Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet aba al-Qasim Muhammad, his pure family, his virtuous companions and all those who followed them in goodness until the day of judgement.
Indeed some of the greatest virtues and praise of the two elders Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq and `Umar bin al-Khattab were narrated by `Ali ibn abi Talib may Allah be pleased with all of them. The Prophet’s (saw) cousin `Ali always praised the two men and spoke of their virtues as reported by many narrations such as:
“The best of the mature and young men of heaven are Abu Bakr and `Umar.”
“It was Allah who named Abu Bakr “The truthful” from above seven heavens.”
“Abu Bakr takes the biggest reward when it comes to the Qur’an as he was the first to collect it in this book.”
“We did not think it unlikely that the divine presence spoke with the tongue of `Umar.”
However, in this research we intended only to gather all -or at least the vast majority- of chains for the narration of `Ali ibn abi Talib may Allah be pleased with him in which he says: “The best of this nation after its prophet (saw) are Abu Bakr and `Umar” And for the narration: “If anyone prefers me over Abu Bakr and `Umar he shall be punished as a slanderer.”
It is clearly obvious from our research that this Hadith from `Ali, is mass transmitted, it is Mutawatir from him, and that no one can reject his statement except a stubborn ignorant who follows his desires. Sadly, this is the case of the Shia in our days, as they are Rafidhah (rejecters) who reject the Shaykhayn -Abu Bakr & `Umar- and curse them and swear at them, may Allah disown them as they disowned them.
Who narrated this tradition from `Ali ibn abi Talib?
-Abu Juhayfah Wahb al-Khayr (Sahabi).
-`Abd Khayr al-Kufi (Sahib `Ali Thiqah Thabt).
-Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah (Thiqah).
-`Alqamah ibn Qays al-Nakh`ee (Thiqah Thabt).
-Al-Hakam bin Jahl al-Basri (Thiqah).
-`Amro bin Hurayth al-Qurashi (Sahabi).
-Al-Harith bin `Abdullah al-A`war al-Kufi (Muttaham bil Kazib).
-`Ali bin Rabi`ah al-Wabiliy (Thiqah).
-Al-Nazzal bin Sabrah al-Hilali (Thiqah Lahu Suhbah).
-`Abdullah ibn Salamah al-Muradi (Maqboul).
-Abu al-Tufayl `Amir ibn Wathilah (Sahabi Lahu Idrak).
-`Atiyyah al-`Awfi (Da`eef).
-Katheer al-Ahmasi al-Bajali (Majhool).
-`Imran ibn Malhan al-`Utarudi (Thiqah).
-Suwayd ibn Ghaflah al-Ju`fi (Thiqah).
-Abu Sa`eed al-Khudari (Sahabi).
-Sa`eed bin Fayrouz abu al-Bakhtari al-Ta’ee (Thiqah Yursil `an `Ali).
-`Abdul-Rahman bin abi Laylah (Thiqah).
-Abu Hilal al-`Akki (Majhoul).
-Lahiq bin Humayd al-Sadusi ibn Mijlaz (Thiqah).
-`Abdullah bin Zurayr al-Ghafiqi (Thiqah Shi`ee).
-Mas`adah al-Bajali (Majhool).
-Abu Hukaymah `Ismah al-Basri (Majhoul).
-Yahya bin Shaddad (Da`eef).
-`Abdullah ibn `Abbas (Sahabi).
-Abu Hurayrah (Sahabi).
-Al-Qadi Shurayh bin al-Harith abu Umayyah (Thiqah).
-Shareek ibn `Abdullah (Saduq).
-`Aziz bin Muknif (Majhoul).
-Anas ibn Malik (Sahabi).
-Zirr bin Hubaysh al-Kufi (Thiqah Jaleel).
-`Amro bin Shurahbeel (Thiqah).
-Rafi` al-Ashja`i abu al-Ja`d (Mukhtalaf fi Suhbatihi).
-`Abdul-Rahman bin `Abdullah al-Asbahani (Thiqah).
-Abu Makhlad (Majhoul).
-Ibrahim bin Yazid al-Nakh`ee (Thiqah).
-Talhah bin Musarif (Thiqah).
