Ameerul Momineen, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), is the ‘self / nafs’ of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
This is a fact that is accepted by all Muslims regardless of their inclination and preconceived beliefs since it is the Noble Quran which has announced this fact in Surah Ale Imran (3): 61:
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 ‘ourselves’ and ‘yourselves’…
By virtue of being the ‘self / nafs’ of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) is the owner of even those qualities and excellences that are exclusively for the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). There are several traditions in this regard some of which we have reproduced for reference.
One day the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) came out riding a mount with Ali (a.s.) walking alongside him.
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said to Ali (a.s.) – Either ride a mount or go back. Allah has ordered me that you should ride when I ride, and you should walk when I walk, and you should sit when I sit. This is from Allah’s stipulations and there is no other way for you to stand and sit.
And Allah has not honoured me with a thing, but He has honoured you with its likeness.
And He has selected me for prophethood and has made you my successor.
By the One who raised Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) as prophet, he has not believed who has rejected you. And he has not believed in Allah who has disbelieved in you. Your excellence is my excellence and my excellence is an excellence for you from Allah.
- Al-Amali of Shaikh Sadooq (r.a.) p 494-495
- Bashaarah al-Mustafa (s.a.w.a.) v 2 p 178-179
- Al-Burhan v 3 p 35 under Surah Yunus (10): 58
Likewise, in another report, Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) compares Ali (a.s.) to Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
Ali is the ‘self’ of the Messenger (s.a.w.a.) and miracles of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a.) are miracles of Ali (a.s.) and miracles of Ali (a.s.) are miracles of the Messenger (s.a.w.s.). There is no miracle that Allah conferred to Moosa (a.s.) or any other prophet, but He granted a similar or superior one to Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) (and his ‘self’).
- Tafseer of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) p 410-413
- Tafseer al-Burhan v 2 p 573 trad 3,967
The extraordinary virtues and excellences of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) are in fact a mirror reflection of the virtues and excellences of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Hence it is surprising how the nation was misled into selecting others who did not even own at atom’s weight of these virtues. This is the obvious consequence of neglecting the all-important announcement of Ghadeer heralding Ali (a.s.) as the successor of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).