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Certainty Uncovered

Translation of Kashf al-Yaqin, Virtues of Imam ‘Aliكشف اليقين

This book, authored by Allamah Hilli, discusses Imam Ali's merits and virtues during the course of his life, before birth and in his years of youth till his last day. The book discusses Imam Ali's physical excellence and superiority demonstrated in different occasions and the numerous honors which Allah (SWT) bestowed him.

Author(s): Jamal al-Din ibn Yusuf 'Allamah Hilli

Translator(s): Ali Akbar Aghili Ashtiani

Publisher(s): Ansariyan Publications – Qum

Table of Contents

Translator’s Note 4

Biography of Allamah Hilli 5

Said About Him 5

His Teachers 6

His Pupils 7

His Works 7

His Birth 7

Place of Death and Tomb 7

Notes 9

Preface 10

‘Ali’s Virtues Before His Birth 13

Section One 13

Section Two 13

Section Three 13

Section Four 14

Section Five 15

‘Ali’s Virtues at Creation and Birth 16

Notes 18

‘Ali’s Virtues in Boyhood and Maturity 19

‘Ali’s Spiritual Virtues 19

Faith 19

Knowledge 27

‘Ali’s Courage in Battlefields 53

‘Ali’s Piety 55

‘Ali’s Generosity and Magnanimity 58

‘Ali’s Religiosity, Piety and Prayer 63

‘Ali’s Good Temper 70

‘Ali’s Forbearance 72

Notes 73

Imam ‘Ali’s Physical Excellence and Superiority 76

‘Ali’s Worship 76

Jihad in the Way of Allah 78

Battle of Badr 79

The Battle of Uhud 80

‘Ali’s Courage in the Battle of Khandaq (The Ditch) 84

‘Ali and Surah Bara’ah 114

‘Ali’s Contradictory Virtues (Polarization) 116

‘Ali’s Maxims 117

Notes 128

Imam ‘Ali’s External Virtues and Merits 131

‘Ali’s Genealogy 131

‘Ali’s Marriage with Lady Fatimah 134

‘Ali, the Holy Prophet’s Brother 138

Only Door of ‘Ali’s House Open to the Masjid 140

Mutual Curse (Mubahalah) 143

Love for ‘Ali, a Must 147

‘Ali, the Holy Qur’an, and the Truth are Inseparable 154

Whoever I Am the Master, ‘Ali Is His Master 156

The Holy Prophet’s Appointment of Imam ‘Ali for the Next Leadership 162

‘Ali, Amir al-Mu’minin 167

The Unity of ‘Ali and the Holy Prophet 173

The Story of the Grilled Bird 176

‘Ali is the Best Creature 177

Warning Against Those Challenging ‘Ali’s Authority 179

‘Ali’s Ablution with Heavenly Water 181

‘Ali, a Great Master 182

Notes 184

More Merits of Imam ‘Ali 187

Virtues of ‘Ali’s Children 187

Virtues of ‘Ali’s Spouse 207

Verses Revealed in Honor of ‘Ali 209

The Holy Prophet’s Prayer for ‘Ali 235

Divine Punishment for ‘Ali’s Enemies 235

‘Ali and the Jews 238

‘Ali on the Shoulders of the Holy Prophet 252

Mentioning and Looking at ‘Ali; sorts of Worship 253

‘Ali’s Station on the Day of Judgment 254

Seeking Guidance from ‘Ali 255

The Story of a Dinar ‘Ali Found 255

‘Ali during the Night Journey 260

The Holy Prophet and ‘Ali’s Merits 262

‘Ali’s Arch-Enemy, Zubayr ibn Bakkar 272

‘Ali’s Valor 278

‘Ali’s Posthumous Miracles 280

Notes 293

Final Note 297

Translator’s Note

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad and his pure progeny!

This book which discusses Imam ‘Ali’s merits and virtues was given to me for translation into English by the honorable manager of Ansarian publication, Mr. Hajj Muhammad Taqi Ansarian, a devotee of Ahl al-Bayt. For this reason, I should really thank him for his good choice.

The translation of this book is dedicated to my dear wife, Maryam Kazemi, for her piety, patience, and her love for Imam ‘Ali (a.s).

I would like to thank my dear son, Arya, for proofreading this book.

Above all, my special thanks will go to my knowledgeable friend, Mr. Badr Shahin, for editing this book. I am much obliged to him as usual.

‘Ali Akbar Aghili Ashtiani

Biography of Allamah Hilli

The great Sheikh, the supporter of religion and annihilator of the works of the corrupt and the wrongdoers, Jamal al-Din Abu-Mansur Hasan, is the son of Sadid al-Din Yusuf, the son of Zayn al-Din ‘Ali, the son of Muhammad, the son of Mutahhar, known as Allamah Hilli and Allamah ‘ala al-Itlaq.1

Sheikh Amili, in (his book of) Tadhkirat al-Mutabahhirin, says: Sheikh Allamah Jamal al-Din Abu-Mansur, Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Ali ibn Mutahhar Hilli, is a pure learned scholar, most well-versed of all scholars, researcher, trustworthy, jurisprudent, traditionalist, theologian, and a dignified man unrivaled in the rational and transmitted science. His virtues cannot be counted.

