In the Arabic language, the word “Wali” has many meanings,
one of them is “guardian”
Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah
55 says, “Innama Waliukum Allahu wa Rasuluhu wallazina amanullazina
yaqumoonassalata wa yutunaz zakata wa hum ra’keun.” Translated as, “Verily,
verily your guardian (wali) is Allah (s.w.t.) and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.),
and those who believe, those who establish prayer and pay the poor-rate while
bowing down (in prayer).” Ten of the companions of the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.), including Ibn Abbas, Jabir ibn Abdullah, Ammar Yasir, Abu Dharr
Ghiffari, Anas ibn Malik, and Bilal (the Muezzin), had narrated that once a
beggar entered the Mosque of the Prophet and asked people for charity. Nobody
gave him anything. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.)
pointed his finger to him while he (a.s.) was bowing in the prayer. The beggar
took the ring from his finger. The above Ayah was revealed to honor this unique
and unusual act of charity by Imam Ali (a.s.). The Sunni and the Shia scholars have confirmed the reason of the revelation.
(Durre Mansure, Baidhavi, and Tafsir-e-Husainy). The names of 16 Sunni books
are mentioned in “Tafsir-e-Namoona (Urdu) volume 4 page 318”. The word
“Innama” renders the meaning-the
decision of Allah as final and fixed. Moreover, the use of plural “amanu” for a
singular person Imam Ali (a.s.), is to show importance as in case of Ayah
Muba’helah wherein the word “Nisa’ana” was used but only Sayyida Fatima Zahra
(s.a.) was taken by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) for Mubahelah.
The word “guardian”
used in this Ayah is very significant! In Arabic language, the plural is used
for three or more persons. Surprisingly, the word “Wali” is used for Allah, the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali
(a.s.). Naturally, it signifies that the Wilayat or guardianship of all the
three is one in nature as well as in effect. Allah could have used the plural
of Wali as “Auliya”. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had used the terms “Wali”
and “Maula” on another occasion -Ghadeer-e-Khumm- at that occasion also he
(s.a.w.a.s.) referred to Imam Ali (a.s.). Moreover, in the Glorious Qur’an the
plural pronouns have been used for All-Mighty Allah (s.w.t)
It is the Divine
practice that in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah praises special servants with their
qualities and deeds and not by name.
Like in this Ayah, Allah did not name the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali
(a.s.) but praised his piety and deeds. Similarly, when the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) migrated from Makkah to Madina, the sacrifice of Imam Ali (a.s.)
when he slept on the Prophet’s bed when the death was imminent as the infidels
of Makkah were guarding Prophets house with drawn swords at night to kill him
in the morning. Imam Ali (a.s.) slept
peacefully without any fear for his life. Ayah 207 of Surah al-Baqarah was revealed saying, “Wa Minan nase main
yashrinafsahubtegha marzaatillah wallahu raufun bil Iba’d”. it is translated as,
“And among men there is one who sells his self (soul) seeking the pleasure of
Allah; and verily, Allah is affectionate unto His (faithful) servants.
The famous companion
and poet of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Hassan bin Tha’bit, compiled a
couplet honoring the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) as follows:
“You (Imam Ali) are the one who gave poor-rate (Zaka’t) while bowing
(Ruku). My life be ransom for you, O! the best of those who performed the
bowing (Ruku) in the prayer”
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) by Ayatollah
Nasir Makarem Shirazi
The Glorious Qur’an (English translation) by
Ayatollah Agha H.M.M Pooya Yazdi
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