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THE HOLY PROPHET AND IMAM ALI

In this connection, one may wonder that on the occasions that are related to the Holy Prophet (s), such as his birthday or the day of the Divine Mission (almab’ath), it is supposed that private forms of ziyarah must be dedicated to the holy tomb of the Holy Prophet (s), not the holy tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a). However, we notice that there is big recommendation on visiting the holy tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) on occasions related to the Holy Prophet (s).

To answer, this is because of the firm connection between these two great individual and because of the perfect union between these two personalities. In view of that, to visit Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is as same as visiting the Holy Prophet (s). This fact has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an where 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 selves and your selves, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. (3/61)”.

In this holy verse, Almighty Allah has combined Imam ‘Ali (‘a) to the Holy Prophet (s) by referring to both of them by saying, ‘our selves’.

To this fact, a poet referred by saying,

In the Verse of Mubahalah, 'Ali is the self of the Chosen Prophet. No one else has been ever given such rank.

Besides, this fact has been confirmed by many narrations and reports, such as the narration of Shaykh Muhammad ibn alMashhadi who has reported the following event on the authority of Imam alSadiq (‘a):

A Bedouin man came to the Holy Prophet (s) and said, “My house is far away from yours; and it happened that when I intended to visit and see you, I could not; therefore, I visit ‘Ali ibn AbiTalib whose discourse and advices would entertain me. Whenever I left him, grief and sadness joined me over again because I could not see you.”

The Holy Prophet (s) answered, “He who visits ‘Ali has in fact visited me; he who loves ‘Ali has in fact loved me; he who antagonizes ‘Ali has in fact antagonized me. You may convey this to your people. Similarly, he who intends to visit ‘Ali has in fact visited me and I will reward him for so on the Resurrection Day. So will Archangel Gabriel and the righteous believers.”

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ،

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا صَفْوَةَ اللهِ ...

According to another authoritative narration, Imam alSadiq (‘a) is reported to have said, “Whenever you visit the district of alNajaf, you may visit there the bones of Adam (‘a), the corpse of Noah, and the body of ‘Ali ibn AbiTalib. So, you will visit the past forefathers, Muhammad the seal of the Prophets, and ‘Ali the best of the Prophets’ successors.”

فَاعْتَمِدْ لِلنَّبِيِّ اَعْظَمَ رَمْسٍ

فِيْهِ لِلطُّهْرِ اَحْمَدٍ اَيَّ نَفْسٍ

Finally, the previously mentioned sixth form of untimed ziyarah has contained statements that can act as support of this fact. These statements read as follows:

اَوْ تَرَى الْعَرْشَ فِيْهِ اَنْوَرَ شَمْسٍ

You may face the tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and say the following:

فَتَوَاضَعْ فَثَمَّ دَارَةُ قُدْسٍ

Peace be upon you, O Allah’s Messenger. Peace be upon you, O Allah’s select...

تَتَمَنَّى الْاَفْلَاكُ لَثْمَ ثَرَاهَا

In this respect too, Shaykh Jabir, referring to the dome of Imam ‘Ali’s holy shrine, has excellently composed poetic verses as commentary on the famous poem of alAzri, saying:

You will find there a magnificent tomb for the Prophet, In which the wonderful self of Ahmad, the pure Prophet, is found. You will also see even the Divine Throne in the most radiant form. Then, be unassuming; for there lies a halo of holiness. Even highest stars wish to kiss its soil!