~ Abu Bakr & Umar at Ghadir ~

Narrated that Abu Abd-Allah Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) said,

"When this verse concerning the Wilayah [Mastership] was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله), ordered that the large trees at Ghadir Khumm be cleared. Then a call was made: 'Gather for the prayer!'

Then the Prophet said, 'O people, of whomsoever I am his Master [Mawla], Ali is also his Master [Mawla]. Am I not more worthy of you than your own selves?'

The people said, 'Yes, indeed.'

Then the Prophet said, 'Of whomsoever I am his Master [Mawla], Ali is also his Master [Mawla]. O Lord, befriend whoever befriends him and be an enemy to whoever is his enemy.'

Then he ordered the people to pledge allegiance [bayat] to Ali (عليه السلام), and so they did. No one came forward except that they pledged allegiance [bayat] to him, and none of them spoke a word.
Then came Zufar [Abu Bakr] and Habtar [Umar].

The Prophet said to him [Zufar]: 'O Zufar, pledge allegiance [bayat] to Ali for the Wilayah.'

He asked: 'Is this from Allah, or from His Messenger?'

The Prophet replied: 'It is from Allah and from His Messenger.'

Then Habtar came, and the Prophet said to him: 'Pledge allegiance to Ali for the Wilayah.'

He asked: 'Is this from Allah or from His Messenger?'

The Prophet replied: 'It is from Allah and from His Messenger.'

Then he [Habtar -Umar] turned away, looking back, and said to Zufar [Abu Bakr]: 'How strongly he raises the arm of [promotes] his cousin!'"

وَ عَنْهُ، عَنْ صَفْوَانَ الْجَمَّالِ قَالَ: قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: «لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِي الْوَلَايَةِ، أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِالدَّوْحَاتِ فِي غَدِيرِ خُمٍّ فَقُمِمْنَ، ثُمَّ نُودِيَ: الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً، ثُمَّ قَالَ. أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ أَ لَسْتُ أَوْلَى بِكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ؟ قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ رَبِّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالاهُ، وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ. ثُمَّ أَمَرَ النَّاسَ يُبَايِعُونَ عَلِيّاً، فَبَايَعَهُ لَا يَجِيئُ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا بَايَعَهُ، لَا يَتَكَلَّمُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ. ثُمَّ جَاءَ زُفَرُ وَ حَبْتَرُ، فَقَالَ لَهُ: يَا زُفَرُ، بَايِعْ عَلِيّاً بِالْوَلَايَةِ. فَقَالَ: مِنَ اللَّهِ، أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ؟ فَقَالَ: مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ؟. ثُمَّ جَاءَ حَبْتَرُ فَقَالَ: بَايِعْ عَلِيّاً بِالْوَلَايَةِ. فَقَالَ: مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ؟ فَقَالَ: مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ. ثُمَّ ثَنَى عِطْفَهُ مُلْتَفِتاً فَقَالَ لِزُفَرَ: لَشَدَّ مَا يَرْفَعُ بِضَبُعِ ابْنِ عَمِّهِ»

(Source: Qurb al-Asnad, Pg. 57)

~ Those who disbelieved after the Prophet ~

Narrated that Aba Jafar (عليه السلام) said,

After the passing away of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله), Amir al-Momineen (عليه السلام) while in the Masjid surrounded by people said in a loud voice, "Those who disbelieved and turned people away from the path of Allah, He will make their deeds in vain" (47:1)

So Ibn Abbas said to the Imam (عليه السلام), "Why did you say what you said?"

Imam Ali (ع) replied, "I recited something from the Quran".

Ibn Abbas said, "You must have said it for some reason".

Imam Ali (ع) said, "Yes, Allah says in His book, "Whatever the Prophet gives you, so take it and Whatever the Prophet forbids you from, then stay away from it" (59:7).

So do you give witness upon the Prophet (ص) that he appointed so as so (i.e. Abu Bakr) as his Caliph?

