سورة التوبة

Imam Baqir and Imam Sadiq (peace be upon them): This verse was revealed concerning Hamza, Ali (peace be upon him), Ja'far (may Allah have mercy on him), Abbas and Shayba. They boasted of providing water [to pilgrims] and of doorkeeping [of the Ka'ba], so Allah the Mighty and Majestic revealed this verse: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقَایَةَ الحَاجِّ وَ عِمَارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الآخر وَ جَاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لاَ یَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah, and Allah does not guide the unjust people]. And Ali (peace be upon him), Hamza and Ja'far (may Allah have mercy on them) were those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and strove in His path; [these two groups] are not equal in the sight of Allah.

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him): These verses were revealed concerning Ali (peace be upon him), Abbas and Shayba. Abbas said: "I am superior, because providing water to the pilgrims is in my hands." Shayba said: "I am superior, because the custodianship of the House of Allah is in my hands." And Ali (peace be upon him) said: "I am superior, for I believed before both of you, then I migrated and fought in jihad." So they accepted the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) as arbiter. Allah the Mighty and Majestic revealed this verse; up to His saying, the Mighty and Majestic: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقَایَةَ الحَاجِّ وَ عِمَارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الآخر وَ جَاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لاَ یَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللهِ ... أَجْرٌ عَظِیمٌ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah ... a great reward].

Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him): أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims] was revealed concerning Abbas (the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)), and وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسْجِدِ الحَرامِ [and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque] was revealed concerning Ibn Abi Talha, and کَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ [like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day] was revealed specifically concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Muhammad ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi said: One day Shayba ibn Abi Talha and another man and the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) were boasting to one another. Shayba said: "I am the caretaker of the Masjid al-Haram and the keeper of the key of the House of Allah." Abbas said: "I hold the office of providing water (siqaya) to the pilgrims." Ali (peace be upon him) said: "I do not know what you two are saying. I stood in prayer toward the qibla before all the people, and I am the possessor of jihad in the way of Allah." It was in this connection that the verse أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims] was revealed.

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him): Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) narrates from his noble father, who said: "When Allah opened Mecca at the hands of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family), he gave the office of providing water (siqaya) to Abbas and the custodianship of the curtain (hijaba) to Uthman ibn Talha, and he gave Ali (peace be upon him) nothing. So it was said to Ali (peace be upon him): 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) gave the siqaya to Abbas and the hijaba to Uthman ibn Talha and left you with no share!' He said: 'I am very pleased and content with what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) has done.' Then Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ ... أَجْرٌ عَظیمٌ [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah ... a great reward] (Tawba/19-22). This verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him)."

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): Al-Hakim Abu'l-Qasim al-Haskani, with his chain, narrates from Ibn Buraida, from his father: Shayba and Abbas were engaged in boasting when Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) passed by them and said: "About what are you boasting?" Abbas said: "I have been given virtues that no one else has been given — providing water to the pilgrims (siqaya)!" Shayba too said: "The maintenance of the Masjid al-Haram has also been given to me!" So Ali (peace be upon him) said: "I feel ashamed for you both, for despite my young age I have been granted virtues that have not been granted to you." They said: "What virtues have been given to you?" He said: "I struck your heads with the sword so much that you came to believe in Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him and his family)!" Then Abbas, angry and trailing his garment, hurried to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and said: "Do you know what Ali (peace be upon him) said to me?" He (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Bring Ali (peace be upon him) to me." When Ali (peace be upon him) was brought, he said: "Why have you confronted your uncle?" He said: "O Messenger of Allah! I have overcome him with the truth; whoever wishes may be angry, and whoever wishes may be pleased." Then Jibra'il descended and said: "O Muhammad! Your Lord conveys His greetings to you and says: Recite this verse to them: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظّالِمینَ [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people]." Then Abbas said: "We are indeed pleased and content," and he repeated this three times.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him)- Harith al-A'war narrated: The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) entered al-Masjid al-Haram. Shayba ibn Abd al-Dar and Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib were boasting to one another... Abbas said: 'The office of giving drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram is in our hands, so we are the best of people after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family).' Shayba said: 'The keys of the Ka'ba are in our hands; whenever we wish we open its doors and whenever we wish we close them, therefore we are the best of people after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family).' Then the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said to them: 'Shall I introduce to you someone who is better than both of you?' They said: 'Who is he?!' He said: 'The one who struck your elders with the sword until he compelled you to enter Islam by force!' Then Abbas got up angrily and went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and recounted the matter to him. But the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) remained silent and said nothing; at that moment Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to him and said: 'O Muhammad! Allah sends you greetings and says: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظّالِمینَ [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people].' [The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)] said: 'Dear uncle, get up and go, this is the Most Merciful Allah who is judging between you and Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).'

