Verses Revealed in Honor of ‘Ali — part 1/3

The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Ibn Abbas as saying: There is no verse in the Holy Qur’an which starts with “O you who believe” in which ‘Ali does not stand at the top of them Ibn Mardawayh on the authority of Ibn Abbas has reported: There is no verse in the Holy Qur’an in which ‘Ali is not at the top of its addressees and their leader.⁴⁴

Imam ‘Ali (a.s) has been reported by ibn Mardawayh on the authority of Ibn Abbas as saying: The Holy Qur’an was revealed in four parts; the first quarter of it is about us and our merits, the second quarter of it is about punishment of our enemies. The third quarter of it is about the former generations, their lifestyle, parables and proverbs. The fourth quarter of it is about religious duties and injunctions. All the honors and dignities mentioned in the Holy Qur’an are about us.⁴⁵

Ibn Abbas has been reported by ibn Mardawayh as saying: What has been revealed in the Holy Qur’an about ‘Ali is not about anyone else.⁴⁶ Mujahid has been quoted as saying: Seventy verses have been revealed in the Holy Qur’an in honor of ‘Ali.⁴⁷ The Messenger of Allah has been reported by Bara as having said to ‘Ali: O ‘Ali, pray and say: O Lord, make a covenant with You for me so I adhere to it and bring about a love for me in the hearts of the believers. It was after this event that the verse

“Surely (as for) those who believe and do good deeds for them will Allah bring about love” (19:96)

was revealed.⁴⁸

About the verse

“There is a guide for every people” (13:7)

Ibn Abbas says: The Messenger of Allah pointed to his breast when the verse

“You are only a Warner” (13:7)

was revealed and in interpreting it, pointed to ‘Ali, saying: O ‘Ali, the guided ones after me will follow you.⁴⁹

أَقُولُ لَهُ: يَا رَسولَ اللهِ. فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ وَقالَ: يَا بُنَيَّةُ، لَمْ تَنْزِلْ فِيكِ وَلاَ فِي أَهْلِكِ مِنْ قَبْلُ. أَنْتِ مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْكِ، وَإِنَّمَا نَزَلَتْ فِي أَهْلِ الْجَفَاءِ وَالْبَذْخِ وَالْكِبَرِ. فَقُولِي يَا أَبَةُ، فَإنَّهُ أَحَبُّ لِلْقَلْبِ وَأَرْضَى لِلرَّبِّ. ثُمَّ قَبَّلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ جَبْهَتِي وَمَسَحَنِي مِنْ رِيقِهِ فَمَا احْتَجْتُ إلَى طِيبٍ بَعْدَهُ. فِي مَا وَرَدَ مِنْ طَرِيقِ الْجُمْهُورِ أنَّهُ نَزَلَ فِي أمِيرِ المُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مِنَ القُرْآنِ:

نَقَلَ الخَوارِزْمِيُّ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: مَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ تَعالَى آيَةً فِيهَا ?يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا? إلاَّ وَعَلِيٌّ رَأْسُهَا وَأَمِيرُهَا. وَنَقَلَ ابْنُ مَرْدَوَيْهَ الْحَافِظُ بِإسْنَادِهِ إلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: مَا فِي الْقُرْآنِ آيَةٌ إلاَّ وَعَلِيٌّ رَأْسُهَا وَقَائِدُهَا. وَبِإسْنَادِهِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ أَرْبَاعاً؛ فَرُبُعٌ فِينَا وَرُبُعٌ فِي عَدُوِّنَا وَرُبُعٌ سِيَرٌ وَأَمْثَالٌ وَرُبُعٌ فَرَائِضُ وَأَحْكَامٌ، وَلَنَا كَرَائِمُ الْقُرْآنِ. وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: مَا نَزَلَ فِي أَحَدٍ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ مَا نَزَلَ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَعَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ قَالَ: نَزَلَ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَبْعُونَ آيَةً.

قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ وُدَّاً? قَالَ الْبَراءُ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ لعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: يَا عَلِيُّ قُلْ: اللَّهُمَّ إجْعَلْ لِي عِنْدَكَ عَهْداً، وَاجْعَلْ لِي عِنْدَكَ وُدَّاً، وَاجْعَلْ لِي فِي صُدُورِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَوَدَّةً. فَنَزَلَتِ (الآيَةُ). وَأَوْرَدَهُ مِنْ عِدَّةِ طُرُقٍ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ?

قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ ?إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ? وَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ، ?وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ? وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إلَى عَلِيٍّ وَقالَ: بِكَ يَقْتَدِي الْمُهْتَدُونَ بَعْدِي.

As for the verse

“Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal” (32:18)

Ibn Abbas says: In this verse, believer is ‘Ali and transgressor is Walid.⁵⁰ God Almighty states:

“Is he then who has with him clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from him …” (11:17).

About this verse, Abbad ibn Abdullah Asadi says: I heard ‘Ali (a.s) say on the pulpit: There is no man from Quraysh about whom one or two verses have not been revealed. A man who was jealous rose up and ironically asked: What verse has been revealed about you? ‘Ali, who had become upset, said: If you did not ask this question in this gathering I would never answer it! But woe to you! Have you not recited Surah Hud? Then, he recited the aforementioned verse saying: One who has clear proof from his Lord is the Messenger of Allah and I am his witness.⁵¹ God Almighty states:

“Stop them, surely they will be questioned.”

Ibn Abbas says: On the Day of Judgment, all people will be questioned about the leadership of ‘Ali.⁵²

Ibn Abbas has reported: In the verse

“be careful of your duty to Allah and with the true ones” (9:119),

‘Ali is the true one.⁵³ According to Ibn Abbas, the verse

“those who spend their property by night and by day, secretly and openly”

has been revealed in honor of ‘Ali, for his property was four Dirhams on the whole. He spent one Dirham by night, one Dirham by day, one Dirham openly, and one Dirham secretly as charity to the poor.⁵⁴

As for the verse,

“O you who believe! When you consult the Apostle, then offer something in charity” (58:12),

no one has acted according to it except ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.⁵⁵ The verse

“Only Allah is your Wali and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow” (5:55),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali when he offered his ring to a poor man while bowing in prayer.⁵⁶

About the verse

“Those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men” (98:7),

‘Ali has said: the Messenger of Allah was leaning against my chest when he said: O ‘Ali, the aim of this verse is you and your followers. The meeting-place of you and your followers will be at the Pond on the Day of Judgment. When people kneel down for reckoning, your followers will enter paradise with illuminated faces.⁵⁷

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?أَفَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً كَمَنْ كَانَ فَاسِقاً لاَ يَسْتَوُونَ?: الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَالْفَاسِقُ الْوَلِيدُ. وَقَوْلُهُ: ?أَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِنْهُ?: قَالَ عَبَّادُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ الأسَديُّ: سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ: مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ إلاَّ وَقَدْ نَزَلَتْ فِيهِ آيَةٌ أَوْ آيَتَانِ. فَقالَ رَجُلٌ مِمَّنْ تَحْتَهُ: فَمَا نَزَلَ فِيكَ أَنْتَ؟ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَمَا إنَّكَ لَوْ لَمْ تَسْأَلْنِي عَلَى رُؤُوسِ الْقَوْمِ مَا حَدَّثْتُكَ. وَيْحَكَ هَلْ تَقْرَأُ سُورَةَ هُودٍ؟ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: ?أَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِنْهُ?؛ رَسُولُ اللهِ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ وَأَنَا الشَّاهِدُ مِنْهُ.