He learnt theology and rational science from Muhaqqiq Hilli and Muhaqqiq Tusi and other sciences from other scholars. Muhaqqiq Tusi too learnt jurisprudent (Fiqh) from him.2

Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Dawud, writing about him in his book, says: He was a great Shi’ite scholar of his time, having numerous books and leading Imamiyyah in the rational and transmitted sciences in his time. His honorable father, may his soul rest in peace, was a dignified jurisprudent and lecturer.3

During the life of Allamah Hilli, Sultan Khodabandeh chose Shi’ism as his sect, had coins minted in the name of the twelve Imams and had it circulated in the country in AH 708. It was during the same time that the nation of Islam got rid of the heresy of the tyrant rulers after the Holy Prophet (S), their tyrannical domination over spiritual leadership came to an end, and Muslims attained certain freedoms denied by the Abbasid Caliphs. If the Abbasid Caliphs were content with political domination alone, and had entrusted the spiritual leadership and Imamate to the right ones, so many followers of Ahl al-Bayt had not been killed mercilessly.4

Ibn Hajar says: Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn Mutahhar Hilli, the Shi’ite scholar, was a divine sign in intelligence and cleverness. He wrote a commentary on Ibn Hajib so beautifully that earned him a great reputation during his lifetime. He is the one against whom, ibn Taymiyah wrote a book themed “Rejection of the Heretic (Al-Radd Ala al-Rafidah).”

Ibn Mutahhar was well-known among Muslims for his good temper. Having studied some of ibn Taymiyah’s books, he said: If he could understand what I say, I would respond to him (meaning that he is ignorant).5

Ibn Hajar also says: Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Ali Mutahhar, the well-known Rafidi who led the Imamiyyah Shi’ites in his time, was well-versed in rational science. He wrote a commentary on the book entitled Alfa¨ Mukhtasar authored by ibn Hajib of Mosul and a book on ‘Ali’s virtues. Ibn Taymiah wrote a book in its rejection.

Sheikh Taqi al-Din Sabki too expressed his protest to that book in his poems, ibn Hajar says: After studying ibn Taymiyah’s book, I found out that Sabki’s protest was right.6

Said About Him

Sheikh Khabir Mirza Abdullah Afandi Isfahani says: The honorable Sheikh Jamal al-Din Abu-Mansur Hasan ibn Sadid al-Din, Yusuf ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Mutahhar Hilli, is a great ambitious leader, a practicing scholar, a fully-skilled poet and the most learned of the scholars (Allamah in the full sense of the word). He has reached the peak of knowledge. He is famous for prudence and judiciousness. He is the nephew of Muhaqqiq Hilli and a divine sign on the earth. He has also a great right on the Twelvers in terms of the explication of Shi’ite knowledge and jurisprudence.

He was well-versed in all branches of science on which he authored a book. He was expert in philosophy, theology, jurisprudence, Hadith, fundamental dogmas, and Arabic literature, as well as a capable poet. In the city of Ardabil, I came to some of his poems indicating his poetic talent.7

Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi being asked about this great scholar, following his visit to the city of Hillah and its scholars, said: I found a sagacious and expert teacher who will gain superiority over me if he endeavors.8

Sheikh al-Hurr al-Amili says: He is Allamah in the full sense of the word and his reputation has spread all over the world. No Shi’ite scholar has been so far called Allamah ala al-Itlaq.9

Amir Mustafa Tafreshi in his book, Naqd al-Rijal, writes: He is Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Ali ibn Mutahhar, Abu-Mansur Hilli. In his description of Allamah Hilli, he, with apology, writes: I would better not describe him, for my book has no enough room for what he knew of the branches of knowledge, and the virtues he possessed. He is above what people say about his benefaction and virtues. He has left behind over seventy books on fundamental dogmas, secondary precepts of religion, physics and divinities. May Allah illuminate his tomb, and those of his father and his child. May Allah award him with the best rewards.10

The author of the book, Minhaj al-Maqal, writes: Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Mutahhar, Abu-Mansur, Allamah Hilli was born in the city of Hillah and took residence in it. His virtues and benefactions are innumerable.11

Mawla Niam al-Din Qarashi in his book, Niam al-Aqwal, writes: Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Ali Mutahhar Hilli known as Abu-Mansur and Jamal al-Din, may Allah purify his soul, is the chief of the tribe, the Allamah of his time, and a researcher of precision. He is the teacher of the new generations, for all the scholars after him benefited from his knowledge. He is well-known for his superiority and is in no need of description.12

His Teachers

This great spiritual man has left behind many books, from which known and unknown teachers benefited. A large group of scholars have learnt from him as mentioned in the books written by Shi’ite and Sunni scholars.

In the beginning of his study, Allamah Hilli benefited from the classes of his father Sadid al-Din Yusuf and then those of his maternal uncle, Muhaqqiq Hilli and the author of Shara'i al-Islam. In rational sciences, mathematics and other sciences, he was a student of Muhaqqiq Tusi, Kamal al-Din Maytham ibn ‘Ali Bahrani, Jamal al-Din Ahmad ibn Tawus Hasani and his brother, Radi al-Din ibn Tawus. He also learnt from other scholars.13

His grandfather, who was greatly interested in his education, assigned him a teacher during his childhood making him obliged to teach the Holy

Qur'an and writing to the young boy. Allamah Hilli learnt the Holy Qur'an and writing from the same teacher.

