3, of his Mustadrak ^12 as reported by Anas.

3, of his Mustadrak ^12 as reported by Anas. The author then comments: "This is an authentic hadith according to the endorsement of both Shaykhs [Bukhari and Muslim], although they did not quote it themselves." In fact, whoever scrutinizes this hadith and others similar to it will come to know that ‘Ali's status with relevence to the Messenger of Allah is similar to that of the Messenger of Allah to the Almighty Himself, for Allah says to His Messenger: "We have sent you Our revelations only so that you may clarify for them all the matters in which they dispute, and as guidance and mercy unto those who believe;" while in this hadith the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) tells ‘Ali: "You shall clarify to my nation all matters wherein they differ after me." Consider his statement, peace be upon him and his progeny, as recorded by Ibn al-Sammak from Abu Bakr, "‘Ali's status to me is similar unto that of mine to my Lord."[^13] Consider his statement, peace be upon him and his progeny, as recorded by al-Dar Qutni in Al-Afrad where the author quotes Ibn ‘Abbas citing the Prophet saying: "‘Ali ibn Abu Talib is (like) the gate of salvation to the Israelites; whoever enters through it becomes a true believer [mu'min], and whoever gets out of it becomes infidel."[^14] Consider his statement, peace be upon him and his progeny, on the day of ‘Arafat during Hijjatul Wada’ [the farewell pilgrimage]: "‘Ali is of me, and I am of ‘Ali, and nobody pays my debts other than I or ‘Ali."[^15] "It is the statement of a glorious Messenger empowered by the One Who manifests the Throne, Able, Obeyed: how trustworthy He is!

Nay! Your fellow is not possessed at all." (Qur'an, 81:19-22) "He does not speak out of his own personal inclination; it is but a revealed inspiration." (Qur'an, 53:3-4) So, whither are you going? And what shall you say about these clear arguments and explicit texts? If you carefully scrutinize this much, examine the wisdom behind making such an announcement during the supreme pilgrimage in front of the witnesses, truth will then appear to you most manifestly.

And if you examine his words how few, and their meaning how encompassing, you will then have a great reverence for him, for he has learned a great deal and digested and researched what he has learned. None other than ‘Ali remains to be worthy of discharing any responsiblity.