Text of the Tradition
1. It is narrated from Harth and Asim directly from Imam Ali (a.s.) from
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said:
“Almighty Allah created Ali and I from a single tree. A tree, of which I am
the root and Ali is its branch and Hasan and Husain are its fruits and the Shia are
its leaves. Verily does anything, but the pure emerges from pure. I am the city of
knowledge and Ali is its gate. Thus, whoever wants to enter the city, should enter
through the gate.”
In the report of Huzaifah from Imam Ali (a.s.), it is narrated that: “I am the
city of knowledge and Ali is its gate and they do not enter the city, except
through its gate.”
In another report, it is narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that the Prophet
(s.a.w.a.) said to him: “I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate. He has
lied, who thinks that he can enter the city, except through its gate.”
In another report, it is narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that the Prophet
(s.a.w.a.) said to him: “I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate. He has lied, who thinks that he can enter the city, except through its gate; and Almighty
Allah says:
وَأَتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا
“And go into the houses by their doors.”1
2. It is narrated from Ibne Abbas that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said:
“I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate. So whoever wants
knowledge, should enter from the gate of knowledge.”
In a report from Saeed bin Jubair, it is narrated from Ibne Abbas that the
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:
“O Ali, I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate and none can enter
the city, except through its gate.”
3. It is narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah that:
During Hudaibiyya, I heard from Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) that he said
while holding the hand of Ali (a.s.): “This one is the chief of the righteous and
eliminator of the wicked. One, who supports him will be assisted and whoever
deserts him, will be abandoned.” Then he raised his voice and said: “I am the city
of knowledge and Ali is its gate. Thus, whoever wants to enter the house, should
enter through its door.”
In another traditional report, it is narrated from Jabir:
“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate. Thus, whoever intends
knowledge should come towards it.”
There are other tradition as well, which scholars have mentioned in their
valuable writings and which strengthen the authenticity of this tradition; among
them being:
- “I am the city of wisdom and Ali is its gate.”2
- “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.”3
- “I am the criterion of knowledge and Ali is its pans.”4
- “I am the city of criterion (balance) and Ali is its pan.”5
- “I am the city of knowledge and you are its gate. None enters the city, except through its gate.”6
- “He is gate of the city of my knowledge.”7
- “Ali is my brother and he is from me and I am from Ali and he is the gate
of my knowledge and my successor.”
- “Ali is gate of my knowledge and after me, he would explain whatever I
am commissioned with.”8
- “You are the gate of my knowledge.”
He issued this statement in tradition addressed to Imam Ali (a.s.). This
tradition is quoted by Kharkoshi, Abu Nuaim, Dailami, Khwarizmi, Abul Alaa
Hamadani, Abu Hamid Salihat, Abu Abdullah Ganji, Sayyid Shahabuddin,
author of Tauzeehud Dalail, and Qunduzi.
- “O Umme Salma, be a witness and listen carefully: This Ali is the chief
of believers, leader of Muslims, treasurer of my knowledge and the gate of my
wisdom, towards which one must aim. “
This tradition is quoted from Abu Nuaim, Khwarizmi in Manaqib,9 Rafei in
Al-Tadween,10 Ganji in Manaqib,11 Hamawaini in Faraidus Simtain12 and so on.
Shaykh Muhammad Hafni says in gloss on Azizi:13 “The term of ‘Aiba’ in
the tradition means the vessel of my knowledge, whose protector Ali is, because
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was the city of knowledge. From this aspect the
companions needed him in difficult problems. Therefore our chief, Muawiyah,
always during that incident [probably in the Battle of Siffeen] asked Imam Ali
(a.s.) about difficult matters and His Eminence (a.s.) replied. Thus the supporters
of Ali (a.s.) asked: Why are you replying to our enemy? He replied: Is it not
sufficient for you that he is needful of me? And during the period of our chief,
Umar also, he (Ali) solved problems and Umar remarked: O God, don’t keep me
alive when Abu Hasan is not present…”
Manawi has written in Faizul Qadeer:14 “Ali is the vessel of my knowledge:
that is it seems that Ali would solve the difficulties of my statements from my
Ummah; he is my special one, the abode of my secrets and mine of my precious
things. And vessel is something in which, one stores his precious belongings.”
Ibne Duraid says:15 “This is the gist of the statement of Prophet and such a
proverb is unprecedented. This proverb shows that only Ali (a.s.) was informed
about the secret matters through the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), about which others
were unaware. This is the peak of praise for Ali and indeed the consciences of his
enemies were filled with belief in his greatness.”
It is mentioned in Sharh Hamziya that:16 “Muawiyah often sent messengers
to Ali (a.s.) inquiring about difficult problems and Ali (a.s.) replied to him. A son
of Imam Ali (a.s.) asked: ‘You are replying to your enemy?’ He replied: ‘Is it not
sufficient for us that he his needful of us?’”
11. “I am the city of jurisprudence and Ali is its gate.” Abu Muzaffar Sibte
Ibne Jauzi has quoted this in Tadkira.17