The first surah to be revealed upon Messenger of Allah (s)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ ﴿١﴾ قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ ﴿٢﴾ وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ ﴿٣﴾ وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ 

O you who are clothed!  Arise and warn, And your Lord do magnify, And your garments do purify.

Awzaei says that I heard Yahya ibn Kaseer narrate:

I asked Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari (r.a.) : Which is the first Surah (of Holy Quran) to be revealed. He replied, “The first Surah to be revealed (On Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his holy progeny) was Surah Muddasir.

I asked, “Isn’t Surah Iqra Be Isme Rabbik the first Surah which was revealed?”

Hearing this Janabe Jabir (r.a.) said, “I am narrating to you what the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) had informed me.”

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: I lived in the cave of Hera for a month, after which I heard someone taking my name loudly and saying, ‘O Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) you are the Messenger of Allah. I looked to my right and left and did not see anything. Then I heard the voice again and raised my head upwards. I saw an angel between the Arsh and Earth.

When I came home, I said , ‘Cover me with a piece of cloth. Cover me with a piece of cloth and pour cold water over me.’ This is that celestial moment when Jibraeel (a.s.)  came with Surah Muddasir.

(Ref: Tafseer-e-Noorus Thaqlain, Vol 9, page 85)

Messenger of Allah (s) Prophesied the martyrdom of Imam Husain (‘a)

Bisme Ta’la

The Messenger of Allah (s) Prophesied the martyrdom of Imam Husain (‘a) The Messenger of Allah (s) informed his companions about the martyrdom of his beloved grandson and he announced this matter among the Muslims in such a way that this became an imminent matter for them and none of them had any doubt in it.

Ibn Abbas says that, “We had no doubt and Ahle Bayt often said that Husain bin Ali shall be killed at Taff.”[2] The Messenger of Allah (s) had on many occasions been informed of those calamities that were to befall his beloved Husain.

Here we shall mention a couple of them:

Umme Fadl, the daughter of Harith, has narrated that Husain was in my lap when I came to the Messenger of Allah (s). So I transferred him into the Prophet’s lap. Then I noticed that the eyes of the Messenger of Allah (s) were filled with tears. I asked His Eminence, “O the Messenger of Allah (s), may my parents be sacrificed on you, what has happened to you?”1

His Eminence replied, “Jibraeel came to me and informed me that my people shall kill this son of mine.” Umme Fadl became worried and asked, “This one shall be killed?” pointing towards Husain.

His Eminence said, “Yes, and Jibraeel brought to me red soil from the place of his burial.”

Umme Fadl began to weep and sorrow and grief descended upon her.

[1] Tahdhib at-Tahdhib 2/346 Taisar al-Wasul al-Jame al-Usul 3/321, Nasai, Sunan 2/229.

[2] Hakim, Mustadrak 3/179

2 – Lady Umme Salma has narrated that one night the Messenger of Allah (s) went to his bed to sleep. Then he awoke in a disturbed condition and again he went back to sleep. Again he awoke in a disturbed condition but it was less than his previous condition. Then again he went to sleep and again awoke while a red soil was in his hand and His Eminence was kissing it. Iasked him, “O Muhammad, what soil is it?

(Ref: [1] Hakim, Mustadrak 4/398. Kanzul Ummal 12/126. Seer A’laamun Nubla 3/289, Zakhair al-Uqba, Pg. 148)

Messenger of Allah (s) says…

Bisme Ta’la

Abū Bakr bin Abī Quḥāfah (the first usurper of Ahlul Bayt’s post) has narrated that he saw that the Messenger of Allah (s) has fixed a tent and was leaning on an Arabic bow while Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husain were in the text. Then he said, “O Muslims! I am at peace with those who are at peace with the folks of this tent and I am at war with those who are at war with them. None except those who had righteous ancestors love them and none have enmity towards them except those who have unfortunate ancestors and are born of illegitimate birth.

(REF: Ar-Riyadh an-Nazara 2/154)

What happened at Mubahila?

Bisme Ta’la

Among the verses of the Holy Quran that announce the merits of Ahle Bayt (‘a) is the verse of malediction (Mubahila). The Almighty Allah says: “But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.”[1]

Commentators of Quran and traditionists are unanimous that this verse was revealed in the honor of Ahle Bayt (‘a),[2]and that “our sons” implies Hasan and Husain, “our women” refers to Fatima and “our near people” to Ali.