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَقِفُوهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ مَسْؤُولُونَ?: عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: إِنَّهُمْ مَسْؤُولُونَ عَنْ وِلاَيَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?إتَّقُوا اللهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ?: عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: مَعَ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرَّاً وَعَلاَنِيَةً?: عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ؛ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ أَرْبَعَةُ دَرَاهِمَ فَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِرْهَمٍ لَيْلاًَ وَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِرْهَمٍ نَهاراً وَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِرْهَمٍ سِرَّاً وَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِرْهَمٍ عَلانِيَةً.

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نَاجَيْتُمُ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَةً?: لَمْ يَعْمَلْ أَحَدٌ سِوَى أمِيرِ المُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، لاَ قَبْلَهُ وَلا بَعْدَهُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ. وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ اللهِ هُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ?: نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ لَمَّا تَصَدَّقَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِينِ بِخَاتَمِهِ فِي رُكُوعِهِ.

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ?: قَالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: حَدَّثَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَأَنَا مُسْنِدُهُ إلَى صَدْرِي قَالَ: أَيْ عَلِيُّ، أَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ قَوْلَ اللهِ تَعالَى: ?إنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا…? أَنْتَ وَشِيعَتُكَ وَمَوْعِدِي وَمَوْعِدُكُمُ الْحَوْضُ إِذَا جَثَتِ الأُمَمُ لِلْحِسَابِ، تُدْعَوْنَ غُرَّاً مُحَجَّلِينَ.

The verse

“But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: come let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars” (3:61),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn.⁵⁸ In the interpretation of the verse

“So it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem” (48:29),

Hasan has said: Islam was strengthened by ‘Ali’s sword and obtained its position in world.⁵⁹ The Messenger of Allah has been quoted by Ibn Abbas and Asma bint Umays as saying: The verse

“the believers that do good” (66:4)

included ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.⁶⁰ About the verse

“and gardens of grapes and corn and palm trees having one root and (others) having distinct roots; they are watered with one water” (13:4),

Jabir ibn Abdullah has quoted the Messenger of Allah as saying: All people are from different roots but I and ‘Ali are from the same root, invoking the abovementioned verse.⁶¹

According to Ibn Abbas, the verse

“On the day on which Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him” (66:8)

is about ‘Ali and his followers. The first one who is clad with heavenly Hillah is prophet Ibrahim due to his being the friend of Allah. The second one is the Holy Prophet of Islam, for he is the chosen one. The third one is ‘Ali who is clad with heavenly garment entering paradise between the two honorable prophets. Ibn Abbas, then recited the abovementioned verse, saying: ‘Ali and his followers will go to paradise while being accompanied by the Holy Prophet.⁶²

The verse

“and they give food out of love for Him to the poor” (76:8),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn.⁶³ The verse

“of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah” (33:23),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali (a.s).⁶⁴ The verse

“Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom we chose from among Our servants” (35:32),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali (a.s), for he was the chosen servant of God.⁶⁵

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنْ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ?: نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيٍّ وَفَاطِمَةَ وَالْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوقِهِ?: عَنِ الْحَسَنِ قَالَ: إسْتَوَى الإسْلاَمُ بِسَيْفِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ?: عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالا: سَمِعْنَا رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقُولُ: صَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ? وَجَنَّاتٌ مِنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَى بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ?: عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ أنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقُولُ: النَّاسُ مِنْ شَجَرٍ شَتَّى وَأَنَا وَأَنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ. ثُمَّ قَرَأَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ الآيَةَ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?يَوْمَ لاَ يُخْزِي اللهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ?: عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: أَوَّلُ مَنْ يُكْسَى مِنْ حُلَلِ الْجَنَّةِ إبْرَاهِيمُ لِخِلَّتِهِ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ. ثُمَّ مُحَمَّدٌ لأَنَّهُ صَفْوَةُ اللهِ. ثُمَّ عَلِيٌّ، يُزَفُّ بَيْنَهُمَا إلَى الْجِنَانِ. ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ الآيَةَ وَقالَ: عَلِيٌّ وَأَصْحَابُهُ.

