ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Brother of the : Imam ‘Ali The Hadith of the Analogy "You Are to Me Like Aaron to Moses" ================================================================= We have mentioned in the previous pages that the Messenger declared on the day of his conference with his close relatives in front of thirty or forty men from the children of Abdul-Muttalib and the Muttalibites that he "brothered" ‘Ali and appointed him his successor and executor.

This was a Divine reward to ‘Ali for his genuine promise to the Messenger to be his minister in his mission. This event took place three years after the commencement of the prophethood of Muhammad and ten years before the Hijrah.

It was made clear in the fifth chapter that the Messenger at his conference with the members of his clan wanted to follow the method of Moses of which the Holy Qur'an informs us that when the Almighty commanded Moses to go to Fera Moses prayed to the Lord saying: "And give me a minister from my family: Aaron my brother. Add to my strength through him and make him share my task that we may celebrate Thy praise without stint..." The Holy Qur'an chapter 20 verses 25-31.

The Holy Prophet made his first declaration about ‘Ali at the First Islamic Conference in front of thirty or forty men from the Hashimites.

After nineteen years from the day of the conference the Holy Prophet made a similar declaration in front of thousands of Muslims when he was heading the Islamic army to Tabook (on the borders of Jordan) During the month of Rajab of the ninth lunar year after the Hijrah the Holy Prophet departed from Medina heading an army of twenty-five thousands of his followers aiming at the borders of Jordan leaving ‘Ali to take his place in Medina.

This saddened ‘Ali because he did not want to be away from the Messenger. It is reported also that some hypocrites circulated a rumor that the Messenger left him behind because he did not like to accompany him. Whatever was the reason ‘Ali followed the Messenger and reached him while he was still near Medina. A dialogue between the Prophet and ‘Ali took place.

The Prophet concluded the dialogue with a very important declaration which was recorded in the most authentic and highly considered books of hadith and history. Al-Bukhari recorded that Saad Ibn Abu Waqas reported the following: "The Messenger of God took a journey to Tabook and he appointed ‘Ali to succeed him in Medina.