His Pupils

Ibn Futi in his book, Mu’jam al-Alqab, on Allamah’s nephew, Amid ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali Husayni Hilli, writes: He learnt jurisprudence from his maternal uncles, Mawlana Jamal al-Din Hasan ibn Mutahhar Hilli.14 Also a large group of others like his son, Fakhr al-Muhaqqiqin Muhammad, his nephews, Sayyid Amid al-Din and Sayyid Diya’ al-Din Husayni have narrated Hadiths from him.

Sayyid Taj al-Din Muhammad ibn Qasim ibn Maya, Sheikh Zayn al-Din Abu-al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Tarad Matar Abadi, and sheikh Razi al-Din Abul-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Ahmad Marandi too have quoted him. As evidenced by the documents gathered by sheikh Thani on al-¯ahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah, one of the other persons who has mentioned

Allamah’s name is sheikh Taj al-Din Hasan Sarabashnawi.15

His Works

Writing about his biography in the book, Khulasat al-Aqwal fi Ma’rifat al-Rijal, Allamah Hilli has mentioned the names of the books he has succeeded to complete or has begun to author till AH 693 as more than 64 books. Further he says: most of the books have not been completed but I hope God will bless me to complete them.16

Ibn Kathir says: The Iraqi Shi’ite Abu-Mansur Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn Mutahhar Hilli is the great sheikh of the heretics in Iraq. His many books which amounted to 120 volumes include fifty books on jurisprudence, fundamental dogmas, syntax, philosophy, and heresy. The most famous of these books among theological students is a commentary by ibn Hajib on the principles of Fiqh in the style of al-Mahsul wal-Ahkam. It is extremely useful, for it has many traditions and beautiful justifications.17

His Birth

In Khulasat al-Aqwal, he says: I was born on the 19th of Ramadan in AH 648. I hope God will be Gracious to me to bring my life to an end gracefully.18

Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Dawud in his book writes: He was born in AH 648.19 Quoting Riyad al-Ulama in the book of A’yan al-Shi’ah, it is written that answering the questions of Sayyid al-Muhanna ibn Sinan Madani, Allamah says: My father said that the auspicious birthday of my son, Abu-Mansur Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn Mutahhar took place on the last third part of Friday night, on the 29th of Ramadan, AH 648. Then, he says: It might be 29th and not the 27th.20

Shahid has been quoted as saying that the departure of that honorable person took place on Saturday, 21st of Muharram, AH 726. In Tawdih al-Maqasid by sheikh Baha al-Din Amili, we read: The honorable Allamah Hasan ibn Mutahhar Hilli passed away on the 21st of Muharram, AH 726. May his soul rest in peace.21

Place of Death and Tomb

Allamah Hilli passed away in the city of Hillah Mazidiyah but his pure body was transferred to the holy city of Najaf and buried on the right-side chamber next to the Holy Shrine of Amir al-Mu’minin. His tomb is visited to date by the pilgrims of Amir al-Mu’minin.22

Notes

1. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396

2. Mu’jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 5, pp. 157

3. Mu’jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 5, pp. 158

4. Tabaqat A’lam al-Shi’ah, 8th century, pp. 52

5. Lisan al-Mizan, vol. 2, pp. 315

6. Lisan al-Mizan, vol. 6, pp. 319

7. Riyad al-Ulama’, vol. 1, pp.358

8. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396-397

9. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396-397

10. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396-397

11. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 397

12. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 397

13. Riyad al-Ulama’, vol. 1, pp. 359

14. Mu’jam al-Alqab, ibn Futi

15. Riyad al-Ulama’, vol. 1, pp. 360

16. Rijal Allamah Hilli, pp. 48

17. al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah, vol. 14, pp. 129

18. Khulasat al-Aqwal, pp. 48

19. Mu’jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 5, pp. 157

20. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396

21. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396

22. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396

Preface

In the name of Allah, The most compassionate, the most merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Eternal, the Subduing, the Great, the Generous, the Concealer, the First, the Last, the Hidden, the Manifest, the Knower of the nature of secrets, the Aware of the unconscious, the Originator of the beings, with no need of any partner or load, the Inventor of all contingent beings with no need of helper or supporter, I praise Him for his bounties, thank Him for His grace. Greeting and peace be upon the master of the former and latter generations, Muhammad, the chosen one, and his dignified progeny, the infallible Imams.

Whereas the royal order of the dignified king, the master of the affairs of the nations, the ruler of the kings of Arabs and non-Arabs, the king of kings, kind and compassionate to the servants, the grace of the providence in the world, the mercy of God upon the world people, the divine mercy on the world creatures, uprooter of oppression and tyranny, having the divine support, the reviver of the prophets’ traditions, administrators of justice in the world, one who has the Grace of God with him, having holy breath, having control of men, a human having reached the zenith of perfection with his special vision, a star shining in the sky of virtues and his sublime thoughts have supremacy over all, his praiseworthy deeds and a model for the world rulers, Oljaytu Khodabandeh Muhammad, the Sultan on the earth, may God prolong his reign till the Day of Judgment and may the banner of his victory be hoisted and may his rule be immune and safe from change and fall—was issued on writing a book about the virtues and merits of the commander of the believers, ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib, peace be upon him, in compliance with his royal order, I endeavored to carry out this task as quickly as possible and called the book “The certainty Uncovered about the Virtues of Amir al-Mu’minin.” The book is as brief as possible, since the prolongation of the book might cause the readers to be bored. The virtues and merits of the Imam are such that cannot be counted by human beings.

