On the day of fraternization between Muhajirin (the...

On the day of fraternization between Muhajirin (the emigrants) and Ansars (the inhabitants of Medinah who supported the Muhajirin). The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said to Imam Ali (a.s.): "You are my brother and I am your brother. If anybody asks you, tell him: I am the servant of Allah and the brother of His Messenger. No one would claim this after you but a liar."(66) These were some of the texts which praised Imam Ali (a.s.).

For more such texts look up Fada'il Khamsah min "al-Sihah al-Sittah", "Yanabi' al-Mawaddah", Ahmad bin Hanbal's "Musnad", and "Dala'il al-Sidiq", the chapter titled "Fadha'il Amir al- Mu'minin wa Imamatihi", and other references.

IMAM ALI'S MERITS: As to the texts which impose loyalty to Imam Ali (a.s.) as the Imam and leader of the Muslims, we may quote the following: "Only Allah is your Wali and His Prophet and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow." Holy Qur'an (5:55) Interpreters of the Qur'an say that this verse was revealed specifically about Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.),(67) confirming the compulsion of adhering to him as an Imam, an ideological authority and a social and political leader of the nation.

It was revealed when Imam Ali (a.s.) took off his ring from his finger, while kneeling in his prayer, and gave it to the poor, in charity. The verse was revealed on this very occasion, and it confirmed the leadership of Imam Ali (a.s.).

Ghadir Speech This was the speech which the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) addressed to the Muslims at a place called "Ghadir Khum", on his return from his last pilgrimage to Mecca, in which Barra' bin Azib says: "We came with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), in the year of his last pilgrimage, to a place on the road, where he summoned the people to "collective prayer", and took Ali's hand and addressing the people, said: Am I not more appropriate for authority over you than yourselves?" "Yes," they answered.

"Am I not more appropriate for authority over every believer than himself?" "Yes," they replied: "Then, this (holding high Ali's hand) has authority over whom I have authority. O Allah, befriend whoever befriends him!"(68) Or, according to the wording of Ahmad bin Hanbal, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said, "Whosoever I have authority over, Ali has also authority over him. O Allah!