Ibn Abbas said, "I did not hear the Prophet (ص) appoint anyone as executor of his will, except You."

Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said, "Then why don't you give me Bayyat (allegiance)?"

Ibn Abbas said, "The people gather upon him (i.e. Abu Bakr), so I was from among them"

Amir al-Momineen (as) then said, "Like how the people of the calf (i.e. referring to the community of Prophet Musa) gather upon (worship of) the calf. Its is here that you have been tested, and your example is like that of one who lighted a fire, and when it had lighted all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in darkness without sight, deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will not return back. (2:17-18)

أخبرنا أحمد بن إدريس عن أحمد بن محمد عن الحسن بن العباس الحريشي عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام) قال قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) بعد وفاة رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) في المسجد والناس مجتمعون بصوت عال " الذين كفروا وصدوا عن سبيل الله أضل أعمالهم " فقال له ابن عباس: يا أبا الحسن لم قلت ما قلت؟ قال قرأت شيئا من القرآن، قال لقد قلته لامر، قال نعم ان الله يقول في كتابه " وما آتاكم الرسول فخذوه وما نهاكم عنه فانتهوا " أفتشهد على رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) انه استخلف فلانا؟ قال: ما سمعت رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) أوصى إلا اليك، قال: فهلا بايعتني؟ قال اجتمع الناس عليه فكنت منهم، فقال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) كما اجتمع أهل العجل على العجل ها هنا فتنتم ومثلكم كمثل الذي استوقد نارا فلما أضاءت ما حوله ذهب الله بنورهم وتركهم في ظلمات لا يبصرون صم بكم عمي فهم لا يرجعون

(Source: Tafseer al-Qummi, Vol. 2, Pg. 301)

~ If people had followed Imam Ali (as) after the Prophet then ... ~

Narrated with a chain of reliable narrators from Abu Abdullah Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) that Amir al-Momineen (عليه السلام) said,

"Praise be to Allah, the One that - none can bring forward what He has set back, and none can set back what He has brought forward."

Then the Imam struck one of his hands upon the other and said,

"O nation that has become confused after its Prophet!

If you had put forward whom Allah put forward, and put behind whom Allah put behind, and if you had placed the authority (Wilayah) and the inheritance (Wiratha) where Allah placed them - then no friend of Allah would have been in need, nor would a share from the obligations of Allah have been lost, nor would any two people have differed in the ruling/judgement of Allah, nor would the nation have disputed over any matter of Allah's command except that with Us is its knowledge from the Book of Allah.

So taste the evil consequences of your affair and what you have neglected in what your hands have sent forth. And Allah is not unjust to the servants. (3:182)

And those who have done wrong will soon know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.'" (26:227)

أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ اَلْحَسَنِ اَلتَّيْمِيِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ اَلْوَلِيدِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ : اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ اَلَّذِي لاَ مُقَدِّمَ لِمَا أَخَّرَ وَ لاَ مُؤَخِّرَ لِمَا قَدَّمَ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ بِإِحْدَی‌ يَدَيْهِ عَلَی‌ اَلْأُخْرَی‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَيَّتُهَا  اَلْأُمَّةُ  اَلْمُتَحَيِّرَةُ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّهَا لَوْ كُنْتُمْ قَدَّمْتُمْ مَنْ قَدَّمَ اَللَّهُ وَ أَخَّرْتُمْ مَنْ أَخَّرَ اَللَّهُ وَ جَعَلْتُمُ اَلْوِلاَيَةَ وَ اَلْوِرَاثَةَ حَيْثُ جَعَلَهَا اَللَّهُ مَا عَالَ وَلِيُّ اَللَّهِ وَ لاَ عَالَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ فَرَائِضِ اَللَّهِ وَ لاَ اِخْتَلَفَ اِثْنَانِ فِي حُكْمِ اَللَّهِ وَ لاَ تَنَازَعَتِ اَلْأُمَّةُ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ اَللَّهِ إِلاَّ وَ عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُهُ مِنْ كِتَابِ اَللَّهِ فَذُوقُوا وَبَالَ أَمْرِكُمْ وَ مَا فَرَّطْتُمْ فِي مَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَ مَا اَللَّهُ «بِظَلاّٰمٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ» «وَ سَيَعْلَمُ اَلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ» .

(Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 7, Pg. 78)

From the Sermon of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله) at Ghadir:

"Behold, there is no Amir al-Mominin other than this brother of mine [Ali], and after me, the leadership of the believers is not lawful for anyone but him."

ألا إنه ليس أمير المؤمنين غير أخي هذا ولا تحل إمرة المؤمنين بعدي لأحد غيره

(Source: al-Ehtejaj, Vol. 1, Pg. 76)

~ No Exemption in Wilayah ~

Narrated that Abu Jafar Imam Baqir (عليه السلام) said,

"Islam is built upon five pillars: Establishing prayers (salat), giving Zakat, performing Hajj to the House, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and guardianship/mastership (Wilayah) to Us - the AhlulBayt (عليهم السلام).

Thus, He made exemptions/concession in four of them but did not make any exemption in Mastership (Wilayah). So, whoever has no wealth, Zakat is not obligatory upon him; whoever has no wealth, Hajj is not obligatory upon him; whoever is sick, he prays sitting down and breaks his fast during the month of Ramadan (i.e. does not fast), and regarding Mastership (Wilayah) - whether one is healthy or sick, is wealthy or not - it is obligatory."

حدثنا محمد بن الحسن رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن القاسم بن الحسن بن علي بن يقطين، عن ابن أبي نجران، و جعفر بن سليمان، عن العلاء بن رزين، عن أبي حمزة الثمالي قال: قال أبو جعفر عليه السلام: بني الاسلام على خمس: إقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، وحج البيت، وصوم شهر رمضان والولاية لنا أهل البيت، فجعل في أربع منها رخصة، ولم يجعل في الولاية رخصة من لم يكن له مال لم يكن عليه الزكاة، ومن لم يكن عنده مال فليس عليه حج، ومن كان مريضا صلى قاعدا وأفطر شهر رمضان. والولاية صحيحا كان أو مريضا أو ذا مال أو لا مال له فهي لازمة [واجبة]

(Source: al-Khisal, Shaikh Sadooq, Pg. 277)

~ Ghadir : Be generous ~

From a long hadith from Imam Ridha (عليه السلام) about the day of Eid al-Ghadir:

"And it is the Day in which God increases the (financial) status/position of those who worship Allah on that day, and is generous in spending upon his dependents, himself, and his brothers and Allah sets him free from the fire."

"And the day of gifts and presents"

وَ هُوَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ فِي حَالِ مَنْ عَبَدَ فِيهِ وَ وَسَّعَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ وَ نَفْسِهِ وَ إِخْوَانِهِ وَ يُعْتِقُهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

وَ يَوْمُ الْحَبَاءِ وَ الْعَطِيَّةِ

(Source: Iqbal al-Aamal, Sayed ibn Tawoos, Vol. 1, Pg. 474-475)

~ Prefer Ali (as) over others ~

From the sermon of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله) at Ghadeer as narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (عليه السلام):

"O people, give preference to him [above others], for Allah has preferred him, and accept him, for Allah has appointed him.

O people, indeed he is an Imam [appointed] from Allah, and Allah will never accept the repentance of anyone who denies his authority (Wilayah), and will never forgive him."

