There is also the tradition that”'Alī is part of me and I am...

There is also the tradition that”'Alī is part of me and I am part of 'Alī and nobody acts on my behalf except 'Alī” (Ahmad, Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah, Nasā'ī, Ibn Kathīr, Suyūtī, Sadūq, Mufīd, Kulaynī). In a passage from the well-known tradition of Ghadīr, delivered shortly before the Prophet's death, 'Alī successorship is once again confirmed: “Oh People!” said the Prophet, “Allāh granted me the wilāyah [guardianship], placing me above all believers.

To whom I have been the mawlā [master, protector, lord and guardian], 'Alī is also his mawlā [ fa man kuntu mawlāhu fa 'Alī mawlāhu ] (Hākim, Dhahabī, Ahmad, Tirmidhī, Sadūq, Mufīd, Kulaynī).”[^16] In relation to this Shī'ite doctrine of the “Muhammadan Light” there is…