Therefore Allah has warded off from them the evil of that day...

Therefore Allah has warded off from them the evil of that day, and has made them find brightness and joy." Holy Qur'an (76:8-11) Commentators unanimously agree that this verse was revealed in favor of Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hussain (a.s.), when Hasan and Husain (a.s.) were ill, and Ali, Fatimah (a.s.) and Fiddah (their maid) had vowed to Allah to fast for three days if the two boys recovered from their illness. They did recover, and the Household (a.s.) fasted.

At sunset on the first day, a beggar knocked at their door, and they gave him what they had of barley-bread. On the second day an orphan knocked at the door and asked for food, and they fed him. On their third day of fasting, a war-prisoner came to them, and they gave him their food. Thus, the Household (a.s.) fasted for three days without tasting anything except water.

Hence the revelation of these generous verses glorifies them, extols their deed, and singles them out as examplers for the others to follow.(61) "Count you the slaking of a pilgrim's thirst and tendance of the inviolable place of worship as (equal to the worth of him) who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah.

Allah guides not wrongdoing folk." Holy Qur'an (9:19) This verse was revealed when Talhah bin Shaibah boasted to Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, saying: "I have more authority on the House (Ka'bah) because I am more authorized as I am responsible for giving out water to the pilgrims." At that moment Imam Ali (a.s.) passed by them and asked them: "What are you boasting about?" They told him. He said, "I was given as a child what none of you were given." "What was that?" they asked him.

He replied, "I was the first to pray in Islam, and I am the Fighter (for the sake of Allah)." Hence the revelation of the said verse was in praise of what Imam Ali (a.s.) was proud of (62) Apart from this high appreciation of Imam Ali (a.s.) on the part of the Glorious Qur'an, the honorable traditions speak further in this respect: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate."(63) 2.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) also said, addressing Imam Ali (a.s.): "You are to me as Aaron was to Moses, only there is no prophet after me."(64) And again addressing Imam Ali (a.s.): "Only believers will love you and only hypocrites will hate you!"(65) 4.