(معاشر الناس) فضلوه فقد فضله الله، واقبلوه فقد نصبه الله. (معاشر الناس) إنه إمام من الله ولن يتوب الله على أحد أنكر ولايته، ولن يغفر الله له،

(Source: al-Ehtejaj, Vol. 1, Pg. 74)

~ Ghadir: Be ready with your smile ~

From a long hadith from Imam Ridha (عليه السلام) about the day of Eid al-Ghadir:

"And it is the day of smiling looking at the faces of the people of faith. Whoever smiles in the face of his (believing) brother on the day of Ghadir, Allah looks at him on the Day of Judgement with mercy, and will fulfill his thousand needs, and he has built for him a palace of white pearls in heaven and will make his face shine/radiant."

وَ هُوَ يَوْمُ التَّبَسُّمِ فِي وُجُوهِ النَّاسِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِيمَانِ فَمَنْ تَبَسَّمَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيهِ يَوْمَ الْغَدِيرِ نَظَرَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِالرَّحْمَةِ وَ قَضَى لَهُ أَلْفَ حَاجَةٍ وَ بَنَى لَهُ قَصْراً فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ دُرَّةٍ بَيْضَاءَ وَ نَضَّرَ وَجْهَهُ

(Source: Iqbal al-Aamal, Sayed ibn Tawoos, Vol. 1, Pg. 474-475)

Narrated that Imam Jafar Sadiq (عليه السلام) said about the day of Eid al-Ghadir:

"Perhaps you think that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has created a day more sacred/holy than it? No, by Allah! No, by Allah! No, by Allah!"

لَعَلَّكَ تَرَى أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ يَوْماً أَعْظَمَ حُرْمَةً مِنْهُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا وَ اللَّه‏

(Source: Tahdhib Al Ahkam – Sheikh Toosi Vol.3 Pg.143)

Narrated from Hasan bin Rashid, who said:

I asked Aba Abd-Allah, Jafar bin Mohammad (عليه السلام), "Is there an Eid for the believers other than the two Eids and Fridays?"

Imam (عليه السلام) replied, "Yes, there is an Eid greater than them; the day when Amirul Momineen (عليه السلام) was appointed and the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله) had made His Authority/Mastership (Wilayah) compulsory on believing men and women at Ghadeer-e- Khum."

I (the narrator) asked, "Which day is that?"

Imam (عليه السلام) replied, "It is the 18 of Dhul Hijjah. And any deed (good) done on that day is equal to deeds done in 80 months. It's advised that on that day remembrance (Zekr) of Allah (عز و جل) and Salawaat upon the Prophet (ص) should be done excessively and one should increase his spending upon his family on that day."

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عِیسَی عَنْ عَلِیِّ بْنِ سُلَیْمَانَ بْنِ یُوسُفَ الْبَزَّازِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ یَحْیَی عَنْ جَدِّهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ: قِیلَ لِأَبِی عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ مِنَ الْأَعْیَادِ غَیْرُ الْعِیدَیْنِ وَ الْجُمُعَهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ لَهُمْ مَا هُوَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ هَذَا یَوْمٌ أُقِیمَ أَمِیرُ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ ع فَعَقَدَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْوَلَایَهَ فِی أَعْنَاقِ الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَاءِ- بِغَدِیرِ خُمٍّ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَیُّ یَوْمٍ ذَاکَ قَالَ الْأَیَّامُ تَخْتَلِفُ ثُمَّ قَالَ یَوْمُ ثَمَانِیَهَ عَشَرَ مِنْ ذِی الْحِجَّهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ الْعَمَلُ فِیهِ یَعْدِلُ الْعَمَلَ فِی ثَمَانِینَ شَهْراً وَ یَنْبَغِی أَنْ یُکْثَرَ فِیهِ ذِکْرُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ الصَّلَاهُ عَلَی النَّبِیِّ ص وَ یُوَسِّعَ الرَّجُلُ فِیهِ عَلَی عِیَالِهِ

(Source: Thawab al-Amaal - Shaikh Sadooq, Pg 68)

Narrated as part of a Hadith from Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (عليه السلام) about the importance of the day of Eid al-Ghadir:

