My guardian and heir is Ali bin Abi Talib.

My guardian and heir is Ali bin Abi Talib.” And like Anas bin Malik who narrated, as mentioned in Hilyatul Awliya’ by Abu Na’eem, that the Prophet (S) had said to him: “O Anas, the first one, who will come to you from this door, is the imam of the pious, the master of the Muslims, the guarder of the religion, the last of the guardians and the leader of the bright-faced people of Paradise.” Anas said: “Then Ali came and the Prophet (S) got up delightedly and embraced him.

The Prophet (S) said to him: “You carry out my affairs instead of me, convey to the people my orders and explain to them what they disagree on after me.” [^4] Anas also narrated that he had heard the Prophet (S) saying: “I and Ali are proofs before the umma on the day of resurrection.” [^5] The Prophet (S) had also entrusted some virtuous women with such traditions like his wife Umm Salama, his uncle’s wife Umm al-Fadhl, Asma’ bint Umays, Umm Sulaym al-Ansariya and their likes.

He had also declared this matter (Ali’s right in leading the umma) from above his minbar. He had revealed it to some of his companions in al-Baqee’ and hinted at it on the day of brotherhood in Mecca before the hijra and the other time in Medina on the day of brotherhood between the Muhajireen and the Ansar.

In both occasions the Prophet (S) had taken Imam Ali (S) as his brother preferring him to the all other Muslims saying to him: “You are to me as Aaron was to Moses but there will be no prophet after me.” Such the Prophet (S) had done when he had closed all the doors of the companions leading to the mosque except the door of Imam ‘Ali (as).

[^6] The first caliph Abu Bakr narrated that the Prophet (S) had said: “Ali to me is as my position near Allah.” [^7] The Prophet (S) had said: “My hand and Ali’s hand are the same in justice.” [^8] The Prophet (S) had interpreted the verse (7) of the “the warner and the guide” mentioned in the sura of ar-Ra’d (13) by saying: “I am the warner and Ali is the guide.