Hadith al-Manzila: Difference between revisions

Aaron had the position of caliphate and other merits when Moses was alive, since he passed away before Moses, thus Ali (a) might have had Aaron's positions and merits while the Prophet (s) was alive; therefore, hadith of Manzila cannot be considered a rule for caliphate after the Prophet (s).

# The word "except" in the hadith ("Illa annahu la nabiyya ba'di", ["except for there is no prophet after me."]) clarifies the generality of the hadith and the mentioned positions and merits are approved for Ali (a) after the Prophet (s), otherwise there would be no need for the exception. According to Tabarsi, hadith scholars generally agree that the Prophet (s) appointed Ali (a) as his deputy in Medina in the battle of Tabuk and did not dismiss him and this position remained valid for Imam Ali (a).

# Based on the assumption of the question, Aaron was not alive to be the caliph. If Aaron was alive after Moses, he absolutely would be the caliph since he was appointed for caliphate. Similarly according to the hadith of Manzila, Imam Ali (a) received the merits of the Prophet's (s) caliphate and while he (s) was alive, Imam Ali (a) would be his caliph and deputy.