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَيَتِيماً وَأَسِيراً…?: نَزَلَتِ (السُّورَةُ) فِي عَلِيٍّ وَفَاطِمَةَ وَالْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللهَ عَلَيْهِ?: نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا?

The verse

“I and those who follow me …” (12:108),

was revealed in honor of Imam ‘Ali (a.s).⁶⁶ The verse

“Is he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth …” (13:19),

was revealed in honor of ‘Ali (a.s).⁶⁷ Imam ‘Ali asked the Messenger of Allah about the meaning of trial in the verse

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying “we believe” and not be tried?” (29:2).

The Holy Prophet said: This trial is related to you, for people will be put to test through you and they will put you to test too. In other words people will be hostile to you and you have to be hostile to them too.⁶⁸ About the verse

“Then we gave book for an inheritance …” (35:32),

‘Ali said: We are the inheritor of the Book.⁶⁹ Imam Baqir (a.s) has been quoted as saying: The verse

“and oppose the Apostle after that guidance has become clear to them” (47:32)

was revealed about ‘Ali.⁷⁰

Imam Baqir (a.s) has also been reported as saying: The word “man” in the verse

“and bestow His grace on every one endowed with grace” (11:3),

is ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.⁷¹ The verse

“I and those who follow me” (12:108)

is about ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib and the Holy Prophet’s household.⁷² The verse

“Is he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your lord is the truth …” (13:19),

is about ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.⁷³ The verse

“O you who believe …”

is about ‘Ali according to Ibn Abbas. There is no verse in the Holy Qur’an which addresses the believers and ‘Ali is not their leader.⁷⁴

Ibn Abbas has reported: God Almighty reproaches the Holy Prophet’s companions in certain verses except ‘Ali. Wherever ‘Ali’s name is mentioned implicitly, he is respected and honored. Wherever the believers are addressed in the Holy Qur’an, ‘Ali is their leader. Hence, we are commissioned to always speak well of ‘Ali and ask God’s forgiveness for him.⁷⁵ Hudhayfah has reported: ‘Ali is the truth and the real secret of truth.⁷⁶

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?أَنَا وَمَنْ اتَّبَعَنِي?

وَقَوْلُهُ: ?أَفَمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ…? وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?الم (1) أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لاَ يُفْتَنُونَ?: قَالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: قُلتُ: يَا رَسولَ اللهِ، مَا هَذِهِ الْفِتْنَةُ؟ قَالَ: يَا عَلِيُّ، بِكَ، وَإنَّكَ مُخَاصَمٌ فَأَعِدَّ لِلْخُصُومَةِ. وَقالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: ?ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا? نَحْنُ أُولَئِكَ. وَعَنِ الْبَاقِرِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: ?وَشَاقُّوا الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْهُدَى? قَالَ: فِي أَمْرِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَعَنْهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: ?وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ? قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: أنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي؛ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَآلُ مُحَمَّدٍ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ? أَفَمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ…? عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا?:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: مَا نَزَلَتْ ? يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا? إلاَّ وَعَلِيٌّ أَمِيرُهَا وَشَرِيفُهَا. وَعَنْهُ: مَا ذَكَرَ اللهُ فِي القُرْآنِ ? يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا? إلاَّ وَعَلِيٌّ أَمِيرُهَا وَشَرِيفُهَا. وَلَقَدْ عَاتَبَ اللهُ أَصْْحَابَ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي آيٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَمَا ذَكَرَ عَلِيَّاً إلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ، وَلَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا بِالإسْتِغْفَارِ لَهُ. وَعَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ: إلاَّ كَانَ لِعَلِيٍّ لُبُّهَا وَلُبَابُهَا.