-`Ubaydullah bin `Umar al-`Adawi (Thiqah Thabt Lam Yasma` `Ali).
-Al-Husayn bin `Ali (Sahabi).
-`Umar bin Kurayb bin Subh (Majhoul).
-Mu’ammal Mawla `Amro bin Hurayth (Majhoul).
-Asbagh bin Nabatah (Rafidhi Muttaham bil-Kazib).
-`Amir al-Sha`bi (Thiqah Mashhour).
-`Amro bin Ma`di Karib (Sahabi).
-Zayd ibn Wahb al-Juhani (Thiqah).
-Abu Hazim Salman al-Ashja`i (Thiqah Lam Yasma` min `Ali).
-`Ali bin Shu`bah (Majhoul).
-Abu `Atiyyah Jabir bin Humayd (Majhoul).
-`Ammar bin Yasir (Sahabi).
-Abu `Abdullah al-Tabari (Majhool).
They number at around 50 individuals, some are Sahabah, some are Tabi`een and some are family members of `Ali ibn abi Talib. The one who is properly educated in the field of Rijal will also notice that a lot of these people are Shia (followers) and companions of `Ali, many are supporters of `Ali who were a part of his army.
One my wonder, why is this narration so strong and widespread? There are a couple of reasons:
Firstly, based on the narrations, `Ali stood on the Mimbar of Kufa and delivered a Sermon in front of all his supporters, this would not be the last Khutbah he delivers on his Mimbar as Khalifah concerning the superiority of Abu Bakr, for instance Muhammad bin `Aqeel ibn abi Talib reports that `Ali also delivered a sermon to his followers speaking of the virtues and superiority of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq. The fact that he delivered such a sermon openly meant that a lot of people heard it, and as the reader can see from the list above, many popular companions and followers who were present heard it, also many non-popular Arabs and Bedouins who attended his mosque heard it and related it.
The second reason was that it was `Ali ibn abi Talib himself who delivered the sermon, not one of his relatives and companions claimed it, and he was the Khalifah and the top authority at the time, he delivered it in his own fortress, the city of Kufa, while surrounded by his followers and supporters.
The third reason, was that it apparently took place after the incident with the people of Basarah, as the narrations declare, `Ali had just returned from the battle of Jamal victorious and his supporters were all in high moral, they awaited his next orders and were anxious to hear his sermon.
The fourth matter is the importance of the topic, in the final days of the Khilafah of `Uthman ibn `Affan a group was being formed, led by suspicious men, they were telling people that `Ali was divinely appointed and his right was usurped by the three who preceded him. During the Khilafah of `Ali, the situation was chaotic, a part of the nation decided to form an army and seek revenge for the death of `Uthman, another part of the nation accused `Ali of ordering his assasination and refused to pay him allegiance, and a part separated from `Ali’s army and formed the Khawarij who rejected both sides. Midst all of this confusion and unrest, groups of deviants started to spread rumors of `Ali having secret knowledge entrusted to him by the Prophet (saw), and they went as far as to claim he was a god, so he finally started burning and exiling them. `Ali ibn abi Talib decided to confront these people and refute them directly, no divinity, no superiority and no secrets, he was a man from the Muslims, a slave of God, a lover of the companions of his cousin (saw).
The fifth reason is that a big amount of companions, of pious followers and of the scholars who followed them, they decided to spread this narration of `Ali to refute the deviants and innovators who worshiped God by cursing the Shaykhayn, they also started to spread the virtues of `Ali himself to refute the Nawasib and the mouths of the government who opposed `Ali and denied his leadership. These are Ahlul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah, the followers of the Prophet (saw) who love his companions and in their books are virtues preserved for all these great men.
Hadith-ul-Afdaliyya is Mutawatir from `Ali ibn abi Talib (ra), download the PDF files by clicking on the titles below:
1- Narration of Superiority [List of Chains].
2- Narration of Superiority [Tree Graph of Chains].
3- Narration of Superiority [Textual Samples].
Honestly; don’t you people look at the authenticity of traditions before putting this type of false traditions. Aren’t you afraid of the Day Of Judgement.
How can Imam Ali even say this rubbish?