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)- Anas narrates: Abbas and Shayba began boasting to one another. Abbas said: 'My honour is greater than yours, I am the uncle of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and hold the office of giving drink to the pilgrims!' Shayba said: 'My honour is greater than yours, for I am Allah's trustee over His House and His treasures; Allah has considered me trustworthy, not you!' At that moment Ali (peace be upon him) came upon them and the two informed him of the matter. Then Ali (peace be upon him) said: 'My honour is greater than both of yours; I am the first believer, emigrant and warrior.' Then all three went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and informed him of the matter. But the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) remained silent and gave them no answer, and they too departed from him; a few days later revelation descended upon him and he summoned all three, and recited to them the verse: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقَایَةَ الحَاجّ... [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims...] to the end of the tenth verse. ... In 'Fara'id al-Simtayn' the matter is narrated in more detail, to the point where he says: Ali (peace be upon him) said: 'I am nobler than the two of you, I am the first man of this ummah who believed in Allah's promises and warnings, emigrated and waged jihad.' Then all three went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and recounted their affair to him. But the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) gave them no answer until, a few days later, revelation descended upon him. Then he sent for all three of them and recited the verse to them.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him): أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims...]. Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib boasted and said: "I am the uncle of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), and I am the holder of the office of giving water to the pilgrims, and I am superior to Ali (peace be upon him)." And Shayba ibn Uthman said: "I maintain the House of Allah and am its guardian, and I am superior." Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) heard the words of these two and said: "I am superior to both of you; I am the one who strives in the way of Allah." So this verse was revealed: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims], meaning Abbas, وَ عِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ [and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque], meaning Shayba, کَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فی سَبیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ ... عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظیمٌ [like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah; they are not equal ... with Him is a great reward] (at-Tawba/19-22).

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): And through the path of the opponents [the Sunni scholars], Tha'labi has related in his tafsir and said: Hasan, Sha'bi and Muhammad ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi narrated that this verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, and Talha ibn Shayba. That was because they were boasting to one another. Talha would say: "I am the master of this House and its keys are in my hand, and if I wish I could spend the night in the Mosque." Abbas would say: "I am the holder of the office of giving water and the one in charge of it." Ali (peace be upon him) said: "I do not know what you two are saying. I prayed six months before the people, and I have waged jihad." So Allah the Mighty and Majestic revealed this verse: أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَایَةَ الحَاجِّ وَ عِمَارَةَ الْمسجد الحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الآخر وَ جَاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لاَ یَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people].

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): It has been narrated to us from Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him); indeed it was said to the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him): "O Commander of the Faithful! Tell us the best of your virtues and merits." He said: ... "I and Abbas and Uthman ibn Shayba were in the Sacred Mosque. Uthman ibn Shayba said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) entrusted to me the sidana, that is, the keys of the Ka'ba." And Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) entrusted to me the siqaya, that is, Zamzam, and he did not give you anything, O Ali (peace be upon him)!" [His Eminence (peace be upon him) said]: So Allah revealed this verse: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ* الَّذِینَ أمنوا وَ هاجَرُوا وَ جاهَدُوا فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوالِهِمْ وَ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اولئِکَ هُمُ الْفائِزُونَ* یُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَ رِضْوانٍ وَ جَنَّاتٍ لَهُمْ فِیها نَعِیمٌ مُقِیمٌ* خالِدِینَ فِیها أَبَداً إِنَّ اللهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِیم [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. Those who believe and have emigrated and striven in the way of Allah with their wealth and their lives are of greater rank with Allah, and it is they who are the triumphant. Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Him, and good pleasure, and gardens wherein there is lasting bliss for them; abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward] (at-Tawba/19-22).

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Abdullah ibn Ubayda al-Rabadhi said: Ali (peace be upon him) said to Abbas: "O uncle! I wish you had migrated to Madina!" He replied: "Am I not now in a state better than migration? Do I not take charge of providing water to the pilgrims of the House of Allah and maintaining the Masjid al-Haram?" So Allah the Mighty and Majestic revealed this verse: أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَایَةَ الحَاجِّ وَ عِمَارَةَ الْمسجد الحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الآخر وَ جَاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لاَ یَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah, and Allah does not guide the unjust people].

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Ibn Sirin said: Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) came from Madina to Makka and said to Abbas: "O uncle, why do you not migrate? Why do you not join the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)?" Abbas said: "I maintain the Masjid al-Haram and I guard the House." So this verse was revealed: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah, and Allah does not guide the unjust people].