Quoting Ibn Abbas, the great orator of Khawarizm has reported that the Holy Prophet said: Should the sky-touching trees turn into pens, and the seas turn onto ink, and should the Jinn become counters, and humans become writers, they cannot possibly enumerate the virtues and merits of ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.

   بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْحَمْدُ للهِ القَدِيمِ القَاهِرِ، العَظِيمِ القَادِرِ، الحَلِيمِ الغَافِرِ، الكَرِيمِ السَّاتِرِ، الأَوَّلِ الآخِرِ، البَاطِنِ الظَّاهِرِ، العَالِمِ بِمكنُونَاتِ السَّرائِرِ، الْخَبِيرِ بِمُسْتَودَعَاتِ الضَّمائِرِ، الْمُبدِعِ لأَجنَاسِ الْمَوجُوداتِ مِن غَيرِ احتِياجٍ إلَى شَريكٍ وَمُؤازِرٍ، الْمُختَرِعِ لأِنواعِ الْمُمكِناتِ مِن غَير افتِقارِ مُعِينٍ وَمُظاهرٍ .

   أحمَدُهُ علَى إِنعَامِهِ الْغَامِرِ، وَأَشْكُرهُ فَضلَهُ الزَّائِدَ الزَّاخِرَ. وَالصَّلاَةُ عَلَى سَيِّدِ الأَوائِلِ وَالأَواخِرِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُصْطَفَى وَعِترَتِهِ الأَمَاجدِ الأَكابِرِ الْمَعصُومِينَ مِنَ الصَّغائِرِ وَالكَبائِرِ الْمُؤَيَّدِينَ فِي الْمَوارِدِ وَالْمَصادِرِ .

   أمَّا بَعدُ: فإنَّ مَرسومَ السُّلطانِ الأعظَمِ مَالِكِ رِقابِ الأُممِ مَلكِ مُلوكِ طَوائِفِ العَرَبِ والعَجَمِ شاهِنشاهَ المُعَظَّمِ رَاحِمِ الْعِبَادِ وَلُطفِ اللهِ فِي البلاَدِ رَحمَةُ الله تَعالَى فِي العَالَمينَ وَظِلِّ اللهِ عَلى الخَلائقِ أجمَعينَ مُحيِي سُننِ الأنبياءِ وَالمُرسَلينَ بَاسطِ العَدلِ وَناشِرِهِ وَمُميتِ الجَورِ ومُدمِّرِهِ المُؤيَّد مِن اللهِ تَعالَى بِالعِناياتِ الرّبَّانيّةِ وَالمَمدُودِ مِنهُ تَعالَى بِالألطافِ الإلَهيَّةِ ذِي النّفسِ القُدسيَّةِ وَالرِّئاسَةِ الإنْسِيَّةِ الوَاصِلِ بِفِكرِهِ الثَّاقبِ إلَى أسنَى المَراتبِ المُرتَقِي بِرايَةِ الصَّائبِ أَوجَ الشُّهُبِ الثَّواقِبِ المُتَمَيِّزِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ البَرِيَّةِ بِجَودةِ القَرِيحَةِ وَصِدقِ الرّويَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ سُلطانِ وَجهِ الأرضِ خَلَّدَ اللهُ مُلْكَهُ إلَى يَومِ العَرضِ وَلا زَالتْ ألْوِيَتَهُ محفُوفةً بِالظَّفرِ وَالنَّصرِ وَدَولَتُهُ محروسَةً مِن الغِيَرِ إلَى يَومِ الحَشْرِ والنَّشرِ رَسمَ بِوَضعِ رِسالَةٍ تَشتَملُ عَلى ذِكرِ فَضائِلِ أمِيرِ المؤمنِينَ عَلِيِّ بنِ أَبِي طَالبٍ عليهِ أفضَلُ الصَّلاةِ والسّلامِ. فَامتَثَلتُ مَا رَسَمَهُ وسَارعْتُ إلَى مَا حَتَمَهُ وَوَضَعْتُ هَذَا الْكِتَابَ المَوسومَ بـِ‍(كَشفُ اليَقِينِ) فِي فَضائِلِ أميرِ المُؤمنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَلى سَبيلِ الإيجَازِ وَالاختِصارِ مِن غَير تَطويلٍ ولا إكثَارٍ .

   فإنَّ فَتحَ بابِ ذلكَ يُؤدِّي إلَى المَلالِ إذ لاَ حَصرَ لِفضَائلِهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ كَما رَواهُ أخطَبُ خَـوَارِزْمَ عنِ ابـن عَبَّاسٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لَوْ أَنَّ الرِّيَاضَ أَقْلاَمٌ وَالبَحْرَ مِدَادٌ وَالْجِنَّ حُسَّابُ وَالإنْسَ كُتَّابٌ مَا أَحْصَوا فَضَائِلَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ .

The author says: How can we count the virtues of a person who has been so beautifully described and praised by the Holy Prophet of Islam (S).

A poet of high capability who had kept silent in eulogizing the Imam was blamed for not so doing. In response to those blaming him, the poet composed a poem expressing his inability the general concept of which is as follows:

Blame me not in giving up the idea of eulogizing ‘Ali, for I know better than you the fact that when the inhabitants of heaven and the earth fail to counter the virtues of Qanbar, that is the slave of ‘Ali, how can I possibly speak of ‘Ali’s merits?

