The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) are the two most important personalities of the Muslim nation. They hold the position of benevolent fathers to the Muslims and the Muslims are expected to honour and obey them as sons must honour and obey their fathers.
Regarding the Quranic verse:
‘…and be good to the parents…’ (Surah Nisa (4): 36)
Imam Sadiq (a.s.): Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) are the parents.
- Tafseer Furat al-Kufi (r.a.) p 104
- Tafseer al-Qummi (r.a.) v 2 p 176
- Tafseer al-Burhan v 4 p 417
Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) narrates from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.):
Ali and I (peace be upon them and their progenies) are two fathers of this nation, and our rights are more than those of the biological parents.
- Tafseer al-Safi v 1 p 50 under Surah Baqarah (2): 83
- Tafseer al-Burhan v 1 p 264 under Surah Baqarah (2): 83
- Behaar al-Anwaar v 23 p 259
- Tafseer of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) p 330
Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.) relates:
Muhammad and Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies) are the two fathers of this nation. They sustain and support the nation. If the people obey them (a.s.), they will rescue them from everlasting punishment. If the people act in harmony with their commands, they will make lawful for them the everlasting bounties.
- Tafseer of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) p 330
- Behaar al-Anwaar v 23 p 259
- Tafseer al-Burhan v 4 p 307 under Surah Ankaboot (29): 8
This is also reiterated in the Ziyarat of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) as well as numerous other reports:
…you were, for the believers, a merciful father. Since they were your dependents, you lifted the burden off their shoulders that they found too oppressive and burdensome to carry…through you, they attained what they had not even imagined.
- Al-Kafi v 1 p 454-456
- Al-Amali of Shaikh Sadooq (r.a.) p 241-243
- Also see Ziyarat of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) on 27th Rajab from Al-Mazaar 99-114
Those who disobey Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and do not observe their rights, will face the punishment of Allah.
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:
I and Ali ((peace be upon them and their progenies) are the fathers of this nation. One who disobeys his fathers, will be raised along with the son of Nuh (a.s.), when Nuh (a.s.) called out to him – O my son! Embark with us and be not with the unbelievers.
He said: I will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: There is no protector today from Allah’s punishment but He Who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned. (Surah Hud (11): 42-43)
Then the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said – O Allah, help him who helps Ali (a.s.), abandon him who abandons Ali (a.s.), befriend him who befriends Ali (a.s.) and take him as an enemy who takes Ali (a.s.) for an enemy.
Then the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) wept and thrice bid Ali (a.s.) farewell in the presence of the Muhajir and Ansar. At this all those present were also weeping.
- Miatoh Manqebahp 46-47
On the same lines the infallible Imams (a.s.) have informed about the importance of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies):
A person informed Imam Muhammad al-Taqi, al-Jawad (a.s.):
I love Muhammad and Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies) to such an extent that even if I am sliced into pieces and cut up with a scissor, I will never renounce their love.*
Imam (a.s.) informed:
Muhammad and Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies) will also recompense you according to your love on Judgment Day by praying for you, in such a way that your good act of love will not equal a millionth part of their favor.
- Tafseer al-Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) p 332
- Behar al-Anwar v 23 p 261, v 36 p 10
Imam Ali al-Naqi al-Hadi (a.s.) informed:
Among the ways to respect Allah’s Might, is to give preference to the proximity of one’s religious parents i.e. Muhammad and Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies) over one’s biological parents.
- Tafseer al-Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) p 336-337
Imam (a.s.) also said: One in whose view his two religious fathers i.e. Muhammad and Ali (peace be upon them and their progenies) do not command more respect than his biological parents, has not adhered to any permissible or prohibited, in any way, big or small.
- Tafseer al-Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) p 336-337
Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) informed:
One who prefers his two religious fathers over his real parents, Allah says: I have preferred you as you have preferred them, I will honor you with the company of your two religious fathers just as you preferred their love over the love of your real parents.
- Tafseer al-Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) p 333
Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) being the father of the Muslim nation commands complete obedience of his sons. Unfortunately, Muslims of the past and present are confused between Ali (a.s.) and the companions / wives, who even audaciously challenged him in battle.