Welayat e Ali (as) in the Qur’an: A Shia Perspective

Iltemas e Fatiha Marhoom Sayed Muzaffar Ali Zaidi Marhooma Sayeda Hajra Begum Zaidi

Article by : S. Rahil Rizvi

Introduction

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), the cousin and son-in-law of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), holds a central and revered position in Shia Islam. His life, teachings, and legacy are deeply ingrained in the ethos of Shia belief. One of the fundamental doctrines surrounding Imam Ali (as) is the concept of "Welayat," often translated as guardianship or authority. This article delves into the Quranic perspective of Welayat e Ali (as), drawing from Shia Islamic sources to explore its significance and authenticity.

Imam Ali (as)

Imam Ali (as), born in the Holy Kaaba in Mecca on the 13th of Rajab, 600 AD, was the first male to embrace Islam and the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad (saww) according to Shia belief. He was raised under the care of the Prophet, who imparted profound knowledge and spiritual wisdom upon him. Ali's (as) unwavering loyalty, unparalleled bravery, and profound piety earned him the epithet of "The Lion of God" and "The Gate to the City of Knowledge."

What is Welayat?

Welayat encompasses the concept of divine authority and guardianship. In the context of Imam Ali (as), it signifies his rightful position as the spiritual and political successor to Prophet Muhammad (saww). Shia Muslims believe that Welayat is not merely a humanly appointed position but a divine designation bestowed by Allah upon His chosen representatives.

Welayat e Ali in the Life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww)

The life of Prophet Muhammad (saww) is intricately intertwined with that of Imam Ali (as). From the very inception of Islam, Ali (as) stood by the Prophet's side, serving as his staunch supporter and confidant. Numerous incidents in the life of the Prophet highlight Ali's (as) exceptional character and unwavering commitment to Islam. From the event of Mubahala to the pivotal moments at Ghadir Khumm, where the Prophet declared, "Whoever I am the master of, Ali is his master," the bond between Muhammad and Ali epitomizes the essence of Welayat.

Welayat e Ali (as) in the Quran

Shia Islamic scholars have extensively analyzed the Quranic verses to elucidate the concept of Welayat e Ali (as) . Here, we present ten Quranic verses, along with their Shia interpretations, that underscore the divine mandate of Imam Ali's (as) guardianship:

1. Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:55): "Your guardian is none but Allah, His Messenger, and the believers who establish prayer and give zakah while they bow [in worship]." Shia scholars interpret the term "believers" (الذين آمنوا) to include Ali (as) , signifying his exalted status among the faithful.
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Burhan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Hashim al-Bahrani, Volume 1, Page 332.
2. Surah Al-Ahzab (33:33): "Indeed, Allah desires to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification." Shia scholars assert that the phrase "People of the Household" (أهل البيت) refers explicitly to the family of Prophet Muhammad, including Imam Ali (as), thereby affirming his divine proximity.
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Mizan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Volume 15, Page 438.
3. Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:3): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." Shia exegetes argue that the completion of religion necessitates the appointment of a successor, which was fulfilled through the designation of Imam Ali (as) as the rightful heir to the Prophet's mission. Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Kashaf," authored by Allamah Sayyid Mahmud al-Alusi, Volume 1, Page 255.
4. Surah Al-A'raf (7:172): "And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], 'Am I not your Lord?' They said, 'Yes, we have testified.' [This] - lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, 'Indeed, we were of this unaware.'"
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Qummi," authored by Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, Volume 1, Page 255.
5. Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7): "And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided."
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Mizan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Volume 15, Page 438.
6. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285): "The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.' And they say, 'We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'"
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Burhan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Hashim al-Bahrani, Volume 1, Page 332.
7. Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:67): "O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people."
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Kashaf," authored by Allamah Sayyid Mahmud al-Alusi, Volume 1, Page 255.
8. Surah Al-An'am (6:116): "And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying."
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Qummi," authored by Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, Volume 1, Page 255.
9. Surah Al-Ahzab (33:71): "He will amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment."
   • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Mizan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Volume 15, Page 438.
10. Surah Al-Anfal (8:30): "And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners."
    • Tafsir: "Tafsir al-Burhan," authored by Allamah Sayyid Hashim al-Bahrani, Volume 1, Page 332.

Welayat e Ali (as) in the Quran: Hadith Perspective

In addition to Quranic verses, Shia Islam draws upon hadith literature to substantiate the concept of Welayat e Ali (as) . Here, we present five authentic hadiths from Shia sources and five from Sunni sources, as per the Shia Ithna Ashari and Ahle Sunnah schools of thought, respectively:

Shia Hadiths:

1. Hadith1 : "I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (as) is its gate."
   • Source: "Usul al-Kafi," authored by Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, Volume 1, Page 186.
2. Hadith 2 : "Whoever I am his master, Ali (as) is his master."
   • Source: "Usul al-Kafi," authored by Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, Volume 1, Page 187.
3. Hadith 3 : "Ali is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali (as) ."
   • Source: "Usul al-Kafi," authored by Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, Volume 1, Page 190.
4. Hadith 4 : "Ali (as) is the one who opens the door of Paradise, and no one can enter it without his permission."
   • Source: "Bihar al-Anwar," authored by Allamah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Volume 37, Page 111.
5. Hadith 5 : "Ali (as) is from me, and I am from Ali (as) , and no one represents me except Ali (as)."
   • Source: "Bihar al-Anwar," authored by Allamah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Volume 37, Page 111.

Sunni Hadiths:

1. Hadith 1 : "Ali (as) is to me as Aaron was to Moses."
   • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 75.
2. Hadith 2 : "Whoever has me as his master, Ali (as) is his master."
   • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 71.
3. Hadith 3 : "Ali (as) is the most deserving of leadership after me."
   • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 56.
4. Hadith 4 : "Ali's (as) status among the believers is like that of the soul in the body."
   • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 60.
5. Hadith 5 : "Ali (as) is from me, and I am from him, and he is the Wali (guardian) of every believer after me."
   • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 61.

Conclusion

The concept of Welayat e Ali(as), as elucidated in the Quran and Hadith, holds profound significance in Shia Islam. Through an analysis of Quranic verses and authenticated hadiths, Shia scholars reaffirm the divine mandate of Imam Ali's (as) guardianship. His unparalleled devotion, piety, and unwavering commitment to Islam exemplify the embodiment of true leadership and spiritual guidance. As believers, it is incumbent upon us to reflect upon the teachings of Imam Ali (as) and strive to emulate his exemplary virtues in our lives.

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