After Umer was killed, Imam Ali refused the Khalif when he was told that he would have to follow the Quran, the Sunnat of the Holy Prophet & the Sunnat of the 2 previous “Sheiks”.
History says that Imam Ali agreed to the first 2 but completely rejected the 3rd showing that the previous 2 were in total error.
Imam Ali never would say that about the man who dragged him to the masjid and who broke the door of his house and injured his wife Bibi Fatemah.
Come on people…..read your books…..and stop belittling Ahlulbayt.
The Holy Prophet stated I am the City Of Knowledge & Ali is it’s gate.
He said of Ali that you are like Haroun was to Moses.
The Ayat of Tathir (33.33) shows Imam Ali as one of the 5 pure ones in the event of the Blanket.
Listen; there is stupidity in this world but don’t show your ignorance without first doing research and putting out false traditions.
You can research thru your own books.
By the way did you know that Baker, Umer & Usman, in the Jung e Ohud, ran like the cowards that they were? For 3 days.
And returned and said we ran even after being told to safe guard the hill by the Holy Prophet.
How can they be any better than Imam Ali who stood by and defended the Holy Prophet??!!
Man, you guys need to really wake up.
I understand you’re angry at what `Ali (ra) said, but this tradition is much stronger than even al-Thaqalayn, it is Mutawatir, so rejecting it is pure stubbornness and is equal to accusing `Ali of lying.
Then again you folks are Shia so we expected your reactions to be biased, un-academic, emotional gibberish in Urdu.
Mr Ladak please read the PDF files before making false claims. Read it first then give your comment. The PDF files contain the research and evidences.
You say stop bellitling ahlulbayt and yet thats what youre doing. Ali ra was an proud arab from the best tribe & lineage, no arab today will let a man enter his house without his permission and let alone abused his wife & kid and yet you believe that. Take a look at yourself, youre the one insulting ahlulbayt.
What a strange comment for you to make, Mr. Ladak, when you wrote:
“Honestly; don’t you people look at the authenticity of traditions before putting this type of false traditions.”
Can’t you see that this brother has done a level of research into the authenticity of this hadith that you will never find any Twelver Shia putting into any hadith?
May Allah reward this brother abundantly and grant him the highest level of Paradise!
Every hadees of superiority of abu bakr , omar and usman, over maula e kaenaat is absolutely fake, false and fabricated .There is no comparison between kulle eemaan and kulle kufr .
They had absolutely no merits .Abu bakr has been given false title of siddique,he was a confirmed LIAR,a greedy apostate with little eemaan though converted to Islam . Omar was the son of an illegitimate ibne illegitimate, killer of Rasool’s beti and her unborn son, He worshipped idols upto the age of 28 and then reluctently faked Islam Usmaan who was praised by the mother of believers as a man gone astray,apostate , Nathal and wajibul Qatl and ultimately assasinated , some say on her behest .
Where from you find their merits? , from your false , fabricated ahadees
written either on intimidation or on payment of gratifications like abu horaira the most prolific liar and Chief of false and fabricated ahadees factory .
of course Mr.Rafidhi Shia, everything you don’t agree with is fabricated even if it has the most authentic of chains, your example is in this verse:
{The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries cattle or sheep – deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.} [2:171]
Who fabricated this narration?
Good question brother Farid, I also would like to ask this ignoramus, who among the 500-700 narrators listed in these chains fabricated this narration?
There are 500-700 chain ?!
Salam,
No not 700, it is around 70 chains. Meaning, it has more chains than Thaqalayn, Manzilah, Kisa’ etc… Of course Shia will refuse it because it opposes their beliefs, early Shia couldn’t refuse it so they just claimed it was Taqiyyah. As for the rest of what you requested, it is all present in the files that you can download from the page, get the pdfs at the bottom.
I am looking forward to more of the endless chain of hilarious distractions, lies, and fallacies that the Twelver Shia will surely post here…. if they are brave enough to look at the evidence that their “Ayatollahs” are following falsehood.
“Grabs popcorn, looks intently at screen”
Brothers Brothers Brothers.
This is indeed highly interesting. Firstly I don’t condone degrading any personality which was close to the Prophet (saw) and have had a prominent position.
