Anas ibn Malik had reported that the Prophet (s.

Anas ibn Malik had reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) sent the Bara'ah verses with Abu Bakr to Mecca but called him back from the road saying: "Its not suitable and these verses must not be read to the people except by a man of my family" 50 Who are those of the Prophets family? They are those included in and covered by this noble verse: "Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you O' folk of the Household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing".

51 And they are far from any uncleanness they possess the condition for first hand propagation or in other words they possess infallibility and divine immunity. Therefore, now that the Prophet (s.a.w) himself cannot deliver these verses to those they are addressed to, someone must see to this important task who possesses the special conditions for first hand propagation. For this reason the Prophet (s.a.w) sent for Ali (a.s) and gave the verses to him so that he would undertake this duty.

Several traditions of Imam Ali (a.s) exist on this matter. In one of them, Zayd ibn Yasee relates as such from the Imam: "The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) dispatched Abu Bakr to the people of Mecca with the Surah of Bara'ah. After Abu Bakrs departure he sent Ali after him saying, "Get the letter (containing the verses) from him and take it to Mecca". The Imam went after Abu Bakr, retrieved the letter and took off for Mecca to perform his duty. Abu Bakr returned to Medina in distress.

He was upset and feared that something had been revealed from Heaven about him to the Prophet (s.a.w). When he arrived in Medina he went to see the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) asking: "Has something been revealed about me?" The Holy Prophet replied: "No! nothing has been revealed about you on this matter.

It is only that I was given the duty to either deliver these verses myself or send a person of my family for this purpose" 52 In another tradition the Imam himself relates: "I told the Holy Prophet (s.a.w): O' Prophet of God! I am not eloquent nor an orator! The Prophet replied: There is no other way or solution and is inevitable that either I take these verses or you deliver them. I then said: Now that I have no alternative and there is no other solution, then I will take them.

The Prophet then said: Go without a doubt the Exalted Lord will keep your tongue on the truth, and truth and will guide your heart". The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said this and then placed his blessed hand on Ali's mouth.