The orator of Khawarizm reports: a scholar was asked if he had composed a poem eulogizing ‘Ali and in answer he said: what should I say about a sublime person whose enemies envied his virtues and concealed them and his friends were not able to propagate his virtues out of fear of their lives and despite these two great obstacles, ‘Ali’s virtues and merits were such that they have enlightened the earth and the heaven as well as the east and the west. Nevertheless, in this book, we will refer to parts of his virtues in the hope that we have complied with the order and we have recounted the words of the orator of Khawarizm in “Manaqib.”

Reporting the Holy Prophet (S), Khawarizmi says: God Almighty has assigned innumerable virtues for my brother ‘Ali. Whoever recalls one of his virtues and internalizes it, God will forgive his past and future sins and

whoever writes a book about one of his virtues, angels will seek forgiveness for him as long as that book remains. Whoever listens to one of his virtues, God will forgive the sins he has committed through his hearing sense and should he read a book about ‘Ali’s virtues, God will forgive the sins he has committed through seeing. The Holy Prophet has also been quoted as saying: Looking at the face of ‘Ali and remembering him is worship. God will never accept any servant’s faith save by love for ‘Ali and immunity from his enemies.

   وَمَن يَصفُهُ النَّبِيُّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِمِثلِ ذلكَ كَيفَ يُمكِنُ التَّعبِيرَ عَن وَصفِ فَضَائِلهِ؟

   وَقالَ بَعضُ الشُّعراءِ وَقدْ لامُوهُ فِي تَركِ مَدحِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ :

   لاَ تَلُمْنِي فِي تَركِ مَدْحٍ عَليٍّ

   أنَا أَدْرَى بِالأَمْرِ مِنْكَ وَأخْبَرْ

   إنَّ أهلَ السَّماءِ وَالأرْضِ فِي العَجْ

   زِ سَواءٌ عَن حَصْرِ أَوصَافِ قَنْبرْ

   وقَالَ بعضُ الفُضَلاءِ وَقدْ سُئلَ عَنهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فقَالَ: مَا أَقولُ فِي شَخصٍ أخْفَى أعْداؤهُ فَضَائلَهُ حَسَداً وأخفَى أَولِياؤهُ فَضَائلَهُ خَوفاً وَحذَراً، فَظَهرَ فِي مَا بَينَ هَذَينِ فَضائِلُ طَبَّقتِ الشَّرقَ وَالغَربَ .

   لَكنْ نَحنُ نُشيرُ فِي هَذَا المُختَصَرِ إلَى يَسيرٍ مِن فضَائلِهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ طَاعَةً لِرَسمِ السُّلطانِ وَلِما رَواهُ أخْطَبُ خَوارِزمَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: إنَّ اللهَ تَعالَى جعلَ لأَخي عَليٍّ فَضائِلَ لاَ تُحصَى كَثرَةً. فَمَنْ ذكَرَ فَضيلَةً مِن فَضائِلهِ مُقِرَّاً بِهَا غَفرَ اللهُ لهُ مَا تقَدَّمَ مِن ذنبِهِ وَما تأَخَّرَ، ومَنْ كتَبَ فَضِيلةً مِنْ فَضائِلهِ لمَ تزَلِ الْمَلائكَةُ تَستَغفِرُ لَهُ مَا بقِيَ لِتلكَ الكِتابَةِ رَسمٌ. وَمنِ استَمَعَ إلَى فَضِيلةٍ مِن فضَائلهِ غَفرَ اللهُ لهُ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي اكتَسَبَها بِالاسْتِماعِ. وَمنْ نَظرَ إلَى كِتابٍ منْ فَضائِلهِ غَفرَ اللهُ لهُ الذُّنوبَ الَّتي اكْتسَبَها بِالنَّظَرِ .

   ثُمَّ قَالَ: النَّظرُ إلَى أخِي علِيِّ بنِ أبِي طَالبٍ عِبادَةٌ وَذِكرُهُ عِبادَةٌ. ولاَ يَقبلُ اللهُ إيمَانَ عَبدٍ إلاَّ بولايَتهِ وَالبَراءَةِ مِن أعدَائِهِ .

‘Ali’s Virtues Before His Birth

Section One

God almighty said to Abraham (a.s): As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation!1 Beyond doubt, Imam ‘Ali (a.s) is one of those princes, a virtue making him peerless.

   وَقد رَتَّبتُها عَلى فُصولٍ :

   فِي الفَضائِلِ الثَّابتَةِ لهُ قَبلَ وُجُودِهِ وَولادَتِهِ .

   وَهيَ خَمسةٌ :

   الأولَى: مَا وردَ فِي التَّورَاةِ مِن ذِكرِهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ :

   قَالَ اللهُ تَعالَى لإبرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: وَأمَّا إِسْمَاعِيلُ فقدْ سَمِعْتُ دُعاءَكَ فيهِ، وَقدْ بَارَكتُهُ وَسأثْمرُهُ وَأُكثِّرهُ جِدَّاً جِدَّاً، وَأجعلُ منهُ اثنَي عشرَ شَريفاً يُولدُ وأجعلُهُ حِزباً عَظِيماً .

   ولاَ شكَّ فِي أنَّ عليَّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَحدُ الإثنَي عَشرَ، وهَذهِ فَضيلَةٌ لمَ يَلحَقْهُ غَيرُهُ فِيهَا .