فَقَالَ الرِّضَا ع حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ أَبِيهِ ع قَالَ إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْغَدِيرِ فِي السَّمَاءِ أَشْهَرُ مِنْهُ فِي الْأَرْض‏

وَ الدِّرْهَمُ فِيهِ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ لِإِخْوَانِكَ الْعَارِفِينَ فَأَفْضِلْ عَلَى إِخْوَانِكَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ سُرَّ فِيهِ كُلَّ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ

وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ عَرَفَ النَّاسُ فَضْلَ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ بِحَقِيقَتِهِ لَصَافَحَتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ عَشْرَ مَرَّات

"Certainly, the day of Ghadir is more famous in the heavens than in the earth

"A dirham [spent] on this day is equivalent to a thousand dirhams for your [believing] brothers who are aware [of its significance]. So be generous to your [believing] brothers on this day and bring joy to every believing man and woman."

"And by Allah, had people truly known the superiority of this day, the angels would have been shaking hands with them ten times a day."

(Complete hadees is not quoted here)

(Source: Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Sheikh Tusi, Vol. 6, Pg. 24)

From the Dua taught by Imam Mahdi (ع) that reached us through the first Safeer of the Imam:

وَ عَذِّبْ اَعْدَآئَكَ وَ اَعْدَاءَ وَ لِيِّكَ وَ اَعْدَآءَ رَسُوْلِكَ صَلَوَاتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِهٖ بِيَدِ وَ لِيِّكَ وَ اَيْدِىْ عِبَادِكَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ

"And punish/torture your enemies and the enemies of Your Wali (Imam Mahdi ع) and the enemies of Your Messenger (ص) through the hands of Your Wali and the hands of Your believing servants"

(Source: Kamal al-Deen - Shaikh Saduq, Vol.1, Pg. 530)

~ Doubting the merits of Imam Ali (ع) ~

Narrated that The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله) said:

"The one who doubts the excellence (merits) of Ali ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام), will rise from his grave on the Day of Judgment, with a collar of fire around his neck, having three hundred branches. On each branch, there will be a Satan who will frown/scowl [make a angry expression] at his face and will spit on it."

قال: أخبرني أبو الحسن علي بن خالد المراغي قال: حدثنا أبو عبد الله الأسدي قال: حدثنا جعفر بن عبد الله العلوي المحمدي قال: حدثنا يحيى بن هاشم السمسار الغساني قال: حدثنا أبو الصباح عبد الغفور الواسطي ، عن عبد الله بن محمد القرشي، عن أبي علي الحسن بن علي الراسبي، عن الضحاك بن مزاحم، عن ابن عباس [رحمه الله] قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: الشاك في فضل علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام يحشر يوم القيامة من قبره وفي عنقه طوق من نار، فيه ثلاثمائة شعبة، على كل شعبة منها شيطان يكلح في وجهه ويتفل فيه

(Source: al-Amali, Shaikh Mufid, Assembly 18, Hadith 3)

Part of a lengthy hadith from Imam Rida (عليه السلام) on the status of Imamat:

والامام عالم لا يجهل، وراع لا ينكل ، معدن القدس والطهارة، والنسك والزهادة، والعلم والعبادة

"The Imam is a scholar that is never ignorant, a custodian/protector who does not step back from his duty. He is the source/essence of holiness, purity, piety, asceticism [zuhd], knowledge and worship."

(Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Kitab al-Hujjah, Chapter. 15, Hadith. 1)

Read the complete hadith at the below link:
https://www.marefateahlebait.com/know-the-ahlul-bait/imamat--status-position-and-appointment

From the Ziyarat of Imam Ali (عليه السلام) that is narrated to have been recited by Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Naqi (عليه السلام) on the day of Ghadir:

مولاي فضلك لا يخفى ، ونورك لا يطفى

"My Master, your merit [fazl] cannot be hidden, and your light cannot be extinguished."

