Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) in the eyes of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

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To torment Hazrat Ali (a.s.) is akin to tormenting the Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

In the previous chapter we scrutinised traditions establishing that to torment Hazrat Faatemah (s.a.) is akin to tormenting the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). In this chapter, we will analyse traditions underscoring the fact that to harass Hazrat Ali (a.s.) is akin to harassing the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself.

Ahmad in his Musnad narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:

من آذیٰ علیاً فقد آذانی

‘One who torments Ali (s.a.) has certainly tormented me.’[1]

This tradition has been recorded by many reputed scholars of the Sunnis viz. Ibne Habbaan, Haakim Neshapuri, Ibne Hajar, Ibne Athir among others in their respective books.[2]

Muttaqi-e-Hind has narrated this tradition in Kanz al-Ummaal on the authority of Ibne Shaybah and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.[3]

Bukhari in Taarikh and Tabarani have also narrated this tradition.[4]

Enmity with Ali (a.s.) is Hypocrisy

Muslim in his Saheeh has narrated a tradition from Hazrat Ali (a.s.) wherein Ali (a.s.) states emphatically:

وا لذی فلق الحبۃ وبرأ النسمۃ !انہ لعھد النبیّ الأُمیّ الیّ:ان لا یحبنی الا مؤمن ولایُبغضنی الا منافق

‘By the One who split the seed and created man, surely the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has promised me that none save a believer will love me and none save a hypocrite will despise me.’[5]

Traditions with minor variations but similar implication have been recorded by several Sunnis scholars like Nesaai, Tirmidhi, Ibne Maajah, etc.[6]

The tradition has been documented by Ahmad in Musnad, Haakim in Mustadrak and Muttaqi-e-Hindi in Kanz al-Ummaal.[7]

The following tradition has been documented in Musnad-e-Ahmad and Saheeh-e-Tirmidhi:

Umme Salmah (r.a.) relates from the Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

لا یحب علیاًمنافق ولا یبغضہ مومن

‘The hypocrite will never love Ali and the believer will never despise him.’

A notable point from these traditions is that love for Ali (a.s.) and friendship with the hypocrites are contrary traits and can never be found in the same person. If a person loves Ali (a.s.), then he must express disgust with his enemies for their hypocrisy failing which he himself will be included among them (i.e. hypocrites). Such a person will be rejected by both parties viz. friends of Ali (a.s.) and enemies of Ali (a.s.). Enemies of Ali (s.a.) will consider him an outcast for his love of Ali and friends of Ali (s.a.) will rebuff him for his refusal to express disgust with the enemies of Ali (s.a.).

For this reason, friendship of Ali (a.s.) and neutrality towards his enemies are opposite traits that can never be found in the same person.

Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) forecast about the nation’s treachery towards Ali (a.s.)

Haakim narrates a tradition from Hazrat Ali (a.s.) who was informed by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

انہ مما عھد الیّ النبیّ(ﷺ)أنّ الاُمّۃ ستغدر بی بعدہ

‘Among the promises made by the Prophet to me is that the nation will act treacherously after his demise.’

After narrating this tradition Haakim mentions that the chain of narrators of the tradition is correct.

Even Zahabi has recorded in Talkhees al-Mustadrak that the tradition is correct.[8]

It is worth noting that the Sunnis consider an endorsement from Haakim Neshapuri and Zahabi as the hallmark for the correctness of a tradition.

This tradition is also documented by Ibne Abi Shaybah, Bazzaar, Daar Qutni, Khateeb Baghdaadi, Baihaqi among others.