This verse was revealed on the occasion of a very important event in the history of Islam between the powers of Islam and the Christians of Najran. The context in which this verse was revealed was that a Christian delegation from Najran arrived in Medina to have a debate on the religion of Islam. Thus a stage reached when both parties agreed to enter into a malediction contest and pray to God’s curse on the liars. The time and place for the proposed contest were also fixed.

The Christian delegation returned to participate in the said malediction so that the affair of the Almighty becomes apparent and falsehood is destroyed. Their hearts became filled with unrest and fear

Ameerul Momeneen’s (a.s.) challenge in the battle of Siffin

Bisme Ta’la

Abu Sadeq Sulaym bin Qays Helali writes in his book: During the battle of Siffin, Ameerul Momeneen Ali ibn Abi Taleb (a.s.) went on top of the pulpit while being surrounded by his soldiers. There were people from the Muhajeroon and Ansar in the large audience. After praising Allah, he said:

Oh people! My excellence and virtues cannot be enumerated. Allah has mentioned it in the Holy Quran and the Messenger of Allah has stated it. These virtues are more than innumerable. You all know Allah has preferred the foremost one (in faith and virtues) over the following ones and none in this nation can match or challenge me on this.

They unanimously replied: Yes

Then he said: I put you all under an oath. When these verses were revealed: The foremost ones (in faith and virtue) – the foremost ones in receiving their reward, didn’t the Messenger of Allah inform that these verses were revealed for the Prophets and their successors and that I am superior over all prophets and my successor Ali ibn Abi Taleb is superior over all successors?

After hearing this approximately 70 Muhajireen and Ansar stood up and vouched that they had indeed heard it with their very ears. Among them were, Abul Haysham bin Tehyan, Khaled bin Zayd, Abu Ayub Ansari and Ammar Yassir.

Then the Imam (a.s.) continued: I ask you, By Allah, when the people questioned Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) about the verse of Ulul Amr, the verse of Wilayat and verse of Walijahtan (Tauba 16) if these were revealed for a few specific believers or in general for all the believers. As a consequence, Allah commanded the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to preach wilayat in a similar way as he taught Namaz, Fasting, Hajj and Zakat.

Then after making my wilayat compulsory at Ghadeer Khum, he (s.a.w.a.s.) said: Allah has commanded me to convey a message which is straitening my chest. I fear that the people will betray me. But it is Allah’s strict instruction to convey the message or else He will send his wrath.

Then he asked me to stand up and ordered the people to gather, as they do for the obligatory prayers.

Then we all offered the noon prayers. Then he said: “Certainly Allah is my Master and I am the master of all the believers and I have more authority over their souls, then they do. Of whomsoever I am the master, this Ali is his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him. And help those who help him and abandon those who abandon him.

Salman stood up and asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.), what kind of mastership does Ali have on the believers?”

He replied: “A Mastership (Wilayat) like my Mastership. One, to whom I am more deserving than his own self, then Ali also is more deserving than his own self.”

At that time, the Almighty Allah revealed the verse: “This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (Maidah 3)

At this moment, the companions who were present during the battle of Badr testified that indeed they had heard the same thing from the Messenger of Allah, like they did from Imam Ali (a.s.)

Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) to Talha in Jamal

Bisme Ta’la

The great Hafiz, Abu Abdullah Hakeem, in his book of Mustadrak, has narrated through his chains from Rafaa Ibne Ayas Zabbi from his father from his grandfather that: “I was with Ali (a.s.) on the day of the Battle of Jamal. The Imam sent message to Talha bin Ubaidullah to come and meet him. When he came, the Imam asked: ‘I adjure you by Allah, did you not hear from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said: Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is also his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him?’

‘Yes,’ he said.

Imam (a.s.) asked: ‘Then why have you come out to fight me?’

He replied: ‘I did not remember it.’ Then Talha went away.

Masudi has also quoted this incident in Murujuz Zahab 3 and it is as follows:

When Zubair returned, Ali (a.s.) called out to Talha: ‘O Aba Muhammad, what brought you out to fight with me?’

He replied: ‘In revenge for the murder of Uthman.’