Section Two

The orator of Khawarizm quoting Abdullah ibn Mas’ud has reported that the Holy Prophet (S) said: O Abdullah! An angel came to me carrying a message from God who said: O Muhammad! Ask the prophets coming before you what they commissioned for? I said: You say what they were commissioned for? He answered: The very essence of their mission is based on the Wilayah of you and ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib.2

   الثَّانيةُ :

   روَى أخطَبُ خَوارِزمَ عَن عَبدِ اللهِ بنِ مَسعودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: يَا عَبدَ اللهِ؛ أتانِي مَلَكٌ فقالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ سَل مَن أَرسَلْنا قَبلكَ مِنْ رُسُلنا عَلَى مَا بُعثُوا؟

   قَالَ: قُلتُ: عَلَى مَا بُعثوا؟

   قَالَ: عَلَى وِلايَتِكَ وَولايَةِ عَلِيِّ بنِ أبِي طالبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ .

Section Three

The holy name of ‘Ali has been written on the divine throne.

Khawarizmi has reported Abdullah ibn Mas’ud on the authority of the Holy Prophet (S) as saying: When God created the universe and Adam and blew in him His spirit, Adam sneezed and began to praise Allah immediately. God said: My servant! Now that you praised me, by My glory, were if not for the sake of two of my servants, I would never have created you. Adam said: O God! Are those two worthy servants from my issue?

God said: Yes. Now raise your hand and behold what you see. Adam opened his eyes towards heaven and saw an inscription reading: There is no god but Allah and Muhammad (the prophet of mercy) is His Messenger and

‘Ali is Allah’s proof for the people. Whoever recognizes ‘Ali’s right, he is pure inwardly and whoever denies his right will be deprived from my mercy and will suffer. I swear by My glory that whoever obeys ‘Ali, I will give him a place in heaven even if he is sinful and by My glory, if anyone disobeys him, I will punish him with fire even if he has obeyed me.3

   الثَّالثَةُ: إنَّ اسْمَهُ مَكتوبٌ عَلى العَرشِ :

   رَوَى أخطبُ خَوارِزمَ عَن عبدِ اللهِ بنِ مَسعودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: لَمَّا خَلقَ اللهُ تَعالَى آدَمَ وَنفخَ فيهِ مِن رُوحِهِ عَطَسَ آدَمُ فَقالَ: الحَمْدُ للهِ. فَأوحَى اللهُ تَعالَى إلَيهِ: حَمَدتنِي عَبدِي! وَعِزَّتي وَجَلالِي لَولاَ عَبدَانِ أُرِيدُ أنْ أخلُقَهُما فِي دَارِ الدُّنيَا مَا خَلقتُكَ. قَالَ: إلَهي فَيكُونانِ مِنِّي؟ قَال: نَعَمْ!َ يَا آدَمُ ارفَعْ رَأسَكَ وَانظُرْ. فَرفعَ رَأسَهُ فإذا هُوَ مَكتُوبٌ علَى العَرشِ: لاَ إلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ، مُحَمَّدٌ نَبِيُّ الرَّحمَةِ، عَلِيٌّ مُقِيمُ الحُجَّةِ. وَمَن عرَفَ حَقَّ عَليٍّ زَكا وَطابَ. ومَنْ أنكَرَ حَقَّهُ لُعِنَ وَخابَ. أَقسَمْتُ بِعزَّتي أُدخِلُ الجَنَّةَ مَن أطاعَهُ وَإن عَصانِي. وَأقْسَمتُ بِعزَّتِي أُدخِلُ النَّارَ مَن عَصاهُ وإنْ أطَاعنِي .

Jabir ibn Abdullah has reported the Holy Prophet (S) as having said: Two thousand years before the creation of heavens and the earth, there was an inscription on the gate of heaven reading: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib is his brother.4

There is a Hadith in Manaqib in which the Holy Prophet has been quoted as saying: Gabriel came to me while he had spread his two wings. On one wing there was the inscription: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad in His messenger and on the other wing, there was the inscription: There is no god but Allah, ‘Ali is Muhammad’s successor.5

In Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the Holy Prophet (S) has been quoted by Jabir as having said: Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, there was the following inscription on the gate of paradise: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and ‘Ali is the brother of the Messenger of Allah.6

   وَمنْ كتابِ المَناقِبِ: عَن جابرِ بنِ عَبدِ اللهِ الأنصارِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: مَكتوبٌ عَلى بَابِ الجَنَّةِ: لاَ إلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ، مُحَمَّدٌ رَسولُ اللهِ، عَليُّ بنُ أبِي طالبٍ أخُو رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَبلَ أنْ يَخلقَ اللهُ

   السَّماواتِ والأرضَ بألفَيْ عامٍ. وَمنَ المَناقبِ: قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: أتَانِي جَبرَئيلُ وقدْ نَشرَ جَناحَيهِ وإذَا عَلى أحدِهِما مَكتوبٌ: لاَ إلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ، مُحَمَّدٌ النَّبِيُّ، وَعلَى الآخَرِ مَكتوبٌ: لاَ إلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ، عَليٌّ الوَصيُّ .

   ومِن مُسندِ أحمدَ: عَن جابرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: مَكتوبٌ عَلى بابِ الجَنَّةِ: مُحَمَّدٌ رَسولُ اللهِ، عَليٌّ أُخو رَسولِ اللهِ، قَبلَ أنْ تُخلقَ السَّماواتِ بِألفَي عَامٍ .

