Shia Strength: Muslim Unite Sunni and Shia IN PRAISE OF IMAM ALI

In Praise of Imam Ali – From SAHEEH Al-Bukhari (9)

(Collected from a number of books and websites, presented by Syed-Mohsin Naquvi)

According to the larger Muslim Ummah in the world, there are six great books which contain the most authentic reports on the life and times of the Prophet of Islam. They are known as the SAHAH SITTA, or the six most correct (ones). On the top of that list is the collection of Hadeeth book known as SAHEEH AL-BUKHARI. The actual title of the book is: al-Jaami' al-Saheeh al-Musnad al-Mukhtasar min Umoor Rasool Allah wa sunanihi wa Ayyamihi

We continue with the second Hadeeth in Saheeh Bukhari, in praise of Imam Ali.

HADEETH RAYAT or HADEETH KAHYBER IN BUKHARI

THE TEXT:

Sahl bin Sa'ad reports that the Prophet said: "Tomorrow shall I give this RAYAT (flag) to the one on whose hands Allah will give victory." People remained hopeful all night wondering about the fortunate person who would finally get the flag. When the morning came, everyone came with the longing and desire. He said: "Where is Ali?"

People replied: "He is suffering from sore eyes." The Prophet said: "Fetch him." So he came. The Prophet put his saliva in Ali's eyes and prayed for him. He was thus cured, as if he was never unwell. Then he gave him the flag. Imam Ali said: "Shall I fight until they become Muslims?" The Prophet said: "Go there quietly, when you arrive there, first invite them towards Islam, and tell them what is due on them, that is, Allah's right over them. By Allah, if only one person receives guidance because of you, it is better for you than (a herd of) red camels.

The hadeeth is then repeated in a brief version from Salama bin Akwa.

EXPLANATION

Bukhari's report is repeated under the Battle of Khaybar, in a shorter form in his SAHEEH. However, the full text of the hadeeth report is to be found in other sources.

Abul Fida (died 732 A.H.) writes in his Kitab al-Mukhtasar Fi Akhbar al-Bashar:

The Prophet set off for Khaybar in the middle of the month of Muharram (of 7th Hijra). The Prophet used to get migraine attacks. Incidentally, on the day of Khaybar, the Prophet was suffering from such an attack. Abu Bakr took the FLAG and went to fight but returned unsuccessful. Then Umar went and fought and returned.

When the Prophet was informed of all this, he said: "By Allah, I will give this flag tomorrow to a young man who LOVES ALLAH AND HIS PROPHET AND ALLAH AND HIS PROPHET LOVE HIM. HE ATTACKS REPEATEDLY AND NEVER RETREATS. He will get FATAH with perseverance."

(The words in block capitals do not appear in Bukhari, however, Abul Fida is not alone in writing this; Ibn Is-haaq, Nasa'i and many others have recorded those words as part of the hadeeth of Khayber.)

Why did Bukhari decided not to include those words in his version? We will address that issue when we are done discussing these four reports.

Hearing this, both the Ansaar as well as the Muhajiroon were looking forward to receiving the Flag the next morning. Then Ali came, he had sore eyes. The Prophet put his saliva in his eyes and thus he was cured. The Prophet gave him the Flag.

Ibn Is-haaq/Ibn Hisham give a very similar report. Let us complete the rest of the story.

Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi writes in Madaarij An-Naboowah (Vol.II p. 492) as follows:

Then Ali went upto the Castle of Qamoos carrying the Flag. He established the Flag in the rocks. Seeing this, a Jewish guard from the castle asked:"Who are you?"

He said:"I am Ali bin Abi Talib."

The guard turned to his people and screamed:" By (the word of) Torah you are defeated. This man is not going to return without subduing (you)."

Both Abul Fida and Ibn Hisham have recorded these words. Ibn Atheer in his Tareekh Kamil has also recorded these details.

Shaykh Abdul Haq then adds: Perhaps the Jewish guard had read something about Imam Ali in the Torah which made him say those words to his people.

Harith came out of the castle. Ali killed him very quickly. Marhab, Harith's brother, when heard of this, he too came out to avenge his brother. He was accompanied by other warriors of Khaybar. He came reciting a Rajaz. Other Muslim fighters were frightened of him. But, Imam Ali came forward reciting his Rajaz. Ali sliced him in two with one stroke.

In the heat of the battle, a Jewish soldier struck Imam Ali on his hand. His shield fell off. Another Jewish soldier picked it up and ran with it. A strange feeling came over Imam Ali. He jumped across the edge of the mote and landed at the gate of the castle. And in that same sweep he pulled off one part of the gate and used it as his shield; Imam Ali continued fighting.

Similar details are recorded by Ibn Hisham, Ibn Atheer and Abul Fida. Please note that all these writers we have quoted so far, are staunch Sunni writers.

Abu Raf'ay, the personal attendant (slave) of the Prophet, reports that we tried to lift that door of the castle and many of us together could not move it.

Let us now analyze the words of the Prophet about Imam Ali. The Prophet said:"... He attacks repeatedly and never retreats......." These two short statements have actually captured the character and life of Imam Ali. Imam Ali never compromised and worked relentlessly all his life for establishing the truth and justice as he was taught by the Prophet.

The Prophet said:" Allah will give FATAH by his hands." This is, perhaps the most significant part of the Hadeeth. The word FATAH in Arabic is used in three different meanings

1. To open

2. To begin

3. To overpower, to conquer, to win.

All three meanings apply in this context. (1) It was Ali who opened the closed gate of Khaybar on Muslims, in such a way that it could not be closed shut again.

(2) Muslims had been living in really dire straits economically. The conquest of Khaybar opened the doors of prosperity on the Muslim community. Ali, though, was fighting purely for the pleasure of Allah (We will discuss this below) and so much so that he did not take even the personal belongings of the men he had killed, which was rightfully his. (3) It was Imam Ali who had finally, overpowered the enemy and had given victory to Muslims over the militant Jewish tribes.

This is the miracle of the words uttered by our beloved Prophet.

Let us now look at the words which have been omitted by Bukhari, but, preserved by others. The Prophet said:"..... Allah and his Prophet love him and he loves Allah and his Prophet......."

If you ask an average Muslim as to why he/she is doing all this prayer and fasting, etc., he/she will reply: "In search of Allah's pleasure."

But, have you ever read or heard about any Muslim that Allah's pleasure has been confirmed for him or her. "NO." We all live in that hope.

This was the exclusive FADHEELAT of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, that the Ashraf al-Anbia[1], the SADIQ[2] AL-AMIN[3], the one titled BASHEER[4] AND NAZEER[5], had confirmed by his own tongue for him. Is there a greater glory for any man on this earth?

This is the great personality of Ali bin Abi Talib.

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[1] the best of all the prophets and apostles

[2] the most truthful

[3] the most trustworthy

[4] the bringer of all the good news

[5] the warner (of the Divine retribution)

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