But brothers would you kind enough to allow people to have their own belief once they have seen the evidence and appreciate each others differences.
If you believe the quote you posted sincerely to be authentic and feel Imam Ali stated the superiority of HZ Abu Bakr and HZ Umar over himself, then that’s fine.
My personal opinion would be firstly to appreciate you putting forward an alternative hadith. And I would deduce that this hadith is Imam Ali giving an order, to like to other personalities above himself after the Prophet (saw)..
I personally would have to compare that to all the authentic hadiths and events that came from the Prophet (SAW) Himself , about his relationship with Imam Ali.
e.g The Prophet(saw) pairing himself with Imam Ali in Medina as his brother, and Hazrat Abu Bakr with Hazrat Umar as brothers.
Saying Imam Ali is to the Prophet (SAW) like Harrun was to Musa except there’s no profit after him.
The fact that the prophet Gave Imam Ali, the hand of His precious daughter Lady Fatima, despite other sahabas, asking for her hand too of them included are Hazrat Umar and hazrat Abu Bakr.
This last point is especially important as we all know the Prophet (SAW) time was a time of diversity and equality for all Muslims, marriages were done on iman and not wealth or lineage. Black slaves were told to marry rich arab ladies a true utopia. Hence the paring of Imam Ali with Lady Fatima would suggest imam Ali’s credentials compared with others.
The important thing to remember is that for me, If Imam Ali’s superiority is evident, that does not demote any other sahaba, it merely means Imam Ali’s level was above that already high station.
Now the question is: Would you brothers be prepared to respectfully let me keep this opinion and appreciate this?
As I respect yours although disagree, and appreciate yours on Hazrat Abu Bakr and hazrat Umars superiority over imam Ali, Based on this one hadith you have proposed.?
al-Salamu `Aleykum,
If you respect and love the companions of the Prophet (saws) but prefer `Ali (ra) over everyone else, then your innovation is light and it is not a sly or malicious belief that can take you out of the folds of Islam. In your case I’d simply suggest more research. However, the case with almost every Imami alive today is their extreme un-healthy love for `Ali (ra) and the extreme un-healthy hatred towards his companions, these are the individuals we are dealing with today, this is what their books say and this is the consensus of their so called scholars. You my brother are an exception.
If you hear an Imami today saying I respect the companions but prefer `Ali (ra), this Imami would be a 1%, and if you thoroughly investigate you will find that the majority of this 1% are Rafidhah in Taqiyyah.
As for the superiority of `Ali (ra), I say why only look at his virtue and be oblivious to the virtues of others? `Uthman ibn `Affan (ra) married two of the Prophet’s (saws) daughters, but let’s leave this aside, the issue is usually regarding the first Khalifah Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (ra). Let me list a few of his virtues and then tell me if I can or cannot deduce from this that he was the best.
1- The title of Abu Bakr (ra) is “The truthful”, al-Siddeeq, it is authentically narrated from `Ali ibn abi Talib (ra) that Allah was the one to grant Abu Bakr (ra) this title from above the heavens.
2- When Islam was presented to Abu Bakr (ra), he accepted it without hesitation, he was the first man to accept Islam, but when it was presented to `Ali (ra) who was a 7 year old boy at the time, he hesitated and wished to ask his father for permission, he came and embraced Islam next morning.
3- The Prophet (saws) appointed Abu Bakr (ra) as the Ameer of Hajj, to lead the people to pilgrimage over `Ali (ra), and he appointed him as the Imam of his mosque in his last sickness, so he was leading `Ali (ra) and as you know the leader of the nation is the one who leads in the mosque.
4- The Prophet (saws) said: “If I were to take a beloved friend other from my Lord I would take Abu Bakr, but he is my brother and the brotherhood of Islam is enough.”
5- The Prophet (saws) loved Abu Bakr (ra) so much he married his daughter.
6- When the verses of consultation were revealed Allah (swt) ordered The Prophet (saws) to consult with Abu Bakr (ra) specifically as stated in the authentic narration.
ect…
I ask, why not look at the virtues of others? There’s a lot more from the virtues of Abu Bakr (ra) that I did not write, this is the tip of the iceberg as they say, so why would anyone oppose `Ali (ra) and favor him over the man that `Ali (ra) himself favored?