About the verse

“Who is then more unjust than he who utters a lie against Allah and (he who) gives the lie to the truth” (39:32),

Musa ibn Jafar has quoted his father as saying: The unjust man is one who rejects the Holy Prophet’s words about ‘Ali.⁷⁷ About the verses

“and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector. So they returned with favor from Allah and (His) grace; no evil touched them” (3:173-174),

Abu-Rafi says: After the battle of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah sent ‘Ali and a group of the companions to chase Abu-Sufyan. Amr from the tribe of Khuza’ah met ‘Ali on the way. He informed that Abu-Sufyan and his aides were intent to strengthen their forces in order to fight Muslims. ‘Ali said: We only trust in Allah and do not fear the enemy’s attack. This verse was revealed about ‘Ali and his companions.⁷⁸

Ibn Masud recited the verse

“and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting” (33:25)

as

“and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting, by ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib”,

that is God removed the trouble of fighting from believers through ‘Ali

“and Allah is Strong, Mighty” (33:25).⁷⁹

The verse,

“O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord” (5:67),

is about the leadership of ‘Ali. It was revealed at the end of the last pilgrimage by the Messenger of Allah at Ghadir Khum.⁸⁰ Zayd ibn ‘Ali reports: When Gabriel conveyed the message of ‘Ali’s leadership (Imamate) to the Messenger of Allah, the Holy Prophet was a little worried about conveying this message saying to himself: My people are not much distant from the era of ignorance. I hope they will not return to the former state once again with this message

Abu-Dharr and Abdullah have been reported as saying: During life of the Messenger of Allah, whenever we recited the verse

“O apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord” we would say: It is ‘Ali, the master of the believers. Then, we would recite the rest of the verse “and if you do not, then you have not delivered this message, and Allah will protect you from the people” (5:67).

قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَّبَ عَلَى اللهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءَهُ? عَنِ الكَاظِمِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَنِ الصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: هُوَ مَنْ رَدَّ قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ. فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنْ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ? عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ: أنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَجَّهَ عَلِيَّاً فِي نَفَرٍ مَعَهُ فِي طَلَبِ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَلَقِيَهُمْ أعْرَابِيٌّ مِنْ خُزَاعَةَ فَقالَ: إنَّ الْقَوْمَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ. ?فَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ? فَنَزَلَتِ (الآيَةُ). قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَكَفَى اللهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْقِتَالَ?

كَانَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ يَقْرَأُ: ?وَكَفَى اللهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْقِتَالَ (بِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ) وَكَانَ اللهُ قَوِيَّاً عَزِيزاً?. قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ? أَنَّهَا نَزَلَتْ فِي شَأْنِ الْوِلاَيَةِ.

عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ: لَمَّا جَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِأَمْرِ الْوِلاَيَةِ ضَاقَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِذَاكَ ذَرْعاً وَقالَ: قَوْمِي حَدِيثُو عَهْدٍ بِالْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ. وَعَنْ زَرٍّ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ قَالَ: كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: ?يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ (أَنَّ عَلِيَّاً مَوْلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ وَاللهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ?.

“In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted …” (24:36)⁸²

Anas and Buraydah have reported: When the Messenger of Allah recited the abovementioned verse to the end, a man rose up and asked: O Messenger of Allah! Which are these houses? The Holy Prophet (S) said: The prophets’ houses. Pointing to ‘Ali and Fatimah’s house Abu-Bakr asked: O Messenger of Allah! Is this house one of them too? The Holy Prophet said: Yes, it is the best of them.⁸³ About the revelation of the verse,

“O you who believe! Do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made lawful for you” (5:87),

it is said that ‘Ali together with a group of the companions decided to forbid themselves even the lawful pleasures when this verse was revealed.⁸⁴

Qatadah reports: ‘Ali and a group of the companions including Uthman ibn Mazun decided to retreat from the world, to forsake women and to live the life of a recluse when this verse was revealed.⁸⁵ Ibn Abbas reports: The abovementioned verse was revealed about ‘Ali and his companions, where we read

“And ordain for me a goodly mention among prosperity” (26:84).⁸⁶

Imam Sadiq (a.s) has been reported as saying: The aim of the abovementioned verse is ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib, for when God offered Wilayah to the prophet Ibrahim, he said: O Lord! Ordain this position in my progeny. God accepted his prayer and gave this position to ‘Ali. The verse