(Source: al-Mazar, ibn Mashhadi, Pg. 264)

Narrated that Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said,‏

مَنْ أَصْبَحَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا حَزِيناً فَقَدْ أَصْبَحَ لِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ سَاخِطاً

"Whoever begins the day being sad over the worldly matters, has indeed become displeased with the decree of Allah."

(Source: Nahj al-Balagha, Hadith. 228)

Narrated that Abu Abd-Allah Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام),

"That person is not My follower/friend, who consumes the wealth of a believer unlawfully."

عدة من أصحابنا، عن سهل بن زياد، وأحمد بن محمد جميعا، عن ابن محبوب، عن سماعة قال: قال أبو عبد الله (صلوات الله عليه): ليس بولي لي من أكل مال مؤمن حراما

(Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 5, Pg. 314)

Narrated that Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) said as part of a narration:

“If Iblis (Satan) were to prostrate to Allah (عز ذكره) after his act of disobedience and arrogance for the entire duration of this world, it would not benefit him, nor would Allah accept it from him, as long as he did not prostrate to Adam as Allah (عز وجل) had commanded him to do.

Likewise is this disobedient and misguided Ummah (community) after [the passing of] its Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله) and after their abandoning/leaving the Imam whom their Prophet had appointed for them. Allah (تبارك وتعالى) will never accept any deed from them, nor will He elevate any good work of theirs, until they come to Allah (عز وجل) from the path He commanded them and accept the authority (Wilayah) of the Imam they were commanded to follow, and enter through the gate that Allah and His Messenger opened for them.

O Abu Muhammad, indeed Allah made five obligations necessary upon the Ummah of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله): Prayer (Salah), Almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm), Pilgrimage (Hajj), and our Wilayah [Mastership]. He granted them concessions (exemptions) in certain aspects of the [first] four obligations, but He did not grant any Muslim a concession to abandon our Wilayah. No, by Allah, there is no concession regarding it."

لَوْ أَنَّ إِبْلِيسَ سَجَدَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ بَعْدَ الْمَعْصِيَةِ وَ التَّكَبُّرِ عُمُرَ الدُّنْيَا مَا نَفَعَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ لَا قَبِلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ مَا لَمْ يَسْجُدْ لآِدَمَ كَمَا أَمَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ لَهُ وَ كَذَلِكَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ الْعَاصِيَةُ الْمَفْتُونَةُ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّهَا (صلى الله عليه وآله) وَ بَعْدَ تَرْكِ هِمُ الْإِمَامَ الَّذِي نَصَبَهُ نَبِيُّهُمْ (صلى الله عليه وآله) لَهُمْ فَلَنْ يَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَهُمْ عَمَلًا وَ لَنْ يَرْفَعَ لَهُمْ حَسَنَةً حَتَّى يَأْتُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَهُمْ وَ يَتَوَلَّوُا الْإِمَامَ الَّذِي أُمِرُوا بِوَلَايَتِهِ وَ يَدْخُلُوا مِنَ الْبَابِ الَّذِي فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ رَسُولُهُ لَهُمْ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَى أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ (صلى الله عليه وآله) خَمْسَ فَرَائِضَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصِّيَامَ وَ الْحَجَّ وَ وَلَايَتَنَا فَرَخَّصَ لَهُمْ فِي أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْفَرَائِضِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لِأَحَدٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فِي تَرْكِ وَلَايَتِنَا لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا فِيهَا رُخْصَةٌ

(Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 8, Hadith. 399)

~ Mubahala ~

Narrated that One-day al-Mamun said to Imam al-Rida (عليه السلام), "Inform me of the greatest merit (Fadl) for Amir al-Momineen (عليه السلام) as indicated by the Quran".

Imam al-Rida (عليه السلام) said to him, "Merit during the Mubahala.

