I have prayed seven years prior to everybody else.

I have prayed seven years prior to everybody else.”[^6] It should be clear that this statement of Ali (a.s.) is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah (S). Thus, except for Ali (a.s.), no one has the right to call himself Siddiq Akbar. Third Tradition: Maaza Adwiya says that he heard Ali (a.s.) saying from the pulpit of Basra that he was the Siddiq Akbar and that he had brought faith before Abu Bakr and had accepted Islam before Abu Bakr.

From the sayings of the Holy Prophet (S) and Ali (a.s.) it becomes clear that for one to be Siddiq Akbar it is necessary that he should have precedence in faith and in Islam. Now the people of justice mat decide whether Ali (a.s.) is eligible for the title of Siddiq Akbar or someone else. But it is extremely regrettable that justice has disappeared from the world.

Common Muslims don’t even know that it is the special appellation of Imam Ali (a.s.) and according to the statement of the Prophet no one has even a share in it. The same is the case with the title of Farooq Aazam (the great discriminator) as will be proved from the traditions mentioned below. [^1]: Riyazun Nazarah [^2]: Refer Sahih Bukhari [^3]: Surah Nisa 4:69 [^4]: Tafseer Ibn Jaham [^5]: Refer to Riaz of Mohib Tabari [^6]: Khasais of Nasai; Mustadrak of Hakim; Hafiz Abu Naeem in Hilaya etc.