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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chpater 4) Conspiracy Against Imam Ali (as) A Sunni brother mentioned that: It is quite difficult for us to digest the so-called "conspiracy theory." Despite many years of companionship, how could only few people out of all his companions hold on to Muhammad's instructions on the issue of Caliphate and the rest disobey him?

I would certainly accept the argument of this brother if he can convince me why almost all the companions of Moses became worshipers of a golden calf after so many years of training?! According to Sahih al-Bukhari, the Messeenger of Allah has told Ali that the story of Moses and Aaron (Haroon) is similar to that of the story of him and Ali.

The tradition is as follows: "Your position to me is like the position of Aaron to Moses, except that there shall be no Prophet after me" Sunni References: (1) Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English version, Traditions 5.56 and 5.700 (2) Sahih Muslim, Arabic, section of virtues of Ali, v4, pp 1870-71 (3) Sunan Ibn Majah, p12 (4) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, p174 (5) al-Khas'is, by al-Nisa'i, pp 15-16 (6) Mushkil al-Athar, by al-Tahawi, v2, p309 Now, the position of Aaron (Haroon) to Moses is given by the verses of Quran, among which are the following three: (Moses said: "O' Allah) assign me a vizier from my family, (that is) my brother Aaron (Haroon) ...," (Allah) said: "We granted your requests, O' Moses." (Quran 20:29-36).

Allah, Exalted, also said: "Surely We gave the book to Moses and assigned his brother Aaron as his vizier." (Quran 25:35). He, Exalted He is, also said: "... And Moses said unto his brother Aaron: Take my place in my comunity." (Quran 7:142). Notice that "Ukhlufni" and "Khalifa" (Caliph) are exactly from the same root. Now, to realized what was narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, we need to replace the word "Moses" with "Muhammad" and "Aaron" with "Ali", and we are all set!!

The sentence becomes "And Muhammad (PBUH&HF) said to his 'brother' Ali, take my place among my community." Of course, the tradition in Sahih al-Bukhari excluded the Prophethood for Imam Ali, and what remains for him is the leadership of the community. Putting the above 3 verses of Quran beside what has been narrated by al- Bukhari and Muslim, Ibn Majah and many others, we solves the mystery! Ali is the "brother" and his deputy/successor.