Allah (جل جلاله) has said, "So 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)

So, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله) called al-Hasan (عليه السلام) and al-Husayn (عليه السلام) - They both were His sons. And He called Fatima (عليها السلام) - So in this place, She was His ‘women’. And He called Amir Al-Momineen (عليه السلام) - So Imam Ali (عليه السلام) was the Prophet’s ‘Self’ (Nafs), by the Judgment of Allah (عز وجل).

Thus, it is proven that there isn’t anyone from the creatures of Allah (سبحانه) more exalted & superior to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله). Hence it is necessary that there cannot be anyone superior to the ‘self’ of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله), by a Judgment of Allah (عز وجل)."

قَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ يَوْماً لِلرِّضَا ع أَخْبِرْنِي بِأَكْبَرِ فَضِيلَةٍ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَدُلُّ عَلَيْهَا الْقُرْآنُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الرِّضَا ع فَضِيلَتُهُ فِي الْمُبَاهَلَةِ قَالَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ‌ فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ ما جاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْناءَنا وَ أَبْناءَكُمْ وَ نِساءَنا وَ نِساءَكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسَنا وَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكاذِبِينَ‌ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْحَسَنَ وَ الْحُسَيْنَ ع فَكَانَا ابْنَيْهِ وَ دَعَا فَاطِمَةَ ع فَكَانَتْ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ نِسَاءَهُ وَ دَعَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَكَانَ نَفْسَهُ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قَدْ ثَبَتَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ أَجَلَّ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَفْضَلَ فَوَجَبَ أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ أَحَدٌ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ نَفْسِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

(Source: al-Fusul al-Mukhtara, Shaikh Mufid, Pg. 38)

Narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله) said:

"O Hudhayfa! Surely, the Proof of Allah over you after me is Ali ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام).

Disbelieving him is disbelieving [Kufr] in Allah,

And associating partners with him is associating partners [Shirk] with Allah,

And doubting him is doubting Allah,

And denying him is denying Allah,

And negating him is negating Allah,

And belief in him is belief in Allah.

For he is the brother of the Messenger of Allah (S), his successor [Wasi], and the Imam of his Nation and their Master [Mawla].

He is the firm Rope of Allah and the Firm Handle [al-Urwat al-Wuthqa] with no crack in it .

Regarding him, two will be destroyed, to no fault of his: an extremist lover (muhib ghal) and one who falls short (muqassir).

O Hudhayfa! Do not separate away from Ali (عليه السلام), for you will have separated away from me; and do not oppose Ali (عليه السلام), for you will have opposed me. Surely, Ali (عليه السلام) is from me and I am from him. Whoever angers him has angers me, and whoever pleases him has pleased me."

حدثنا أحمد بن محمد الصائغ العدل، قال: حدثنا عيسى بن محمد العلوي، قال: حدثنا أبو عوانة، قال: حدثنا محمد بن سليمان بن بزيع الخزاز، قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن أبان، عن سلام بن أبي عمرة الخراساني، عن معروف بن خربوذ المكي، عن أبي الطفيل عامر بن واثلة، عن حذيفة بن أسيد الغفاري، قال: قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): يا حذيفة، إن حجة الله عليكم بعدي علي بن أبي طالب، الكفر به كفر بالله، والشرك به شرك بالله، والشك فيه شك في الله، والالحاد فيه إلحاد في الله، والانكار له إنكار لله، والايمان به إيمان بالله، لانه أخو رسول الله، ووصيه، وإمام امته ومولاهم، وهو حبل الله المتين، وعروته الوثقى التي لا انفصام لها، وسيهلك فيه اثنان ولا ذنب له: محب غال، ومقصر. يا حذيفة: لا تفارقن عليا فتفارقني، ولا تخالفن عليا فتخالفني، إن عليا مني وأنا منه، من أسخطه فقد أسخطني، ومن أرضاه فقد أرضاني

(Source: al-Amali, Shaikh Saduq, Assembly. 36, Hadith. 3)