Section Four

There are narrations in which the Holy Prophet (S) has said: I and ‘Ali are of the same light.

Salman has quoted the Holy Prophet (S) as having said: I and ‘Ali were light in the presence of God casting light on the world of creation. This light glorified God fourteen thousand years before the creation of Adam and when God Almighty created Adam, this light was transferred to his loin and in the long period between us and Adam, we were in the pure loins till we were separated in the loin of Abd al-Muttalib into two parts. One part was me and the other was ‘Ali.7

Salman has also reported the Holy Prophet (S) as having said: I and ‘Ali were a single light before God. Fourteen thousand years before the creation of Adam, when God created Adam, He placed this light in his loin. Then this light was divided into two, part of this light was placed in Abdullah’s loin and the other part was placed in Abu-Talib’s loin. Therefore, ‘Ali is from me and I am from ‘Ali. His flesh is my flesh and his blood is my blood. Hence, whoever loves ‘Ali is because he loves me and whoever is hostile to him is my enemy.

   الرَّابعةُ: مَا رُويَ أنَّ رسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَالَ: أنَا وَعلِيُّ بنُ أَبِي طالبٍ مِنْ نُورٍ واحِدٍ .

   رَوَى صاحِبُ الْمَنَاقِبِ عَن سَلْمَانَ قَالَ: سِمعْتُ حَبِيبِي الْمُصْطفَى صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقُولُ: كُنتُ أنَا وَعلِيٌّ نُوراً بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ مُطْبِقاً يُسبِّحُ اللهَ ذَلِكَ النُّورُ وَيُقدِّسهُ قَبلَ أنْ يَخلُقَ اللهُ آدمَ بِأربعَةَ عَشرَ ألفِ عامٍ. فَلمَّا خَلقَ اللهُ تَعالَى آدمَ رَكَّبَ ذَلِكَ النُّورَ فِي صُلبهِ. فَلمْ نَزلْ فِي شَيءٍ واحدٍ حَتَّى افتَرقْنا فِي صُلبِ عَبدِ المُطَّلبِ. فَجُزءٌ أنَا وَجُزءٌ عَليٌّ .

   وفِيهِ: قَالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: كُنتُ أنَا وَعلِيٌّ نُوراً بَينَ يَدَيِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجلَّ قَبلَ أن يَخلُقَ الله ُ آدمَ بِأربَعَةَ عَشرَ ألفِ سَنةٍ. فَلمَّا خَلقَ اللهُ تَعالَى أبِي آدَمَ سَلكَ ذَلكَ النُّورُ فِي صُلبهِ. فَلمْ يَزلِ اللهُ يَنقُلهُ مِن صُلبٍ إلَى صُلبٍ حتّى أقَرَّهُ فِي صُلبِ عَبدِ المُطَّلبِ. ثُمَّ أخرَجهُ مِن صُلبِ عَبدِ المُطَّلبِ فَقسمَهُ قِسمَينِ: قِسماً فِي صُلبِ عَبدِاللهِ وَقِسماً فِي صُلبِ أَبِي طَالبٍ. فَعَليٌّ مِنّي وَأنا مِنهُ؛ لَحمُهُ لَحمي وَدَمُهُ دَمي. فَمنْ أحبَّهُ فَيُحِبُّني أُحِبُّهُ وَمَن أَبغَضَهُ فَيُبغِضُني أُبْغِضُهُ .

Section Five

Adam has resorted to ‘Ali as mentioned in the Torah.

Khawarizmi has reported Ibn Abbas who asked the Holy Prophet (S) about the words that Adam received from God and he repented thereby. The Holy Prophet (S) answered: Adam asked God to accept his repentance through the station of Muhammad, ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn. God Almighty too accepted Adam’s repentance and restored his position in honor of those holy persons.

   الخَامسةُ: تَوَسُّل آدَمَ بهِ فِي التّوبَةِ :

   رَوَى الخَوارزمِيُّ بإسنَادهِ عَن ابنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: سُئلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ عَن الكَلماتِ الَّتي تَلقَّاها آدَمُ مِن رَبِّهِ فَتابَ علَيهِ. فقالَ: سَألَهُ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعلِيٍّ وَفاطِمَةَ وَالحَسَنِ وَالحُسَينِ إلاَّ تُبتَ عَلَيَّ. فَتابَ عَلَيهِ .

‘Ali’s Virtues at Creation and Birth

‘Ali (a.s) was born on 13th of Rajab, thirty years after the year of the Elephant in Ka’bah. This virtue belongs only to him, for no one was ever born in Ka’bah except him neither in the past nor in the future.

The author of Basha’ir al-Mustafa has reported Yazid ibn Qa’nab as saying: I and Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib and a group of the tribe of Abd al-Uzza were sitting near Ka’bah when we saw Fatimah Bint Asad, the mother of Amir al-Mu'minin while she was nine months pregnant and signs of delivery were manifest in her, came from afar raising her hands in prayer and saying: O Lord! I believe in You, Your Messengers and their books while accepting as truth the words of the prophet Ibrahim (a.s) who rebuilt this house. O Lord! I ask You through the one who built this house and the one I have in my womb to make the hardship of his birth easy for me.