Ali (a.s.) said: ‘May Almighty Allah kill all, who have a role in spilling the blood of Uthman. Have you not heard that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said (about me): O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him? You were the first of those, who pledged allegiance to me and then you broke the pledge and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says:

“Therefore whoever breaks (his faith), he breaks it only to the injury of his own soul.” (Surah Fath 10)

At that time Talha said: ‘I seek the forgiveness of Allah,’ and returned.”

Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) on the day of Rahba

Bisme Ta’ala

When Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) learnt that they blame him for what is narrated about the precedence of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) in praising him and they dispute about his Caliphate, he was present among people in Rahba (An open space in front of the mosque where Imam Ali would deliver his sermons and judge cases) in Kufa. He challenged those, who disputed the matter of his Caliphate through the tradition of Ghadeer.

Such is the importance of this reasoning and challenge that a large number of companions of companions have mentioned it and it is quoted in books of numerous scholars. I (Allama Amini r.a.) have found it in the statements of four companions and fourteen companions of companions. Among them is Abu Sulaiman Muezzin, Abul Qasim Asbagh bin Nubata, companion Zaid bin Arqam Ansari.

Ibne Abil Hadeed in Sharh Nahjul Balagha, has through his authorities narrated from Abu Sulaiman Muezzin. Ali (a.s.) adjured the people: “Which of you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.): Of whomsoever I am the master, Ali is also his master?” A group of people replied in positive, but Zaid bin Arqam, in spite of knowing, refrained from responding and Ali (a.s.) cursed him to become blind, thus he became blind and after his blindness, he mentioned this tradition to people.

Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) during the reign of Uthman

Bisme Ta’ala

Through his authorities, Shaykhul Islam, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Saaduddin bin Hamuyi, in the book of Faraidus Simtain in the first Simt (thread), in chapter fifty-eight, has narrated from the senior companion of companion, Sulaym bin Qays Hilali from Ali (a.s.) that he said in a tradition:

“I adjure you by Allah, do you know for whom was the verse of:

“O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority from among you.” (Nisa 59)

…revealed? and for whom was the verse of:

“Only Allah is your Guardian and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow.” (Maidah 55)

…revealed? And for whom was the following verse revealed?

“What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken anyone as an adherent besides Allah and His Apostle and the believers; and Allah is aware of what you do.” (Taubah 16)

And when people asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.): “Is this verse for some particular believers or for all believers generally?”

The Almighty Allah ordered His Prophet to announce the guardians for them. Just as he explained the rituals of prayer and Hajj, he also explained Mastership (Wilayat); and this important issue was decided by my appointment in Ghadeer Khum.”

Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said in his sermon: “O people, the Almighty Allah placed a message on my shoulders, due to which I was extremely worried and I thought that people would falsify me. So Almighty Allah warned me that if I did not announce it, I would be liable.”

Then as per the command of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) people were summoned for congregation prayers; after the prayers, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said in a sermon: “O people, do you know that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime is my master and I am the master of believers; and I have more authority on them than they have on themselves?”

They replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).”

Then he asked: “O Ali, stand up.”

When I stood up, he said: “Of whomsoever I am the master, this Ali is his master. O Allah, love those, who love him and be inimical to those, who are inimical to him.”

At that time, Salman arose and asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), what kind of mastership does Ali have on the believers?”

He replied: “A Mastership (Wilayat) like my Mastership. One, to whom I am more deserving than his own self, then Ali also is more deserving than his own self.”

At that time, the Almighty Allah revealed the verse:

“This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (Maidah 3)

Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) recited the Takbeer and said: “Allah is the greatest! Mastership (Wilayat) of Ali after me is what completes my prophethood and my religion.”

After that Abu Bakr and Umar arose and asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), are these verses restricted for Ali?”

“Yes,” he replied: “They are restricted for him and my successors till Judgment Day.”

They asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), mention your successors for us.”

He replied: “Ali is my brother, my Vizier, my successor and legatee and my representative in my Ummah and the guardian of every believer after me. And after him, his two sons. They will not separate from Quran and Quran will not separate from them till they meet me at Hauze Kauthar.”

At the end of this statement, everyone said to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.): “By Allah, yes, we confess having heard this and we testify to what you said.”

Some also said: “We remember most of what you said and some of it we have forgotten.”

