The Verses of the Glorious Qur'anIn the Praise of Imam Ali (A.S.)
Part 1
The Glorious Quran Chapter 2 Verse 207
• And among men there is who sells himself (soul ) seeking the pleasure of God; and verily, God is affectionate unto His (faithful) servants.
It is held unanimous by the Scholars of the two Islamic schools, that this verse was revealed for Imam Ali ( as ), when he readily slept in the bed of the Prophet ( pbuh&f ) , when the latter to thewill of God had to migrate from Mecca to Medina. The one who would agree to offer himself instead of the Holy Prophet ( pbuh&f ) who was wanted by the enemy must essentially haveز
• The safety of the Prophet ( pbuh&f ) preferred to his own safety
• Implicit faith in the duty of a man to earn the pleasure of the Almighty Allah and His Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh&f ), at any cost, even at the cost of his own life
• The courage of surrendering himself willingly with the utmost peace of mind, to sleep under the swords, ready to fall upon him
• The confidence and faith in God's protection
And on the night of Hijrah, Allah the glorious revealed to Jibrail and Mikail I have established brotherhood between you two and have ordained the life of one longer than the life of the other. Now, are you willing to make a present of the extra length of life to the other?
But each prefered the longer life for himself. Then Allah revealed Why not follow the example of Ali ibn Abu Talib. I have established brotherhood between him and Muhammad (pbuh&f). He is now sleeping on the bed of Muhammad in order to save his life by sacrificing his own. Now descend both of you to the earth and protect him from his enemies.
Both the angels descended. Jibrail took up his position near Ali's head and Mikail near his feet.Jibrail was crying out aloud Excellent. Excellent. O son of Abu Talib! There is none like you. Allahis making boast of you before the angels.
And it was on this very occasion that the above verse was revealed.
• Tafsir al Kabir, by Fakhr ad Din al Razi, v 2 p 189 ( for the above narrt )
• Hakim al Mustadrak, v 3 p 4
• Ghayatul Maryam, p 344 -> 345
• Tafseer e Qurtubi, v 3 p 347
• Asadul Ghaiba fe Marifatil As Sahaba, v 4 p 25
• Tafseer Nishapoori ( Allama Nishapori ) , v 1 p 281
• Kifyatul Talib, p 114
• Zhakhiar al Uqba, p 88
• Noor ul Absar, p 86
Imam Ali ( as ) composed about this incident ( poetry )
I staked my life for the man who was the best of all those who circumbulated the Ancient House and the Sacred Stone ! Glorious Quran Chapter II - Verse 269
• He grant the wisdom to whomsoever He will, and he who have been granted wisdom hath been given abundant good; and none shall mind it save those endowed with wisdom.
In the above verse the word "Wisdom" implies the best knowledge seeking to act with fullness and soundness of one's own conscience. True knowledge is spiritual illumination or divine guidance worked through the grace of God as and when the necessity occurs. This being the active result of the constant seeking for it by those who obtained nearness to the All mighty!
It is held by many Sunni scholars, that this verse was revealed for Imam Ali ( as ). It is not surprising that, such a unique gift ( of being granted wisdom ) is inspiration (Ilhaam) which is conferred upon the purified ones.
References from other Muslim groups:
• Shawahid al Tanzeel ( Allama Haskani ), v 1 p 106
• Al Bidahiya wan Nihayiah, v 7 p 359 with a tradition from the Holy Prophet ( pbuh&f )
o Wisdom has been divided into 10 ( ten ) parts, and 9 (nine) of these are possessed by Ali, and the remaining has been divided among the rest of the people.
• Kanz al Ummal, v 6 p 154
• Asadul Bilagha, v 4 p 22 and v 1 p 22
• Kitabul Sagheer, p 15
• Manaqib Khawarizmi, p 49
• Dhakhair al Uqba, p 78
• Musnad of Ahmed Hanbal, v 1 pages 140 and 185
• Maqtal Hussain, v 1 p 43
Source: Alhassanain
Other Links:
The Great Virtues of Imam Ali (Part 2)
The Great Virtues of Imam Ali (Part 3)
Imam Ali’s Internal Policy (Part 1)