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): The commentators have said: When Abbas was taken captive on the day of Badr, the Muslims turned to him and reproached him for his disbelief in Allah and for severing ties of kinship. And Ali (peace be upon him) spoke harshly to him. Abbas said: "What is the matter with you that you mention our bad deeds and do not mention our good deeds?" Ali (peace be upon him) said: "Do you even have good deeds?" He said: "Yes! We maintain the Masjid al-Haram, we are the keepers of the Ka'ba, we give drink to the pilgrims, and we ransom captives." So Allah the Exalted revealed, in reply to Abbas and in confirmation of Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him): ما کانَ لِلْمُشْرِکِینَ أَنْ یَعْمُرُوا مَساجِدَ اللهِ شاهِدینَ عَلی أَنْفُسِهِمْ بِالْکُفْرِ أُولئِکَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمالُهُمْ وَ فِی النَّارِ هُمْ خالِدُون [It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah while bearing witness against themselves of disbelief. It is they whose deeds are worthless, and in the Fire they shall abide] (al-Tawba/17). Then He said: إِنَّما یَعْمُرُ مَساجِدَ اللهِِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ أَقامَ الصَّلاةَ وَ آتَی الزَّکاةَ وَ لَمْ یَخْشَ إِلاَّ اللهَ فَعَسی أُولئِکَ أَنْ یَکُونُوا مِنَ المُهْتَدین [Only he shall maintain the mosques of Allah who believes in Allah and the Last Day and establishes prayer and pays the zakat and does not fear anyone but Allah; it is they who are likely to be among the rightly guided] (al-Tawba/18). Then He said: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day]. And Isma'il ibn Khalid from Amir, and Ibn Jurayj from Ata from Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him), and Muqatil from al-Dahhak from Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him), and al-Suddi from Abi Salih and Ibn Abi Khalid, and Zakariyya from al-Sha'bi, have narrated that this verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): O Ali! Abd al-Muttalib established five practices in the time of Jahiliyya, and Allah made them current for him in Islam. ... After Abd al-Muttalib dug the well of Zamzam, he designated it for giving drink to the pilgrims, and Allah too has said in the Noble Quran: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام کَمَنْ أمن بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِر وَ جَاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لاَ یَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the way of Allah? They are not equal with Allah, and Allah does not guide the unjust people].

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him): Jabir narrates from Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) who said: ... When the moment of death approached Umar ibn al-Khattab and he decided to put the matter of the caliphate to a council ..., Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) said to them: "I adjure you by Allah, has Allah revealed this verse: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرامِ کَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ [What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah] concerning anyone other than me?" They said: "No."

Imam Hadi (peace be upon him): Imam Hadi (peace be upon him) performed ziyarah on the day of Ghadir with this [supplication]: Allah the Exalted said: "... أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرامِ کَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ لا یَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اللهُ لا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ * الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا وَ هاجَرُوا وَ جاهَدُوا فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوالِهِمْ وَ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ أُولئِکَ هُمُ الْفائِزُونَ * یُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَ رِضْوانٍ وَ جَنَّاتٍ لَهُمْ فِیها نَعِیمٌ مُقِیمٌ * خالِدِینَ فِیها أَبَداً إِنَّ اللهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِیمٌ [What! do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. Those who believed and emigrated and strove hard in the way of Allah with their wealth and their lives are of higher rank with Allah, and those are the ones who are triumphant. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, and pleasure, and gardens in which there is lasting bliss for them, abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward]. I bear witness that you are singled out for the praise of Allah and are sincere in obedience to Allah, you sought no substitute for guidance, and you associated no one with your Lord in worship."

Imam Hasan (peace be upon him): It is narrated from Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him): Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) stood and delivered a sermon: "... Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says: أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرامِ کَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ جاهَدَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ [What! do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way]; he is the true mujahid in the way of Allah, and this verse was revealed concerning him. Among those who responded to the call of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) were his uncle Hamzah and his cousin Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah have mercy on him), both of whom were martyred like many others."

Imam Hasan (peace be upon him): Sulaym ibn Qays narrated from Hasan ibn Ali (peace be upon him) that he, after praising and glorifying Allah, said: "وَ السَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ المُهاجِرِینَ وَ الْأَنْصارِ وَ الَّذِینَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسانٍ [And the foremost, the first of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and those who followed them in doing good] (Al-Tawba/100). Just as the foremost in faith have superiority over others, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), in proportion to the precedence he had over others, has merit over them." And he said: "أَ جَعَلْتُمْ سِقایَةَ الْحاجِّ وَ عِمارَةَ الْمسجدالحرام [Do you make the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque]; he accepted the call of the Prophet and stood by him with his own life. Then his uncle Hamza, the Master of Martyrs (may Allah have mercy on him), along with him a group were killed, but Hamza (may Allah have mercy on him), by virtue of the kinship he had with the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), was their master. Allah gave Jaʿfar (may Allah have mercy on him) two wings by which he flies with the angels in Paradise wherever he wishes. This position was on account of the rank of these two before the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and their kinship with his noble person."

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him): This verse was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him).

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Abu Dharr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Ali (peace be upon him), on the day of the council for choosing the third caliph, recited this verse to those present, and all those present in that council confirmed that this verse had been revealed concerning him.