Yazid ibn Qa’nab says: I saw the wall of Ka’bah was opened and Fatimah went inside it and the wall returned to its former state. The group of people who were sitting there rose up to unlock the door but it was not opened. We inferred that the wall had been opened on the order of the Lord and that it was a favor God had done to that lady and her son. Three days passed and on the fourth day, Fatimah carrying the new-born infant in her hands came out of Ka’bah, saying: Beyond doubt, I am superior to the believing women of former times, for Asiyah, the daughter of Muzahim, worshipped God secretly and God did not like to be worshipped except under necessity that is in Pharaoh’s house which was the cradle of atheism and oppression.

   فِي الفَضَائلِ الثَّابتَةِ لَهُ حَالَ خَلقِهِ وَوِلادَتِهِ

   وُلدَ أمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ الجُمُعةَ الثَّالثَ عشَرَ مِن شَهرِ رَجَبٍ بَعدَ عَامِ الفِيلِ بِثَلاثينَ سَنةٍ فِي الكَعبةِ، وَلمْ يُولَدْ أحدٌ سِواهُ فِيها لاَ قَبلَهُ وَلا بَعدَهُ .

   رَوَى صَاحبُ كِتابِ (بَشائِرُ المُصطَفَى) عَن يزِيدَ بنِ قُعنُبٍ قَالَ: كُنتُ جَالِساً مَع العَبَّاسِ بنِ عَبدِالمُطَّلبِ وَفريقٍ مِن بَني عَبدِالعُزّى بإزَاءِ بَيتِ اللهِ الحَرامِ إذْ أقبَلَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنتُ أسدٍ أُمُّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السّلامُ، وَكانَتْ حَاملاً بهِ لِتِسعَةِ أشهُرٍ وَقدْ أخَذها الطَّلَقُ. فَقالَت: يَا رَبِّي إنِّي مُؤمنَةٌ بِكَ وَبِما جاءَ مِن عِندكَ مِن رُسُلٍ وَكُتُبٍ، وإنّي مُصدِّقَةٌ بِكَلامِ جَدِّي إبْرَاهيمَ الخَليلِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وإنَّه بَنى بَيتَكَ العَتيقَ، فَبحَقِّ الَّذي بَنَى هَذَا البَيْتَ وَبِحَقِّ الْمَولُودِ الَّذي فِي بَطْنِي إِلاَّ مَا يَسَّرْتَ عَلَيَّ وِلاَدَتِي .

   قَالَ يَزيدُ بنُ قعنب: فَرأَيتُ البَيتَ قَد انشَقَّ عَن ظَهرِهِ وَدَخَلتْ فَاطمَةُ فِيهِ وَغابَتْ عَنْ أبصَارِنا وَعادَ البَيتُ إلَى حَالهِ. فَرُمْنا أنْ يَنفَتحَ لَنا قُفلُ البَابِ فَلَمْ يَنفَتِحْ. فَعَلمْنا أنَّ ذلكَ مِنْ أمْرِ اللهِ تَعالَى. ثُمَّ خَرَجَتْ فِي اليَوْمِ الرَّابِعِ وَعَلَى يَدِها أمِيرُ المُؤمنينَ عَلِيُّ بنُ أبِي طَالبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَقالَتْ: قَدْ فُضِّلْتُ عَلى مَنْ تَقدَّمَنِي مِن النِّساءِ، لأنَّ آسيةَ بنتَ مُزاحِمٍ عَبدَتِ اللهَ سِرَّاً فِي مَوضِعٍ لاَ يُحبُّ اللهُ أنْ يُعبدَ فيهِ إلاَّ اضْطِراراً .

Mary, the daughter of Imran, too came out of the mosque of Jerusalem and her place of worship on the order of Lord and then gave birth to Jesus (a.s) eating fresh date from a dry palm-tree. However, I entered Ka’bah on the order of Lord and fed on heavenly fruits. After delivery too when I intended to come out of Ka’bah, an invisible caller told me to name the auspicious infant ‘Ali, for Allah the most High says: I name him after My own name, reared him with special rearing, making him aware of My own profound knowledge.

It is he who, in a near future, will clean My house from idols, will break them, and will declare the rule of one God on the roof of My house. He will glorify Me. Happy is one who loves him and obeys his orders and ill-fated is one who is hostile to him and disobeys his orders.8

The narrator says: When ‘Ali was born, the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) was thirty years old. The Holy Prophet loved him greatly and asked his mother, Fatimah to place ‘Ali’s cradle near his bed.

The Messenger of Allah was personally in charge of bringing up ‘Ali. He bathed ‘Ali with his own hands and fed him and rocked his cradle at sleep time. When ‘Ali was awake, the Holy Prophet (S) would speak to him and put him on his chest, saying: This dear infant is my brother, guardian, supporter, asset, the chosen one, my son-in-law, successor, the husband of my daughter, my trustworthy, and the caliph after me. The Messenger of Allah would always put ‘Ali on his shoulders and took him to mountains of Mecca so as to be engaged in prayer away from the eyes of the idol-worshippers.

Notes

1. A’yan al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, pp. 396

2. Manaqib, Khawarizmi, chap. 19, pp. 221

3. Manaqib, Khawarizmi, chap. 19, pp. 227

4. Manaqib, Khawarizmi, chap. 14, pp. 88

5. Manaqib, Khawarizmi, chap. 14, pp. 90

6. Manaqib, Ahmad

7. Manaqib, Khawarizmi, chap. 14, pp. 88

8. Bisharat al-Mustafa, pp. 8