Salaam,brother can you please give not only a reference but a scan copy of the proof no. 2 and 3 (giving musalla to Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A) from SHI’A books, so no person can come again and abuse sahaba in the comments. Wassalam
If there are such references in their books I would not know them, you can ask the brothers at “islamic-forum.net”
Finding virtues of `Ali in our books is easy since we love and respect him, but finding virtues of Abu Bakr in Shia books is very hard and rare, as they are deceivers, they long erased all such virtues from their books.
As salam ‘alaykoum. Your argument are very interesting akhi. Can you please give me some references of sunni scholars for every elements ? And the degree of the narration for the sunni scholars. Thank you so much akhi, may God gives you Jannah without ‘adab amin
“Hence the paring of Imam Ali with Lady Fatima would suggest imam Ali’s credentials compared with others.”
Or maybe just that they were more compatible, on a personal level, than other possible pairings for either of them. Certainly Sayyida Fatima was closer in age to Sayyiduna Ali, as compared with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with all of them.
Perhaps also Sayyida Fatima was just personally attracted to Sayyiduna Ali, and not to the others, may Allah be pleased with all of them; personal attraction is an important factor in a marriage, and has nothing at all to do with rank in the sight of Allah the Exalted.
If someone loves Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, more than the other Companions, may Allah be pleased with all of them, then there is no blame on him, for love is just an inclination in the heart, and there is no harm in this inclination.
But if someone actually says that Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, had a higher rank in the sight of Allah than all other Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, then he is a *liar* who is going against Sayyiduna Ali himself, may Allah be pleased with him.
Muslim – IA, personally we don’t give a toss what you choose to believe and not to believe. What we have qualms with is how certain of your bredrins have the audacity to insult and degrade other great personalities who were close to the Prophet (SAW). If you feel or believe Ali (RA) was the greatest, fine. I don’t think many of us would have too much of a gripe with that providing you don’t flap your gums and start gunning other Sahabas (RA). That’s THE point.
I’d also like to add as in our sources (authentic) the Prophet (SAW) had 4 daughters and not just one. The Qu’ran attests to this fact and he gave 2 of them to Uthman (RA). Now, of course you’re going to deny this fact or just overlook it as a Sunni myth, but if marrying the daughter of a Prophet (SAW) scores you points of virtue than Uthman (RA) is miles ahead in that sense. However, we go beyond kinship and confirm what made Uthman (RA), plus Abu Bakr (RA) and Omar (RA) special was their high level of Taqwa. This is to the eye-witness and testimony of the Prophet (SAW) himself.
as-Salam Alaykum. You should make an article on “Quraan & Sunnaah” and whether the hadeeth is weak or not. What do you think about that argument?
Wa `Aleykum al-Salaam,
I think it is weak.
I.e. you have no Sahih hadith that tells you to follow the Quraan and Sunnah?
We have many authentic narrations telling us to follow the book of Allah, we also have many narrations telling us to follow the Sunnah and example of Rasul-Allah (saw). However, you’re asking about the narration which states “I am leaving behind the Qur’an and my Sunnah”, this specific narration is weak.
Fair enough. May I see some sahih ahadeeth which mentions the importance of following those two (Kitaab & Sunnah)? Jazaak’Allaahu Khaayran
check below.
Quran narrations such as:
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
وَمَنِ ابْتَغَى الْهُدَى فِي غَيْرِهِ أَضَلَّهُ اللَّهُ، وَهُوَ حَبْلُ اللَّهِ الْمَتِينُ، وَهُوَ الذِّكْرُ الْحَكِيمُ، وَهُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ
“Whoever seeks guidance from other than it (the Qur’an) Allah will misguide him, and it is the tight rope of Allah, the wise remembrance and the straight path.”
Sunnah narrations such as:
مَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي
“Whoever abandons my Sunnah is not from me.”
َمنْ أَحْيَا سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ أَحَبَّنِي، وَمَنْ أَحَبَّنِي كَانَ مَعِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ
“Whoever revives my Sunnah loves me, and whoever loves me will accompany me in Jannah.”