Challenge of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) on the day of Shura

Bisme Ta’ala

In the book of Manaqibe Khwarizmi, Hanafi has narrated from Aamir bin Wathila:

“I was standing beside the door of the house on the day of Shura with Ali (a.s.) and I heard His Eminence tell them: “I present such reasoning that no Arab or non-Arab can challenge it,”

Then he said: “O people, I adjure you by Allah, did any of you before me, testify to the oneness of God?”

“No,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, does any of you have a brother like Ja’far Tayyar, who is in Paradise with angels?”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, does any of you, other than me have someone like my uncle, Hamza, the lion of God and lion of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), chief of the martyrs?”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, does any of you, other than me have a wife like Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, chief of the ladies of Paradise?”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, does any of you, other than me have sons like my sons: Hasan and Husain, chiefs of the youths of Paradise?”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, did any of you, other than me, give Sadaqah before a private audience with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)?”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

He asked: “I adjure you by Allah, has the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said about anyone, other than me: Ali is the master of one, whose master I am. O Allah love those, who love him and be inimical to one, who is inimical to him and help one, who helps him and (he ordered) those, who were present to inform those, who were absent.”

“No, by Allah,” they said.

(ref: Manaqib Khwarizmi, 217 [Pg. 313, H. 314]; also refer Faraaezus Simtain, Imam Hamwaini [1/319, H. 251]; and Sawaiqul Mohriqa, Ibne Hajar: 75 [Pg. 126]; and Sharh Nahjul Balagha,Ibne Abil Hadeed 2:61 [6/167], Sermon 73.

Narrators of the tradition of Ghadeer from the companions of Prophet

In the book of Al-Ghadeer, after compiling the chains of narrators, Allamah Amini has
mentioned 110 important companions, who narrated the tradition of Ghadeer,
then he says: “According to prevailing circumstances, the number of narrators of this
traditions should have been much higher, because companions, who heard and
memorized this tradition numbered more than a hundred thousand. Naturally
upon their return they must have conveyed it to others, since it is the habit of
every traveler to report the highlights of his journey. We will mention only 25
from those mentioned by the author.”
1. Abu Huraira al-Dowsi, he lived for 78 years (d. 57-59 A.H.)

2. Asma binte Umais Khathamia

3. Umme Salma (wife of the Prophet).

4. Umme Hani binte Abi Talib.

5. Abu Hamza Anas Ibne Malik Ansari Khazraji (the servant of the Prophet, d. 93).

6. Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari: He lived for 94 years and he died in Medina (d. 73/74/78 A.H.).

7. Abu Zar Jundab bin Junada Ghiffari (d. 31 A.H.).

8. Hassan Ibne Thabit.

9. Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.), grandson of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).

10. Chief of the martyrs, Imam Husain (a.s.), grandson of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).

11. Zubair Ibne Awwam Qarshi, killed in 36 A.H. (He is one of the ten persons, who ‘were given glad tidings of Paradise’)

12. Abu Ishaq, Saad Ibne Abi Waqqas (d. 54-55-56-58).

13. Abu Abdullah, Salman Farsi, who lived for approximately 300 years (d.36-37).

14. Ayesha Ibne Abi Bakr (wife of the Prophet).

15. Abbas Ibne Abdul Muttalib Ibne Hashim, uncle of the Prophet (d. 32A.H.).

16. Abdullah Ibne Ja’far Ibne Abi Talib Hashemi (d. 80 A.H.). Ibne Uqdah has narrated the tradition of Ghadeer from him, and he challenged Muawiyah through it.

17. Abdullah Ibne Abbas (d. 68).

18. Abu Abdul Rahman, Abdullah Ibne Umar Ibne Khattab Adawi (d.72/73).

19. Abu Abdul Rahman, Abdullah Ibne Masud Hazali (d. 32/33). He isburied at Baqi.

20. Uthman bin Affan (d. 35). He is a member of Ashra Mubashshira, whom Ibne Maghazili has narrate damong the hundred reporters of Hadees Ghadeer.

21. Ameerul Momineen, Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.).

22. Umar Ibne Khattab (killed 23 A.H.).

23. Amr Aas.

24. Siddiqa Tahira, Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet.

25. Fatima binte Hamza Ibne Abdul Muttalib.