“I swear by the star (the Qur’an) when it goes down. Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; nor does he speak out of desire” (53:1-3).⁸⁷

Habbah Arani reports: When the Messenger of Allah ordered all the doors opening to the mosque be blocked, this order was heavy for his companions! Amid this, I looked at Hamzah ibn Abdul Muttalib while he had wrapped himself in a red bathing gown, his eye full of tears, and expressing his grievances said: You expelled me, your uncle, Abbas, Abu-Bakr and Umar from the mosque but you allowed your cousin to remain in the mosque! At this time a man rose

وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ? عَنْ أَنَسٍ وَبُرَيْدَةَ قَالاَ: قَرَأَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: ?فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ…? إلَى قَوْلِهِ: ?وَالأَبْصَارُ? فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقالَ: أَيُّ بُيُوتٍ هَذِهِ يَا رَسولَ اللهِ؟ قَالَ: بُيُوتُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ. فَقالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: يَا رَسولَ اللهِ، هَذَا الْبَيْتُ مِنْهَا؟ يَعْنِي: بَيْتَ عَلِيٍّ وَفَاطِمَةَ. قَالَ: نَعَمْ! مِنْ أَفَاضِلِهَا. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لاَ تُحَرِّمُوا طَيِّبَاتِ مَا أَحَلَّ اللهُ لَكُمْ?

قِيلَ: كَانَ عَلِيٌّ فِي أُنَاسٍ مِنَ الصَّحَابَةِ عَزَمُوا عَلَى تَحْرِيمِ الشَّهَوَاتِ، فَنَزَلَتْ. وَعَنْ قُتَادَةَ: أَنَّ عَلِيَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَجَمَاعَةً مِنَ الصَّحَابَةِ مِنْهُمْ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ مَظْعُونٍ أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَتَخَلَّوْا عَنِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَتْرُكُوا النِّسَاءَ وَيَرْهَبُوا، فَنَزَلَتْ. وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: أَنَّهَا نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيٍّ وَأَصْحَابِهِ. وَقَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَاجْعَلْ لِي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الآخِرِينَ?

عَنِ الصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: هُوَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ؛ عُرِضَتْ وِلاَيَتُهُ عَلَى إبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَقالَ: اللَّهُمَّ إجْعَلْهُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي. فَفَعَلَ اللهُ ذَلِكَ. قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى. مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى. وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى? عَنْ حَبَّةَ العَرَنِيِّ قَالَ: لَمَّا أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِسَدِّ الأَبْوَابِ الَّتِي فِي الْمَسْجِدِ شَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ. قَالَ حَبَّةُ: إِنِّي لأَنْظُرُ إلَى حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَهُوَ تَحْتَ قَطِيفَةٍ حَمْرَاءَ وَعَيْنَاهُ تَذْرِفَانِ وَيَقُولُ: أَخْرَجْتَ عَمَّكَ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَالْعَبَّاسَ وَأَسْكَنْتَ ابْنَ عَمِّكَ. فَقالَ رَجُلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ: مَا يَأْلُو فِي رَفْعِ ابْنِ عَمِّهِ. فَعَلِمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ أنَّهُ شَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَدَعَا

up and mockingly said: He always endeavors to promote the position of his cousin! Being informed that the order had been heavy for the companions, the Messenger of Allah ordered them to gather in the mosque. After praising God, he spoke so eloquently that no one had witnessed such an elaborate sermon before. The Holy Prophet then said: O people! I have neither kept the doors open nor closed them on my own. I have neither allowed him in nor expelled others from the mosque on my own. Rather, I have done it on God’s decree. Then, he recited the verses

“I swear by time, most surely man is in loss, except those who believe and do good. (103:1-3)”⁸⁸

Ibn Abbas reports: Man in loss is Abu-Jahl whereas those who believe and do good are ‘Ali and Salman.⁸⁹ The verse

“and (as for) the foremost, the first of the Muhajirs and the Ansar” (9:100),

is about ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib and Salman and no one else.⁹⁰

“And give good news to the humble, to those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and those who are patient under that which afflicts them, and those who keep up prayer and spend (benevolently) out of what we have given them” (22:34-35).

