ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shia Rebuts Question 3 : Why is ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (‘a) regarded as the wasi {executor of will} and successor of the Prophet (S)? Reply: As we already stated, the Shi‘ah have a firm belief that the position of caliphate is determined through revelation { tansisi } and that after the Holy Prophet (S) the Imamah {leadership} is in some respects like prophethood { nubuwwah }.

Just as the Prophet (S) has to be appointed through Divine decree, the wasi {executor of will} of the Prophet (S) too must be designated by Him, the Glorious and Sublime. The biography of the Messenger of Allah (S) is a testimony to this belief; for, in many occasions he designated ‘Ali ( ‘a ) as his successor { khalifah }.

Here, we shall mention only three of these occasions: At the Commencement of the Prophetic Mission When the Prophet (S) received from God the commission to invite his relatives to the doctrine of monotheism as it is confirmed by the the verse, وأنذ عشيرتك الأقربين.

“Warn the nearest of your kinsfolk,” [^1] he addressed them by saying: فأيكم يوازرني في هذا الأم على أن يكون أخي ووزيري وخليفتي ووصيّي فيكم؟ “Which of you will assist me in this affair so that he would my brother { akhi }, minister { waziri }, successor { khalifati }, and the executor of my will { wasi } among you?” The only person who gave a positive response to this heavenly call was ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib ( ‘a ).

Then, facing his relatives, the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "إن هذا أخي ووصيّي خليفتي فيكم فاسمعوا له وأطيعوه." “Verily, he (‘Ali) is my brother, the executor of my will and my successor among you.