سورة النمل

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَ سَلامٌ عَلی عِبادِهِ الَّذِینَ اصْطَفی [Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen] — they are the family of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him): قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَ سَلامٌ عَلی عِبادِهِ الَّذِینَ اصْطَفی [Say: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen]; [what is meant by] them is the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) of the Messenger of Allah: Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), Fatima (peace be upon her), Hasan and Husayn (peace be upon them) and their descendants (peace be upon them). They are the chosen ones of Allah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): It is narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Allah has created a group who are neither of the offspring of Adam (peace be upon him) nor of the offspring of Iblis, and they constantly curse the enemies of Ali (peace be upon him)." The companions asked: "Who are they?" The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: "They are birds called qanbara (larks), and at the time of dawn on the branches of trees they call out: May the curse of Allah be upon the enemies of Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him)! Then they send salutations upon him (peace be upon him) and say: بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِیمِ وَ سَلامٌ عَلی عِبادِهِ الَّذِینَ اصْطَفی [In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and peace on His servants whom He has chosen]."

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): When someone recites the verse: اللهُ خَیْرٌ أَمّا یُشْرِکُونَ [Is Allah better, or what they associate (with Him)?], [it is recommended] that he say: "Allah is better; Allah is better; Allah is greater."