Hadith al-Manzila: Difference between revisions

al-Hakim Nishapuri considered this hadith authentic with regards to its sources and has quoted from [['Abd Allah b. 'Abbas|Ibn 'Abbas]] that the Prophet (s) said this hadith in the [[Battle of Tabuk]]. Ibn 'Abbas has also narrated that the noble Prophet (s) addressed 'Ali (a) by saying, "It would not be appropriate that I go, except you would be my vicegerent here," and then said, "After me, you are the guardian of every man and woman believer."<ref>Ahmad b. Hanbal, Vol.1, P.545, Al-Hakim al-Nishapuri, Vol.3, P.134; Ibn Kathir, al-Bidaya wa al-nihaya, Vol.7, P.351</ref>

In addition to proving a great merit for [[Imam 'Ali (a)]], this hadith also proves his right for [[caliphate]] and infallibility, since the [[Prophet (s)]] has elevated Imam 'Ali (a) to [[Aaron]] and all of his virtues, except for being a prophet. According to Quranic verses, prophet [[Moses]] asked God to choose Aaron as his deputy, and prophet Musa helps him in his mission<ref>Sura Taha (20:29-32)</ref>. God accepted Moses' request<ref>Sura Taha (20:36)</ref> and Aaron became Moses' vicegerent in his absence<ref>Sura A'raf (7:142)</ref>. Therefore, Aaron had all the positions of Moses as well, and if Aaron remained alive after Moses, he would have served as his successor (according to Jews, Aaron passed away forty years before Moses.)

Aaron was the most beloved person before God and Moses, so was 'Ali (a). God supported Moses by his brother Aaron and did the same about the Prophet (s) by 'Ali (a). Aaron was infallible regarding any error or ignorance, and so was 'Ali (a).

Some Sunni scholars have questioned the source of this hadith and have consider as scarcely recorded (akhbar al-ahad)<ref>For example, see Amidi, P.167</ref>.

[[Shi'a]] scholars have responded by gathering the various documentations of this hadith. According to scholars with a specialty in hadiths, this particular hadith is among "most authentic of the Prophet's traditions and most established sources." Al-Dhahabi, a great Sunni scholar, has approved this hadith in his ''Talkhis al-mustadrak''. If this hadith were not authentic, it would not be mentioned in [[Sahih al-Bukhari]] and [[Sahih Muslim]]. Moreover, [[Mu'awiya]] who was a fierce enemy of Imam 'Ali (a) who had ordered others to insult and curse [[Imam 'Ali (a)]], as well as create fictitious hadiths against him, has not only accepted this hadith but also narrated it.<ref>Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, P. 179</ref>

Some Sunnis have said 'Ali's (a) role as an authority only applied during the time of the [[Battle of Tabuk]]<ref>Ibn Taymiyya, Vol.7, P.322</ref> while others limited his role even more and said that the Prophet (s) appointed 'Ali (a) as his deputy only in [[Medina]] and only among his own family<ref>al-Baqilani, P.457; Mir Hamid Husayn, Vol.2, Chaper.1, PP.74-6</ref>. They have said that accepting this hadith does not mean that all the Prophet's (s) positions and merits except [[prophethood]] could also apply to 'Ali (a), and the appearance of this hadith can only mean that 'Ali (a) was the Prophet's (s) deputy only in the absence of the Prophet (s) at the time of the Battle of Tabuk and just about his family affairs like [[Aaron]] was his deputy in his absence.

# Companions themselves understood a general sense of the hadith regarding 'Ali's (a) positions. For example, when [[Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari]] was asked about the meaning of the hadith of Manzila, he answered that in this hadith, the Prophet (s) appointed 'Ali (a) as his deputy among his ummah, in his life and after his demise and made his obedience incumbent upon you<ref>Ibn Babawayh, P. 74</ref>.

Aaron had the position of caliphate and other merits when Moses was alive, 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)<ref>Qadi 'Abd al-Jabbar, Vol.10, Chap.1, PP. 159-60; Jurjani, Sharh al-Mawaqif, P.363; Mir Hamid Husayn, Vol. 2, Chap.1. P.86</ref>.