Ibn Abbas says: ‘Ali and Salman are form this group.

“and enjoin on each other patience” (103:3).⁹¹

Ibn Abbas reports: The following verse was revealed about ‘Ali:

“Surely (as for) those for whom the good has already gone forth from us, they shall be kept far off from it (fire)” (21:101).⁹²

Nu’man ibn Bashir reports: ‘Ali recited the abovementioned verse one of the nights, saying as saying: I am from this group. It was prayer time then. ‘Ali rose up for prayer, saying:

“They will not hear its faintest sound” (21:102).

About the verse

“and most certainly you can recognize them by the intent of (their) speech” (47:30)⁹³,

Abu-Said reports: On the Day of Judgment, the enemies of ‘Ali will be recognized from the tone of their voice. God Almighty states:

“Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it” (6:160).⁹⁴

Imam ‘Ali (a.s) has been quoted as saying: Good deed in the aforesaid verse is love for Ahl al-Bayt and bad deed is enmity with us. Anyone who enters the Day of Judgment with our enmity will be thrown into fire by God Almighty.⁹⁵

الصَّلاَةَ جَامِعَةً فَصَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَلَمْ يُسْمَعْ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ خِطْبَةً كَانَ أَبْلَغَ مِنْهَا تَمْجِيداً وَتَوْحِيداً. فَلَمَّا فَرِغَ قَالَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَا أنَا سَدَدْتُهَا وَلاَ أنَا فَتَحْتُهَا وَلاَ أنَا أَخْرَجْتُكُمْ وَأَسْكَنْتُهُ. وَقَرَأَ: ?وَالنَّجْمِ إذَا هَوَى? - إلَى قَوْلِهِ - ?إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ وَحْيٌ يُوحَى? قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَالْعَصْرِ. إِنَّ الإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ. إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ? عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: ?الإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ? يَعْنِي: أَبَا جَهْلٍ. ?إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا? عَلِيٌّ وَسَلْمَانُ. ?وَالسَّابِقُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ? عَلِيٌّ وَسَلْمَانُ. ?وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ - إلَى قَوْلِهِ - وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ? قَالَ: مِنْهُمْ عَلِيٌّ وَسَلْمَانُ.

قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ? عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّها فِي عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?إِنَّ الَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُمْ مِنَّا الْحُسْنَى أُولَئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ? عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ أَنَّ عَلِيَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ تَلاَهَا لَيْلَةً وَقالَ: أنَا مِنْهُمْ. وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ، فَقَامَ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ: ?لاَ يَسْمَعُونَ حَسِيسَهَا.? قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?وَلَتَعْرِفَنَّهُمْ فِي لَحْنِ الْقَوْلِ?

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ: لَتَعْرِفَنَّهُمْ فِي لَحْنِ الْقَوْلِ بِبُغْضِهِمْ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ. قَوْلُهُ تَعالَى: ?مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا? عَنْ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: الْحَسَنَةُ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ، وَالسَّيِّئَةُ بُغْضُنَا، مَنْ جَاءَ بِهَا أَكَبَّهُ اللهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ فِي النَّارِ.

God states:

“Then a crier will cry out among them” (7:44).

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: The crier is ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.⁹⁶ God states:

“When he calls you to that which gives you life” (8:24).

Imam Baqir says: It means he calls you to the Wilayah (leadership) of ‘Ali, for ‘Ali’s Wilayah is a momentum for man’s spiritual life which will accompany him to the end. God Almighty states:

“In the seat of honor with a most Powerful King” (54:55).⁹⁷