.a) said: O `Ali, remain in your place. Verily, you are my heir, successor, brother and vizier. When the Holy Prophet (s.a) completed his words, those in the gathering rose up and addressing Abu-Talib mockingly said: Congratulation to you that if you accept the religion of your nephew, your son, `Ali, will be your leader and chief.[42]

وَلَمَّا نَزَلَ قَولُهُ تَعالَى: ﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ﴾ جَمَعَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بَني عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ فِي دارِ أَبِي طالِبٍ وَهُمْ أرْبَعونَ رَجُلاً وَأمَرَ أنْ يُصْنَعَ لَهُمْ فَخِذُ شاةٍ مَعَ مُدٍّ مِنْ طَعامِ البُرِّ وَيُعَدُّ لَهُمْ صاعاً مِنَ اللَّبَنِ وَكانَ الرَّجُلُ يَأكُلُ الجِذْعَةَ فِي مَقامٍ واحِدٍ وَيَشْرَبُ الزُّقَّ مِنَ الشَّرَابِ. فَأكَلوا مِنَ اليَسِيرِ مَا كَفاهُمْ إظْهاراً لِمُعْجِزَتِهِ.

ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُمْ: يَا بَني عَبدِالمُطَّلِبِ إنَّ اللهَ تَعالَى بَعَثَني إلَى الخَلْقِ كَافَّةً وَبَعَثَني إلَيكُمْ خاصَّةً فَقالَ: ﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ﴾ وَأنا أدْعوكُم إلَى كَلِمَتَيْنِ خَفيفَتَيْنِ عَلَى اللِّسانِ ثَقيلَتَيْنِ فِي الميزانِ تَمْلِكونَ بِهِما العَرَبَ وَالعَجَمَ وَتَنْقادُ لَكُمْ بِها الأُمَمُ وَتَدْخُلونَ بِهِما الجَنَّةَ وَتَنْجَوْنَ بِهِما مِنَ النَّارِ: شَهادَةَ أنْ لاَ إلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ وَأنّي رَسولُ اللهِ. فَمَنْ يُجيبُني إلَى هَذَا الأمْرِ وَيُؤازِرُني عَلَى القِيامِ بِهِ يَكُنْ أخي وَوَصِيّي وَوَزيري وَوارِثي وَخَليفَتي مِنْ بَعْدي.

فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ أحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ. فَقالَ أمِيرُ المُؤمِنينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأنا إذْ ذاكَ أصْغَرُهُمْ سِنَّاً فَقُلْتُ: أنَا يَا رَسولَ اللهِ أُؤازِرُكَ عَلَى هَذَا الأمرِ. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ.

ثُمَّ أعادَ عَلَى القَوْمِ القَولَ ثانِيَةً فَصَمَتوا، وَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ مِثْلَ مَقالَتي الأولى. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ. ثُمَّ أعادَ عَلَى القَومِ مَقالَتَهُ ثالِثَةً فَلَمْ يَنْطِقْ أحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ بِحَرْفٍ. فَقُمْتُ وَقُلْتُ: أنَا يَا رَسولَ اللهِ! أنَا أُؤازِرُكَ عَلَى هَذَا الأمْرِ. فَقالَ: إجْلِسْ فَأنْتَ أخي وَوَصِيّي وَوَزيري وَوارِثي وَخَليفَتي مِنْ بَعدِي.

فَنَهَضَ القَومُ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ لأبِي طالِبٍ: لِيُهْنِئْكَ اليَوْمَ إنْ دَخَلْتَ اليَومَ فِي دِينِ ابْنِ أخيكَ، فَقَدْ جَعَلَ ابْنَكَ أميراً عَلَيْكَ.

والأخْبارُ فِي ذَلِكَ كَثيرَةٌ لاَ تُحْصى.