Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi: Imam ‘Ali (PBUH) Is the Essence of the Most Prominent Virtues of the Greatest Divine Prophets

Let us also mention a few sentences regarding Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him) on the occasion of the birth of the Commander of the Faithful, so that we may include ourselves within the scope of that narration stating that if someone mentions a virtue among the virtues of Imam ‘Ali and admits to it, their sins will be forgiven.

A narration is recorded in some Sunni Hadith collections—albeit with variations in certain expressions, but the content of these narrations is identical. Among them is the book Sunan al-Bayhaqi, and Sheikh Tusi also recorded it in Al-Amali, that the Prophet (PBUH) stated: “مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَنْـظُرَ اِلى آدَمَ فى عِلْمِهِ وَاِلى نُوحٍ فى تَقْواهُ وَاِلى اِبْراهيـمَ فى حِلْمِهِ وَ اِلى مُوسى فى هَيْبَتِهِ وَ اِلى عيسى فى عِبادَتِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ اِلى عَلِىِّ بْنِ اَبى طالبٍ عليهم السلام”—“Whoever desires to look at Adam in his knowledge, at Noah in his piety (taqwa), at Abraham in his forbearance (hilm), at Moses in his majesty (haybah), and at Jesus in his worship (‘ibadah), let him look at ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them).” That is, Imam ‘Ali is the essence of the most prominent virtues of the greatest Prophets of God.

Among human beings, the one who can best understand the depth of Imam ‘Ali’s (peace be upon him) personality is the sacred existence of the Seal of the Prophets (PBUH). He speaks of ‘Ali (peace be upon him) as follows: Adam, the father of mankind, possesses distinction in knowledge, considering that God stated: “And He taught Adam the names, all of them” [Quran 2:31]. All of these Prophets are distinguished in virtues, but some of these traits manifest more prominently in certain Prophets. He states that if someone wants to look at the knowledge of Adam, let him look at ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib; if someone wants to see Noah and his piety, let him look at Imam ‘Ali; if someone wants the forbearance and patience of Abraham to be personified for him, let him look at Imam ‘Ali, and likewise in worship.

It is very significant that the most prominent virtues of the great divine Prophets are combined in Imam ‘Ali. If it is said that Imam ‘Ali is superior (afdal) to past Prophets—excluding the Seal of the Prophets—it is because he gathered all these virtues within himself. Such a personality must be beloved by the hearts of human beings, Muslims, and Shia. Such a personality must be the exemplar for all humanity. Such a personality must be the criterion and standard of truth and reality. Someone in whom the knowledge of Adam, the piety of Noah, the forbearance of Abraham, and the worship of Moses are gathered speaks nothing but the truth; whatever he says is truth. This is why the Noble Prophet of Islam states: “علي مَعَ الحَقِّ وَالحَقُّ مَعَ عَلِی، ولَن یفتَرِقا حَتّى یرِدا عَلَی الحَوضَ یومَ القِیامَةِ”—“’Ali is with the truth and the truth is with ‘Ali, and they shall never separate until they meet me at the Pool [of Kawtar] on the Day of Resurrection.”

It is exceedingly important that Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him) is the criterion of truth and reality. If we want to be steadfast upon the truth, if we want to reach eternal bliss, we must inevitably keep our eyes fixed on this benchmark. When the Prophet states… all of these contain lessons: “إنَّ اللَّه تعَالَى جَعَلَ لِأَخِی عَلِیٍّ فَضَائِلَ‏ لَا تُحْصِی کثرة”—“Indeed, Allah, Exalted is He, has appointed for my brother ‘Ali virtues that cannot be counted due to their abundance,” “فَمَنْ ذَكَرَ فَضِیلَةً مِنْ فَضَائِلِهِ مُقِرّاً بِهَا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ”—“So whoever mentions a virtue among his virtues acknowledging it, Allah forgives his past and future sins.” This is no small thing. When it states that if someone mentions a virtue among the virtues of Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him)—whether recalling it himself or mentioning it to others, both apply, as dhikr means stating it to others and recalling it, carrying this benefit for the person himself—while admitting to it, Allah forgives all his past and future sins.

This might cause surprise: How is it that through a single recollection of a virtue among the virtues of Imam ‘Ali, such an effect and fruit results? Its reason is clear: recalling a virtue among the virtues of Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him) means placing a clear destination before the eyes of anyone to whom this virtue is mentioned, and this generates attraction. Someone who looks at this lamp, light, and torch in the darkness of this world naturally feels drawn toward him and inclines toward him, which causes him to distance himself from his past and choose a different path for the future. Thus, it says God forgives his past sins and what he might commit in the future.

Sometimes, in explaining and interpreting these narrations, misinterpretations exist that create problems—that is, assuming that if a gathering recalls a virtue of Imam ‘Ali, one’s sins “past and future” are forgiven, thinking “we recall the virtues of His Eminence here, and then go outside and do whatever we wish.” This is definitely not the intent! That is self-deception—to say “I recall this much and then go outside, consume people’s property, and violate people’s rights.” This is definitely not the intent. This seeks to say that if a person looks at this torch, it brings about human salvation, purifies one’s past, and ultimately leads one to feel regret over having been far from this source of light and not having been a true follower, pointing out a road for his future along which he must travel. That is, naturally, by approaching this personality and his virtues, a person’s sins will naturally decrease.

May Allah, God willing, grant us the success (tawfiq) of following the sacred existence of Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him) in this world and make these days blessed for all. These are days of supplication and spiritual retreat (i’tikaf); God willing, may we all benefit from the blessings and graces of these days. Please pray for the resolution of people’s problems and the afflictions of Muslims and Shia across the world, in our region, and in our own country for the relief of people’s hardships—especially for ourselves. Let us treasure these opportunities, and may these days serve as a ladder for our spiritual success, bringing about constructive and positive changes in our character, deeds, and thoughts. May Allah make it blessed for everyone, and in the Hereafter as well, God willing, may we all be resurrected with Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him) and his offspring.